Downers Grove Fire to host 'Night at the Firehouse'

The Downers Grove Fire Department will celebrate "A Night at the Firehouse" in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week.

The department will welcome residents from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Station 5, 6701 Main St., to see demonstrations of automobile extrication, rescue techniques, fire behavior, and a presentation of various uniforms and protective apparel worn by firefighters in a variety of emergency situations.

Children can slide down a real firefighter pole. Participants can use the department's thermal imager to see how firefighters locate hot spots in a room. The highlight of the night will be a dramatic, real-life presentation of side-by-side rooms involved in fire demonstrating the effectiveness of residential sprinklers.

Here's some of what's planned:

• "Masters of Disguise" - Firefighters model the many uniforms they wear for various types of emergencies.

• Automobile extrication demonstration.

• Kids slide down a firepole.

• Learn what fire investigators do.

• Learn about injury prevention from Good Samaritan's emergency room nurses.

• See images of yourself from a thermal imaging camera.

• Meet firefighters and climb aboard vehicles.

• Practice escaping from nontoxic smoke at the Kids' Fire Safety Trailer.

• Collect fire prevention information.

• Learn about Nicor natural gas and carbon monoxide safety.

• Side-by-side burn rooms and residential sprinkler demonstration.

• Halloween safety with the Downers Grove Police Department.

• Railroad safety.

• Take your picture with a firefighter at the red carpet.

For information, contact Gina Barr, administrative assistant, at (630) 434-5990, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Visit www.downers.us.