The Cambridge Fire Department is preparing to welcome residents to its annual Open House, combining hands-on family activities with practical fire-prevention education as the city works to reinforce the importance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
The community event will take place on Saturday, September 12, at Fire Station 1 in Cambridge, Ontario. Residents will have an opportunity to meet local firefighters, explore emergency vehicles and watch live demonstrations while learning steps they can take to improve fire safety at home.
Cambridge Fire Department Open House Combines Education and Family Activities
Running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Open House is designed for residents of all ages and will feature live fire safety demonstrations, station and fire truck tours, interactive games for children and giveaways.
Fire department personnel will also provide information about smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, along with guidance on developing a home fire escape plan. The combination of demonstrations and educational activities is intended to make important safety information more accessible to families.
“The Open House is a fun opportunity for families to come out, meet with firefighters, see the firetrucks up close and participate in games and activities, while reinforcing the importance of fire safety, and working smoke alarms,” said Mayor Jan Liggett.
For residents, the event also offers a closer look at the equipment and facilities used by Cambridge firefighters as part of their day-to-day emergency response operations.
Smoke Alarm Testing Takes Centre Stage
A key component of this year’s Open House will be education surrounding Test Your Smoke Alarm Day, an annual safety initiative observed on September 28.
The campaign serves as a reminder that smoke alarms can provide critical early warning during a fire, but their effectiveness depends on proper installation, regular maintenance and routine testing.
Cambridge Fire Department staff will use the Open House to encourage households to test their smoke alarms monthly and ensure the devices remain operational.
“Taking 30 seconds each month to test your smoke alarm can help keep your family safe in the event of a fire,” said Fire Chief Damond Jamieson. “Working smoke alarms provide an early warning and can give everyone in your household the extra time needed to safely escape.”
The department’s message emphasizes a relatively simple preventative measure that households can incorporate into their regular routines. Fire safety officials consistently focus on early warning and escape planning because the time available to leave a home safely can be limited once a fire begins.
Home Escape Planning Part of Cambridge Fire Safety Outreach
Beyond checking alarms, residents attending the event will be able to learn more about preparing a home escape route.
Having a plan can help household members understand where to exit during an emergency and what actions to take if a fire occurs. The Open House provides an opportunity for families to discuss those preparations directly with firefighters and seek practical information specific to household fire safety.
Carbon monoxide safety will also be highlighted. Residents can learn more about alarms designed to detect the colourless and odourless gas and the importance of ensuring those devices are properly installed and maintained.
Cambridge Fire Station 1 to Host Four-Hour Event
The Cambridge Fire Department Open House will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, at Fire Station 1, 1625 Bishop Street North.
The four-hour event brings together community engagement and prevention education, giving residents an opportunity to interact directly with firefighters in a family-friendly setting while receiving practical information that can be applied at home.
With live demonstrations, fire truck tours, children’s activities and safety education planned throughout the event, Cambridge officials are encouraging families to use the Open House as both a community outing and an opportunity to review their household fire preparedness.
More information about the event is available through the City of Cambridge’s Fire Open House page.