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Kids' Imaginations Sizzle At Open Fire House

Tribune photo by VALERIE KALFRIN

Aidan LoCicero, 4, pretends to steer an ambulance at an open house today at Tampa Fire Rescue's West Tampa station.

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2008

TAMPA - Four-year-old Aidan LoCicero sat behind the wheel of a parked ambulance today, feet kicking above the pedals and imagination at high speed.

"Something's on fire! Get out! Get out!" he told his 7-year-old brother, Liam, in the passenger seat.

Tampa Fire Rescue invited visitors to tour their vehicles and their West Tampa station at 2525 W. Chestnut St. for a community open house. The agency plans to have an open house at a city fire station at least once a month.

Residents can tour the station, examine the vehicles, receive free smoke alarms and batteries, ask questions about emergency preparedness and meet the personnel, Fire Chief Dennis Jones said. The agency also hopes to recruit future firefighters by interacting with children, he said.

Today's visitors included resident Jabari Whetsel, 9, who received a "junior firefighter sticker" and chocolate cake; toddlers Petra and Veronica Dizon, who donned plastic red fire hats; and the LoCicero boys, whose father works for the agency.

For information about future open houses, contact Patricia Dempsey of Tampa Fire Rescue's Public Education Office at (813) 274-8241.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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