Saturday May 14, 2005  CVFA Annual Open House

On Saturday, May 14, Coventry Volunteer Fire Association held its annual Open House.  We estimate the event was attended by over 400 visitors of all ages.  This Open House was a huge success.  A major factor contributing to the success was the donation of food and flowers by local businesses. 
     Almost 200 children learned by experience how to escape from a burning building through the use of the Kid’s Safety House from the CT Fire Academy.  The instructor was impressed with the knowledge many of the children demonstrated about fire safety.  Much of this knowledge has been provided over the years by the local fire departments’ fire prevention programs.  Other displays included Life Star helicopter and crew, Windham Hospital Paramedics, Flashy the Fire Dog, Andy the Ambulance and the CVFA Dive Team.  All our apparatus was on display and personnel were available to answer questions.
     We want to the thank our many guests for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit us.  We especially want to thank the following businesses for their generous donations to help make our Open House such an incredible success: Angellino’s Restaurant, Applebee’s, Bidwell Tavern, Dimitri’s Restaurant, D. P. Dough, Dunkin’ Donuts, Fred’s Brick House Café, Georgina’s Restaurant, Highland Park Market, Husky Bean Café, Maynard Farms, Popeye’s Galley, Popple’s Farm & Garden Center, Schmedley’s Pub, and Willington Pizza.  We encourage everyone to support these businesses and if you were at our open house, let the businesses know you appreciate them.
  Please enjoy the pictures!!

"Flashy" the fire dog was a huge hit with the kids!

The Dive Team had a great display which many towns people commented on.

Our house numbering project took in many orders.

One of the star attractions was the Kids Fire Safety Trailer.

The Connecticut State Fire Academy brought this down for the day.

Teaching kids fire safety is so important.

Many kids went through the trailer and learned alot.

The might have enjoyed themselves as well.

Brian D. taking a resident through the ambulance.

Another great attraction was the display set up by the Windham hospital paramedics.

All of our apparatus was on display for everyone to see.

Some kids were not quite sure about Flashy.

Others could not keep their hands off. Something about making the siren go.

CVFA and it's newly instituted Junior Junior Members program. Obviously it was thier job to eat as much popcorn as possible!!

You would not believe some of the places we found these stickers while cleaning up. The kids enjoyed them and that is all that is important.

Chief Krawetzky with Council Person Zenko.

Vice President Dittrich talking with a prospective member.

Can you say FOOD!!

Lots of great FOOD!

After 5 years of trying to get Lifestar to our open house the clouds parted and the sun shined on CVFA. Lifestar was a huge crowd pleaser.

Everyone came down to get a look. The crew was great explaining everything to the people.

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"Flashy" the fire dog was a huge hit with the kids!