The Experience: If you have a fire engine enthusiast in your house or are looking for an engaging way to begin or continue fire safety discussions with your kids, then head over to The Historic Belmont Firehouse in SE Portland to check out the Safety Learning Center and Fire Museum.
Once inside, kids will be immediately drawn to the big, red fire engine cab that houses The Fire Engine Experience. Kids can climb inside the cab, buckle their seat belts and experience a simulated ride-along on a realistic emergency response. Passengers look at the front windshield where they will see video shot from inside a fire engine on its way to an emergency. The video is accompanied by audio of the firefighters as they might sound during a real emergency, but with the addition of occasional safety messages for kids. For added effect, the cab vibrates when you hear the engine rumble so it feels like you’re actually moving, and the emergency lights flash outside against the walls.
Kids will also love the fire pole exhibit where they’ll learn proper fire pole technique and have a chance to try it themselves. This specially-designed exhibit includes stairs to access the pole at just the right height for kids. And if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch a demonstration of a staff member sliding down the real fire pole from the second floor – always a thrill for kids!
Another must-see exhibit is the Listen & Learn 9-1-1 Call Simulator. Here, kids can step inside an old-fashioned phone booth, pick up the handset and dial 9-1-1 to listen to a recording of a real 9-1-1 conversation. This gives kids a chance to experience what it might be like if they ever need to call 9-1-1 themselves. Kids will also get a kick out of the novelty of dialing a rotary phone!
As you wander through the museum, kids can see where hay was stored long ago for the horses, look inside the hose tower, see an 1879 Steam Pumper fire engine, flip levers and switches on modern fire equipment, and touch firefighting gear.
History buffs will appreciate the many interesting photographs and informational panels throughout the museum about the history of the Portland Fire Department, which started in the 1850’s when fire engines were horse-drawn and firefighters were mostly business men (including Henry Weinhard) who assembled to protect their businesses. The Belmont Firehouse was the oldest working firehouse west of the Mississippi River until 2003 when the firefighters moved into their new building on SE 39th. The building will turn 100 years old this September.
Insider Information: Some exhibits, like the fire pole, require assistance from the staff. If there is a special exhibit you would like to see, or if you have any specific fire safety questions, be sure to ask. Tours with more in-depth fire safety instruction can be scheduled for groups outside of the regular drop-in hours, and the Firehouse is also available for birthday parties and other special events.
The 411
Hours: Drop-in hours are Wednesdays from 9 am to 3 pm, the second Saturday of the month from 9 am to 3 pm, or by appointment.
Admission: General admision is free. Call for pricing of special events.
Location: 900 SE 35th Ave. (at Belmont St.) in SE Portland.
Contact Information: 503-823-3615; jeffmorrisfoundation.org.
— Madeline Cox Landis
