Press releases

Edina Fire Department to hold Open House on Oct. 12

Edina, Minn., Sept. 25, 2008 -- On Sunday, Oct. 12, Edina residents and neighbors are invited to have a run-in with the Edina Fire Department -- one that doesn’t involve a ride in an ambulance or a house full of smoke. In conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, the Fire Department will hold its annual Open House at the newly constructed Fire Station No. 1 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Through a series of displays and interactive demonstrations, the Open House will provide attendees the opportunity to learn important fire safety tips and see the work of local firefighter/paramedics first-hand. It also gives the Fire Department the opportunity to say thank you for the community support they receive throughout the year.

Information on topics ranging from recreational fires to carbon monoxide will be on display and firefighter/paramedics will conduct interactive demonstrations that will show kids and adults what it’s like to work for the Fire Department. In addition, kids will be able to put on a firefighter’s uniform and use a real fire hose. The Fire Department’s large trucks and ambulances will be on hand and open for a look inside. The special operations team will demonstrate their skills, including reenacting a car crash rescue from the time of dispatch through the actual extrication of passengers. Much of the Department’s “latest and greatest” equipment will be on display. Sparky, the Fire Department’s Dalmatian mascot, will also be “sniffing” around the station.

This year’s Open House will also provide one of the first opportunities for the public to tour the newly constructed Fire Station No. 1, which officially opened in late July. Located on the site of the old station at 6250 Tracy Ave., the new two-story station provides nearly twice the square footage of the old station, which allowed for the much needed addition of a women’s locker room, sufficient storage for medical records, gear and equipment; an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) clean-room; a highly secure narcotics safe and evidence storage area; individual sleeping quarters for firefighter/paramedics; administrative offices and conference/training rooms; and an expanded six-bay apparatus floor for housing large fire and EMS equipment.

“We do the Open House at the end of Fire Prevention Week so we can use it as another opportunity to educate the public,” said Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson. “This year’s theme is ‘Prevent Home Fires,’ and it’s important for us to get the message out that the true cause of almost every fire is people -- men, women and children. We need to all be responsible for our actions.”

For more information on the Open House, contact the Edina Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at 952-826-0339 or online at www.CityofEdina.com/Fire.