FERGUS – The Centre Wellington fire department just got a new house, courtesy of the Fergus Lions Club.
But it’s not the kind of home you’d want to live in.
It’s filled with hazards: hoarding in the basement, unsafe storage of gasoline and lawn mowers, rodents in the attic and an electrical nightmare.
And the fire department couldn’t be happier.
This hazard firehouse is an important public education tool for children and seniors, and anyone in between, about identifying fire hazards in your home, removing them and safely storing hazardous items elsewhere.
It looks like a doll house on steroids and can be reconfigured to suit different audiences.
Deputy fire chief Jason Benn said he approached the Lions Club after last year’s home show to see if they would contribute to the cost – around $18,000 – and the club jumped on it and paid the whole shot.
And now the hazard house will make its debut at this year’s Home and Leisure Show, May 27 to 29 at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex.
It’s about 72 inches high by 92 inches wide – large enough that 75 people can attend a safety session and see what the fire prevention officers are talking about. And it’s interactive and therefore more likely to capture the interest of youngsters.
Over a learning session, the hazard house becomes a safe house.
“We work with individuals, so they understand how to make it safe,” Benn said.
“It’s a good teaching tool and without the Lions, the idea would never have flourished.”
Lion Margaret Murray said it was a no-brainer for the club to support the fire department’s request for funding.
“It’s absolutely fascinating to see this piece of equipment,” Murray said.
“All the rooms are interactive. They can put things in it to interest children, change it for seniors. And then it folds up so they can take it to the next place.
“The club was only too happy to help.”
The firehouse will be on display at the home show and Benn said the department will line up school visits in September.
