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Firefighters promote fire prevention

Open house held in Clintonville

By Bert Lehman


The Clintonville Fire Department held an open house Saturday, Oct. 23, to promote fire prevention.

Fire Chief Shane Krueger said because the department had to cancel its annual Fireman’s Festival in the summer, it decided to host the open house.

“With that cancellation, we decided to really focus on fire prevention and bring it in October, which is fire prevention month,” Krueger said.

The open house included pumpkin painting, vehicle extrication demonstrations, DOT seatbelt convincer, fire truck tours, fire extinguisher training, and K9 demonstrations.

All of the department’s fire trucks were outside on display. Attendees could take a close look at the equipment and go inside.

“A lot of people always love to see fire trucks,” Krueger said

Children also had the opportunity to enter a smoke house, which simulates what it is like to be in a house filled with smoke.

Smoke house

“We simulated and talked about what they would have to do if they were ever in a situation where their house was filled with smoke and making an exit,” Krueger said. “Also, if firefighters were inside looking for them. We gave them a little talking, and then they had the opportunity to go into an environment that was filled with smoke, and stay low, and crawl and make their way to the exit, and actually encounter a firefighter looking for them and helping get them out.

“So, they’re not scared of a firefighter and have that experience. To have them understand if they are ever in that unfortunate event.”

Krueger said the older youths thought the experience was great and some went through the smoke house a couple of times.

“Definitely the younger kids were a little scared of the situation,” Krueger said. “That’s why we wanted to talk to them and really tell them about it. It is a scary situation if you are ever in it. Even if you’re an adult, it’s scary. Just talking though it and having them have an understanding, that’s really what this has been all about.”

Attendees also learned how to use a fire extinguisher. This included pulling the pin, squeezing the trigger, and putting out a simulated fire.

The Red Cross was on hand and attendees could sign up to get a smoke detector installed.

Krueger said they had planned for 750 people to attend the open house, and he estimated the attendance to be 400-500 people. With the open house being a first-time event, Krueger said he was happy with the attendance.

He added that the event was made possible with the help of State Farm Insurance, First State Bank, Kwik Trip, and Tyson Foods.

“We hope we can make a difference and get some education out there,” Krueger said. “We’re glad to have an open house and have our station open for people to see it.”

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