Fire department open house showcases the tools behind rescues

The Sarasota County Fire Department's monthly open houses are a chance for the public to gain first-hand experiences at local fire stations.

Yet for 12-year-old Jackson Foscolos, it wasn't the first visit to Station 4 on Old Bradenton Road in Sarasota. Each year, when possible, his family celebrates what one of his teachers coined his "rebirth day," April 6, at the station.

For Jackson's family, the open house event was a very meaningful experience.

"It means a lot knowing that a lot of these people saved me," said Jackson.

At age four, Station 4, as well as Station 1 rescued Jackson, after he slipped and fell into the backyard pool while wearing jeans and sneakers and was found unresponsive. 

The family administered CPR before the fire department staff, which included Jackson's grandfather Hans Rode, who was with Station 4 for 23 years and was also present at the open house.

"Because it is Station 4, and they mean so much to our family, both from the history of Grandpa working here and for their involvement in Jackson's survival, we had to come out and be part of this event," said Jackson's mother and Hans' daughter Jennifer Foscolos.

After the incident, Jackson was flown to All Children's Hospital, which he walked out of two weeks later. 

"We celebrate the miracle that he is... We celebrate with the fire stations when we are able to on (April 6), because you just can't ever put into words, what it means to thank somebody for saving your child's life," Jennifer said.

Held each month at a different station, the open house events offer the public a chance to meet local firefighters, see the firehouse, apparatus and equipment, meet community partners like Humane Society of Sarasota County and Suncoast Blood Bank, and receive free bike helmet fittings and car seat inspections.

This month's open house followed the department's receipt of international recognition with the Heart Safe Community award, which is issued by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and recognizes excellence in addressing cardiac emergencies. 

The department's risk reduction program includes outreach like hands-only CPR training with an automated external defibrillator at public high schools, local businesses and homeowner associations.