CHENANGO COUNTY – Several fire departments including Norwich, Oxford, Sherburne, and South New Berlin will take part in, “Fire Prevention Week,” and they welcome anyone in the community to join them.

This year's fire prevention week began on Sunday and will end on Saturday, October 13. In the meantime, fire departments around Chenango County will host open houses, provide live demonstrations, host pancake breakfasts, and inform their communities on how to handle certain kinds of fires.

The City of Norwich Fire Department (NFD) will have its open house on October 11 from 6 to 8 p.m., and according to NFD Chief Jan Papelino, the department plans on having several demonstrations.

“During this year’s open house, the county will bring their fire extinguisher simulation down, and we’re going to do smaller burn demonstrations along with a larger one,” said Papelino. “It’s going to be a family friendly event, and anyone is welcome to attend.”

Papelino said several businesses in Norwich are assisting with this year’s open house.

“Several business took part in our open house this year by providing us goods, like cookies from the Cottage Bakery, banners from Wightman Signs, and wood used in the live burn demonstration from Curtis Lumber and we wanted to thank them for their contributions,” said Papelino.

Other fire department chiefs such as Ron Martin from the Oxford Fire Department and Jansen Casscles from the Sherburne Fire Department said their departments will also participate in actives for fire prevention week.