Firefighter Larry Baker helps Taylor Armel, 6, slide down the firefighter’s pole at South End Fire and Rescue Company Sunday afternoon as Courtney Kerns, 6, watches. The youngsters attended an open house to mark the end of National Fire Safety Week. (Photo by Scott Mason)

A translator helped Friendship Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co. Career Firefighter Eddie McClellan get his messages across at Bellview Apartments about the importance of smoke detectors.

Change the batteries once per year. If it goes off, leave the building immediately and then call 911. Check a closed door with the back of your hand to see if it’s hot. If it is, don’t open it because there’s a fire on the other side.
Don’t go back inside for anything. Leave the
rescuing to those who are trained.

Shawnee Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company gave fire truck rides all day.

Many companies were set up for child fingerprinting and safety demonstrations, and for giving out plastic fireman hats, coloring books, and other goodies to kids.