The Becker Fire Dept. held their open house Saturday to a host of families on a beautiful morning and afternoon.
Most showed up to show their appreciation for the heroes and some, to get a first-hand look at the fire house and equipment; others to get free rides on the big red trucks and others to get a free lunch.
This year’s fire prevention week slogan is, “Smoke Alarms Save Lives” and with that, the Becker Fire Dept. held a kitchen grease fire exhibition to warn people about the dangers associated with such a small kitchen fire.
Firefighter Ron Kortz gave the demonstration in which he had a fully-equipped kitchen installed in a trailer just outside the fire department building. Kortz placed a small saucepan on the stove and filled it with grease and turned the burner on. The pan eventually got so hot the grease folded over the sides and the entire pan erupted in flames as it sat unaccompanied on the fiery stove.
Kortz told the spectators that usually a person would think to douse the fire with water. Another firefighter demonstrated why that was not a good idea when he simply poured a small glass of water on the burning pan and it erupted into a gigantic fireball and began burning the surrounding kitchen area.
The firefighter quickly used a fire extinguisher to put it out, but Kortz said the incident most likely would have caused the person’s kitchen cabinets to start on fire and the person nearby would have been severly burned and possibly engulfed in flames.
Other activities at the open house included a water hose demonstration for the kids and a bouncy castle. Most of the fire trucks and emergency vehicles were opened up to show what the firefighters take with them and how the equipment is used when called to a fire or emergency situation.
Kids also got the opportunity to experience what it was like to don a real firefighter’s uniform and get acquainted with how protective the gear is and how much it actually weighs.
The Becker fire house has been in its present location since 2003, but the fire department has been around since 1904. The open house gives people the opportunity to see the relatively new facility, get behind the wheel of an ambulance or big rig, try on a fireman's gear, and to see the ladder truck extend way up to the sky.
Many firefighters, including Fire Chief Doug Kolbinger, were on hand to answer questions and hand out important information on what they do and how people can prevent house fires. They also spent time directing families to the long tables where coffee and donuts were served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
