Rockton Fire Department welcomed public to Fire Safety Open House

This year’s “Fire Safety Week” ran from Oct. 5-12. To honor this hundred year long tradition, Rockton Fire Protection District hosted an open house on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.

Chief Kirk Wilson, firefighters, paramedics and EMT's (Emergency Medical Technicians) warmly welcomed guests to participate in hours of activities.

Blaze the Firehouse Dog, who was named by local schoolchildren, created smiles during the event and greeted visitors who toured the station.

Outside, visitors were learning how to use a fire hose and to feel the different levels of pressure that comes through the hose.

Many took rides in a bucket ladder, operated by Lieutenant Dennis Seeley.

All ages were able to look inside fire trucks and other equipment, and to learn about new pieces of lifesaving devices.

Lieutenant Cyrus Logan explained how the Glidescope works.

A Glidescope is a brand of advanced video laryngeal scope, it is a medical device used for visualizing and intubating the airway by providing a real time video display of the vocal cords.

When we go to intubate, (a medical procedure that involves inserting an endotracheal tube into the windpipe to maintain an open airway and to provide ventilation) we place the camera in the patient's mouth. We are looking for any landmarks in the vocal cords to find something definitive.

It solidifies visualization by using a uniquely angled blade that offers an indirect view of the larynx.”

He said it was particularly useful for managing difficult airways and improving rates during intubation, in comparison to a direct laryngoscopy.

The automated external defibrillator (AED) is designed to analyze the heart rhythm, then deliver an electric shock to victims of sudden cardiac arrest to restore the heart rhythm back to normal.

Another piece of equipment used during CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is the Lucas machine. "This machine lays on someone's chest by giving consistent compression quality at a consistent rate, and it works continuously while the person is on a defibrillator," Lt. Logan said. "The machine follows all guidelines associated with it. Each battery powers one hour of good CPR. The chain of survival gets a patient back from cardiac arrest. Aggressive hard CPR and early shocking with the defibrillator are cornerstones to the success of saving a life. It primes the heart while circulating blood. If we are using the software in conjunction with the machine we will know what condition the patient is in.”

The Lucas machine reduces manpower. Lucas machines weigh only four lbs and are Bluetooth synced. Older styles were between 15-20 lbs.

Logan added, “This machine was tested by the military first.”

Food and refreshments were served, and a table was loaded with giveaway items, including key chains, fire hats for young ones, fire escape plans, pens and pencils, specialty erasers, notepads, stickers, and other cool items.

Every day, residents in Rockton have the knowledge and confidence that the Rockton Fire Protection District is ready to handle emergency situations.
The department responds to fire, medical, hazardous material response, and rescue emergencies.

Public education is a very important part of the fire district's mission.
First Aid and American Heart Association, Learn and Live CPR classes are free to residents or $40 to anyone outside the area who would like to take the course. Dates of available classes and full information are on the Rockton Fire Protection District website: https://www.rocktonfire.com/public-ed

Over the years the department has welcomed visitors from local schools, clubs and organizations to learn about different areas the department covers.

Fire Prevention Week was started by the National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA) in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. According to legend, the fire started when a cow kicked over a lantern in the O'Leary barn, though many historians doubt that today. Today the Chicago Fire Training Academy sits on what was once the O'Leary property.

In 1925 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week to occur from Oct. 4 through Oct. 10.

The main purpose of the week is to teach everyone from children to adults how to stay safe in the event of a fire, or in an emergency situation.

Each annual open house allows the public to meet the people who place the community first, while bravely taking on situations where life saving methods are needed, and implemented.