MATTAWA — Children get the chance to knock down plastic cones with the fire hose in Mattawa and meet the talking fire hydrant in Othello – and incidentally learn a little bit about fire safety – at open house events this week in each community.

Families are being invited to get a look at the fire stations in each community as part of National Fire Prevention Week. 

The Grant County Fire District 8 open house will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the main GCFD 8 station, 10643 Road 22.5 SW, about two miles northwest of Mattawa. Brenda Nolaso of GCFD 8 said the goal is to encourage children to learn a little bit about fire equipment and the fire service, have some fun and impart some lessons about fire safety. 

The fun part is the obstacle course where, among other things, children are allowed to work with an adult and actually use the fire hose to knock over those cones.  

“The kids sure have fun,” Nolasco said. “Even the teens like to join in on that one.” 

Children also get to drag fire hoses, among other things, but sprinkled in are plenty of tips on fire safety. Nolasco said GCFD 8 crews will be talking with children about house fires, what to do and what not to do.  

Those lessons are taught at school, she said, but firefighters are hoping to reinforce them, especially since the Mattawa area experienced a large fire this summer. The Railroad Fire burned about 8,216 acres and destroyed 10 homes in late July.  

Adams County Fire District 5 is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the main fire station, 220 South Broadway Ave., Othello.  

One of the stars of the show is Pluggie, the talking fire hydrant. JJ Martinez, ACFD 5 lieutenant, said Pluggie’s job is to reinforce the fire prevention lessons such as stop, drop and roll if their clothes catch fire.  

There’s an obstacle course for kids as well. 

“It’s a mini version of what we do as firefighters,” Martinez said. 

Children get to drag those fire hoses – with a little adult help; those things are heavy – and see if they can hit a target with the hose. They evacuate teddy bears on a sled and crawl through tubes.  

“They can try on our gear,” Martinez said. “We bring out the fire trucks and people are able to tour the trucks.” 

Other emergency services agencies have been invited to bring their vehicles, including air ambulances and the Othello Community Hospital ambulance.  

There are other fire safety lessons mixed in with the fun; children learn about escape routes and what to do if they find matches or a lighter.  

    Practicing evacuation is one of the obstacles on the obstacle course at the 2025 ACFD 5 open house.
  

    A firefighter from Grant County Fire District 8 talks with a curious visitor during the 2025 GCFD 8 open house.
  

    Children get a chance to look at a wildland fire truck at the GCFD 8 open house in 2025.