Children enjoy heroic day at Wilmette firehouse

Future recruits showed off their skills Saturday, Oct. 9, during the Wilmette Fire Department Open House.

The family event brought scores of children to Wilmette’s flagship firehouse on Lake Avenue, where they were introduced to several firefighting resources.

Local first-responders demonstrated equipment used for everything from firefighting and water rescues to repelling and vehicle extractions.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE EVENT

Children also were designated “junior firefighters,” given helmets and badges, and had a chance to operate a firehose.

The event ran from 9 a.m. to noon and in a typical year welcomes a couple thousand residents, said Wilmette Fire Chief Brian Lambel.

The open house is scheduled each year in alignment with Fire Prevention Week, which commemorates the Great Chicago Fire that began in October of 1871. This year, the program’s campaign is campaign “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!”, focusing on the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

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