Ryan Allen loves sitting at the steering wheel of Engine 2514 on Saturday at the Brentwood Fire Department’s open house. (All photos by Steve Bowman)
Dozens of local residents visited the Brentwood Fire Department on Saturday for its second annual open house. Firefighters led tours of the firehouse, displayed and explained apparatus and served a hot dog lunch in the garage.
A firefighter explains some of the many functions of the Engine 2514.
For the second year in a row, the center of attention was the BFD’s still new-looking Engine 2514. It was parked in the garage with doors wide open so both children and adults could sit in its seats and take turns gripping the steering wheel. The fire department bought and outfitted the rescue pumper last year for about $840,000.
The 20,000-square-foot fire house opened in 2011 at 8756 Eulalie Ave. It replaced the previous station, which was built in 1935.
The Brentwood Police Department was on hand to assist with infant car seat installations.
Fire Captain Rick Kerr shows Kane Zavradino how to wrap his legs around the fire pole.Hot dogs and drinks are served in the garage.Mayor Chris Thornton chats with City Administrator Bola Akande (left) and former alderwoman Barbara Clements.Visitors touring the firehouse walk by framed photos of firefighters and other staff.Photos of some former Brentwood firefighters also hang in the station. They are identified from left to right. Top row: Bob Niemeyer, Joseph Bratcher, Bob Kurtz and David Berkel. Middle row: David Moellering, William Albert, Andrew Moeckel and Kevin Seelbach. Bottom row: David Jones and David Hartwig.Firefighter Brian Hagedorn answers questions about the living room.
The firehouse has a classroom.Firefighter Brian Hagedorn shows off one of the antique fire extinguishers that are on display.
Captain Rick Kerr points out features of the kitchen, which has three refrigerators.Brothers Kane (left) and Stephen Zavradinos are fascinated by the fire pole.
The Brentwood Spirit 