Each year, fire departments across the country participate in Fire Prevention Week, trying to get the word out to the public about fire safety.

In years past, the Clearwater Fire Dept. held an open house during the Saturday of Fire Prevention Week, which typically falls around the first weekend in October.

Over the past few years, the department has joined with the rest of the city and held its open house during Heritage Days. At that event there are demonstrations of fire suppression, extractions from a burning vehicle, tours of the fire hall and rides on a fire engine for kids.

The department was also participating in fire safety education last Saturday at the Clearwater Library.

Firefighter Brian Kunkel, who is also the Clearwater Fire Marshal, spoke to a small group at the library about his job and they type of equipment firefighters use.

He demonstrated the procedure to put on his turnout gear, which can consist of Nomex shirt and pants, boots, hardhat with headlamp and chin strap and an air pack. He also let some kids try on some gear.

The gear can weigh between 75 and 100 pounds, said Kunkel.

“We have it all ready to go in our lockers,” he said. “When the pagers go off, we respond to the fire hall.  A lot of people leave work.”

Kunkel said they respond to a lot of medical calls, accidents, grass fires and structure fires. But most are medical.

“With all the technology, fire codes and safety rules, fires have really dropped off,” he said.

He also gave a tour of Engine 11, which was parked outside the library. Kids, parents and grandparents had a chance to see the inside and ask questions about all the equipment and gauges.

Fire safety involves more than just putting out fires. Kunkel said just responding to a call can be hazardous.

“You have to watch your driving,” he said. “If you crash on the way there, you’re not going to help anybody.”

Back inside the library, Kunkel gave out replicas of fire helmets to any kids who attended, along with sticker badges.