by Dennis Dalman
editorial@thenewsleaders.com
Children enjoyed getting to play-act as firefighters during the St. Stephen Fire Department Open House on Oct. 15 at the city’s fire station.
The annual event is a way for firefighters and residents to get to know one another, to share treats and refreshments, and to ask and answer questions.
But it was the kids who ruled the day.
Clayton Zemetz of Avon and friend Michael Partch of St. Stephen stood in the station all smiles when they had a chance to try on grown-up firefighting outfits. And 4-year-old Derrick Barhorst was proud as punch when he got to climb up to sit in a fire truck while wearing his red plastic fire helmet. Meantime, Valerie Nack of St. Stephen stood beside her mother and munched on a chocolate-chip cookie.
Firefighters greeted the visitors as they arrived.
The 24-member department is led by Fire Chief Jeff Drais. Its assistant fire chiefs are Gene Skaj and Jeff Blenkush; and its captains are Rodger Bellinger, Chris Hoeschen, Brian Quaal and Steve Trobec.
Clayton Zemetz of Avon (left) and Michael Partch of St. Stephen try on for size grown-up firefighter suits at the Oct. 15 St. Stephen Fire Department Open House.
Derrick Barhorst, 4, of Sauk Rapids, grins through the window of a fire truck at the Oct. 15 St. Stephen Fire Department’s Open House. Barhorst is the grandson of Ralph Barhorst, who has been a firefighter with the St. Stephen department for 42 years.
Valerie Nack of St. Stephen shows off her delicious chocolate-chip cookie at the Oct. 15 St. Stephen Fire Department’s Open House.
