Young children leapt at their chance to climb all over the big red fire engines, check out the new search and rescue boat, try chest compressions on the first aid dummy, and play with the large fire hoses during the annual fire prevention open house this weekend.

Despite torrential rains Saturday, a few dozen of Maple Ridge's career and volunteer firefighters were joined at Firehall #1 by close to 500 visitors.

"Attendance was down slightly from previous years, but surprisingly good given the pouring rain," said assistant fire chief Timo Juurakko.

"It just poured until the last half hour," he added, noting that usual attendance is between 500 and 700 people for the four-hour event.

"The day was a success; a lot of safety information was handed out, a lot of interaction took place between the firefighters and the community, and there were a lot of smiles!"

In addition to the fire crew that set up information displays around the two-storey hall, firefighters were joined by members of the fire youth academy, members of Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue, and representatives from the Emergency Social Services team.

rhooper@mrtimes.com