Polo firefighters host open house, hog roast

POLO — A hog wasn’t the only thing cooking at the Polo Fire Protection District’s hog roast and open house Oct. 9.

The event, which drew around 300 people, also included demonstrations on fire safety.

“Everything went real good,” Fire Chief Jim Ports said. “We got a lot of support from the public and we really appreciate it. … I can’t stress enough that I really appreciate the public’s ongoing support of the fire department.”

Firefighter/paramedic D.J. Sanders agreed.

“Everything I heard was very positive,” Sanders said. “People were happy to come out again. We didn’t get to have this event last year due to the pandemic.”

The event ran from 4-8 p.m. with pork sandwiches, potato chips, mashed potatoes, corn, backed beans, coleslaw, applesauce and ice cream being served. There also was an educational children’s smoke house and, at 5:30 p.m., a live fire demonstration.

In the demonstration, a three-room structure was set ablaze to illustrate the safety benefits of closing ones bedroom door before sleeping. One of the rooms was separated from the fire by a closed door, and another had the door left open.

“The ‘close before you doze’ went real good,” Ports said. “It opened peoples’ eyes.”

Christina Bingham won a raffle drawing, bringing home a freezer donated by Knie Appliance & TV Inc., in Polo, and a quarter-beef purchased by the firefighters, Sanders said.

The money will go toward new rescue equipment and equipment for the fire trucks, Ports said. Totals were not available as of Tuesday.

Some of the funds will be donated to breast cancer awareness, Sanders said.

“We really appreciate the show of support for the public and always appreciate them coming out to help us out,” Sanders said.