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In recognition of the week, which runs from Oct. 5-12, both departments will host their annual open houses, complete with games, food and demonstrations for the entire family to enjoy.

For Utica Fire Chief Kevin Wilseck, it will give him a chance to get to know members of the community for the first time. Wilseck just joined the department at the beginning of the month, and said he’s been keeping busy getting to know the community, its residents and its business owners.

“It’s been going pretty good,” he said. “It’s taking time, but I think everybody is pretty excited, and everyone’s been very nice and helpful.”

The Utica Fire Department will host its station’s open house Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the fire station on Auburn Road. A Fire Safety Smoke Trailer will be on display to teach children the importance of having an emergency escape route, EMS workers will showcase vehicle extrication techniques, and a variety of firefighting and life-saving equipment will be on display.

“I think it’s very interesting for people to come in and see what we do,” said Wilseck. “It’s a chance for adults and kids to see our stuff. The parents are usually just as excited as the kids; everyone wanted to be a firefighter at one time.”

Throughout the week, firefighters from both Shelby Township and Utica will visit local schools and assisted living centers to show off their equipment throughout their respective communities.

“It’s going to be a pretty good time,” said Wilseck. “Everybody is really looking forward to it.”

The week’s festivities will conclude Oct. 11 with the open house at Shelby Township’s Fire Station on 23 Mile Road, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Firefighters will lead families on a tour of the fire stations, present CPR and vehicle extrication demonstrations, and allow families to use the fire hose.

“That’s a really popular part,” said Lt. Inspector Edward Vojtush. “We have really long lines for that sometime. I think from a young age, people have been interested in firefighting; everyone still loves seeing a fire truck.”

The Shelby Township open house will also feature a visit from Sparky the Fire Dog, a demonstration of the Fire Safety Education Trailer, and demonstrations of the thermal-imaging cameras and foam fire-fighting equipment.

“I think a lot of people think all we do here is fight fires and they’re surprised to learn about the things we do as EMS workers,” said Vojtush. “A lot of them aren’t even aware of what foam equipment is, but it’s really important when we have hazardous material fires.”

The Utica Fire Department will host an open house at its fire station on Auburn Road, across from City Hall, on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shelby Township will host its open house at Fire Station One on 23 Mile Road, west of Van Dyke, on Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free to both events.