When I was in broadcasting I’d find myself frustrated when we reported cool events like this after they’d already happened. Of course, if news stations broadcast upcoming events they’d never have time for the news. Even so, I’d love to see more attention paid to upcoming events on the local morning, noon, or 5pm shows. I bet many of you would, too.
Anyway, as a service I’d like to point out that a really fun and educational event is planned for this Tuesday at the Mandan Fire Department. Here’s what the Mandan City website has to say:
The Mandan Fire Department will hold its annual Fire Prevention Week parade and open house on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The parade of fire trucks and other emergency apparatus will depart at 6:30 p.m. from the Mandan Rural Fire Department Station at 3014 34th Street NW, proceeding to Old Red Trail and Collins Avenue, finishing at the Mandan Fire Department Station No. 1 at 110 Collins Avenue.
The Fire Department open house at Station No. 1 begins at 7 p.m. Activities will include demonstrations of vehicle extrication and fire extinguisher training, fire truck rides, hands-on experience spraying a fire hose, a smoke house, and Patches The Fire Dog. Free hotdogs and pop will be served.
Local fire departments, emergency medical services and rescue serve workers and volunteers will participate including the Mandan Rural Fire Department, Bismarck Fire Department, Bismarck Rural Fire Department, Metro Area Ambulance, Morton County Emergency Management, Mandan Police, North Dakota Highway Patrol, SWAT Team, Morton County Dive Rescue, Sanford Health, State Farm Insurance, and Mandan Marlins Swim Club.
Mandan firefighters have visited nearly 1,400 children in more than 50 kindergarten through third grade classrooms at Mandan’s five public and two private elementary schools in recent weeks to provide instruction on fire safety. Presentations are planned this week at St. Joseph’s Elementary and Christ the King Elementary. Points covered include the “stop, drop and roll” technique of escaping a fire, the importance of crawling low in smoke and having a household plan for a predetermined meeting place in the event of a fire. Third graders “hunt for hazards” in their homes.
So, there you have it. Take the little ones and have a blast (and a hot dog)! Line up early along the parade route to see the fire trucks go by with lights & sirens, then join them at the fire station on Collins to see the demonstrations.