Olympia Fire Department to host open house

Local families will have a chance to get an up-close look at fire engines, watch a Jaws of Life demonstration, and learn about fire prevention at a Saturday open house at the Olympia Fire Department.

Fire Marshal Rob Bradley said the event is designed to introduce Olympia residents to their local department, and to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week. The event will be hosted at department headquarters at 100 Eastside St. NE, and will run from noon to 3 p.m.

“We’re using this as an opportunity to open our doors so people can see what we do,” Bradley said.

Young visitors will be able to try out a miniature fire hose, and take a ride in a miniature fire engine. Station tours will be offered, and Olympia police officers also will be on hand to talk about crime prevention.

Fire Captain Jim Brown said a medic unit will be at the station for visitors to explore, and a CPR station — complete with dummies — will be set up.

The fire department hasn’t hosted an open house since 2009, and Bradley said it seemed like the right time to start the tradition again.

“This seemed like a good year to do it, so here we are,” Bradley said.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 1:02 PM with the headline "Olympia Fire Department to host open house."