The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department announced that it will be hosting its annual “Community Day at the Firehouse” on Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Everything is free at what has become one of the most popular and much-anticipated community events of the year in the Lewisboro hamlet of Golden’s Bridge. The Golden's Bridge Fire Department serves all of Golden’s Bridge and swaths of North Salem and Somers. Last year’s event drew close to 400 visitors, including nearly 180 children, each of whom received special gift bags.

The event with the feel of a country fair will have plenty of eats – grilled burgers and hot dogs, cider and donuts, cookies, chips, Halloween candy, and more. There will be plenty of activities for the kids – a fun bouncy firehouse, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, crafts, operating a real fire hose, crawling through a simulated “smoky fire” trailer house (for adults, too), and more. There will also be plenty of action – firefighters displaying their skills in thrilling demonstrations, maneuvers, and techniques, such as using JAWS to rescue an “accident victim” trapped in a vehicle and performing rope bailout.

The event will include demonstrations by other emergency services, including the Lewisboro Police Department with K9-Zane, the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps (free blood pressure screenings), New York State Police (with their rollover vehicle), and the County Department of Public Safety (with their ESU vehicle and other surprises).

Children (and adults) can suit up in fire gear and climb behind the steering wheel of a fire truck for the perfect photo for your holiday cards. Children will also receive a fun gift bag, and everyone in attendance will receive a free raffle ticket with the chance to win some great prizes.

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department hosts its annual Community Day event during National Fire Prevention Month as part of its year-round awareness and education initiative.

In between the aroma of burgers and hot dogs wafting through the crisp autumn air is a lesson in fire safety and prevention, according to Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Dennis Delborgo, a father of three who has been with the GBFD since 2015, and has resided in the community with his wife and children for eight years.
"This event brings together the community and gives the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department the opportunity to thank residents for their support," said Fire Chief Delborgo. "Although the day is filled with food, fun, entertainment and some awesome demonstrations, we are also delivering an important and serious message – that fire safety education and awareness saves lives and property."
Common sense safety measures go a long way to protecting your family and home, says the Golden’s Bridge fire chief – such as installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and rooms with fireplaces, and, most importantly, creating an escape plan with two ways out in case of a fire.

Second Assistant Chief William Holze, the father of two young children and a product of Increase Miller Elementary School and John Jay High School, who has been with the GBFD since 2016, said the Community Day event “gives firefighters a chance to meet the residents we serve, and it provides the community with a chance to see the volunteers behind the turnout gear. We’re always looking to increase our ranks – interior and exterior firefighter, fire police. Helping fellow residents, your neighbors, brings tremendous satisfaction.”

Joseph Simoncini, who has nearly 30 years of service with the GBFD and who is a Fire Commissioner for the Golden’s Bridge Fire District and chairs the Department’s Community Day Committee, said Golden’s Bridge firefighters receive their training and certification at the Westchester County Fire Training Center in Valhalla. All of them are also trained in CPR and some hold state-certification as EMTs, according to Commissioner Simoncini.

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department responds to all emergencies conceivable – structure, vehicle and brush fires, all medical emergencies, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, vehicle accidents, downed power lines and other weather-related emergencies. The fire district consists of hundreds of residential structures, a retail shopping center, businesses and professional offices, a major automobile dealership and a veterinary center, a Metro-North railroad station, a stretch of the I-684 corridor, a large portion of the Muscoot Reservoir, two schools and a church.

For more information about Community Day at the Firehouse, or how to join the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department, call 914-403-4072, or email the address listed.