| What a Day It Was!! Hope You Enjoyed Everything!!
Fun, Demos & Food at the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department Annual ‘Community Day at the Firehouse,’ Popular Event Drew Over 700 Guests
On a recent crisp autumn day, fun, family and firefighter demonstrations were in the air – but they wouldn’t be outdone by the tantalizing aromas of homemade firehouse chili and butternut squash soup dancing in the swirling wind as the perfect answer to the chill at the 10th annual “Community Day at the Firehouse” hosted by the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department. The all-free event, held on Oct. 17, was attended by over 700 guests, handily eclipsing last year’s turnout of 560.
“This special day is our way of expressing our gratitude to the community for their continued support of our volunteer firefighters, department, and district. Judging by the turnout and the positive comments we heard all day, the feelings are mutual,” said Fire Commissioner Edward Brancati, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Golden’s Bridge Fire District.
“It was also a day to remind residents of the importance of fire prevention and safety awareness, and a glimpse into what we do as firefighters. We rolled out the red carpet for our guests in an entertaining and enjoyable environment, where everyone mingled with neighbors and friends, and had a great time,” said Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo.
Children reveled in the firehouse pumpkin patch near the iconic bell and flagpole, each child picking a pumpkin and later displaying their creative skills by decorating them with markers and other items found in the gift bags that all children received at the Community Day Welcome Tent. Then they took aim with a working fire hose, knocking down fake flames at the windows of a house façade. None of the children passed up the opportunity to spend time dashing, bouncing, jumping, and sliding through the sprawling 40-foot inflatable obstacle course behind the firehouse. Not to be left out, adults, after a quick tutorial on the proper use of a fire extinguisher, got to douse real flames.
Led by GBFD Captain Ray Baker, Jr., Golden’s Bridge firefighters demonstrated various hurst tools – better known as the Jaws of Life – as they cut and spread the doors and peeled back the roof of an automobile in a simulated rescue. For an encore, they set the car ablaze and showed the teamwork involved in the live burn demonstration – with the fire extinguished slightly shorter than planned when the winds kicked up. Because of the winds, some demonstrations had to be postponed to next year!
The craft tables were packed (a half-dozen extra tables were set up this year), where children were encouraged to draw pictures depicting fire safety and complete fun activity fire prevention and safety sheets, and where they decorated their pumpkins and created bejeweled bracelets of shiny and colorful beads. Members of Scout Troop 301 set up a station that invited youngsters to participate in a rescue simulation of a drowning victim. There was a cornhole game, a photo-op inside a firetruck, and members of the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps were on hand giving an up-close look at the interior of an ambulance, an exercise aimed at easing the fears of young and old alike should a medical emergency transport arise.
With all of these activities, and more, throughout the day, it was understandable that guests worked up quite an appetite. Fire Lt. Rich Norbutt, a chef by profession, and his Golden’s Bridge culinary team, including firefighter Nick Carrozza, rolled out a menu that would’ve been the envy of any gourmand. The reviews poured in throughout the day, with guests raving about the homemade firehouse chili (served with all the fixings) and the homemade butternut squash soup, along with bratwurst served on club rolls with caramelized onions in a balsamic reduction. Youngsters (and adults) also gave a big thumbs-up to the chicken tenders and hot dogs.
On the west side of the apparatus bays, several tables were stocked with dozens of boxes of apple cider and other donuts, trays of bagels, fresh fruit, festive Halloween cookies and cupcakes, chips, snacks, juice, coffee, water, and bowls of Halloween candy. An old-fashioned popcorn cart popped mounds of the fluffy, buttery treat.
“Goldie the Fire Dog,” the GBFD’s costumed mascot, led a short parade around the fire trucks with children who wore their Halloween costumes and then handed out prizes to all participants. Goldie had enough high-fives, fist-bumps, and poses for photos with children. The day culminated with always-popular fire truck rides, with some passengers who got to sound the sirens and switch on the flashing lights.
“If this all sounded great and you weren’t able to stop by this year, we hope to see you next year,” Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Melillo said.
Winners of the free raffle drawing will be posted on the department website and will be contacted shortly thereafter to pick up their prizes. |
