Community Corner

Fire Station Hosted Arlington, Falls Church Families This Weekend

Fire Station No. 6, which houses Falls Church volunteer firefighters and Arlington County career firefighters, hosted an open house to celebrate Fire Prevention Week.

Sam Shaw doesn’t have to make a decision on his career path for quite some time, but the 4-year-old Arlington resident has already started looking.

With his mother, Katie, looking on, Sam manned a fire hose with the help of a firefighter and shot water into a makeshift fire where a cat awaited rescue. The toddler didn’t miss a beat and saved the day.

“We love the firemen and he loves to watch the fire trucks,” Katie said. “This could possibly be a career for him. He likes to do things with his hands.”

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On the border of Arlington County and the City of Falls Church, Fire Station No. 6 hosted an open house Saturday to celebrate the end of Fire Prevention Week. Families got to meet both groups that man the station – Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department and Arlington County Fire Department. “Sparky the Fire Dog,” was also on hand to take pictures with children. The firefighters stressed the importance of having two ways out of a burning house, the national slogan this year, throughout the day.

Meeting the public and getting safety tips is what the open house is all about, said Frank Bellavia, spokesman for the FCVFD. The fire station drew a large crowd and to his surprise, Bellavia said, most of the families in attendance already had escape plans in case of a fire at their home.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We want people to see their local firehouse and educate them on fire prevention,” Bellavia said. “It’s great interacting with the kids. The love the fire trucks and when they see hem, you see those big smiles on their faces.”


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