Ashley Norton Caught the Ace
Heather Wright Photo
Maddox Cook, 3, of Forest, gets behind the wheel of a fire truck during the Forest Fire Department's Open House Nov. 20.
A peek inside the Forest fire department
November 21, 2025
Heather Wright/The Independent
Forest firefighters opened the doors to the fire hall and families flooded in.
Normally, the department holds an open house during Fire Prevention Week, but this year, the doors opened Wednesday night. Families filled the building with parents watching as their children climbed into the trucks and tried using the jaws of life.
Firefighters were surprised with the turnout.
“This is more. This is way more,” said Captain Mark Shephard. “We’re actually surprised how many people actually showed up.”
Shephard says the night is just a lot of fun for both the families and the firefighters. But there is a purpose as well. It helps children become familiar with firefighters.
“If there is a fire we want them to know that we’re there to save them and not to be afraid of the trucks and all the gear.
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