Ranger – Chief Mike Taylor and his crew at the Ranger Volunteer Fire Department just finished their annual Fire Safety Week from Oct. 9-15, followed by their fifth annual open house.
Fire Safety Week is a wonderful opportunity for school children and adults to learn about fire and how to prevent it or escape from it. Fire trucks and personnel spent the week at Ranger and Hiwassee Dam schools, allowing children to interact with the trucks, equipment and firefighters. There were interactive demonstrations as well.
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 started when a lantern was knocked over in the O’Leary barn. There was great destruction as a result of the fire, and many people lost their lives. More than 17,000 structures were destroyed.
In 1922, the National Fire Protection Association started Fire Prevention Week to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Protection Week from Oct. 4-10.
It has been five years since Ranger fire trucks had to leave the event in order to respond to an actual fire. However, but when the tone went out over the radio, firefighters gathered their gear and equipment then headed out, truck sirens screaming all the way.
At the fire station, there were children in and out of the safety house, which simulates heat and smoke in a mobile trailer. It allowed the kids to see some of the potential ways fire and smoke act and provided a way out for the children.
It is set up like a tiny house. The supervised event was informative, and those who entered seemed to enjoy the experience.
“It’s a great thing that they should do in every neighborhood so everybody knows about fire safety, especially with winter coming,” said Tiffany Foster, who brought her children to the event.
Jonathan Floyd Foster had his own story to tell.
“When I was about 10 years old, a kerosene heater caused a fire in my house. Just by remembering what I was taught as a kid, I covered my nose and mouth with my shirt, and saved myself and the rest of our house,” he said.
“It’s a great day, and it’s a good day to come out and teach the youngsters fire prevention techniques, safety measures and guidelines that firefighters use to prevent fires.”
A young Dylan Foster said of his time in the safety house, “It’s cool. You gotta stay down to the ground when the smoke is coming up so ya don’t breathe it in.”
Other activities at the open house included bounce houses, a vehicle extrication demonstration by firefighters, a 50/50 drawing, free giveaways, and an opportunity to donate blood through Blood Assurance’s mobile unit.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was on scene with a K-9 unit doing fingerprints, while Emergency Medical Services was on hand giving out Narcan, which helps fight an opioid overdose. Miss Mollies Music Ministry was at the open house providing additional entertainment.
Several local organizations had informational tables set up, with brochures and pamphlets to inform folks about such issues as domestic abuse, mental health issues and spiritual needs. Veteran Services was on hand to assist veterans and their families, while the Ranger Volunteer Fire Department was busy handing out free smoke detectors.
No one went hungry, as Charlie Macheski, chairman of the board for the Ranger Fire Department, was cooking up hamburgers and hot dogs. Plenty of beverages, popcorn and other treats kept people happy.
Under sunny skies folks seemed to be enjoying themselves and kids were running to and fro while learning about fire safety. When all was said and done, the event was deemed a success – and one lucky dog was saved from the earlier call out that had the department leaving the event and responding to a trailer that caught fire, which then turned into a brush fire.
Firefighter Jason Butler saved the K-9 by grabbing him up from under the porch. The building was vacant and no one was hurt.
Taylor said with a smile, “The dog was fine, just had some singed hair.”
The Ranger Fire Department is always looking for volunteers. Age does not matter, and they’ll find a position for anyone who wants to come out and help their community.
The department also has a youth firefighters program that starts at age 14. For details or to volunteer, call 828-644-5677 or visit the Facebook page.