MASON CITY – The Mason City Fire Department’s annual open house will be held Sunday, October 12 at Fire Headquarters, located at 350 5th Street SW from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
“Every year we try to outdo our previous open houses. This year will be incredible,” advises Fire Chief Bob Platts. The crowd will enjoy a couple of new demonstrations never before seen at an open house. “Our live fire events are always the most popular” reports Deputy Chief Doug Janssen. This year will be no different. In addition to the ever popular kitchen fire, the Mason City Firefighters will be “fighting” a car fire.
The Fire Department will have demonstrations every quarter past the hour, starting with the car fire at 1:15. Cerro Gordo Public Health and Red Cross will both be on hand at the open house to prepare your family for disasters. Public Health will also be providing information on radon testing at home and breast cancer screening and awareness. “We also are providing flu vaccines to those who come who might not yet have had a chance to get one,” according to Karen Crimmings of the Cerro Gordo County Public Health Department. All insurances will be billed for flu shots and may also be provided at no cost. For more information please contact the Health Department at 421.9323.
The Cerro Gordo Citizens Emergency Response Team will be on hand at the open house with information on what they do and how you can join. As always, families can get car seats checked and installed by the North Central Iowa Volunteers for Child Safety.
Everyone loves the fire trucks. Well, this year we have a big fire truck. “The Airport Crash Rescue for the Mason City Airport is one of the biggest fire trucks in the City,” according to Dave Sims, Airport Operations Supervisor. It is the only one of its kind in north Iowa and does get away from the Airport very often.
This kid-friendly event will have a smoke house for kids to crawl through, an opportunity to dress up like a fire fighter, hold a fire hose, and sit in the antique fire engine. Of course, all of the interactive events will be there again, seeing what you look like as a firefighter, holding a fire hose and crawling through the smoke house. “It’s hard to tell if the kids like the free cookies or the smoke house the best, because there are always lines at both areas” reports Deputy Chief Dave Johnson. Of course, the highlight of the Open House is the drawing at 4:00 for the ride to school in the fire engine.

Principal has graciously allowed use of their parking lot just north of the Fire Station for public parking. The public is asked not to park in the main parking lot for Fire Headquarters.
“It’s just a fun day for kids of all ages,” according to Fire Marshal Mark Christiansen, “and we hope everyone will join us.” See the Fire Department’s page on the City’s website (www.masoncity.net) or call the Mason City Fire Department at 421.3640 for more information.
