SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 is inviting residents to get an up-close look at their local fire district during an open house Sept. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the district's station, located at 155 State Route 28 in Soap Lake. 

The event will feature emergency response demonstrations, fire safety education, activities for children, food and opportunities for residents to meet firefighters, emergency medical providers and cadets. 

Fire Chief Erick Brittain said the open house is designed to strengthen connections between the district and the community it serves. 

"We like to meet our neighbors and our constituency before there's an emergency," Brittain said. "In the essence of true transparency, we want to develop that relationship with the public not only when there's an emergency, but in our downtime too, when people can come and meet our providers and our firefighters and put a face to the people that are serving them on a day-to-day basis." 

The district will introduce members of its cadet program and provide information about the department's recent growth and accomplishments. 

"We want to introduce our cadets to the public first off, and their families, as well as invite the public to see what we've been up to because we've been up to a lot," Brittain said. 

Activities will include a water-spraying challenge for children, static displays of emergency equipment and demonstrations involving battery-powered hydraulic extrication tools, commonly known as the Jaws of Life. 

"We'll be doing some demonstrations to show the public what our battery-operated hydraulic extrication tools can do," Brittain said. 

The district also plans to offer fire safety education, including demonstrations on the proper use of fire extinguishers. Brittain said the event serves as a lead-up to National Fire Prevention Week, which begins in October. 

In addition to family activities and demonstrations, residents will be able to learn more about Proposition No. 1, a replacement Emergency Medical Services levy that will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. 

The measure would replace the district's existing EMS levy and increase the collection rate from 25 cents to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for six years beginning in 2027. District officials have said the additional funding would help offset rising emergency call volumes, support EMS staffing and purchase equipment and ambulance-related resources. EMS calls currently account for about 85% of the district's call volume. 

Brittain said the district has already expanded services by adding new equipment and training opportunities. 

"We are adding our capabilities every day to further serve the public," he said. 

Among those additions is a refurbished heart monitor purchased through Stryker and a partnership with Columbia Basin Hospital that allows providers to maintain CPR and advanced life support certifications through a quarterly training program. 

The chief said the district is also investing in the future through its cadet and new Career and Technical Education fire science programs, both aimed at encouraging young people to pursue careers in emergency services. 

The open house will be catered by Jimmy's Hot Dogs, and Brittain said he hopes residents take the opportunity to stop by, ask questions and get to know the people behind the department. 

"I'd love to see everybody come out," Brittain said. "We're really looking forward to meeting everybody that wants to come out and enjoy a fun evening with us." 

GCFD 7 open house 

Sept. 10 

6 to 8 p.m.  

Grant County Fire District 7 station 

155 WA 28, Soap Lake