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Emergency vehicles stand on display during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

The Midland Fire Department hosted its annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 at its headquarters station.

Guests visit the Midland Fire Department's headquarter station during the department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Guests visit the Midland Fire Department's headquarter station during the department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Guests visit the Midland Fire Department's headquarter station during the department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Young visitors had the chance to try on firefighter apparel during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Young visitors lined up for a chance to operate a fire hose during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Guests visit the Midland Fire Department's headquarter station during the department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Young visitors lined up for a chance to operate a fire hose during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Young visitors lined up for a chance to operate a fire hose during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Young visitors lined up for a chance to operate a fire hose during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Young visitors lined up for a chance to operate a fire hose during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Guests visit the Midland Fire Department's headquarter station during the department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Firefighting equipment hangs on display during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Guests had a chance to climb aboard a fire engine during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Members of the Midland Fire Department were on hand to answer questions during the department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Guests visit the Midland Fire Department's headquarter station during the department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Young visitors had the chance to try on firefighter apparel during the Midland Fire Department's annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

As Fire Prevention Week drew to a close, the City of Midland Fire Department held its annual open house. 

Residents flocked to the department's headquarters station on the corner of East Haley and Washington streets on Saturday afternoon. Families explored the station, climbed aboard the fire engines, played cornhole and enjoyed complimentary refreshments in the kitchen. Emergency vehicles were stationed outside. Younger visitors tried on firefighter gear, learned about "stop, drop and roll," and tried their hand with a fire hose.

For more information about the Midland Fire Department, visit https://cityofmidlandmi.gov/233/Fire.

Victoria Ritter grew up in Midland and after earning a degree in English at Grand Valley State University, returned. She joined the Daily News as its newsroom clerk, and eventually began editing obituaries, and in 2016 wrote her first article. She loves the arts, from reading and creative writing to catching a movie or singing in her church choir.