Department offers thanks

To the editor:
The Portland Fire Department would like to thank everyone who attended our seventh annual Fire Safety Day on Oct. 3.
The weather did not allow Lutheran Air medical helicopter to land, but we made the best of it anyway.
Kasey and Kohl, the fire safety dogs, put on a very educational show for those in attendance. Not only did the public learn abut fire safety, but also learned about law enforcement and medical emergencies from our very own local emergency response personnel.
We would also like to thank Portland Police Department, Jay County Sheriff’s Office, Jay Emergency Medical Service, Rescue 19, the Red Cross, Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union and Koorsen Fire and Safety for donating their time to help teach our local community. We would also like to give a very special thank you to Crown Pointe Assisted Living, Marsh Supermarkets, Central Gases and Tony Lennartz for donating refreshments and supplies.
October is Fire Prevention Month, but fire safety should be practiced year round. Remember next month when you change your clocks to also change the batteries in your smoke detectors. If you are a resident in Portland Fire Department’s protection area and do not have a smoke detector, you can get one free of charge Portland Fire Department.
Chief Mike Thomas and the Portland Fire Department