Flanders Firefighters Make Their Firehouse Holiday Central With Two Santa Visits and Holiday Bazaar

Flanders Fire Company #1 & Rescue Squad To Continue Traditions of Escorting Santa Around Town on Fire Trucks and Welcoming His Toys For Tots Train. New Holiday Bazaar Added This Year
By: Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad
 
FLANDERS, N.J. - Nov. 23, 2014 - PRLog -- The Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad (http://www.flanders-fire-rescue.org) firehouse continues to serve as the Morris County branch of Santa’s North Pole workshop as firefighters prepare a three-prong effort to help St. Nick and area residents enjoy the winter holidays.

Continuing a tradition that started in the 1960s, firefighters will escort St. Nick around town on fire trucks, welcome Santa’s Toys for Tots Train, and, for the first time, hold a holiday bazaar to give local residents a chance to buy unique gifts and support their firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

The Holiday Bazaar, featuring local artisans, craftspeople and merchants, offers more than 50 tables of one-of-a-kind items. Doors are open from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the firehouse, 27 Main St., Flanders. There’s a $2 admission charge.

“We have some amazingly talented people in the area who will be displaying their work,” said Susan Scribner, a Flanders emergency medical technician who is chairing the event. “There will be a wide variety of items available. It’s a great place to find something you won’t find at those crowded malls and, at the same time, support the fire company and these local people.”

A week later, Santa rolls into town for the first of two visits, this one with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Flanders firefighters welcome the Marine Corps Toys for Tots train as it pulls up next to the firehouse around 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Firefighters already have started collecting new, unwrapped toys for underprivileged children in the area. Toys can be dropped off in the vestibule of the firehouse, or the toys can be brought to the train.  Those meeting the train can talk with Santa and the Marines and have photos taken with him. Last year, the five-year tradition netted lots of good photos and smiles along with about 1,100 toys.

On Dec. 20, Flanders firefighters and EMTs will escort Santa around town on fire trucks. Santa will stop and talk with kids and his helpers will hand out candy canes and collect toys for the Toys for Tots program. Santa will stop and talk with children with special needs if parents call the firehouse at (973) 584-7805.

“The Flanders Fire Company #1 serves the community in a variety of different ways, not just responding to calls for help,” said Doug Fenichel, president of the Flanders Fire Company Association, the organization that handles the business affairs of the department. “This is a way to have some fun and take care some of local children.”

“It’s something everyone looks forward to doing all year,” said Kevin Dolan, association treasurer and the firefighter who coordinates Santa’s visit and the fire company’s participation with the Toys for Tots program. “Everyone has a good time and it serves kids in the community.”

The Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad has driven Santa around town since the 1960s, when members escorted Santa from a local airport to a local service club’s annual Christmas meeting. The route gradually expanded to cover more of the growing town. Today, the airport is gone and the event has evolved into one anticipated by local children.

The Flanders Fire Company and Rescue Squad No. 1 provides fire protection and emergency medical services to residents and businesses in Flanders and, through mutual aid, surrounding towns. It is made up of about 50 members who receive training in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, homeland security issues and emergency medical services.

The fire company, which is always looking for new members, operates two fire engines, one tower truck, one heavy rescue, a brush-and-foam truck, three ambulances, a multiple-casualty unit and a mass decontamination unit.

In addition, the fire company offers public education services including lectures, demonstrations, training and a trailer that safely simulates a smoke-filled home. For information about membership, donations or public education, call (973) 584-7805 or click on www.flanders-fire-rescue.org.

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Doug Fenichel, APR
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