Camden Fire Department to Host Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Mobile Exhibit at Fire Fest September 24th
Fire Fest returns to Camden City Arena the last Saturday of September, and this year, a very special exhibit will be open to the public along with all of the usual Fire Fest activities. The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit will arrive at the City Arena on Thursday, September 22nd and will be open to the public from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, September 23rd and all throughout Fire Fest on Saturday, September 24.
Each year, Fire Fest serves as the kick off to national Fire Prevention Week TM This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week (FPW), and the campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape TM”, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.
“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different,” said Camden Fire Chief John Bowers. “Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out.”
As in years past, Fire Fest will include a live “side by side” burn demonstration, involving two constructed rooms - one with sprinklers and one without - to demonstrate how quickly fire can spread and the effects of sprinkler systems in the home. Other activities at Fire Fest will include live Junior Explorer competitions and firefighting demonstrations, a hot rod and classic car cruise-in, a visit from On Patrol: Live’s Captain Danny Brown, performances from local dance teams, a Kids Zone, vendors and food trucks through 1 pm.
The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit will be on site and available for tours until 3:00 pm on Saturday. This Exhibit has traveled the country educating Americans about what happened that day, and this will only be the sixth time the exhibit will be displayed in South Carolina. Tours are conducted by retired New York City firefighters who responded on September 11, 2001. They share their stories of what happened that day and the days after, bringing history to life for those who were born after September 11th or are too young to remember it. The 83-foot tractor-trailer transforms into a 1,100 square foot exhibit which features World Trade Center Steel, aluminum façade from the buildings, radio transmissions from first responders, and items found in the rubble after the Twin Towers collapsed.
Also on site during Fire Fest, as part of the cruise in, a 9/11 tribute motorcycle will be arriving from Maryland.
Fire Fest begins at 9 am Saturday, September 2024, 2022 with a parade of new and antique fire trucks, along with other emergency vehicles from Camden City Hall, down Rutledge and Broad Streets, and ending at the City Arena in time for opening ceremonies at 9:30 am.
“We are excited to be bringing the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit to Fire Fest this year, along with all the participants, special guest Danny Brown, and the 9/11 memorial chopper,” said Camden Fire Battalion Chief and Fire Fest Committee Chair Johnny Mullis. “But we really value this opportunity to connect directly with the community and teach the importance of fire prevention and safety.”
The Camden Fire Department would like to thank all event sponsors, particularly Chief Sponsors: the City of Camden, Furniture Services Inc., Lugoff Automotive Group, Fire House Subs, MUSC Health, and Community Broadcasters. The great support of community sponsors allows Fire Fest to remain a free event.
Fire Fest is always held the last Saturday of September to kick off National Fire Safety Month in October and National Fire Prevention Week, which begins Sunday, October 9th.
For more information about Fire Fest, visit www.facebook.com/camdenfirefest.