The Hastings Fire Department welcomed families, children and curious residents to its annual open house Tuesday, Oct. 6, offering an evening of hands-on activities, fire safety education and a chance to get an up-close look at the equipment and people who help keep the community safe. From children trying their hand at operating a fire hose to families climbing into fire trucks, the event brought together public safety agencies and the community for an evening of learning and fun.
Held at the Hastings Fire Department on Fifth Street West, the two-hour event coincided with National Fire Prevention Week, an annual observance dedicated to educating the public about preventing fires and responding safely when emergencies occur. The open house featured demonstrations, educational displays and opportunities for visitors to speak directly with firefighters, emergency medical personnel and representatives from other public safety organizations.
For Hastings Fire Chief John Townsend, the annual gathering represents one of the department's best opportunities to connect with residents outside of an emergency.
"You know, I look forward to having the community come in and see what we do and learn about what we do," Townsend said. "But I especially look forward because it's our opportunity to share fire safety messages."
This year's fire prevention message focused on the growing number of rechargeable electronic devices found in homes and the importance of using the proper charging equipment. From cellphones to other battery-powered devices, Townsend emphasized that everyday conveniences can create unnecessary risks when they are not charged properly.
"This year's theme is around chargers and using the correct charger with your devices, and sort of some of the risks with charging many of the devices and electronic things that we use in our homes," Townsend said.
While new technology brings new safety concerns, the department also continued emphasizing traditional fire prevention measures. Townsend encouraged residents to take simple steps, including never leaving cooking unattended, avoiding unattended candles and not overloading extension cords. Just as important, he said, is having working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan.
"Well, I think the first thing people need to do is have some sort of a plan and practice it," Townsend said.
He explained that fire safety includes both preventing emergencies and knowing what to do when prevention is not enough. Residents should check their smoke alarms twice a year and practice their escape plans so everyone in the household understands how to respond when an alarm sounds.
Visitors had the chance to put some of those lessons into practice through the Eagan Fire Department's smokehouse trailer. The educational trailer allows children and families to experience a simulated smoke-filled environment and practice escaping safely without panicking. The activity provided a practical demonstration of why having a home escape plan matters.
Another popular attraction was the opportunity to explore emergency vehicles. Children climbed inside fire trucks, examined equipment and got a glimpse of what firefighters and other first responders use during emergencies. For many of the younger visitors, simply sitting inside a fire truck was enough to make the evening memorable. Red plastic firefighter helmets were also a popular sight throughout the crowd.
Outside the station, firefighters conducted an auto extrication demonstration, showing visitors how specialized rescue equipment can be used to remove someone trapped inside a damaged vehicle. The demonstration offered a look at the technical skills and equipment involved in responding to serious vehicle crashes.
Several public safety partners joined the event, including the Hastings Police Department, Dakota 911 and Dakota Electric. Representatives shared information and visited with residents throughout the evening, helping showcase the cooperation between agencies that is often necessary during emergencies.
New ladder truck draws attention
One of the biggest attractions of the evening was the department's new ladder truck, a major addition to the Hastings Fire Department's fleet that will restore an important capability the department has been without for approximately three years.
The new truck, manufactured by Pierce Manufacturing in Wisconsin, features a 107-foot aerial ladder. Unlike some aerial trucks, the Hastings vehicle uses a straight ladder without a bucket at the end, a configuration firefighters commonly refer to as a straight stick.
Townsend explained that the truck will serve several purposes, including reaching elevated areas during rescues and providing an elevated master stream to direct water onto fires from above. The apparatus was also designed to perform many of the functions of a traditional fire engine, giving the department flexibility in how it responds to emergencies.
"That will help us with an elevated master stream. Will help us access rescues and things like that in taller buildings," Townsend said. "So we've designed it so that it can be utilized as an engine as well."
The truck replaces an older aerial apparatus the department sold approximately three years ago because of ongoing maintenance costs and performance problems. Since then, Hastings has relied on neighboring fire departments through mutual-aid agreements when an aerial ladder was needed.
The importance of that cooperation was demonstrated during the Hastings creamery fire, when the Rosemount Fire Department provided its ladder truck to assist with firefighting operations. Having an aerial apparatus back in Hastings will give local firefighters the ability to provide that equipment themselves while also strengthening the department's ability to assist neighboring communities.
Getting the replacement was not a quick process. Townsend said the department ordered the new truck after selling the previous apparatus, but manufacturing and delivery required approximately three years.
"We've had ladder trucks in the past. We had a ladder truck that we sold three years ago. It was a truck that we were having some difficulties with," Townsend said. "It was costing us a lot of money to maintain and not functioning the way it needed to do. So we sold that and then purchased this one. But it takes three years to get them built and brought in."
Although the new truck was on display during the open house, it was not yet ready for emergency service. The department arranged to bring the vehicle from the vendor specifically for the event, allowing residents to see the investment before it officially joined the fleet.
"So the ladder truck is not going to be in service for a little while yet," Townsend said. "Right now, we picked it up from the vendor just to bring it to open house."
The vehicle will return to the vendor for final work and installation of additional equipment before returning to the Hastings station. Firefighters will then begin training on the new apparatus and preparing it for active service, with Townsend anticipating it could be operational sometime in November.
For residents attending the open house, the ladder truck offered an impressive look at the equipment firefighters use, with its extended ladder reaching high above the surrounding trees and providing a visible reminder of the department's expanding capabilities.
Building connections with the community
Beyond the equipment and demonstrations, the evening offered a chance for residents to get to know the people behind the uniforms. Families could ask questions, learn more about emergency services and become familiar with the firefighters and emergency medical personnel they may one day need to call for assistance.
The open house also provided a reminder that fire safety starts at home. While the demonstrations and equipment displays drew plenty of attention, Townsend hopes families take what they learned back to their own households, whether that means checking a smoke alarm, reviewing an escape route or taking a closer look at how electronic devices are charged.
The combination of education and entertainment has made the annual event an opportunity for the department to reach residents of all ages. Children get to explore fire trucks and experience what firefighters do, while parents have an opportunity to learn practical safety information and ask questions.
With another open house in the books, the department's message remains simple. Prevent fires whenever possible, be prepared if one occurs and remember that the firefighters and emergency medical personnel serving Hastings are also neighbors and members of the community.
As Townsend explained, the open house is an opportunity to show residents the equipment firefighters use to protect the city while sharing the knowledge that can help keep families safe long before an emergency call is ever needed.