68°
HOLDEN, Mass. – The Holden Fire and Police departments are opening their home to the community for Public Safety Day this Sunday, giving families an opportunity to explore the state-of-the-art facility and learn all about the work of police, firefighters and EMTs.
"I want the community to see the building they helped support," said Police Chief George Sherrill. "We're certainly proud of it."
First opened in 2010, the police station features an expanded dispatch room, an evidence room, a weapons cleaning room, interview rooms and six prisoner cells, as well as a training room.
The facility has become a model for other public safety buildings, Sherrill said. One of its benefits is the first-class training opportunities it has brought to the region.
Furthermore, the event coincides with National Fire Safety Month in October. As part of the open house, the Holden Fire Department will also hold demonstrations to teach families about fire safety and prevention practices.
The model "Hazard House" will allow families to see three levels of a home and learn about common fire safety hazards. Holden firefighters will also teach families how to plan escape routes, crawl safely through a smoke-filled room and other ways to better protect themselves from injury.
Outside the building, firefighters will use the jaws of life and other vehicle extrication tools to tear open a car, demonstrating the rescue techniques used when someone is trapped after an accident, Lt. David Chapin said.
Kids will also have the opportunity to go on a CERT scavenger hunt through the fire department, crawl through all the fire trucks and learn about fire equipment and protective gear.
There will also be fire extinguisher training to teach residents how to properly use them and determine when it is safe to do so, Chapin said.
Depending on weather and emergency calls, he said residents may also see the landing of a life-flight helicopter at nearby Jefferson Plaza.
The event will include Papa Gino's pizza at 12:30 p.m The open house will be held Sunday, Oct. 14, from noon to 3 p.m at the Public Safety Facility at 1370 Main St., Holden.
Comments