POTSDAM -- Residents of all ages can gain important fire safety knowledge at the West Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department Open House on April 28.

The station, at 801 County Route 34, Potsdam, will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Everyone is invited to tour the station, explore the fire trucks, view demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities.

A roof ventilation demonstration is set for 10:30 a.m. It shows how firefighters reduce fire and smoke damage by cutting holes in roofs to allow heat to escape.

The Potsdam Fire Department will demonstrate aerial water spraying from its 101-foot tower apparatus at 11:30 a.m.

A gear-donning race will be held at noon, where firefighters see how fast they can put on their personal protective equipment.

At 1 p.m., Potsdam Rescue and West Potsdam First Responders will show how they extricate an entrapped victim from a vehicle.

At 2:30 p.m. a foam application demonstration will take place. Also at 2:30, residents can put out a controlled fire using dry chemical fire extinguishers. This hands-on activity gives everyone an opportunity to both learn and practice how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

This event is followed by another hands-on activity. At 3 p.m. the Saint Lawrence County “smoke trailer,” which simulates a smoke-filled home, will begin operating. Residents can experience first-hand the difficulty in escaping a burning home.

A free lunch of burgers, hot-dogs and salad will be served from noon to 2 p.m.

Throughout the day, short safety videos, pamphlets and kids corner activities will be available, including face painting, coloring books, turnout gear dress-up and safety topics such as practicing a family fire drill, and “don’t be afraid of the firefighter.”

More info: https://wpfd.info/openhouse, secretary@wpfd.info, 315-268-1000.