Have you ever wanted to see the inner-workings of a firehouse, or speak to the men and women who protect the city?<\/p>\n
This Saturday, the public is invited to visit any of the Cape Coral Fire Department\u2019s 13 fire stations from 9 a.m. to noon for the opportunity to meet firefighters and learn about fire apparatus, equipment, and services. <\/p>\n
The open houses also will offer a variety of fun and educational activities and displays, many from partner public safety agencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe annual open house is a fun and exciting way for us to engage the community,\u201d said CCFD Fire Chief Mike Russell. \u201cVisitors have the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of the CCFD, our all-hazards response capabilities, our partnership with other agencies, and our commitment to the well-being of people in our community. We look forward to welcoming everyone at all of our fire stations on Nov. 15.\u201d<\/p>\n
CCFD Spokesperson Andrea Schuch said the open house is one of the most important ways the department can connect directly with the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we run 30,000 calls a year, we only reach a little over 10 percent of the population through emergency response,\u201d she said. \u201cOpen house allows us to connect to the community beyond 911. It gives residents a firsthand look at the people, training, and equipment behind the scenes of our daily operations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schuch added this also is an exciting day for firefighters and CCFD personnel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our favorite event of the year,\u201d she said. \u201cOur firefighters take a lot of pride in their work, and getting to share that passion with the community, especially with kids who might see this as a future career, is something they really enjoy. It gives them a chance to showcase the fire service and the teamwork, dedication, and care that go into protecting our city.\u201d<\/p>\n
Locations of the stations and the activities at each are as follows:<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 1 \u2013 4610 Coronado Parkway \u2013 At the \u201cSave a Life Station,\u201d visitors can practice Family and Friends CPR, learn about safety, services, and involvement opportunities from the American Red Cross, meet adoptable dogs from the Cape Coral Animal Shelter and from Beesley\u2019s Paw Prints pet therapy program. OneBlood will also be onsite accepting blood donations from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 2 \u2013 521 Nicholas Parkway \u2013 Cape Coral Police Department officers (human and K-9) will be onsite with a patrol car, motorcycle, UTV, and drones at the \u201cCCPD Station.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 3 \u2013 1627 Everest Parkway \u2013 The Cape Coral Parks and Rec Fun Mobile will be at the \u201cCity Station,\u201d as will Emergency Management with all hazards information and public works heavy equipment.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 4 \u2013 2007 Santa Barbara Blvd. \u2013 The \u201cWater Safety Station\u201d will showcase the CCFD\u2019s marine and dive equipment. Water safety information from Lee Health, the YMCA, and Infant Swim Rescue Instruction will also be available.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 5 \u2013 1029 Diplomat Parkway \u2013 The \u201cWildland Safety Station\u201d is where guests can see the equipment used for fighting brush fires including the CCFD\u2019s monster brush truck, a Florida Fish and Wildlife UTV, and a Florida Forest Service bulldozer and tractor. FWC will also have a wildlife artifacts display, and visitors can also meet Forestry\u2019s famous mascot, Smokey.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 6 \u2013 4540 Chiquita Parkway \u2013 Firefighters will perform vehicle extrication demonstrations at the \u201cVehicle Safety Station.\u201d SafeKids will provide car seat checks and the Florida Department of Transportation will have safe, multimodal transportation information and free bicycle helmets and fittings.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 8 \u2013 707 SW 1st St. \u2013 Visitors will be able to get up close with a Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) helicopter and a Lee County Hyacinth Control airboat at the \u201cDon\u2019t Bug Me Station.\u201d There will also be an educational insect display and drones.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 9 \u2013 4107 Pelican Blvd. \u2013 The \u201cJunior Firefighter Station\u201d allows kids to don gear and navigate firefighter obstacles such as crawling through a smoky tunnel, using a hose, and climbing through a window.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 11 \u2013 1038 Burnt Store Road \u2013 The \u201cLee County EMS Station\u201d will have an ambulance and the LeeFlight helicopter for guests to tour.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 12 \u2013 2129 Chiquita Blvd. \u2013 At the \u201cSpecial Operations Station\u201d visitors will learn about special operations performed by firefighters including hazardous material response and Urban Search and Rescue and can meet some of TRISAR K9 Search and Recovery\u2019s K9 partners.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 13 \u2013 2025 N.E. 6th St. \u2013 The \u201cChild Safety Station\u201d will have an inflatable fire safety smoke house for guests to explore, face painting, 911 for kids with CCPD Dispatch, kids fingerprinting, and the United Way ReUnite program which is offered for children and vulnerable adults who may be prone to wandering or becoming lost.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 Station 7 \u2013 3942 Burnt Store Road N. and Station 10 \u2013 3623 Gator Circle West \u2013 will have CCFD Open House activities.<\/p>\n
Aside from all of the fun and educational offerings at each station, Schuch said even stopping by for a little bit allows visitors to learn more about fire safety, meet their neighborhood firefighters, and see the equipment and technology they use to respond to all kinds of emergencies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPlus, it\u2019s fun,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd it provides the opportunity to interact with many of our public safety partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information, visit capecoralfire.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n