BIDDEFORD — As an essential component to the safety and security of the community, Biddeford firefighters often are the last line of defense during emergencies and among the most selfless public servants you’ll find.

For just the second time ever, members of the Biddeford Fire Department are inviting the public to visit the Central Fire Station at 152 Alfred St. on Saturday, Oct. 7, and learn more about how local firefighters strive to the protect the public and property at a special open house event.

“We started this last year and it received such a great response that we’re going to do it again,” said Biddeford Deputy Fire Chief Paul R. LaBrecque. “The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and promises to be informative and fun for many who turn out.”

Biddeford’s firefighters provide fire protection, advanced life support ambulance service, fire prevention and special rescue services covering more than 33 square miles in the city with a force of 45 full-time personnel and 30 on-call firefighters.

Members of the Biddeford Fire Department must be prepared to respond to all calls for help and to provide emergency medical services in a moment’s notice.

City firefighters also respond to many other types of calls, including residential commercial fires, vehicle accidents, automobile and brush fires, hazardous material spills and situations, and perform river and ocean water rescues, among other tasks.

LaBrecque said that the underlying purpose of the open house is to help educate the public about not only the fire department itself, but also to offer valuable fire safety education.

“Those who come to the open house will see how important smoke detectors are, find out about our emergency medical services, see how we do extractions from vehicles in accidents and so much more,” he said. “They can test fire extinguishers, inspect fire engines and firefighting equipment and meet members of the department.” 

Special guests at the event will include representatives of the Biddeford Fire Department, Maine Forest Service, Maine Warden Service, Scarborough Police Department, York County Emergency Management Command Van, York County Juvenile Fire Coalition, Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Magical Moonwalks, Sugarloaf Ambulance Squad 51 and Firehouse Subs. 

Held in conjunction with the National Fire Prevention Week, the open house is an opportunity to visit the Biddeford Fire Museum at the fire station, try on firefighting gear, and meet Sparky the Fire Dog. 

Participants will be able to use actual fire hoses, enjoy free food, bounce houses, face painting and have firefighters perform car seat safety checks for parents of small children.

Fire safety information will be available to take home and there will be presentations about CPR and how cardiac AED defibrillator can save lives.

Parking is ample and it’s an entirely free event for families and everyone who attends. 

“This is all a way of getting across to the public of what we do every day and giving them a better understanding of what it means to be a firefighter,” LaBrecque said.  

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.

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