Pasadena Fire Station Open House Teaches and Thrills Young and Old Alike

The Pasadena Fire Department held a child-friendly open house Saturday morning at Fire Station 34 to showcase how it serves the community on a daily basis.

Station is 34 is located at 1360 E Del Mar Blvd and is between Pasadena City College and Caltech.

Against the backdrop of throbbing red lights and fire engines which saw the turnout of well over 100 people, Battalion Chief AC Brown gave the residents of Pasadena tips about how to be better prepared for emergency disaster situations.

“In case we have a disaster, make sure you recognize that you need something to maintain you for 72,” Green said.” Our fire department may be busy in other areas where there’s more disaster … need, so you need to be ready.”

Helpful emergency items to have handy are first-aid kits, canned goods, water, a flashlight and toiletries, according to Green.

The event also saw a mother reunite with a Pasadena firefighter who helped bring her give birth to her son because she could not reach the hospital in time.

“My son was born at home because we couldn’t make it to the hospital,” said Sylvia Leo, a Pasadena resident. “A team of firefighters helped us out, and we’re grateful for that. One of them is here today.”

The open house also featured station tours, the propping of a large firefighting ladder, a special kid safety academy and a special demonstration showing just how quickly firefighters needs to get ready when their numbers are called, according to Lisa Derderian, spokesperson for the Pasadena Fire Department.

“Firefighters are supposed to get into their yellow turnouts within a minute,” Derderian said. “We had them demonstrate how that works and they did it in an exact minute. We showed the public how quickly firefighters need to get dressed to go out on a call.”

In addition to the Fire Department, the Pasadena Police Department, Pasadena Water and Power, and candidate for the California State Senate Antonio Portantino also came to engage with the residents, according to Derderian.

“It was definitely a success, the weather cooperated with us and we had a great turnout,” Derderian said. “We were able to give out good public safety information and tips for both kids and adults.”