The Williams Lake Fire Department hosted its annual open house on Saturday, May 31, inviting community members to learn about their services through friendly chatting and fun activities.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., families and friends stopped in at the fire hall for live demonstrations, equipment displays, interactive activities and a lunch.
“I think these events are super important because they allow the public to see what we do, what kind of equipment we have (and) what services we provide to the city," said Cory Boyd, assistant fire chief and manager of fire prevention and education.
"It also gives us an opportunity just to engage...we can just teach kids what to do and just be comfortable and ask questions.”
Fire Smart, Emergency Support Services (ESS) and Central Cariboo Search and Rescue (CCSAR) were also on scene, connecting with the community to recruit volunteers and raise awareness of the services available to the community.
CCSAR had a rescue vehicle on site along with different tools the auto-extrication team uses to remove people unable to exit their vehicle after an incident.
Volunteers with ESS said they are always looking for volunteers, and encouraged community members to learn about what services are available when an emergency displaces them from their homes. ESS provides temporary services which may include food, shelter, clothing, family reunification, transportation, child services and emotional support.
They recommend everyone to register for a BC Services Card online to easily access supports when you need them.
Creating an online account and downloading the app allows users to easily access services provided by ESS. There is also the option of registering for emergency support without a BC Services Card but those eligible for supports won't be able to receive them via e-transfers.
