Open House at Fire Station 88 a Big Hit

  Fire Station 88 in Sherman Oaks  opened its doors Saturday for the Los Angeles Fire Department's Annual Open House. LAFD open houses are held every year to encourage residents to be prepared in the event of a major earthquake or disaster.  

  At the Sherman Oaks Fire Station on Sepulveda Boulevard locals got the chance to walk around, watch demonstrations, meet the local brigade, and even climb on board some of the  fire trucks.  According to one local mother, the Sherman Oaks fire station has the best open house because it has great demonstrations that the kids love and are fascinated by. 

    One such demonstration was when three firefighters ascended their truck ladder so they could get to the roof of a building on the fire station’s compound.  

   Kids gathered and sat on the pavement, not sure what was to come next. Their jaws dropped and they squealed with glee as one by one, each firefighter jumped off the roof and onto a safety pad down below.  

    Showing everyone what they may have to do when dealing with a building fire, the same three fire fighters were more than happy to do a repeat performance when the crowd applauded and chanted for more. 

    After jumping off of the building, other firefighters unveiled a special tool they use when trying to get victims of car accidents out safely without doing any further harm. Both parents and children alike stood in amazement as this particular tool took apart a car piece by piece and at the end, the car was successfully dismantled into a few large chunks of metal.  One onlooker commented, “it’s crazy how such a small machine does such a big job!”

    Following these popular demonstrations, firefighters lifted children into the trucks and took pictures with them, answered questions, and gave tours of the compound.  Everyone seem to  enjoy the day, many said they are already looking forward to next year’s open house.