Sharing knowledge and a positive experience, the Prince Albert Fire Department is offering free tours of their downtown facility this week.
“You have to get people in somewhere to teach them, and it’s a good outing (for the family),” deputy Chief Joe Zatylny said.
“When they see us, they see us for five minutes or an hour and it’s usually very busy and very intense, and this is an opportunity where it’s a very positive situation that we can show people everything that we have and what we do with the equipment."
This week’s free tours kick off on Tuesday and run through Saturday, during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Under the Fire Prevention Week banner, the tours will not only provide participants with insight into the life and work of firefighters, but safety knowledge as well.
This year’s theme is “Have Two Ways Out,” meaning it’s best for people to have two ways out of any space, in case fire or other dangers block an exit.
“That goes hand in hand with having a working smoking alarm,” Zatylny said.
“Parents can sit down with their kids and draw out a picture of their house and spot all the exits in the house if there’s a fire.”
With Halloween on the horizon, firefighters will also be handing reflective bags to kids, with additional safety items within, like reflective zipper pulls.
“It’s just one more added piece of safety for the kids out on the streets during Halloween,” Zatylny said.
“We come into situations where all levels of safety are involved, and if citizens could be safe if we can help them in any way it makes our job that much easier, and it also helps the people, so safety is foremost for our employees and the citizens.”
People of all ages are encouraged to book tours of the Prince Albert Fire Department by calling 953-4201 or by visiting the department’s website, www.pafire.ca.
This year marks the 85th year fire departments across Canada have recognized Fire Prevention Week.
