The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department fired up its annual open house to spread awareness to the community through hands-on demonstrations and family-friendly fun.
The event took place on Oct. 5 and was held in Foster City. The open house brought in around 2,000 people from across the county and featured demonstrations from firefighters, including fire extinguisher usage, and a car fire response.
The Fire Department hopes to increase knowledge about fire safety and to demonstrate the commitment emergency service members have to keeping the community safe.
“I think that it’s an opportunity for us to engage with them and reduce any sort of fear they have around service members in our community,” said Jenn Mecham, fire inspector of the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department.
According to Mecham, around 100 people helped organize the event, from the fire department, the Foster City and San Mateo police departments, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the American Red Cross.
“We learn how to take care of our families, our neighbors, and the city,” said Randy Raphael, a CERT volunteer.
Community engagement was a key goal of the event, along with giving people real interactions with firefighters and police officers.
“We have an explorers program for young people interested in learning about being peace officers. It’s there to help people learn how to protect their community,” said Clara Leong, a police sergeant.
Many firefighters and police officers were available for conversation to introduce concepts to kids.
“I think that this is a great community opportunity for people of all ages to come out and learn a little bit about the fire service and ways that they can get involved in the community,” Mecham said. “Two years ago, the first time I came to this event, I made a connection with a kid who then brought me a gift last year to thank me for teaching him.”
According to Mecham, introducing these concepts to kids makes it more likely for them to carry on that knowledge into adulthood.
“The intention is for us to reduce any risk in our community,” Mecham said.
The event provides kids with real-life skills to ensure their safety in an emergency, also including tours of the police station and the chance to go inside some of the vehicles emergency service workers use, from fire engines to police cars to motorcycles.
“We are teaching them the difference between toys and tools and reiterating that lighters and matches are tools that their parents should be helping them with,” Mecham said.
