The Antonia Fire Protection District will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at House 2, 6633 Moss Hollow Road, in Barnhart.
“We strive to do an open house every year,” Deputy Chief Bobby Chrisco said. “We usually hold it in the spring, right before summer starts and everyone is out of school.”
Those who attend will get to talk with firefighters and representatives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Township Ambulance District and BackStoppers.
Antonia Fire will provide tours of House 2, and a firetruck, ambulance and Sheriff’s Office cruiser will be on display. In addition, a helicopter from Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital also is expected to land near the fire house during the event, but as of April 3, a specific time for the helicopter landing had not been scheduled, Chrisco said.
First responders will staff tables to provide information about various services they offer, such as Antonia Fire district’s CPR classes.
“It is important to create an open environment to meet with our community,” Chrisco said. “It gives us a chance to let them know who we are, what resources we provide and tell them what we are all about.”
Typically, between 100 to 150 people attend the annual open house, he said.
Chrisco said Kona Ice will offer snow cones and Bob’s Drive-in of Imperial will sell items from its food truck.
“This is the first year we will have a food truck vendor,” Chrisco said. “We have had Kona Ice, and that has been a big hit.”
Chrisco said most people who attend tell him they learned something new about the fire industry.
“They learn things like why firefighters take a truck to the grocery store as a unit,” he said. “We do it because if an emergency happens, one firefighter can’t leave the grocery store, go back to the firehouse and then respond to the emergency.”
Chrisco said it is important for Antonia Fire to hold open houses because it gives firefighters an opportunity to connect with community members.
“Being able to meet and talk with members of the community who we are sworn to protect and serve is a highlight for us,” he said. “All of the men and women who work here like engaging and interacting with people and making a difference in their lives.”
For more information about the open house, email officemanager@antoniafire.com or call 636-948-4433.