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Open House teaches fire safety
The Mountain Home Fire Department, opened its doors to the public last Thursday for a night of fun and education about fire safety.
Children and their families were lined up all the way down Jackson Street.
For the event, the Fire Department received assistance from DARE, members of the Citizens on Patrol program, and the Mountain Home Police Department. Sparky the Fire Dog, a fire safety mascot, met each of the children.
Bud Corbus, Assistant Fire Chief of the Mountain Home Fire Department, was in high spirits for the event. "It's wonderful for all the children to see the fire trucks and ride them. It's been a really great event for the community."
Corbus recognized two fellow firefighters, Chuck Van Meer and Elsa Guillen, for their hard work in putting the event together.
The event began with the children receiving cookies and milk (the milk was donated by the United Dairy Men of Idaho), as well as a gift bag full of fire safety gifts, including candy, fire safety brochures, pencils, pens, coloring books, bookmarks and pins.
After the children received their gift bags, they got the chance to sit on two police motorcycles and get their pictures taken.
"I liked shaking Sparky's hand, and sitting on the motorcycle. It was fun," said 7-year-old, Tiffany Butterfield.
"I think it was really fun, I liked getting to meet Sparky and sitting on the motorcycle." said 11-year-old Donald Butterfield.
"It was fun, Sparky was cool, I liked getting on the motorcycle," said 9-year-old Ashley Dale.
The children also had the opportunity to ride around town on top of a fire truck. The children came back excited after the ride.
"I thought the fire truck was fun," said 9-year-old Rachelle Schmidt.
"It was cool. I had a lot of fun, and I got to see a train," said 6-year-old Justin Shipland.
"I think the fire truck was the best part. It was fun hugging Sparky," said 8-year-old Jasmine Gaytan.
"It was really fun," said 12-year-old Ruben Gaytan.
"I think that everything was fun," said 7-year-old Corina Gaytan.
"It was fun and I liked the truck and the stuff I got," said 10-year-old Vanessa Gaytan.
Mountain Home City Councilmen Tom Rist and Councilwoman Alain Isaac were in attendance and shared the same sentiment for the evening.
"An absolutely gorgeous night for an event like this. This is one of the best nights we've had, a great deal of entertainment and the children are having fun," said Rist, an attendee of the open house for the last 12 years.
"This is just wonderful how the volunteers took their own time to educate the children and give the kids a real thrill," said Isaac.
Mountain Home Mayor Joe B. McNeal was also in attendance, lending his support and even donating some of the gifts to the children:
"I think the chief, his officers and all the departments involved have done an outstanding job, and the kids are getting a great education about fire safety," said McNeal.