Kids learn fire safety from the pros

Volunteer Aimee Roundtree asks young volunteers what they should do if they encounter a grease fire on the stove at one of the San Marcos Fire Department’s fire hazard information booths. The demonstrations were part of their annual Open House for Fire Prevention Month at Fire Station #5. Daily Record photo by Denise Cathey

As October gets underway the San Marcos Fire Department opened its doors for their annual Open House to kick off Fire Prevention Month at Fire Station #5. Behind the station, firefighters give a demonstration of how they perform a vehicle extrication for a crowd of spectators.

Sparky the Fire Dog walks through the crowds inside the fire station bay, stopping to wave and pose for photos with visiting children.

At the San Marcos Police Department’s booth, volunteer Crystal Benavides and dispatch operator Jessica Robison pass out color changing cups filled with goodies and rubber duckies to parents and children.

Retired Captain Jay Horton and Fire Chief Les Stephens hug firefighter Aaron Crick as they and the crowd sing “Happy Birthday” to Crick who was celebrating his 32nd birthday.

Retired Captain Jay Horton provides a running dialogue for the crowd as he breaks down what and why the firefighters are doing what they do in a vehicle extrication demonstration.