Learn About Safety with OWL VFD This Weekend

Know that you and the thousands of visitors at the Occoquan Spring Arts & Crafts Show are safe with the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Firefighters and EMTs on hand. At the same time, learn how to protect yourself, your family and your livelihood from fires.

 Join the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Firefighters, EMTs, and Sparky the Fire Dog  (weather permitting) at the Occoquan Spring Arts & Crafts Show 2011 on Saturday June 4 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and Sunday, June 5 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Children will receive free fire helmets, temporary tattoos, balloons, stickers as well as other goodies. Volunteer Firefighters and EMTs will offer fire safety planning tips.

 Sparky the Fire Dog is the OWL VFD firehouse mascot. Today Sparky helps to teach fire safety, but in the days of horse drawn fire carts, dalmatians provided a valuable service. Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, so the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the engines to help clear a path and guide the horses and the firefighters to the fires quickly. They are still chosen by many firefighters as pets in honor of their heroism in the past.

“OWL VFD is committed to community safety — we provide education, fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency rescue services for the citizens and visitors of Prince William County,” said Chief Jim McAllister. “We are proud to attend community events like these which allow us to protect, meet and educate people about fire safety.”

Hosted by the town of Occoquan, the Occoquan Spring Arts & Crafts Show has been a semi-annual event for over 25 years and will include both contemporary and country crafters and artisans from Occoquan and from all around the United States as well as food vendors and live music. For more information on the Occoquan Arts & Crafts Show, visit http://www.occoquancraftshow.com.

OWL VFD is one of the largest and busiest volunteer fire and rescue departments in the United States. OWL VFD provides fire suppression, EMS care, and rescue services to 80,000 residents in our 27 square mile area through the operation of three fire stations. OWL volunteer Firefighters and EMTs work the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift, five days a week, plus 24 hours on holidays and weekends.

For more information on OWL VFD, visit www.owlvfd.org  or become a fan on Facebook at Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department.