Oceanside Fire Department open house

Volunteer firefighters from the Oceanside Fire Department welcomed the public during the RecruitNY Open House on April 24.

The volunteers showed off their new pumper trucks, Unit 249 of Columbia Engine Company No. 1 and Unit 246 of Oceanside Hose Company No. 1, and new boat, Marine 1.

The firefighters demonstrated their gear and allowed visitors to try on firefighting equipment. Public Information Officer Ed Scharfberg showed his kitchen fire demonstration, while Chief Kevin Klein explained that the biggest cause of kitchen fires is simply that people walk away from a stove or oven while something is cooking. Another group showed how to get into a building with a sealed steel door.

Children were allowed into and on fire trucks and ambulances and take home souvenirs.

Scharfberg said almost 10 people signed up for more information on becoming a volunteer firefighter.