DIXFIELD — The Dixfield Fire Co. will hold its first open house on Oct. 10. The event is coordinated by firefighter Jason Hyde and promises to have a variety of activities and events to please both children and adults.
“We need to do more in the community, to educate people about fire safety,” he said.
The event takes place at the Main Street fire station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Prior to the actual open house, children at Dirigo Elementary School will have a chance to compete in a coloring contest.
Hyde said teachers at the school will soon hand out coloring sheets to youngsters, who will return them prior to the open house. Prizes for best in each grade, from prekindergarten through five, will be awarded.
Also, for children, nurses from Elsemore Dixfield Family Medicine will be at the open house to “diagnose” any illnesses or injuries a favorite teddy bear, doll, GI Joe or Transformer may have.
“The staff will patch up the toys,” Hyde said. “This is a great way to get everyone involved.”
Youngsters will have a chance to sit in a fire engine, and every child will receive a fireman’s hat.
Sparky the Fire Dog, from the Mexico Fire Department, will be on hand, as will Smokey Bear from the Maine Forest Service. A variety of games and goodies will be available, and children can have their faces painted.
Most of the 23 volunteer firefighters, as well as auxiliary members and junior firefighters, are expected to help out by giving tours and answering questions about fire safety.
“The community’s taxes pay for this department. This is our way to give back, to show what their money is paying for,” Hyde said. “Because this is a volunteer fire department, no one is usually here to answer questions. It was time to get the community in here to see what we do.”
The event is timed to take place at the end of Fire Prevention Week.
Hyde said members of his department plan to bring a variety of fire safety/prevention messages and demonstrations into Dirigo Middle School and Dirigo Elementary School sometime in October.
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