Carmel’s Young and Old Alike Learn Not to Burn

Clockwise from Left: Members of the Putnam Fire Investigation Team are on hand to answer questions about suspicious fires; Inside the Safety House, Carl Greenwood of Carmel teaches his twins about fire safety. The three-year-olds are Kevin and Kyle; Carmel Police Officer Thomas Raffaele and his canine partner “Cache” enjoy meeting children at the open house including Josh McMillan, 9 and his 7-year-old brother Andrew; Junior firefighters use a real charged fire hose during the open house. Tyler Jaeschke, 6, is assisted by firefighter Randel Hill while Katie Medl, 5, gets an assist from firefighter Ed Duffy; Up, up and away! Carmel Police Sgt. Robert Behan who also serves with the Carmel FD takes a ride in the bucket truck with his children and special guests. Last Saturday dozens of young and old alike converged on the Carmel Fire Department headquarters for the department’s annual open house.

PHOTO ESSAY BY ERIC GROSS The weatherman cooperated, when overcast, cloudy skies cleared in the nick of time so that a live burn, rides in the department’s 100-foottall tower ladder truck, visits to a special child-friendly safety house, and demonstrations that offered safety tips to help promote fire safety around the home and workplace were able to take place.

A variety of agencies joined the fire department at the event, including members of the Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Lake Carmel FD, Kent Fire Department, Carmel Police Department, Kent Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Mahopac Falls FD Dive Team, Putnam County Hazard Materials Team, Putnam’s Fire Investigation Team, and the county’s Fire Police Emergency Response Team.

Members of the Carmel FD Ladies Auxiliary also participated.

Capt. David DiRienzo, who organized the program, commended the visiting agencies as well as his membership for “offering safety tips to help promote year round fire safety.”