Annual Fire Safety Event Returns on October 8
Started in 2003, Get Fired Up for Safety is a day when local fire and rescue departments join together in Marshfield to educate the public on important safety issues.
Now in its 14th year, the event began as a small event in the Culver’s and Rose Bowl Lanes’ parking lots and has expanded to include other neighboring business lots.
“We had good participation the first year and then subsequent years we added departments,” said Marshfield Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Owen. “Those that didn’t come the first year as a department, visited, saw what it was, and wanted to join. It’s grown to fifteen departments, Wood County Dispatch, and several local businesses.”
New this year will be Batteries Plus Bulbs handing out safety-related information and 9-volt batteries for smoke detectors.
Every department hosts a different educational opportunity for children. There is also a “Children’s Challenge” obstacle course, fire extinguisher demonstrations, and a teddy bear drop from the top of the ladder truck. Cameron Fire Department will be on-site with the Wood County Fire Chiefs Association’s new fire safety trailer.
The day begins with a parade at noon, traveling from the Marshfield Fairgrounds to Central Avenue to the northern end of town.
“All the businesses in the area are very supportive and involved in the whole event,” said Owen. “The goal is to show the appreciation and thanks to all the local fire departments and to get some education out to the citizens. There will probably be at least thirty fire trucks. Each department typically brings two rigs if not more.”
Though initially the event was designed more for children, today it is geared more towards families as a whole.
“It has gotten to the point that we as a group educate and inform the adults on fire safety issues probably equal to if not slightly more than the kids,” said Owen. “We talk about smoke detectors, how they need to be replaced every ten years. We talk about the home escape plans, and the importance of practicing those. It’s just these little things that we talk about that people maybe had never thought of.”
All ages, children to adults, are encouraged to Get Fired Up For Safety on October 8.
“It’s a chance for the public to come out and interact with firefighters to learn fire safety related topics. For the younger kids, it’s a chance for them to see that firefighters, even when they are in their fire gear, they are people and they shouldn’t be afraid of them,” said Owen. “We want to make sure that the kids aren’t afraid of us- that’s a big deal. The education component of this event is huge.”
