About 150 people turned out for a picnic and safety demonstrations the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District held Sept. 6 to celebrate 75 years of serving the community, said Capt. Chris Guse.
At the event, held at the Big River VFW Post 5331 in Cedar Hill, the fire district gave out free hot dogs and chips and showcased a variety of equipment and firetrucks.
“We had a lot of fun with it,” Guse said. “The fire extinguisher competition was really good. The kids really loved doing that. The bounce house was also a hit.”
A fire extinguisher game was held that had four competitors use an extinguisher hooked up to a hose and attempt to spray water into a PVC pipe. The first to fill up the pipe won the game.
Cedar Hill firefighters put on a vehicle extraction demonstration in the afternoon, showing how first responders use rescue tools, like cutters and spreaders, to save a dummy from a vehicle accident.
Chief Mick Fischer said the vehicle extraction demonstration was his favorite part of the day.
“It seemed to draw a lot of interest, and it gave our guys a chance to show off their skills,” he said.
The fire district also allowed attendees to try on firefighting gear, and a “safe house” was set up to teach children fire safety. The inflatable house has a kitchen and bedrooms to help firefighters show the kids how to prevent fires and create a plan to escape from a burning house.
Guse said a sprinkler demonstration was canceled because there weren’t enough people at the picnic at the scheduled time of the event. Cedar Hill Fire crews, along with members of the St. Louis Sprinkler Alliance, had planned to use a burn trailer to show how sprinklers are used to put out fires.
Fischer said the picnic was the last event of the year to celebrate Cedar Hill Fire’s 75th anniversary. In April, the fire district held open houses at its three stations. The Cedar Hill Fire Auxiliary made passbooks that could be stamped at each station for a prize.
Cedar Hill Fire began as an all-volunteer association in 1950, operating solely on donations from businesses and residents in the community. In 1971, residents voted for the association to become a fire protection district and approved a tax levy to fund it.
“We wanted to give the community an opportunity to come out and see our equipment, meet our people and show off some of what we do,” Fischer said.
Cedar Hill Fire Capt. Jason Barton helps Evan Brakefield, 13, of Potosi try on protective equipment worn by firefighters.
Cedar Hill Fire Protection District Capt. Michael Wittu uses a fire extinguisher with his daughter Edith, 18 months, on Sept. 6 at the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District’s 75th anniversary celebration.
The Cedar Hill Fire Protection District displays firetrucks and other equipment at the anniversary celebration.
Dominic Hall, 12, of Dittmer tries on fire protection equipment.
Naomi Brooks, 3, of Blackwell plays on the bouncy house.