If the smiles on kids' faces were any indication, Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company's (HTVFC) Open House, conducted under sunny skies in August, was a roaring success. Pulling their parents behind them, kids rushed to meet Sparky the Fire Dog, try their hand at the fire hose, and best of all, climb behind the wheels of a fire truck. Each kid was provided a fire helmet and a hot dog ... or two ... or three.

Known technically as Hanover Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 (there is no No. 2 or No. 3), this combination of volunteers and paid first responders protects a community of nearly 11,000 people from fires, as well as providing emergency medical service. From their station at 100 Stoke Park Road, HTVFC responds annually to 350 fire calls and 850 EMS calls.

A few years ago, one of those EMS calls was for Judge Emil Giordano. With his tall and athletic son Caden at his side, Giordano stopped by to thank EMS provider Debbie Hughes. Then he began eating hot dogs and instructed this reporter not to tell his wife.

Supervisor John N. Diacogiannis with fellow Supervisor Glenn Walbert attended the open house and said he was pleased with the attendance. "It's great community outreach," he stated, and hopes the event will attract a few more volunteers.

One of the more exciting events was volunteer firefighter Pete Garland climbing the 85-foot-high tower on a ladder truck, and then rappelling down. It drew applause.