Photo by Ken Ruinard

Ryan Herring, left, and Dustin Morgan, right, talk to staff at the Ellenburg Nursing Center in Anderson about fire safety, explaining how to use a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency.

Photo by Ken Ruinard

Nivea Walker, left, tests a fire extinguisher as Anderson city firefighter Dustin Morgan, right, watches in the parking lot at the Ellenburg Nursing Center in Anderson. A lesson in fire safety, explaining how to use a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency is part of state regulations for safety at the living center.

October is National Fire Prevention Month, a time when people all should be aware of ways to help learn fire safety and prevention, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Fire and rescue departments in two Northeast Georgia counties are holding open houses the weekend of Oct. 11 and 12.

In Hart County, all eight fire stations will be open Sunday afternoon, so the public can stop by and meet local firefighters.

“We’re opening all of our fire houses to give citizens a chance to come by and see the trucks and equipment and meet their local firefighters,” said Hart County fire chief Jerry Byrum. “It’s important people meet the men and women who protect their community. We also have fire safety materials for people to pick up. It’s just a good way for the fire department to interact with the community.”

For one Hart County fire station, Station 3, the Goldmine Firehouse, Sunday is a special day.

Firefighters there are celebrating the station’s 30th anniversary.

The Carnesville emergency medical services in Franklin County will conduct an open house on Sunday at its new location on Lavonia Street.

The EMS operations once shared space with the Franklin County 911Center on Ga. 145 in Carnesville, but now EMS recently moved to its own, new facility. Franklin County EMS Director Terry Harris said officials are looking forward to showing it off to the public.

“We’ve just constructed a new headquarters in Carnesville, which we call Station 4,” Harris said. “We’re just opening it up for the public to come and see the new facility. We’ll also have free blood pressure and glucose checks as well.”

Both the Hart County fire station open houses and the Carnesville EMS open house will take place Sunday from 1p.m. to 4 p.m.