The Mount Laurel Fire Department is bringing back its annual fire prevention night on Wednesday, Oct. 12 after a two year pause because of COVID.
The event has been popular within the community for more than 30 years, and in the last decade, was held in the Wegmans parking lot. This year’s program will be at Hartford School and is co-sponsored by the township school district.
Susan Lauria, executive assistant to the fire chief, emphasized that since the fire safety event has been synonymous with its previous location, the department has put forth an extra effort to notify residents of the change.
“We haven’t hosted (the event) in a couple of years because of COVID, but we originally held the event in the Wegmans parking lot until COVID,” she remarked. “We held it there for a long time. That’s why we want to get the word out about our new location this year.”
Lauria noted that in honor of National Fire Prevention Week – Oct. 9 through 15 – the fire department will also visit all elementary schools in the district to give students a presentation promoting fire safety.
“We have a good partnership with (the school district),” she noted. “We do a lot of fire- prevention awareness in the schools every year. “
During the school visits, kids will be able to sit in fire trucks.
The fire prevention event is free and will feature a presentation by Fire Marshal Brian McVey, along with bounce houses, face painting, a maze fire trucks on display and demonstrations from the fire and health departments. Event hours are 6 to 8:30 p.m.
“Come out and have a good time,” Lauria said. “There’s no age limit; it’s open to everybody. We haven’t had it in a couple of years, so it’ll be nice to see everyone out.”
