One of the community’s most popular annual events, the Muscatine Public Safety Open House, will be held on Sunday, October 5, from 12–3 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 312 East 5th Street. The event is hosted by the Muscatine Fire Department, Muscatine Police Department, MUSCOM, and the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Department.
The Open House offers residents and visitors of all ages a chance to tour the Public Safety Building, meet first responders, and enjoy hands-on learning experiences. Activities include demonstrations, discussions, interactive games, and the opportunity to see the equipment used daily by Muscatine’s public safety personnel.
Fire Prevention Week Theme and Activities
The Open House coincides with Fire Prevention Week (October 5–11). This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” Visitors can explore fire and emergency response apparatus, and attend educational booths covering smoke detectors, home fire safety, and the Fire Explorers Program.
Special fire safety attractions include:
- A smoke house in the alley teaching children how to safely exit a smoke-filled home
- A mini smoke house demonstrating smoke flow
- A mock fire house where children can operate a charged hose line
- A physical agility course, sprinkler trailer, and fire extinguisher training
- Gear dress-outs, photo booth, hands-only CPR instruction
- Fire Explorer demonstrations at 1 p.m., followed by a high-angle rope rescue demonstration at 2 p.m.
Police and Sheriff Department Activities
The Muscatine Police Department will feature static displays including a squad car, armored vehicle, and tactical equipment. Children can meet K-9 officers, and parents can explore the drug trailer and try “drunk goggles.” The Iowa State Police will provide a seatbelt impact trailer, and the Muscatine Police Tactical Team will demonstrate their robot.
The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Department will also showcase a K-9 officer, boats, and squad cars, while MUSCOM hosts a Hawaiian-themed area with popcorn and prizes for kids.
About Fire Prevention Week
Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored Fire Prevention Week to educate the public on fire safety. President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed it a national observance in 1925, making it the longest-running public health observance in the U.S. The week honors the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which caused extensive damage and loss of life.
For more information about Muscatine’s Fire Prevention Week programs and the Public Safety Open House, contact the Muscatine Fire Department at 563-263-9233. For general information about Fire Prevention Week, visit www.fpw.org, or for fire safety activities for kids, visit sparky.org.
