POTSDAM -- Residents of all ages can learn about fire safetyat the West Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department Open House on April 28.

The station, located at 801 County Route 34, will be open to the public beginning at 10 a.m., said a press release from the fire department.

Everyone is invited to tour the station, explore the fire trucks, view demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities.

A roof ventilation demonstration will be held at 10:30 a.m., showing how firefighters reduce fire and smoke damage by cutting holes in roofs to allow heat to escape.[img_assist|nid=257189|title=Firefighter Stephen Davis demonstrates a fire extinguisher technique at the 2014 West Potsdam Fire Dept. Open House. Photo submitted by Brad Clements.|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=300|height=209]

The Potsdam Fire Department will demonstrate their tower 5 apparatus spraying water from it’s 101 foot aerial at 11:30 a.m.

A gear donning race will be held at noon. See how fast a firefighter can put on their personal protective equipment.

At 1 p.m. Potsdam Rescue and West Potsdam First Responders will extricate an entrapped victim from a vehicle.

At 2:30 p.m. a foam application demonstration will take place. Also at 2:30 p.m. residents can put out a controlled fire using dry chemical fire extinguishers. This hands-on activity gives everyone an opportunity to both learn and practice how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

This event is followed by another hands-on activity -- at 3 p.m. the Saint Lawrence County smoke trailer, which simulates a smoke filled home, will begin operating. Residents can experience first-hand the difficulty in escaping a burning home.

A free lunch of burgers, hot-dogs and salad will be served from noon to 2 p.m.

Throughout the entire day short safety videos, pamphlets and kids corner activities will be available, including: face painting, coloring books, turn-out gear dress-up and safety topics such as practicing a family fire drill and “don’t be afraid of the firefighter.”

More information is available at https://wpfd.info/openhouse, by emailing secretary@wpfd.info or calling 315-268-1000.