The Lander Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) is partnering with the Fremont County Fire Protection District to celebrate Fire Prevention Week, October 5–11. Firefighters will visit local daycares, preschools, and elementary schools, reaching 20 classrooms across the community with fire safety lessons. The week wraps up with a community open house on Thursday, October 9, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Lander Fire Hall.
This year’s theme, set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” The campaign highlights how to safely use, charge, and dispose of lithium-ion batteries—common in everything from phones to power tools—and emphasizes that one wrong move could cause a dangerous fire in a home, garage, shop, or business.
Throughout the week, young students will learn about the importance of smoke alarms, the dangers of playing with matches, and the role of firefighters in keeping our community safe. Children will also get to see how firefighters put on their protective gear and will be encouraged to explore it themselves—helping them understand that firefighters are friendly helpers, not someone to fear. Some classrooms will also enjoy hands-on tours of firetrucks and ladder trucks.
“This week is a favorite among firefighters in our community. We get to provide education to children and help teach them lifelong fire safety habits,” said Chris Johnson, City of Lander Airport and Fire Department Manager.
“Lithium-ion battery safety is critical to preventing fires,” added LVFD Chief Eric Siwik. “We invite the entire community to our open house on Thursday, October 9, from 6-8 PM, where several partner agencies will be on hand to share safety tips and demonstrations.”
The open house will feature a wide variety of demonstrations and activities, including:
- Classic Air Medical helicopter
- Live fire sprinkler demonstration
- K-9 demonstration with Deputy John Cunningham
- Duct cleaning demo by Sweetwater Air
- Region V Hazardous Materials trailer
- Rocky Mountain Power power line safety demo
- Fremont County Fire and BLM Wildland Firefighters
- Fremont County Emergency Management
- Lander Police Department and Fremont County Sheriff’s Office
- FBI, Guardian Flight, Wyoming Department of Family Services, and more
The LVFD will serve chili dogs and cookies starting at 6:00 PM while supplies last (donations accepted).
This event is a great way to learn valuable fire prevention tips, enjoy interactive demonstrations, and connect with local first responders. Attending the open house is also a simple way to show your appreciation—take a moment to thank the men and women who serve our community every day. Anyone interested in joining the fire department is welcome to stop by and learn more.