The Cottage Grove Fire Department held a public open house at the Central Fire Station on 80th Street on Saturday, October 15th. The goal was to engage and inform residents on fire safety, and get to know the dedicated people who take care of emergencies and fires in the city.

On display in front of the building was the fire department’s recently upgraded ladder truck. Rides to the sky were provided to the public. Dozens waited for their turn to go up and see the view from the top.

District Fire Chief Jeff Brown said, “The ladder we previously had was only 75 feet tall. This one, with the platform, it’s about 105 feet tall.”

Asked if the truck has been needed for recent deployment, Brown said, “We’ve used it on multiple calls. We’ve not had to use it for any rescues yet, but we’ve used it for fire suppression on a number of homes. This summer we had one that was struck by lightning. That’s actually a pretty common call, lightning strikes on homes. It happens more than you think.”

Due to the pandemic, the annual public open house has taken a bit of pause in recent years.

“It’s an event that we’ve been doing for years. But last year we had to do it at the HERO Center in Cottage Grove, for distancing, due to Covid. This is the first time we’ve held it here at the station since 2019,” said Brown.

There was a bouncy house inside for kids, as well as an ambulance, open and on display. The Public Safety Board and Youth Fire Prevention both had tables set up indoors, and the Cottage Grove Lions Club were cooking hot dogs and brats out back.

Behind the station there was a real firehose for kids to use on a fake home, a whack-a-car, and a live kitchen fire demonstration.

Cooking oil was lit on fire in a pot on a secured demonstration stove. It was explained that many people in that situation attempt to put the fire out with nearby items like water or flour, but that actually can spread the fire, as flour is flammable and sprayed water aerosolizes the oil and the droplets become flammable and spread.

According to the CGFD, the first thing to do is to put a lid on the burning pot and turn off the burner. An accessible fire extinguisher is the next line of defense. It is recommended to have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, or within a closet just outside of the kitchen for easy access.

In the absence of an extinguisher, the best thing to do if there’s a kitchen fire is to get out of the house and call 911.

CG Firefighter Mike Campbell shows what can happen when water is used to put out a kitchen fire. Photo by Dan Solovitz

Firefighter assists child with firehose to put out fake fire. Photo by Dan Solovitz.

Cottage Grove EMS vehicle in front of the Central Fire Station on 80th St. Photo by Dan Solovitz.

CGFD District Fire Chief Jeff Brown at the open house Photo by Dan Solovitz.

105-ft ladder truck rides for the public.Photo by Dan Solovitz.