Annual fire prevention night at Westmoreland Mall canceled due to covid-19

The 25th annual Fire Prevention Night hosted by Hempfield has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event typically draws more than 500 people, and about 80 area fire departments are represented.

The event is presented by the Hempfield Township Fire Department’s 12 stations and firefighters from Greensburg, South Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg.

“That fire prevention night was almost 25 years in the running,” Hempfield Fire Chief Tony Kovacic said. “It just feasibly could not be done this year as a result of covid.”

The event is traditionally held outside the Westmoreland Mall in October. Families can view engine pumpers, ladder trucks, utility vehicles, command posts, rescue vehicles and 911 displays. Firefighters give lessons about fire safety and live demonstrations. About 100 fire trucks and apparatus were presented at last year’s event.

The event was founded by former Greensburg Fire Chief Ed Hutchinson, who died in 2018, and Hempfield Township. Last year Township Manager Jason Winters said firefighters dedicated the event to Hutchinson in 2018, who served as chief from 1952 until 2016.

“For the last 24 years, this event has proven to be successful through the collaboration of numerous Westmoreland County fire departments,” a township news release reads.

Township officials are planning to host the event in October 2021.

According to Kovacic, public service announcements will be made throughout the month of October to promote fire prevention. Additional information on fire safety and prevention will be posted on the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department and Hempfield Fire Department Facebook pages.