OC Fire Station 48 will host open house on Oct. 12

PUBLIC SAFETY

by Emma DiMaggio

Communications Manager

Fire stations across Orange County will open their doors to the public on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m.noon, including nearby OC Fire Station 48, located at 3131 North Gate Rd., Seal Beach.

The family-friendly event will feature tours of the fire house, OC Fire Authority community educators and a slew of fire fighters ready to answer people’s burning questions.

“It basically opens up the house to anyone who wants to see what it looks like inside the fire station,” said Fire Capt. Mike Johnson. “We’ll have community educators handing out goodie bags, and basically just walk you through the station, show you the kitchen, the day room, the gym, where we sleep, eat, all that stuff.”

This is an opportunity for residents to meet the firefighters and paramedics who serve 95% of all fire-related emergency calls in Leisure World.

“It’s always fun to interact with the people we’ve talked to in the past,” Johnson said, adding that it’s rewarding to hear that people they’ve transported to the hospital had good outcomes. “It’s always nice to see them again, talk to them, it’s awesome.”

The Orange County Fire Authority is a regional fire service agency that serves 23 cities in Orange County.

Fire Station 48 mainly covers Seal Beach, though it also serves neighboring areas when needed. It is one of two fire stations located in the city; the other is Fire Station 44 located closer to the shoreline near Main Street.

LW residents who have never required emergency response may still recognize fire personnel: they’re regular features at local grocery stores, easily

OPEN HOUSE, page 3

Orange County fi refi ghters Tyson Navarro (l-r), Aron Downs, Jeremy Cappon and Fire Captain Mike Johnson pose in front of Engine 48 on North Gate Road.

Emma DiMaggio OPEN HOUSE

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spotted in uniform, driving their conspicuous red fire engine.

“People are like, ‘Why are they all together?’ It’s because we can get stopped at any point in time for a call,” Johnson explained. “If we’re shopping and someone calls 911, we’re all here, all our gear is on the engine, and as soon as we get on, we’re going. We’re always together so we can respond.”

All are welcome to attend the open house to learn more about the day-to-day operations of the fire station. Parking is available on the street or in the station’s parking lot, located to the right of the station.

A look inside the lockers where fi re personnel store their gear. Each person is responsible for loading his or her own gear on and off the fi re engine when their 48-hour shift begins.

Emma DiMaggio