Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/87353
TEACHING TACTICS (Front to back) Kiersen Thompson, Jesse Price, David Owens, Brian Shannon and Austin Murphy. Candidates to be new Sarasota County firefighters — thanks to training at the Sarasota County Technical Institute's Fire Academy. A Fire Department spokeswoman said all the men took the state exam on Oct. 9. Photos by Norman Schimmel FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE DRAWS LOTS OF FAMILIES TO BENEVA ROAD FIRE STATION Staff Reports About 1,000 people — including lots of young children — gathered at the Beneva Road Fire Station on Saturday, Oct. 6, to learn all about fire prevention and area law enforcement agencies. The event included an unveiling of a World Trade Center artifact — a section recovered after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Sarasota County Commission Chairwom- an Christine Robinson and Mike Tobias, the county's fire chief and emergency services director, both spoke during the ceremony in- volving the artifact. Along with the displays — including a Bayflite helicopter from the Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, fire engines both historic and modern, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol horses and a Florida Highway Patrol car, among others — participants could enjoy all sorts of snacks. The theme of the open house was "Have 2 Ways Out," focusing on the importance of es- cape planning and practice, especially in re- gard to home fires. The event was part of the National Fire Pre- vention Association's campaign to raise awareness about fire safety during Fire Pre- vention Week, which is Oct. 7-13.