VIDEO: The Austin Fire Department hosted its yearly Fire Prevention Week open house Wednesday at the department's downtown station. Families were invited to attend the event to take pictures with Sparky, the Fire Dog, climb into the seat of a firetruck, dress up as a firefighter, shoot water out of the fire hose and watch an auto extrication demo.
Parents and kids were out in full force at this event.
"It was great to see people that care and want to come down...meet the firemen and shake their hand," said Austin City Councilman Paul Fischer.
The fire department says that its hope from these events is to increase fire safety awareness and to have kids meet the firefighters and know they are here to help when they arrive on the scene.