By Nick McConnell
The Reporter
VACAVILE, Calif. —Firefighters live, work, learn, and rest all within their fire stations, but the general public rarely gets the opportunity to see the inside of them. On Saturday, however, all six of the Vacaville Fire Department’s stations hosted open houses from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to showcase the facilities and make connections with the community.
Station 71, on Orchard Avenue, had pumpkins to be decorated, and kids got the opportunity to explore the Fire Safety House. Station 72, on Ulatis Drive, hosted a vehicle extrication demo and Station 73, on Eubanks Court, hosted a window rescue demo, and fireworks take back. Station 74, on Alamo Drive, held a carnival, a ladder truck demo and the chance to take photos with an antique fire engine. Station 75, on Cogburn Circle, had a Jr. Firefighter obstacle course and Station 76, on Conservancy Trail, held station tours and provided free hot dogs after noon.
| MORE: How to make your open house successful
Families traveling between all the stations were given stamp passports, and kids who went to all the stations were entered to win a chance to eat ice cream with the firefighters. Sylvandra Mophis and Sierra Christiansen of Vacaville High School, both 16, started their passports with Station 72, 2001 Ulatis Drive.
“I’m going to be a firefighter/paramedic,” Christiansen said, “So I wanted to see what goes on and also try on the gear, because that is cool.”
The students got the chance to try on fire coats and helmets, as well as oxygen tanks, which surprised Christiansen.
“It was really heavy,” she said, “It was also really hot.”
Mophis is less interested in a career as a first responder, but was happy to be along for the ride and to learn more about the fire department.
“It was so fun,” she said. “I just came here really to support my friend because she is awesome.”
Christiansen said she decided she wanted to become a firefighter because she appreciates first responders but did not want to become a police officer.
I feel like I’ve just always wanted to help people and make the world better,” she said.
While the event was taking place, first responders from Station 72 had to leave the station for a medical call, which impressed the students.
“I couldn’t understand anything that they were saying on the speakers though,” she said, “so I think they need to update that.”
Christiansen said she plans to go to college after high school and wants to major in something related to emergency response. She also hopes to work as an EMT during college and eventually become a Paramedic. She said her favorite part of the open house was trying on the gear.
“I feel like for me it was like spraying the water,” Mophis said.
Tim Franks, a Senior Code Compliance Technician, said public outreach events like this one are important to the department because they help the department give back to the community and meet the people that they serve.
“The event is to allow the public to come in, say hi to our firefighters and see exactly how they live day to day,” he said.
Franks said meeting with firefighters in plainclothes on a calm Saturday helps the community understand that they are just like anyone else.
“It’s good for them to be able to come in,” he said. “Especially if you come to your local station, those are the ones that are going to respond to you if you are in trouble.”
Franks said it is also fun for the Fire Department staff to work with the community and meet people.
“When you talk to them, they are all really super nice guys,” he said of the firefighters. “They are here to help protect you, they are willing to put their life on the line to help out.”
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