A huge success… Hamlin Township Fire Department’s 7th annual Open House capped off national Fire Prevention Week activities in Hamlin Township.  “More than 500 adults and children attended the open house,” Captain Smith, fire prevention coordinator said.

Unusually cool, fall weather couldn’t stop hundreds of kids and parents from flocking to Hamlin Township’s Annual Fire Prevention Open House. Kids climbed aboard the big red trucks, put on kid sized firefighting gear, and talked to firefighters.
This year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week was “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t get burned.” Participants were educated about fire awareness and prevention, as well as ways to keep their homes safe from some of the leading causes of home fires.
Along with kid-friendly educational materials, coloring books and handouts, participants had the chance to spray a real fire hose. Many children had huge smiles on their faces as they took their turn aiming the stream of water at the smoke house’s flaming windows, with help from firefighters. Many participants have attended yearly stating, “This is the fifth year we’ve come to the open house and it’s been a huge hit every time.  We like to check out the fire trucks and we always go home and have a fire drill and test our smoke alarms.”
Cpt. Darlene Smith was the organizer for the days events, which included fire extinguisher demonstrations, fire safety education programs, smoke house activities, Eaton County 911 dispatchers, Eaton Rapids Area EMS, spraying a real fire hose, home escape plan planning tent, free drawings for fire extinguishers/smoke alarms every hour and free foot-long hotdogs, popcorn and root-beer floats.
Smith explained that some of the points they were emphasizing this year were proper installation and testing of smoke alarms, planning your home escape plan and safe extension cord usage. “If we save one life by somebody installing a smoke alarm or making and practicing a home escape plan then we’re doing our job here,” she said.
“The day promised to be a fun one for all involved, while spreading the word about fire safety and reminding participants to ‘Be smart. Don’t let fire start’.”

Smith also mentioned how Hamlin Township’s Fire Prevention Unit visited area schools all week.  “Presenting school programs and holding our annual open house is something we plan to continue for a long time,” said Smith.

Hamlin Township Fire Department
Eaton Rapids, MI

Hamlin Township Fire & Rescue
Annual Holliday Party & Awards Banquet
December 13, 2009
Time 1P.M. 13:00 Hrs.
Location: 6463 S. Clinton Trail
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
Come spend a afternoon with friends and the fire family
Open to all Active Duty Firefighters
Retired with Honors Firefighters
Honorary Firefighters
Special Guest - Board Members
Bring a dish to pass:  Hamlin Twp. Firefighters Association to Provided
Turkey and Ham prepared by Chef O,Leary (Retired Dept.Chief)
Table Settings
Beverages
Santa will be present for the Children after the meal and awards:  Bring a gift for your child if you want Santa to give then a gift.

Notice for this party is for Members, Association Honary Members, Association Retired Members and invited guests.

At the August Hamlin Township Board Meeting the Hamlin Township Fire Department honored two members of the fire department who have decided to make their last call for the department and retire.  Pictured after serving 10 years with the department and hold the rank of Firefighter/Engineer Julie Beurmann receives her honors from the Township Boards and Fire Administration.  Also pictured after serving 21 years 6 months is Steve Scarlett, Administrative Aid / Engineer receives his honors from the Township Boards and Fire Administration.  Hamlin Township Board and Fire Board Township residents and fellow firefighter wish them the best and Thank you for service to the township and its residents.

Hamlin Township Awards contract to the Danko Fire Apparatus Company to Build a new Rescue Unit the new unit will be on a Ford 550 - 4 Door Chassis with a 250 gallon water tank along with a Foam System using a Waterous Fire Pump.  Fire Body with be rescue style with rollup doors.  Delivery will be in the spring of 2010

Press Release 

Department of Homeland Security awards Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the Hamlin Township Fire Department. 

Hamlin Township Fire Department hosted a Fire Prevention Open House on Saturday October 11, 2008 from 12 noon until 4:00 pm.  This Open House was organized by Darlene Smith, Fire Prevention Coordinator for Hamlin Township Fire.  “We saw just over 500 people come through our doors ranging in age from toddlers to senior citizens,” said Darlene Smith.  Activities included  getting into a fire trucks, seeing the inside of an ambulance, fire extinguisher demonstrations, smoke house, spraying a fire hose, 911 operators, educational programs and a home escape plan booth.  All activities and food that included foot-long hotdogs, popcorn, frozen slushes and pop were free to all who attended.

Children and adults alike seemed to enjoy using the fire hose which allowed them to shoot water at a building with fake flames coming out of it.  Adults as well as children crawled through the smoke house and learned how to react if they were home and it filled with smoke.  People came from all over.  There were many door prizes handed out including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and flash lights.  According to Chief Hendrickson, there was a steady flow of people all day long and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Smith said, “Having an annual Fire Prevention Open House has been a great idea as it allows community members and others to see exactly what Hamlin Township Fire does.