Prospect Hts. Fire Department host family-friendly open house
The annual Prospect Heights Fire District open house drew nearly 600 people on Saturday, Oct. 13, but its impact went beyond all the free hot dogs and chances for children to climb on fire trucks.
Fire officials dedicated a permanent marker in front of the main station in memory of former trustee and city Alderman Tom O’Donoghue.
O’Donoghue died one year ago — nearly to the day — and he was remembered as a visionary and leader, whose legacy included having the vision to implement changes that led to the department’s conversion from a smaller rural department to a full-time one staffed by fire professionals.
“Mr. O’Donoghue loved the fire district,” said Chief Donald R. Gould Jr. “His forward thinking and requirement that we all be the best that we could be, made each of our members work that much harder toward perfection.”
Fire officials worked to perfect their annual open house this year and make it more interactive for families and children.
“The fire station is open to the public every day of the year, but our open house gives us an opportunity to demonstrate life safety services in greater detail,” said Dep. Fire Chief Drew Smith.
Fire officials devised a “passport to preparedness” for the event. As families traveled to different educational stations, they had their passports stamped. Along the way, they learned a variety of ways to become prepared in the event of severe weather that might leave them without access to basic services.
“It is our hope that should severe weather affect the entire community, most residents would be self-sustaining,” said Smith, “allowing emergency response to focus on those people with life-threatening conditions.”
The fall open house culminated a busy week for firefighters. Leading up to it, they spent Fire Prevention Week visiting schools and community groups helping to educate them about community responses to national disasters, as well as promoting fire prevention.
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