The Mahopac Falls Fire Department wishes to thank our neighbors for supporting us in this important venture to bring out what we do for the community and to the people, businesses, associations and service providers that came down to let the residents know that they are there to help. It was an awesome day and you made it better.

The skies held the rain long enough to get the 2018 MFVFD Open House up and running on Sunday morning. And people came!!! The first people to greet the community members were members of the MFVFD Fire Police unit who assisted with parking. Then entering the grounds, kids didn't know where to go first because there was so much to see. The Putnam County Sheriffs Office had the Marine unit, K-9 and handler and the Tactical Mobile unit out front. As you walked the grounds, you were greeted by Chiefs and Ex-Chiefs ready to answer questions, the MFVFD Dive Team showing off a newly purchased Zodiac boat & motor, trailer and assorted gear including new Wet Suits. The Extrication segment "wowed" the kids and parents alike showing just how fast Firefighters can gain access to a patient in a mangled car and do it safely, as EMS was at the ready to triage patients.

Other community resources came out to let people know that they are there to help in time of need. Greg Amato from the local chapter of the Red Cross Disaster Team, along with members from Central Hudson made people aware of how they operate and are ready to respond at a moments notice. The New York Blood Center had a blood drive and set up inside the firehouse to get much needed donations of life saving blood. A donation of CPR masks for animals was recently accepted from the Humane Society and the members of the Middlebranch Veterinary came down with their expertise on how to keep the "four legged" family members safe in extreme weathers conditions that we have been dealing with. They also brought to the attention of many residents that a new service is available to the area. It is VetMedics, a pet ambulance that provides critical care and transport for your animal, a service that would help the senior set keep their pet protected. Dan Pearsall from the Putnam County Dept. of Health was on board to answer many of the questions that people had, who to see and who can help was a popular topic. When people got tired and a little hungry, hot dogs and burgers were at the ready, compliments of the members fire department. They also got to meet with Investigator John Matrician from the Sheriff's Office who finger printed the youngsters for their safety and stressed how important it is to have this on record for identity purposes in an emergency.

Special thanks to our friends with the Ice Cream Truck for the cool delights and our friends from Dunkin Donuts, Rt.6 in Mahopac for bring so many smiles with their donations of donuts, munchkins and the sweet treats that they provided. It was a great day by the community - for the community.