Crime & Safety

Viewfinder: Community Plays, Learns at East Pierce Fire and Rescue Open House

The event, in its 19th year, was an opportunity for citizens young and old to meet area first responders, learn important safety information and have a little fun.

The fire trucks were a natural crowd favorite during the East Pierce Fire and Rescue open house on Saturday.

But Leon Hart, of Tacoma, thought the simulated house on fire in which kids could climb through and get a sense for how hard it is to navigate out of a smoky home was the coolest. 

Sporting a fireman's hat, Leon was busy punching buttons in the driver's seat of a Bonney Lake Police cruiser when he told his mom, Stephanie Davis, "I never want to be in the back of one of these."

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Why? He replied later, "My mom said I'd be grounded if I was."

Leon and countless other children, along with their parents, enjoyed an afternoon of exploring and learning about many facets of local first responders' jobs. From watching a 'jaws of life' extraction demonstration to admiring some antique fire engines on display out front, participating in a junior firefighter challenge to learning CPR, it was an event that was both informative and fun for the family.

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Lysne and Drew Nolte said they regularly bring their family to this event, in part because they have a police officer in the family. Son Isaac was much more impressed with the fire trucks, however.

As well as the scuba diver display where he got to look through the underwater 'fish camera,' his mom reminded him.

"It's just a fun event with all these activities the kids can do," Lysne said. "It's great to introduce them to this at this age and see their excitement."

Did you go? Do you have pictures of your kids having a blast to share with Patch readers? Upload them to this story.


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