The Ogdensburg Fire Department will have an exhibit at next weekend’s 37th annual Ogdensburg Expo and, for Chief Michael J. Farrell, it is an event and an opportunity not to be missed.

Not when you factor in the department’s non-stop mission of educating people about the importance of fire prevention and safety.

“It’s invaluable,” said Mr. Farrell said. “We’re definitely going to be out there.”

The firefighters’ exhibit at the March 22 to 24 annual fundraiser for the Ogdensburg Boys and Club at Ogdensburg Free Academy’s Edgar A. Newell II Golden Dome will touch on all the familiar and, to Mr. Farrell, essential themes with firefighters there to explain them. Fire codes. Smoke detectors.

Fire extinguisher training. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction. Home heating appliance safety.

There will also be information and explanations on some of the more little-known fire department functions and duties. They include open and recreational burning, child safety car seat fittings, building and code inspection and fire drill supervision.

For all the seriousness and urgency that is attached to fire prevention and safety, Mr. Farrell said, it’s not unusual for a little levity to find its way into the message.

He recalls one response that is frequently heard at the conclusion of one of the department’s appearances at the city’s schools and before civic organizations to explain smoke detector installation and battery replacement.

“Now I got to get another smoke detector,” the chief recalls someone saying.

Mission accomplished.

“I like to hear that,” Mr. Farrell said.

The fire department is, the chief said, available to offer its educational and instructional programs to businesses and civic organizations in addition to local schools.

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