Sirens, smoke simulations and smiling children filled the Thomas Bettes Sr. Memorial Training Facility on the evening of Oct. 25, as the Oceanside Fire Department hosted its annual Fire Prevention Day in honor of Fire Prevention Month.
The event, which was free and open to the public, drew families from across the community for an up-close look at what firefighters do and to learn critical lessons about fire safety. Attendees watched live fire demonstrations, observed an auto extrication of a vehicle, toured fire trucks and antique fire engines and enjoyed family-friendly activities including a pumpkin patch, decorating station and food trucks.
Fire Chief Sean Costigan said the department hosts the event each year to both educate and connect with residents.
“With October being Fire Prevention Month, most departments have open houses like this to talk about safety,” Costigan said. “This is to teach the public about fire safety but also to show them what we do as a fire department — things like vehicle education and simulating a burning building.”
One of the highlights of the evening was the department’s smoke house simulation, where children learned what to do in the event of a fire. The trailer filled with simulated smoke as firefighters guided children through the proper steps — staying low, checking doors for heat and safely exiting the home.
“We want them to know that if you see smoke, stop, drop and roll, and how to have a plan to evacuate your home,” Costigan said. “In the simulation, we teach them how to leave the house and even how to come out the window if necessary.”
The fire department’s goal, he added, is not only to teach children but to give parents the tools to reinforce those lessons at home, including the importance of having a family safety plan, emergency exits and a designated meeting place outside.
Fire Investigator Ed Scharfberg said that sometimes, the learning goes both ways.
“Half the time, children teach their parents,” he said. “So what we try to do is show the community what the fire department does for the community.”
This year marked the third annual Fire Prevention Day at the training facility, though Oceanside firefighters have been bringing fire safety programs to local schools since the early 2000s. The department’s long-running outreach efforts emphasize early education and preparedness as key to saving lives.
The event also showcased Oceanside’s antique fire trucks, which drew admiration from both children and adults.
“They’re part of our history,” Scharfberg said. “They’re part of our tradition. Not every company has an antique — only three have one.”
For many families, the evening served as both entertainment and education. Oceanside residents Jeanmarie and Chris Keegan, who attended with their children, said the department’s hands-on approach makes a lasting impact.
“It’s a great event for the kids to see what the firefighters do and how they showcase these events to involve everybody here,” Jeanmarie said.
As the night ended, children left the training facility with pumpkins in hand, new knowledge in mind and a deeper appreciation for the firefighters who serve their community.
