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PHOTOS: Whitefish fire celebrates Fire Prevention Week

by JULIE ENGLER
Whitefish Pilot | October 18, 2023 1:00 AM

The Whitefish Fire Department celebrated Fire Prevention Week with an open house last Sunday. Attendees visited with first responders, including Whitefish police and firefighters, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, and crews from the ALERT helicopter.

The Northwest Montana Regional SWAT team was on hand, as well, and Deputy Pat McGauley and his partner, K9 Audie, treated the crowd to a bite demonstration.

There were smiles all around as families viewed the specialized equipment used in emergency responses, took tours of the fire and police stations and enjoyed free hot dogs.

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Six-year-old Sam Garver got behind of the wheel of a fire truck at the Emergency Services Center's open house. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

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Seven-year-old Andrew Saeger takes a turn behind the wheel of a fire truck during the open house at the Emergency Services Center. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

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Seven-year-old Zevric Arseneaux peers out from behind a shield at the Emergency Services Center's open house last Sunday. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

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With a Dalmatian freshly painted on her cheek, Isabella Panissidi poses with Olivia Hadley, who provided face painting for the children at the department's open house. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

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SWAT K9 handler Deputy Pat McGauley and Audie prepare for the bite demonstration. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

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Deputy Pat McGauley and Audie demonstrate some of the team's abilities by biting and holding Whitefish firefighter Dave Mangold at the Fire Department's open house. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

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Officers and families enjoy watching the Northwest Montana Regional SWAT's bite demonstration at the Emergency Services Center open house last weekend. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

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Whitefish firefighter Dave Mangold, with his granddaughter Maeve and other family members, check out the Alert helicopter at the open house last weekend. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)