By MADDY VITALE
Leonardo Taccarino looked a bit young for firefighting. After all, the Marmora boy is just 3. But his skill at steadily holding a fire hose to extinguish a “blaze” created plenty of smiles from a crowd.
Leonardo smiled and giggled as the hose shot a steady stream of water into the “burning” model size home. He may have gotten a little help from his mom, Dominique Taccarino, along with Ocean City firefighter Dan Boardman, but still, there was a little firefighter in the making.
The Taccarinos joined many other families Thursday for the Ocean City Fire Department and IAFF Local 4032’s Open House.
The annual event coincides with national Fire Prevention Month and is geared toward showing the community just what the fire department does and how the equipment works.
“This is our first time at the open house,” Dominique said. “Leonardo is having a great time.”
Like Leonardo, other children got to pretend they were firefighters and extinguish a simulated fire at the miniature home.
They also learned how to properly drop and roll should a fire break out and got to see a kitchen fire demonstration. Some had their faces painted, toured fire vehicles and nibbled on free pretzels and hot dogs.
Mayor Jay Gillian watched as kids and their parents and guardians breezed in and out of the fire department enjoying all of the activities.
“This is Ocean City,” he said. “This is a family tradition. It is amazing. You need to see this every now and then to really appreciate it.”
Firefighters interacted with the attendees and handed out plastic firefighter hats to the delight of children.
State Fire Investigator Rodman Meyer brought along K-9 Hank. Children and their families gathered around to give Hank a pet.
Meyer, who was also at the open house last year, said it is a really wonderful event and that the kids really enjoy Hank.
Ocean City Police Sgt. Chris Vivarelli and his wife, Brandy Savage, brought along their children, Blake and 5-month-old Scottie.
“It’s really a nice family event, especially this time of year,” Vivarelli said.
Blake was anxious to go and try out the fire hose demonstration and check out the other activities – all having to do with real life firefighting.
While firefighting was all the excitement for some kids, Logan Riordan, 3, of Strathmere, and her big sister, 6-year-old Peyton, enjoyed getting their faces painted.
The girls’ grandfather, Bruce Riordan, also of Strathmere, watched and smiled.
“We come to this every year. It is such a fun event,” Riordan said. “The girls just love it.”
