PRESS RELEASE September 14, 2015
For more information, contact:
Battalion Chief Rick Martin
7850 Five Mile Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45230
Phone: (513) 688-8400
E-mail: rmartin@AndersonTownship.org
75th Anniversary of Anderson Fire and Rescue Celebrated with October 3 Open House
National Fire Prevention Week observed in tandem with special children’s educational events
Seventy-five years of public service provided by Anderson Township’s fire, rescue and emergency medical teams throughout the years will be recognized the first Saturday in October with a fire station open house and family activities.
To honor this milestone, Anderson Township Fire and Rescue opens the Beechmont Fire Station (7954 Beechmont Ave.) for five hours of activities, education and interaction, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Children will enjoy experiencing a Flame House, provided by the Milford Community Fire Department. This small freestanding house allows children to use the hose to knock (wooden) fire out of windows. The Miami Township Fire and Emergency Medical Service brings a 40-foot trailer called the Fire Safe House, allowing participants the near-real experience of being in a home when the smoke alarm goes off. Once inside, smoke detectors activate with theatrical smoke and children crawl low under smoke, feel the door and learn more safety tips regarding steps to take in an emergency.
Plans for the open house also include live fire and rescue training demonstrations by current firefighters, depending on the weather.
To recognize National Fire Prevention Week, the department introduces the department’s mascot, Lt. Big Ben, who encourages children to stay safe in all they do. A booth for tattoos and face painting will be available, as will fire safety education and prevention information and handouts.
Anderson Township’s Fire Department started as an all-volunteer organization in 1940 when seven men came together to discuss how to meet the fire safety needs of the community. The organization has grown over the years to a staff of 65 who operate out of four fire stations, 24/7 to provide professional fire, rescue and emergency medical service as paramedics to the almost 45,000 residents of the township.
“We’re looking forward to sharing our long and interesting fire department history and also teaching children how to stay safe at this open house, which will honor the important contribution of our department through the decades,” said Chief Mark Ober.
National Fire Prevention Week’s history dates back to 1922 and includes a week’s worth of fire prevention messages and activities. Anderson’s promotion will concentrate on the smoke alarm message: “Hear the beep where you sleep: Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm.”