In honor of Monroe Police and Fire Appreciation Week, the week of Nov. 17, the Monitor is highlighting the departments and the life-and-property saving work they do.
To Snohomish County Fire District 3, located in Monroe, providing opportunities for fire prevention education is a fundamental part of serving the community.
In order to achieve this ongoing directive, the district has worked diligently to obtain various interactive educational implements which can be utilized to teach an array of topics including fire prevention, general fire safety, escape techniques, the importance of smoke detectors and much more.
Each year in October, the department hosts an open house to provide the community with a fun opportunity to meet their local firefighters and learn about safety and fire prevention. The open house coincides with National Fire Prevention Week which typically takes place during either the second or third week in October.
Monroe Fire Department Administrative Specialist Elsa Sexton explained that Fire Prevention Week is meant to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which took place in 1871. The fire, which burned from October 8 through October 9, killed more than 250 people and destroyed thousands of buildings. Fire Prevention Week is observed during the Sunday-through-Saturday period in which October 9 falls.
"It's usually the second week in October and we always have our open house on that Saturday,GÇ¥ said Sexton. "At the end of Fire Prevention Week.GÇ¥
Sexton co-chairs the open house with 15-year Monroe firefighter and paramedic Kurt Schneider. The event, which gives people the opportunity to experience each different aspect of the department firsthand, includes an extensive variety of activities and interactive learning opportunities for kids, teenagers, and adults.
The department offers several unique and engaging tools which can be utilized for educational purposes.
"The kids really like to interact with an educational robot we were able to purchase called Pluggie,GÇ¥ said Schneider. "It's very useful and very helpful GÇô the kids just go goofy for him.GÇ¥
"Pluggie the FireplugGÇ¥ is a remote-control operated robot that is shaped like a fire hydrant. The cheerful, 3-foot- tall robot, complete with eyes that blink and light up, glides around the fire station on two wheels and is a lot of fun for young tykes who enjoy the chance to meet an actual robot.
The robot's internal microphone and speaker system enables whoever is operating Pluggie to interact directly with the kids. The operator can hear the kids via Pluggie's microphone, and can respond utilizing the robot's speaker system. The remote-control aspect of the robot allows the operator to stay out of sight.
"Where they don't want to listen to one of us stand and talk about something, they'll sit and stare at that thing and hang on its every word,GÇ¥ said Schneider.
Another educational tool that the Monroe Fire Department keeps in their arsenal is the hazard house, a fully-mobile fire safety simulator. The hazard house, when fully deployed, is over four feet tall and approximately seven feet in length. Constructed to include all the features of a multi-level family home, the hazard house features realistic special effects including lighting, sounds, smoke and flames.
"It's basically a big doll house, but because it's not a video, people really pay attention to it,GÇ¥ said Schneider. "It's probably our best teaching tool.GÇ¥
The hazard house is able to simulate several different scenarios. When a "fireGÇ¥ occurs in the lower level of the house, the "flamesGÇ¥ emit "smokeGÇ¥ so that the presenter is able to demonstrate the way that smoke rises. Firefighters can use the realistic effects produced by the hazard house to explain how occupants can best navigate a home that is burning so that they can get outside to safety.
The house teaches injury prevention in addition to fire safety, and has an "electrical arcGÇ¥ accompanied by a feisty zapping sound to demonstrate the hazards associated with operating electrical devices when near a bathtub.
"We try to have interactive education that is fun and not just a boring lecture,GÇ¥ said Sexton. "We've worked really hard to get some pieces of equipment that can help us deliver the message in a fun way.GÇ¥
Taking the hazard house concept even further, the department also has a full-size safety trailer which features a mock kitchen and bedroom area. The safety trailer actually gives people the opportunity to participate in a fire drill, complete with a smoke detector and the opportunity to escape through the safety trailer's window.
Additionally, the open house offers guests the opportunity to learn how to use a fire extinguisher, plus gives them the chance to operate a fire hose, wander throughout the apparatus bay and actually climb inside the medic units. There are games for kids, and plenty of firefighters and paramedics on hand to answer questions. Department mascot "Sparky the Fire DogGÇ¥ makes a special appearance and is available for hugs and photos.
And of course, a key attraction of the open house is the chance to go for a ride in a fire truck.
Sexton explained that, while the purpose of the open house is for attendees to have fun, even more importantly she hopes that they learn something that could one day save their life or the lives of their family.
"We want them to have fun; we want them to see the fire station,GÇ¥ said Sexton. "But we also want the opportunity to educate them and hopefully prevent somebody's injury or death.GÇ¥
"It's probably one of the best open houses around,GÇ¥ said Schneider. "It's really something to see.GÇ¥
The open house, which is generally held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., is open to everybody and includes free pizza. "We have a very supportive business community,GÇ¥ said Schneider. "At the end of the tour we give out bottled water, and Sahara Pizza provides us with enough pizza for 800 people.GÇ¥
Sahara has donated pizza for the event for several years running.
For more information about the Monroe Fire Department, please visit their website at: http://www.monroefire.org/index.cfm.
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