Mentone Introduces Community To Emergency Services
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Grant Miller tests his firefighting skills as he learns to use a firehose.
MENTONE — The Mentone Community Services hosted an open house last night, Sept. 26. Community members were able to attend and learn about the local fire department, police department and EMS services, which are all housed under one roof.
Mentone Fire Chief Mike Yazel described the open house as opportunity to connect with the community. “We are always in people’s lives on their bad days, so we want to try to be involved with their good days too,” said Yazel. “Since we’ve built this new station we’ve tried to become a center of the community.”
The building has often been used as a gathering spot in the community. The departments host events for most holidays including Christmas, which has been a town tradition since the 1940s. Yazel remembers opening up the building to the community after a bad storm knocked the town’s power out. The building is powered by a generator so the building was opened up for community members and the departments even cooked everyone a meal.
“We’re just really trying to keep a good connection with the community,” emphasized Yazel.
Community members who attended the open house had the opportunity to participate in CPR demonstrations, use a fire department water hose and even try on emergency response equipment. Emergency personnel also grilled hot dogs for those in attendance.
If you missed the open house, don’t fret. The departments are hosting a fish fry at 4 p.m. on Oct. 21, that is open to the community. Also, like every year, the station will be open on Halloween and providing donut holes and cider to those who swing by during trick-or-treating.
- Brody Cooper, left, helps Payton Hull try on firefighting equipment.
- Emergency supplies were on display including the well-known jaws of life.
- Firetrucks, police cars and ambulances were available for tours.