BETHEL – Firefighters from 13 Oxford County towns are expected to train today at a Bethel amusement complex during Fire Prevention Week.
Other area departments are to conduct training sessions with elementary schoolchildren or hold open houses and demonstrations.
BIG Adventure operations manager Dawn Grondin stated in an e-mail Tuesday that the Bethel amusement center, which is off Route 2 at 12 North Road, had donated use of its 7,400 square foot laser tag arena for fire training.
“The public as a whole, has a major role in teaching our youth fire safety, and, donating the use of this facility to show youngsters about what firemen really do, is important to us,” stated Grondin, who is a member of Bethel Rescue. Her husband is a Gilead firefighter.
Training and refresher topics to be covered in the arena include self-contained breathing gear, thermal imaging, dry hose and multidepartment communications.
Participants are members of the Northern Oxford Mutual Aid Association, which includes departments from the towns of Andover, Bethel, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Gilead, Greenwood, Mexico, Newry, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford and Woodstock.
And, starting today, and ending Friday, Oct. 14, in some places, Bethel, Mexico, Peru and Rumford firefighters are to enter elementary schools in their towns to teach children about fire prevention.
Additionally, Rumford is to conduct its fourth annual Fire Prevention Week open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the fire station on Congress Street.
Deputy Chief Ben Byam said Tuesday afternoon that M/T Pockets owner Dave Hodgson of Dixfield is to bring three junked cars to the station, on which Jaws of Life demonstrations with extrication equipment are to be conducted.
Other demonstrations include rope rescue with a firefighter rappelling off the station roof, and junior firefighters participating in a hose-rolling contest.
Also, there will be a foam pit for kids, tours of the station and a new rescue truck, a fire hose set up for posed pictures, and materials for children and parents.
Refreshments and doughnuts are to be provided.
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