9/11 Fire Department annual open house

Lakeside Fire Department held their annual 9/11 remembrance open house at the Lakeside fire hall, from 6 pm to 9 pm Saturday.

The attendance ranged from the very young to the very old. It was estimated that over 200 people ate and socialized.

Chief Ted Ross shared his thoughts of “how glad he was that people still remember the dedication and sacrifices that are part of the fiber and make up of emergency responders.”

Ross went on to say that it is an honor for the members of Lakeside fire department to host an open house in remembrance of the fallen fire fighters responding on September 11, 2001.

Approximately eighty  kids lined up in great anticipation for their chance of riding in the fire truck along with a few adults.

There is interest in fire fighting among Lakeside kids. A few  are involved in the junior fire fighter program which starts at age fifteen.

The department works with the North Bend school district in presenting a fire fighting program during the school year.

The department hosts a Cub Scout and Girl Scout summer learning program and are involved with the Lakeside Library summer reading program.

Attention is given to interacting with kids starting at six or seven years old, some even have their own ‘turn outs’ (helmets and boots) which they share with other kids. Chief Ross say’s, ” it is kids teaching kids something about fire prevention.”

Contributions came in from local businesses, cookies were baked by “Cakes by Jonie” along with Joan Anderson and others for the event. The Lion’s Club helped with prep and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers along with Jonie.