This year, Fire Prevention Week came with safety tips and a change of chiefs at Fire District 1.

During an open house on Sunday, the firefighters of District 1 invited the public to try out an extinguisher, fire off a hose at a target and ride the tower ladder high above Padanaram.

It was also the first event at the station under its new leadership. On Oct. 8, Acting Fire Chief Jake Bettencourt stepped down from the position after three months as an interim chief. He cited the need to focus on his family and on his full-time job as marketing director of Colonial Wholesale Beverage as his reasons for stepping down.

Jeff Costa, who was serving as fire captain, replaced Bettencourt officially on Oct. 9. Bettencourt will be staying with the station as deputy fire chief.

“I’ve been on the department for just under 25 years,” said Acting Fire Chief Jeff Costa. “I was lieutenant, captain and now I’m chief. I’ve been a resident all my life.”

Costa works as a manager for Whirlpool Corporation, but said that he’s participated in firefighting courses throughout his life.

“I’ve always gone to school. Anytime I had vacation time, I’d go to the Fire Academy and take classes. I’ve strived, my whole career, to get to this point,” he said.

Costa said that the search for a permanent fire chief for District 1 will continue, but he intends on staying until a chief is identified.

In the meantime, he’s happy to be hosting events like the open house at the fire station.

Kids swarmed the station on Sunday, Oct. 11, hopping into the driver’s seats of the fire trucks, watching adults put out a small, controlled fire with an extinguisher and getting a high five from Sparky the fire safety dog.

Firefighter Kenneth Avila gave demos on the speed at which fire detectors can detect smoke and offered lessons in using a fire extinguisher.

“Always aim toward the base of the fire when you’re going to put it out. Never back away from the fire – always keep your eyes on it. And continually use short sprays until the fire is out,” Avila said.

He said that fire extinguishers do have expiration dates, and the pressure gauge should be checked periodically to ensure that the device is still functional. In the event of a fire, the goal is not to unleash everything inside the extinguisher haphazardly.

“You want to conserve what your have. You can spread the chemical with short bursts because, as the extinguisher shoots out the dry chemical, it makes a cloud. Once that clouds lands on fire, it has the potential to put it out. So why waste the material?” said Avila.

A couple of the adults who tried their hand at putting out a fire with an extinguisher noted how messy the chemical agent is. The area around the fire pit was coated in a white film after each spray.

“Better to have a mess to clean than a house to rebuild,” Avila noted.

Later this month, the fire district is sending firefighters into DeMello and Potter elementary schools to teach kids about fire safety.