One of the most popular events in Muscatine is hosted every year by the Muscatine Fire Department, Muscatine Police Department, MUSCOM, and the Muscatine Sheriff’s Department. The 2024 Public Safety Open House will feature special displays from each department from 12-3 p.m., on Sunday, October 6, at the Public Safety Building, 312 East 5th Street.
The Open House is the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors, both young and old, to visit the Public Safety Building for an enjoyable learning experience that includes demonstrations, discussions, and games. Attendees will be able to meet and interact with Public Safety staff, and learn about what they do and the equipment they use.
The Open House is held annually at the start of Fire Prevention Week, held October 6-12 this year, with this year’s theme “Smoke Detectors: Make Them Work For You”.
The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) says that in a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education is not just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.
Visitors to the Central Fire Station will be able explore the various fire and emergency response apparatus, and visit a variety of booths to learn more about smoke detectors, home fire safety, and the Explorers Program. A smoke house will be located in the alley behind the fire station that teaches children how to safely exit a house in a smoke-filled atmosphere, and a mini smoke house that will demonstrate how smoke flows.
The Fire Department also plans to have a recruitment booth with video and handouts for fire safety, a gear demonstration booth, and a photo booth with Freddie the Fire Truck. Also, inside the station will be games for the children including a hose trace where children are blindfolded and have to follow the hose like a firefighter would do to exit a building.
A vehicle extrication demonstration will show how the jaws, cutters, spreaders, rams, etc., are used to extricate victims from automobile accidents. A demonstration of the aerial tower truck, and a demonstration on how to use a fire hose to shoot water into a house will also be featured.
The Muscatine Police Department is planning a variety of static displays of a squad car, armored vehicle, and tactical equipment. Children will not want to miss an opportunity to meet Muscatine’s K-9 officers and learn about the work they do, and parents will not want to miss the opportunity to visit the drug trailer and see some of the warning signs of drug use. You may also want to give the drunk goggles a try.
The Iowa State Police will have a seatbelt impact trailer on hand that is designed to simulate how a seatbelt can save your life. The Muscatine Police Tactical Team also plans demonstrations with the Muscatine Police robot. There will also be games where children can earn prizes.
The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Department will also have their K-9 officer on hand as well as static displays of squad cars, boats, and other related items in the alley parking lot.
About Fire Prevention Week
Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
To find out more about FPW programs and activities in Muscatine, please contact the Muscatine Fire Department at 563-263-9233. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and the use of smoke alarms, visit www.fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org.