California Fire Museum & Safety Learning Center
Back in the 1970s, when Orange native Randy Marsile was a young firefighter, Southern California fire engines didn’t have enclosed cabs. Instead, crews rode in open-air trucks—what Marsile now describes as “convertible” fire engines.
“At the time, it seemed cool to have a convertible fire engine,” says Marsile, a retired Fire Captain with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and Fire Management Representative for Southern California Edison. “Although, it wasn’t much fun in 90-degree weather when we were fighting a brush fire and had nowhere to get out of the heat for a while.”
Visitors can soon look forward to exploring various types of fire safety history and fire service heritage at the Call to Adventure at the California Fire Museum and Safety Learning Center. Located in Old Towne at the historic fire station at 176 South Grand St.—which served the community for many years before moving operations to East Chapman Ave.—the museum will offer an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
“Being in the former Orange Fire Station 1 in Old Towne is an exciting opportunity for the museum, as the area already draws numerous residents for shopping and dining,” says Hiddo Horlings, President of the Call to Adventure Fire Museum and Safety Learning Center and a retired Fire Captain with OCFA. “We are very grateful to have an agreement with the City of Orange to occupy the space.”
In the front of the museum, visitors are invited into a fascinating look at the history of the fire service in Orange County.
“Museum visitors will be able to see historic fire engines and equipment from the past and learn that fire engines were pulled by people more than a century ago,” says Marsile. “Once they reached a fire, crews pumped water from nearby sources like creeks. Horse-drawn fire wagons came next, and by around 1915 to 1920, fire engines became motorized.”
After exploring the history of fire service, visitors will have the opportunity to shift their focus to modern fire safety and prevention. A key feature is the OCFA simulator trailer, which offers hands-on, interactive exhibits.
“We’ve all had moments where a little knowledge could have prevented an emergency or mitigated the situation,” says Horlings. “The simulation trailer will give visitors the chance to practice what to do in a range of real-life scenarios.” The scenarios will include how to respond to kitchen and barbecue fires, how to safely check a door before opening it during a fire, and discovering the importance of gas and electrical safety.
“It’s commonplace for people to feel comfortable where they live and to take the safety of their homes for granted. It is their home,” shares Angela Garbiso, Director of Communications for Call To Adventure, who was a Community Fire Education Specialist for Orange County Fire Authority for eight years.
“Call to Adventure Fire Museum will encourage visitors to plan ahead for when there is an emergency,” she says. “For instance, we do fire drills at work and school, so why not at home? It’s also a good idea to have an escape plan and outside meeting place if there is a fire in your home. If you live or even work in a wildland urban interface area, you want to have a ‘Go’ bag at the ready. Museum visitors will walk away knowing this information and hopefully much more.”
From the days of “convertible” fire engines to today’s hands-on safety training, the museum will connect Orange’s firefighting past with the knowledge that helps keep its community safe in the present and future.
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The new Fire Museum, located at 176 South Grand St. in Old Towne, will open in the near future (Grand Opening is scheduled Saturday, march 21 from 12:30 -2:3o pm). For updates visit @CallToAdventure_ on Instagram and Call to Adventure at the California Fire Museum on Facebook.
