Local fire departments around the state recognize National Fire Prevention Week by visiting schools, hosting open houses and mixing it all with some instructional entertainment.

In Freeport, Fire Prevention Week has more of a “big tent” theme, as both the police and fire/rescue departments take part in activities scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the fire station, from 5-7 p.m.

“It really is a public safety open house during Fire Prevention Week,” said Paul Conley, deputy fire chief. “The Freeport police and fire/rescue departments are planning for a fun and informative evening for all ages.”

Police Chief Susan Nourse said that, since the fire and police departments are under one roof, the combined effort makes sense.

“Police and fire personnel work together to make the community safe, so it’s a natural fit to have both departments participate in the open house,” Nourse said.

Traditional fire-prevention activities, as well as crime-prevention information, will be on display, as will the town’s fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. Fire Auxiliary members will grill hot dogs and hamburgers, with proceeds going to support their efforts.

The public safety open house involves more than 15 community partners that will deliver health and wellness information and an overall safety message.

“We will have on display the Squad 51 replica from the TV Show ‘Emergency’ and the Bureau of Highway Safety’s ‘Drive Sober’ mobile educational unit,” Conley said. “Freeport PD’s K-9 Cassie will be here to greet the public and show her excellent skills with Officer Matt Morehouse. The Maine Public Safety Pipe and Drum Corps will be on site to entertain us with some traditional bagpipe music.”

Mid Coast-Parkview Health will do blood-pressure checks and hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation demonstrations. Those in attendance also can learn what an automated external defibrillator (AED) can do to save a life.

There will be table displays, including a new children’s coloring table with a fire safety theme, and Smokey the Bear will be on hand, as well.

Safety in the home also is an important emphasis of the open house, Conley said.

“In a general sense, we want to make people aware that fire prevention is something we need to pay attention to, every day,” Conley said. “Some detectors have 10-year life spans, and their batteries need to be checked. Also, safety is important with cooking. A lot of fires are cooking-related and stove-related.”

Families should have escape plans if fire strikes their homes, Conley said.

Conley said that the police department will do finger-printing. Police also will oversee an impaired driver test, in which a person wearing special driving-impaired glasses tries to drive a golf cart around cones in the lot.

Freeport Fire & Rescue will team with the Freeport Police Department for an open house on

Freeport firefighters do a demonstration on putting out a stove fire with a fire extinguisher. From left are Eric Pfeffer, emergency medical technician, and Capt. Rick Pierce.