Each year in October the Division of Fire & EMS holds an open house at the fire station at 6500 North High Street. The public is invited to attend and gain some behind-the-scenes insight about the workings of their fire department.
This is a combination public relations and public education event. The schedule includes tours of the building and emergency vehicles, demonstrations of techniques used by firefighters at emergencies, a hands-on simulated fire extinguishment station, and education on bleeding control and hands-only CPR.
Those attending can take home a variety of risk-reduction literature, plus oven mitts, hot pads, fire safety stickers, plastic fire helmets, slap bracelets, and plastic drinking cups. And the smell of freshly made popcorn and cotton candy will be available for you to eat on-site and/or take home with you to enjoy later.
The open house complements the annual recognition of Fire Prevention Month. October was chosen due to the historical significance of the Great Chicago Fire, which burned the city from October 8-10. That fire caused roughly $200 million in damages, killing around 300 people, and destroying over 17,000 buildings and structures.