Car rescues, an alligator and, of course, fire — all in the name of promoting fire safety

It was a busy Saturday at Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue’s Station No. 3.

The hazardous materials team extinguished a liquid propane fire. A child was lost then swiftly sniffed out by Karma, an almost 3-year-old red sable German shepherd. Someone was extracted from a car. Arnold the juvenile American alligator made some new friends.

Have you ever heard of a more interesting open house?

For four hours Saturday, a couple hundred children and adults descended on the fire station to learn about fire safety as a part of nationwide Fire Prevention Week. Groups like the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue participated.

“It’s extremely important, because it educates ... the parents of the children about the dangers of fire and the safety and making sure they have working smoke alarms and that they have an exit plan and if not how to make one so that, in the event of a fire, they can get out of their burning structure,” said Southern Manatee Fire Chief Brian Gorski.

Four-year-old Mikey Pellegrino pondered for a few moments on whether he should pet Arnold the alligator, held firmly by a FWC officer. His father, Michael, showed him there was nothing to be afraid of.

“We were here two years ago,” the elder Pellegrino said. “He took a liking to it, so we came back. It’s important for him to learn about safety and about police officers.”

While reptiles weren’t his thing, Mikey’s mother, April, said being in school helped grow his interest in firefighters.

“He’s very interested in fire and what happens, and what if there’s a fire,” she said.

Michael Pellegrino noted that some of their friends had used the threat of calling law enforcement officers as a way to curb children’s unruly behavior.

“They’re supposed to look at a police officer as trust,” he said.

Valerie Gonzalez went to the event for the first time with her daughters, sister and nieces.

“(We came) just to see what it’s all about, to see what they do on a daily basis,” she said.

She said she was particularly impressed about the work they do while going through a simulation that imitated what it’s like when a home catches fire and smoke swirls about.

Gonzalez’s niece, 13-year-old Brianna, had a sense of urgency after reflecting on her visit while munching on a barbeque sandwich.

“It made me notice that we should really have drills at our house. We should really practice,” she said. “It could be dangerous if the kids don’t know what to do, and just freak out.”

Vanessa, Gonzalez’s 6-year-old daughter, added, “I would go outside if it’s a fire. I do not like fire.”

This story was originally published October 7, 2017 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Car rescues, an alligator and, of course, fire — all in the name of promoting fire safety."