For 101 years, October has been designated Fire Prevention Month, and departments in the region have seized this opportunity to reinforce the message, highlight their prowess in responding to emergencies, and render a call for volunteers to fill the ranks. 

A touch-a-truck event was held on October 8 hosted by the Highland Lake, Lumberland, Shohola, White Lake and Yulan fire departments, and the Highland and Lumberland ambulance services. Among the activities was a chance for young ones to take part in a Junior Firefighter Boot Camp. Participants were put through their paces at six stations, where they learned about “stay low and go” to escape a fire, performed exercise routines to condition their bodies, practiced “stop, drop and roll” to extinguish a fire should the unthinkable happen to them, the 911 emergency number to call, the importance of properly wearing a personal flotation device, and how to don and move about wearing emergency gear. At the conclusion of the program, successful participants were given a certificate and fire helmet. 

The event was held at the Highland Lake Firehouse. The Highland Lake Fire Department is celebrating 75 years of service to the community. 

Trucks, ambulances and boats were available to inspect and climb aboard for pictures. While examining the Shohola ladder truck, folks questioned the significance of the warning on the back of the truck saying “stay back 343 feet” instead of the usual 500 feet. This wording honors the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. 

A vehicle extraction demonstration drew much attention as the Lumberland personnel expertly showed the step-by-step process of cutting through to get a driver or passenger out of a damaged vehicle utilizing the “jaws of life.”

Door prizes were donated by Alley’s Loft, BVH, Chilly Willy’s, Don Kaufman Woodworking, The Eldred Preserve, Il Costello, the Lumberland Fire Department Auxiliary, Mamma Grace, Millbrook Inn, The Outpost, River’s Edge and Shrewd Fox Brewery. 

The afternoon ended with a totally unplanned fire emergency call for an activated alarm due to overly cooked food. Fortunately, no damage occurred and the first responders quickly returned to quarters. 

That emergency call was the perfect segue to the theme for the month, “Cooking safety starts with YOU!” Throughout Sullivan County, elementary school art teachers are helping to creatively reinforce the importance of practicing safe cooking skills at home by drawing posters emphasizing the theme. Local school winners’ posters will be advanced to the county level, with prizes awarded for the posters judged to be most adhering to the theme. 

In addition, the Highland Lake, Lumberland and Yulan fire departments made their annual visit to the Mackenzie Elementary School in Glen Spey and were able to engage the students in another up-close-and-personal opportunity to examine the various trucks and equipment, and ask questions about their use.