By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
Highlands Fire & Rescue held their annual Open House earlier this month and celebrated 71 years of service at the annual event.
The popular Open House included a demonstration of high-angle rescue techniques, rides throughout town on a fire truck, a bouncy castle for the kids, and of course free hot dogs served by the HFR crew.
HFR gives members of the community rides on a fire truck during the annual Open House.
HFR Chief Ryan Gearhart said the tradition began in 1953 as a fundraiser for the department’s benevolent fund, which helps to financially support hospitalized firefighters.
HFR Firefighters Travis Brooks and Eric Pierson demonstrate a “pick off,” a high-angle rescue technique used to help stranded climbers. Photo by Jacob Pressler
Not only does the Open House raise funds through donations, but it gives the community a chance to meet the team that helps keep them safe, see the new facility and create awareness about what the department does.
Kids were all smiles after returning from a trip around town on the back of a fire truck.
“The community gets to meet the firefighters, see the tools we use, learn about fire safety, and see what we do besides putting out fires,” said Chief Gearhart.
Showing how hot it can get inside a car during the summer with the windows up to create awareness about leaving children and pets in a vehicle. The temperature eventually reached 129 degrees. To learn more about car safety from Safe Kids Worldwide, click HERE.
In addition to putting out fires, HFR responds to any number of rescues, including lost hikers, stranded climbers, accidents at waterfalls, traffic wrecks, and crashed planes.
Learn more about the new HFR station HERE.
Pictured at the top of the article are members of Highlands Fire & Rescue taking a moment to pose for the camera while cleaning up the firehouse after the day’s festivities.
A youngster sits in the driver seat of HFR’s ladder truck at this year’s Open House.
HFR Firefighters serving up hot dogs at this year’s Open House at the new station.
The view from underneath HFR’s ladder truck.
Kids having a blast in the bouncy castle.
This year’s Open House was held at HFR’s new fire station across the street from the Highlands Post Office.
Rolling through Highlands on the back of a fire truck at Main and 3rd streets.
Coming up the Dillard Road during this year’s Open House.
Very fortunate that we have an outstanding fire, rescue and police squads. Can’t thank em enough. Danny B.