Fire Department open house Wednesday
Published 8:32 am Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Austin police and fire Departments are reminding people as part of Fire Safety Week to practice precaution when maintaining fires of any kind.
According to Mower County Senior Sgt. Investigator Steve Sandvik, a rural man suffered severe burns on Sept. 26 when he used gas to maintain a fire ring. The gas can caught fire and then exploded.
The man is currently recovering in a burn unit in the Twin Cities.
To further stress safety, the Austin Fire Department will give the public a chance to explore and learn about the fire station by hosting an open house 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 10.
“This year’s theme is ‘Look, Listen and Learn,’” said Austin Fire Chief Jim McCoy.
The “Look” portion is meant for people to look for possible cases of fire around the house, “Listen” is for smoke alarms in the house and making sure they work and “Learn” is meant for people to discover in their own home two ways out of every room and that windows open free to outside and our uncluttered.
Austin’s firefighters have already been to a number of schools in September and into October to meet students, familiarizing them with safety and what the firefighters look like should they have to go into the home.
Visitors to tonight’s open house will get the opportunity to tour the station and the trucks, see auto extrication and fire extinguisher demonstrations and spray the fire hose. Kids will be able to dress as a firefighter and extinguish a fire.
Sparky the Fire Dog will also be on hand (or paws) to greet attendees.