Community Event - 7/22/2008

As part of our ongoing commitment to community fire safety five members of the Ridge Fire Company took a turn, at the Kimberton Fire Company, Kimberton Fair, walking around as "Smokey The Bear"®. and "Sparky the Fire Dog"®.

By having these, highly, recognizable figures walking around it reminds the kids and parents to think about fire safety. About a month after the fair is Fire Prevention Week, which is during the week in October that October 9th falls. The reason for October 9th is the the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While the fire started during the night of October 8th and continued into October 10th most of the damage was done on the 9th.

The five of us took turns putting on first one costume then the other, spending about 15-20 minutes, maximum, each time walking around. To "help" with the heat, it is summer, we wear a chiller vest under the costume and there is a fan built into the head. Even with the chiller vest and fan after 15-20 minutes the person inside the costume was READY to get out!

When the kids, and parents, saw us they would repeat the fire safety phrases we teach, "Stop, Drop, and Roll", "Don't play with matches", "Get Out and Stay Out", etc. so we know that doing this has an impact.

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