Step into the shoes of a local hero this Halloween.
Garden City Fire Company is opening its bay doors and inviting the community to see what it’s like to be a firefighter for its Fire Safety and Truck or Treat Night, taking place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the firehouse, 412 Moore Road, Wallingford.
The evening will combine Halloween treats and costumes with essential, life-saving fire prevention.
Attendees of all ages are welcome to attend and tour the inside of the station and firefighter trucks, try on state-of-the-art gear and equipment used by Garden City firefighters on a daily basis, and meet Sparky the fire safety dog.
The event also gives prospective volunteers a glimpse into what being a Garden City firefighter looks like and the opportunity to get any questions answered about available roles, benefits of joining, time commitment and more.
“The open house is a wonderful opportunity for us to educate locals who may be unfamiliar with Garden City Fire Company and the fact that it is entirely volunteer. We are able to answer any questions from prospective volunteers and provide some insight into the volunteer firefighter experience and the countless benefits that come with joining,” said Garden City Fire Chief Pat O’Rourke.
All of the fire prevention tips will coincide with this year’s National Fire Prevention Association theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you,” which aims to educate the public about the importance of having functional smoke alarms in the home.
“It’s imperative that we equip members of our community with vital fire prevention knowledge to ensure that they can keep themselves and their families safe,” added O’Rourke.
According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 54 percent. Meanwhile, roughly three in five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Garden City serves Nether Providence Township, Rose Valley and surrounding communities, averaging more than 500 emergency calls a year. The fire company is always looking for new members passionate about supporting the community and helping those in need to join. No prior experience is needed, and training and gear are provided to all volunteers.
Submit a volunteer inquiry form or learn more by visiting https://gardencityfirefighter.org.