Submitted Article
Fire and rescue vehicles packed the front lawn of Ker Place last Oct. 12 for Fire Safety Family Fun Day, hosted by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society in conjunction with its fall exhibit.
Kids and adults explored a brush truck; a heavy rescue unit; a ladder truck; and three engines, including a new Pierce from the Community Fire Co., Inc., in Exmore, Greenbackville’s 1950 open-cab Seagrave and a 1963 International John Bean from Atlantic.
The Accomack County Department of Public Safety brought its fire prevention house for tours, and Historical Society staff led youths in activities including a bucket brigade and search-and-rescue missions with “fire” slime.
In addition to the entities previously mentioned, the Saxis and Onancock stations also participated. The Ker Place exhibit, titled “It All Started with a Spark: The Rise and Evolution of Eastern Shore Firefighting,” will run through early December. Tours are offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at the mansion, 69 Market St., in Onancock. Visit www.shorehistory.org for more information.
