Fairfax County Fire Welcomes Public To First Open Houses Since 2019

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — In celebration of Fire Prevention Week, fire stations across Fairfax County held open houses on Saturday that attracted hundreds of people to tour the stations, see the fire trucks and ambulances, and participate in fun activities.

The events were the first open houses held by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department since 2019. In-person open houses were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our firefighters and all members of our department look forward to Open House every year as we get to visit with many members of the communities we serve," a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said in an email to Patch.

At the McLean Volunteer Fire Department, families toured the ambulance and fire vehicles, and had a chance to spray a hose, guide a small emergency vehicle on an obstacle course, watch a firefighter suit-up in protective gear, and observe EMTs and paramedics carrying out a trauma scenario.

“A delightful day at Open House as the McLean Volunteer Fire Department opened our bays to the first in-person, community event in three years,” the McLean Volunteer Fire Department said about the event.

At the newly renovated station in Lorton, firefighters took families on tours of the two-story station, showing the second-floor room where firefighters sleep at night and the pole where firefighters slide down when the alarm goes off. If there’s a line to slide the down the pole, some firefighters might opt to race down the stairs to get their safety gear and climb on their vehicles, visitors learned.

Late Saturday afternoon, as the open house was winding down, one firefighter said she was returning to the Lorton fire station after going on three different calls.

At the Burke Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, Sparky the Fire Dog was on hand to enjoy the festivities. The Burke Lions Club was also onsite selling lunch.

Fox Mill, Station 31 in Herndon was one of the stations that Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler visited on Saturday. Butler had a chance to speak with "current and future firefighters," the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said.