Come for free hot dogs, brats and brownie sundaes, meet Sparky the Fire Dog, and take an inside look at a working stationhouse at Firefighter Appreciation Day, scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at the Green Mountain Falls-Chipita Park Stationhouse 1. The event begins at 11 am and ends at 2 pm.
The town’s Fire Mitigation Advisory Committee (FMAC) is holding the event so the community can say “thank you” to its firefighters. The fire department is opening the stationhouse for tours showing where firefighters eat, sleep and get ready when the alarm sounds. Kids can climb fire trucks, flash their lights and get pictures taken with firefighters. Sparky will represent the National Fire Protection Association.
The day is an opportunity to show residents their role in lessening their town’s vulnerability to wildfire.
“Living with the continual threat of fire as we do, it’s important for our town to know we are in this together – neighbors and firefighters alike,” Lisa Huizenga, FMAC member and co-organizer of the event, said.
In addition to the tours and trucks, firefighters will show guests how to properly use fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Residents may sign up for free advice on what’s needed to protect their homes. They may also get on a list to receive regular updates from FMAC on local fire mitigation events.
Opportunities to sign up for free smoke detectors and installation will be available from the Red Cross.
Firefighters are raising money to buy radios designed to use in wildfires. Donations are welcome and local bakers will contribute proceeds from a bake sale.
The GMF-Chipita Park stationhouse is located at 2 Carsell Way in GMF, just behind the town hall.
“We have amazing firefighters. During the Waldo Canyon fire they spaced themselves every 50’ down the pass to protect our town from sparks that could have set our side of the mountain on fire,” said Kelly Hunter, FMAC member and a co-organizer. “They knew once it started, it could not be stopped. We must be more fire aware so we can all protect this town we love.
