Forest View firefighters lit two fires side by side Saturday, Oct. 17: one protected by a sprinkler system, one without. The burn was the centerpiece of the Forest View Fire Department’s open house, which doubled as a third birthday party for Cinder, the department’s Dalmatian mascot.
The event ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the firehouse, 7010 W. 46th St. Visitors got free food and drinks, firehouse tours, giveaways, and cotton candy for the kids. Vendors, including Nicor, set up on site. Firefighters also ran a car extrication demonstration.
It was the first open house for Fire Chief Mark Stewart, who took over the department in May 2026. Stewart previously served as fire chief in Franklin Park and had retired. He stepped into the Forest View job after Fire Chief Mark Jones passed away unexpectedly in April 2026.
“I think the open house went really well,” Stewart said. “A lot of people showed up.”
He said the day gives children a look at what firefighters do, and “it’s also nice to have their parents here because then they also see what we do,” letting families meet their local firefighters.
Stewart said people often recognize firefighters from the open house later, and “it just makes it better to be part of the community.”
Firefighter Zach Marcolini said the sprinkler demonstration shows residents how fast fire spreads. Firefighters are not already on scene when a fire starts, he said.
“So when you do have a house fire, don’t forget we’re not at your house,” Marcolini said. “You call 911. We get the call.”
In a home without sprinklers, he said, it is “minutes before the entire room is fully involved in flames.” A sprinkler system “keeps it in check until we get there, so you have a little bit more time,” he said. “The damage is less.”
The extrication demonstration walked residents through what happens after a serious crash. Firefighters removed a car’s doors, and Marcolini said crews can take off the roof as well.
“God forbid if you do get in an accident, there’s a lot of loud noises going on,” he said. “We will get you out with our tools that we have on hand.”
The department wanted residents to hear the equipment up close. “We just like to give a demonstration of how loud the tools actually are,” Marcolini said.
Residents brought gifts for Cinder, and the beloved mascot was treated to her own birthday cake.
