Massive Household Enjoyable at MFPD Open House

The Manhattan Fire Protection District’s Station 83 Open House in Peotone gave space households the possibility to see contained in the firehouse, meet the primary responders who serve their group, study hands-only CPR, and kick off the weekend with some meals and enjoyable.

“This is the perfect day for it!” Katie Janousek stated. She introduced her three-year-old son, Teddy, to the occasion. They simply moved to Peotone a couple of years in the past, and this was their first time attending.

“I didn’t expect any of all that was here and what we did. He really liked the first aid station with the bear, calling 9-1-1, and even packing wounds. He’s too little to understand the CPR, but we watched the bigger kids do it, and it was nice to see them learn,” Janousek added.  

The free occasion, which was held on Friday, October 17, forward of the Peotone versus Manteno soccer recreation, had a theme of “Touch Down to Safety,” and gave residents take-home goodies, photo-ops, and an extended listing of all-ages kid-friendly actions, together with a jumpy/bounce home, pumpkin adorning, impediment course, face portray and, in fact, scorching canines, chips, and refreshments.

But that’s not all, MFPD additionally placed on a present with an extrication demonstration — an enormous crowd pleaser amongst those that got here to the occasion. 

The extrication demonstration was an enormous crowd pleaser. -Photo by Stephanie Irvine.

“It’s a nice set-up with lots of cool things for the kids to check out — and me,” Kevin Wojcik joked. He may need been extra excited than his niece and nephew, judging by his pleasure whereas speaking concerning the actions and particularly the extrication occasion.

He attended along with his sister, Laura Drake, and her children, three-year-old Evan and nine-year-old Emma. 

“The bounce house was a hit with my daughter. It’s a good idea, especially with the free food and face painting,” Drake added. 

The extrication demonstration confirmed what occurs after a automobile accident, with Deputy Chief Dave Piper speaking by means of the method with the group. He obtained the children concerned, having them name out 9-1-1 for an emergency, and talked by means of with the adults that, many occasions, the automobile remains to be in drive and operating once they arrive.  

MFPD crews drove an ambulance and hearth engine with lights to the makeshift scene, appearing out how they might assist these injured or in misery. Crews introduced out the jaws of life and minimize the door off the automobile, permitting one fortunate teenager the chance to the touch the tools whereas in operation. 

The crews walked the spreader and cutter instruments for the group to view up shut earlier than slicing off the door and spreading open one other one.

Following the demonstration, 12-year-old Preston Kress, of Green Garden, requested what occurs to the doorways after they’ve been minimize off, and Piper defined they go together with the automobile to the tow yard as soon as the accident is secure to be cleaned up.

Kress was there along with his brother, Hudson, and fogeys. The boys stated the demonstration was their favourite a part of the day.

“I liked when the glass exploded!” Kress stated. 

The pair’s dad and mom, Nicole and Paul, additionally loved the occasion, with Paul recalling household reminiscences of donating a automobile to the fireplace division.

“This is a very cool event, and I’m impressed by all that they have. They did an amazing job putting it together,” Nicole Kress stated. It was their household’s first time attending the occasion, they usually stated they’ll be again subsequent 12 months.

The open home additionally had instructional stations for guests to study important life-saving expertise. The hands-only CPR and Stop the Bleed stations supplied precious data on how anybody may assist in an emergency — and people expertise aren’t difficult to recollect. They simply must be taught.

“This is a great community event, where people can see all that we do, while giving kids some fun memories at the firehouse,” Chief Steve Malone stated.

“It’s important to do events like this and engage with the community. The goal is to educate the public, especially with CPR and basic first aid, so if they’re out in public and something happens, they know what to do,” Malone added.

“It can help save lives. When someone goes into cardiac arrest, if CPR isn’t started immediately, we have almost no chance of saving them. It really is a community effort,” Malone added, underscoring the academic element of the occasion. 

For Marissa Fryfogle, attending the open home is custom — one thing she loved as a child, driving her bike as much as the station for the occasion. Her son, six-year-old Damien, now will get to have a few of those self same reminiscences as she did — making one in all Fire Chief Steve Malone’s targets come to fruition.

“We only get a few community events throughout the year that have activities for the kids, so this is awesome. It’s nice to have a free event for the kids,” Fryfogle stated.

As the solar peeked out from behind the clouds, a children versus firefighters tug-of-war contest wrapped up the occasion with gusto and ear-to-ear grins. 

If the variety of smiles measured the occasion’s success, it’s clear this group occasion certainly succeeded in delighting everybody who attended. 

Stephanie Irvine is a contract reporter.

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