Abington Township Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Week Open Houses Inspire Knowledge and Smiles

Abington Township Fire Department’s annual week of Open House events to promote Fire Prevention Week met with community-wide enthusiasm, drawing in several hundred attendees per event with fun-filled activities for children, and vital safety information for families.  Open House events were held at all five stations – Abington, McKinley, Roslyn, Weldon and Edge Hill.

While parents were able to learn from volunteer firefighters about fire prevention, children donned  in classic fire hats practiced safety drills, such as “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” extinguished flames, and toured the inside of the fire stations and trucks.

“Emily loves coming out to see the fire trucks,” said Roslyn resident Matt Urick of his two-year old daughter.

Roslyn resident Samantha Miller, a third generation paramedic, is eager to get her three-year old son Cameryn interested in saving lives. He eagerly extinguished a fire with a hose.

Fire Chief  Michael Ratka was very accessible to aspiring firefighters like Max McGrath, who had numerous questions about volunteering.

“The Open House week is always a fun event, and we’re encouraged that so many families have come out to learn about not only what we do as a fire department, but also what they can do to stay safe while at home,” said Fire Services Administrator David Schramm.  “Showing how families can stay safe, prevent fires, and more is a vital part of what Abington Fire Department does.  Open houses allow us to do that in a way where children and families have fun while still learning.”

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org.

The ATFD headquarters is located at 1176 Old York Road in Abington. For more information, call 267-536-1055 or visit www.abingtonfd.org.