The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department opened its doors and invited the community to take a closer look at the job of a firefighter during its annual open house Oct. 13.
Youngsters dressed up in actual firefighter's gear, including heavy coats and thick helmets, as moms, dads and grandparents noised around and toured the apparatus.
Fire safety is always at the core at LVFD, and Sunday's open house was a chance to offer safety tips on this year's fire prevention focus: kitchen fires.
Community open houses and public safety are things that do, and should, come naturally to members of the LVFD. After all, they've been doing this for 111 years.