SHERBURNE – The Sherburne Fire Department opened is doors Thursday night in hopes of teaching fire safety and recruiting new members.

“Trying to teach the kids fire safety is what it’s all about,” said Sherburne Fire Chief Patrick Lawrence.

“We were also hoping for some recruitment. Military backgrounds are good, maybe a local parent. You can’t pressure people into it, they have to want to do it,” said Lawrence, who also stated that the volunteer fire department had not had a full roster in “I don’t know how long.”

The open house had a number of activities for local residents, including ladder truck rides, a demonstration using the imaging camera in a smoke-filled room and a turn-out fire gear demonstration.

The department also gave residents smoke detectors and EMS technicians did blood pressure checks. The Oxford Fire Prevention Trailer was on hand with several members of its high school explorer group.

Sherburne, North Norwich, Earlville and Smyrna firefighters went to Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School and met with students earlier yesterday as part of Fire Prevention Week. Although Sherburne only holds an open house every other year, the department still makes annual trips to local schools.

Lawernce explained that “one of the things we have the younger ones do is have them dress up a fireman. They watch and interact with a fireman as he puts on all his gear.”