Nearly $3000.00 in door prizes were given away during the two day event. Those door prizes were donated by vendors and show sponsors. Items included line pack, hose and personal protective equipment to mention only a few.
The Expo continues today from 10 to 5 at Buckeye Career Center at 545 University Dr. NE. Admission is free and the public is invited.
Frank Corona, assistant district forest manager for ODNR, Division of Forestry, was equally enthused. Corona, who is also wildfire coordinator for District 3, headquartered at New Philadelphia, estimated that more than 300 people attended the Expo on Saturday. Corona, who was pleased with Saturday’s warmer temperatures and sunshine, noted that some attendees came from as far away as North Carolina. Exhibitors were there from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Both Corona and Neff said the Expo most likely will become an annual event. The comment he was hearing from most visitors was, “You’re going to do this again, right?” Corona said.
In addition to numerous exhibits of firefighting equipment, transportation and safety gear, the Expo features ongoing educational programs, all-day instruction and vendor demonstrations. One room at Buckeye is set up with a computerized wildfire simulator, another has the National Weather Service demonstrating fire weather information, and yet another has hands-on demonstrations of individual fire shelter deployment.
Neff said 70 brush firefighting trucks arrived on Saturday, the first day for a brush truck cruise-in. Many were from local area departments, such as West Lafayette, Zoar and Strasburg, while others came from more distant areas such as Nelsonville and Belmont County.
According to Neff, one of the purposes of the Expo was to draw firefighters from different areas together so they could exchange ideas and learn from each other. “And that’s the key. We stood outside and looked out here toward the brush truck cruise-in, and lots of groups of guys were standing around talking, and that’s what we wanted to see,” Neff said. The Ohio Division of Forestry wanted to see firefighters sharing different ideas, different technology – “just the fellowship and having fun,” Neff said. “That’s what we were after and that’s exactly what we got,” he added.
“The fire departments have been real pleased with this cruise-in,” Corona said, adding, “they’ve enjoyed and picked up a lot of information looking at how each other have built different pieces of equipment.” Another of the highlights of the Expo is the appearance of a unique brushfire show truck known as “Silly Willy.” An awesome combination of technology and nostalgia, it was built and displayed by Wildfire Manufacturing Inc. of Auburn, Ind. Silly Willy is a fully functional quick attack brush fire and show truck with a custom tube chassis and nitrogen/air spring suspension system.
“We’ve got anything that’s new technology or wildfire related just about right here,” Corona said. The Expo coincides with and is designed to raise public awareness of the beginning of the spring wildfire season.
Corona said that open burning is prohibited between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. during March, April and May. The same hours prohibiting open burning apply during the months of October and November. Burning permits are not required, but everyone who kindles an open fire is responsible for any damage it may cause.
Further information on open burning restrictions is available at the Expo, or by calling the District 3 headquarters at (330) 339-2205.
Division of Forestry - District 3
Important Expo Links
Ohio Division of Forestry
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Buckeye Career Center
Tuscarawas County Travel and Tourism
