Fighting Fire with Family Fun in Nutley

Several hundred people -- including lots of wee ones -- attended the Nutley Fire Department’s 30th annual Open House Friday, an event featuring lots of hands-on, kid-friendly lessons in fire safety.

Children had the chance to see ambulances and fire vehicles up close, extinguish small, controlled blazes with fire extinguishers, to practice “stop, drop and roll,” and to have their pictures taken with a Dalmatian. There were also visits with Smokey the Bear and other beloved characters.

Several businesses and organizations helped sponsor the event, including Nutley FMBA Local 44, the Nutley Police Department, Nutley Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad,  American Red Cross, C. Walter Searle Insurance,  Dunkin Donuts, Energizer Batteries, Flippin’ Out Tumbling and Gymnastics, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, New York Life Insurance, Safety Trailer, Servpro, State Farm Insurance and the United Association of Realtors.