Wantagh Fire Department Hosts Fire Prevention Event: PHOTOS

WANTAGH, NY — Firefighters in Wantagh held their yearly open house at the department's headquarters over the weekend, with many neighbors and groups learning fire safety. The Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts were all in attendance Saturday, the last weekend of Fire Prevention Month.

With the beautiful weather, turnout was high this year, the Wantagh Fire Department said. Those who attended got to see up close the various fire equipment and vehicles, including a boat, ATV's, engines, ladder trucks, ambulances, a rescue truck for high-water situations, and even a Field Communications Unit. Attendees learned various fire safety tips and practices, such as preventing and extinguishing dryer and stove or oven fires. Emergency workers also took peoples' blood pressures and showed how to use a device that automatically gives chest compressions to those going into cardiac arrest.

Representatives from county's Office of Emergency Management were in attendance, as well as the Community Emergency Response Team and state troopers.

Certificates were given out for the annual fire prevention poster contest and the Ladies Auxiliary doled out tasty snacks and life-saving safety information. Attendees got to go through the "smoke house" and put out a simulated "fire" with an electronic fire extinguisher.

There were several "live burn" scenarios as well as a demonstration showing the dangers of using a turkey fryer, where a frozen turkey was dropped into boiling oil. Firefighters also put on a car fire demonstration and a house fire, where a small two-room shed was set ablaze so spectators could see how flames spread and how quickly conditions deteriorate.

Below is a photo roundup of the event: