Fire Prevention Week Events
Fire departments across multiple communities host family open houses for Fire Prevention Week.
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Kelowna’s rescue demonstration is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.; the event will also include participants from Kelowna International Airport Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, BC Ambulance Service, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue, Bylaw Services, and Community Safety Services.
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Ellis County Fire Department Company No. 5’s open house is at 1105 East 22nd Street and includes a free-will-donation supper; raffle tickets cost $20 each, with fundraising proceeds designated for the Western Kansas Regional Training Center.
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Oakland’s volunteer fire department open house is set for 7 p.m. at its Yawpo Avenue firehouse, 25 Yawpo Avenue.
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Humboldt’s open house runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Humboldt Fire Hall, where visitors can also get a glimpse of what it takes to become a firefighter.
Fire departments across North America are opening their doors this week to teach families about fire safety and showcase emergency services. West K News reports that Kelowna's Fire Department kicks off the effort Sunday, October 4, with a pancake breakfast, vehicle displays, and a live rescue demonstration. Similar events in Kansas, New Jersey, and Nebraska aim to educate communities about preventing fires — especially those sparked by lithium-ion batteries in phones, e-bikes, and power tools.
The events also tackle a growing crisis: volunteer firefighter shortages. Fire departments have half the volunteers they had in the 1980s, yet they answer four times more calls. By inviting families inside, fire chiefs hope to inspire the next generation of firefighters while teaching residents simple safety habits that save lives.
Kelowna Kicks Off Prevention Week With Demonstrations
The Kelowna Fire Department's open house runs Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at its main station. West K News notes the event features a free pancake breakfast, emergency vehicle displays, kids' activities, and information booths. At 10:30 a.m., emergency crews will perform a live rescue demonstration. The department is partnering with Kelowna International Airport Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, BC Ambulance Service, and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue. Several nearby streets will close to vehicle traffic during the event.
This year's Fire Prevention Week theme focuses on safe charging practices to prevent lithium-ion battery fires. The Kelowna Fire Department is emphasizing simple habits: charge devices on flat, hard surfaces, unplug once fully charged, and avoid cheap off-brand chargers. These small changes drastically reduce home fires caused by overheated batteries.
Ellis County Combines Fundraising With Family Fun
Ellis County Fire Department Company No. 5 hosts a free family event Saturday, October 3, at 1105 East 22nd Street in Hays, Kansas. The open house features fire-truck tours, games, a bouncy house, and a free-will-donation supper. Raffle tickets cost $20 each, with all proceeds supporting the Western Kansas Regional Training Center, a new facility being built to train firefighters across northwest Kansas.
The 10-acre training complex at 1515 W. 55th Street will host an annual fire school serving multiple departments. Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers emphasized that rural volunteer departments face severe staffing pressures — firefighter numbers have dropped since the 1980s while call volumes have quadrupled. These open houses serve dual purposes: educating the public and recruiting much-needed volunteers.
Oakland and Humboldt Round Out Prevention Week Events
Oakland's volunteer fire department in New Jersey invites residents to a 7 p.m. open house at its Yawpo Avenue firehouse (25 Yawpo Avenue) during Fire Prevention Week. The event features hands-on activities where visitors can interact with firefighters and learn emergency response basics. Humboldt's Fire Department hosts its open house Monday, October 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Humboldt Fire Hall.
At Humboldt, residents can meet firefighters, see equipment up close, and learn what it takes to become a firefighter. All four communities — Kelowna, Ellis County, Oakland, and Humboldt — are using Fire Prevention Week (October 4–10) as a chance to strengthen connections between fire services and the families they protect.
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