Fire district hosting annual open house

Pierce County Fire District #23 will host its annual open house and community blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 21 at Station 87, 29815 State Route 706 E., Ashford. The event will include a variety of activities and offers to the public including:

• A community blood drive with help from Cascade Regional Blood Services from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers can sign up and reserve an appointment at https://donor.crbs.net/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/32945.

? Airlift Northwest will visit from its Olympia base and give helicopter demonstrations from approximately 10 a.m. to noon, operations and weather dependent.

? Life Flight Network will be visiting with its helicopter from its Kelso base from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., operations and weather dependent. This helicopter will land right behind the fire station and is your opportunity to see one of our two air medical resources up close and in person!

? Free blood pressure checks by District 23 EMTs

? Children's firehouse hose prop

? Fire department apparatus on display

? Sign up for burn permits

? Demonstration of medical equipment, including Zoll monitor/defibrillators, power cots and Lucas (automatic CPR) device

Vendors and exhibitors, including Mount Rainier National Park, United States Geological Survey/Cascade Volcano Observatory, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, Columbia Crest STEM School, Pierce County Library, Washington DNR Fire/Smokey Bear, Pierce County Explorer SAR & 4x4, South Sound 911, Arbor Health Morton General Hospital

There will also be a raffle for a family-size emergency kit that is donated by one of the firefighters. Free tickets will be handed out to attendees, and an extra ticket will be given to those who sign up and donate blood.

More information about the open house and blood drive can be found at https://www.pcfd23.org/openhouse.php.