Firehouse Fun | CCFD to hold open houses at all stations in the city
Have you ever wanted to see the inner-workings of a firehouse, or speak to the men and women who protect the city?
This Saturday, the public is invited to visit any of the Cape Coral Fire Department’s 13 fire stations from 9 a.m. to noon for the opportunity to meet firefighters and learn about fire apparatus, equipment, and services.
The open houses also will offer a variety of fun and educational activities and displays, many from partner public safety agencies.
“The annual open house is a fun and exciting way for us to engage the community,” said CCFD Fire Chief Mike Russell. “Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of the CCFD, our all-hazards response capabilities, our partnership with other agencies, and our commitment to the well-being of people in our community. We look forward to welcoming everyone at all of our fire stations on Nov. 15.”
CCFD Spokesperson Andrea Schuch said the open house is one of the most important ways the department can connect directly with the community.
“While we run 30,000 calls a year, we only reach a little over 10 percent of the population through emergency response,” she said. “Open house allows us to connect to the community beyond 911. It gives residents a firsthand look at the people, training, and equipment behind the scenes of our daily operations.”
Schuch added this also is an exciting day for firefighters and CCFD personnel.
“This is our favorite event of the year,” she said. “Our firefighters take a lot of pride in their work, and getting to share that passion with the community, especially with kids who might see this as a future career, is something they really enjoy. It gives them a chance to showcase the fire service and the teamwork, dedication, and care that go into protecting our city.”
Locations of the stations and the activities at each are as follows:
• Station 1 – 4610 Coronado Parkway – At the “Save a Life Station,” visitors can practice Family and Friends CPR, learn about safety, services, and involvement opportunities from the American Red Cross, meet adoptable dogs from the Cape Coral Animal Shelter and from Beesley’s Paw Prints pet therapy program. OneBlood will also be onsite accepting blood donations from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Station 2 – 521 Nicholas Parkway – Cape Coral Police Department officers (human and K-9) will be onsite with a patrol car, motorcycle, UTV, and drones at the “CCPD Station.”
• Station 3 – 1627 Everest Parkway – The Cape Coral Parks and Rec Fun Mobile will be at the “City Station,” as will Emergency Management with all hazards information and public works heavy equipment.
• Station 4 – 2007 Santa Barbara Blvd. – The “Water Safety Station” will showcase the CCFD’s marine and dive equipment. Water safety information from Lee Health, the YMCA, and Infant Swim Rescue Instruction will also be available.
• Station 5 – 1029 Diplomat Parkway – The “Wildland Safety Station” is where guests can see the equipment used for fighting brush fires including the CCFD’s monster brush truck, a Florida Fish and Wildlife UTV, and a Florida Forest Service bulldozer and tractor. FWC will also have a wildlife artifacts display, and visitors can also meet Forestry’s famous mascot, Smokey.
• Station 6 – 4540 Chiquita Parkway – Firefighters will perform vehicle extrication demonstrations at the “Vehicle Safety Station.” SafeKids will provide car seat checks and the Florida Department of Transportation will have safe, multimodal transportation information and free bicycle helmets and fittings.
• Station 8 – 707 SW 1st St. – Visitors will be able to get up close with a Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) helicopter and a Lee County Hyacinth Control airboat at the “Don’t Bug Me Station.” There will also be an educational insect display and drones.
• Station 9 – 4107 Pelican Blvd. – The “Junior Firefighter Station” allows kids to don gear and navigate firefighter obstacles such as crawling through a smoky tunnel, using a hose, and climbing through a window.
• Station 11 – 1038 Burnt Store Road – The “Lee County EMS Station” will have an ambulance and the LeeFlight helicopter for guests to tour.
• Station 12 – 2129 Chiquita Blvd. – At the “Special Operations Station” visitors will learn about special operations performed by firefighters including hazardous material response and Urban Search and Rescue and can meet some of TRISAR K9 Search and Recovery’s K9 partners.
• Station 13 – 2025 N.E. 6th St. – The “Child Safety Station” will have an inflatable fire safety smoke house for guests to explore, face painting, 911 for kids with CCPD Dispatch, kids fingerprinting, and the United Way ReUnite program which is offered for children and vulnerable adults who may be prone to wandering or becoming lost.
• Station 7 – 3942 Burnt Store Road N. and Station 10 – 3623 Gator Circle West – will have CCFD Open House activities.
Aside from all of the fun and educational offerings at each station, Schuch said even stopping by for a little bit allows visitors to learn more about fire safety, meet their neighborhood firefighters, and see the equipment and technology they use to respond to all kinds of emergencies.
“Plus, it’s fun,” she said. “And it provides the opportunity to interact with many of our public safety partners.”
For more information, visit capecoralfire.com.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com