Bob Michener knew what he was getting himself into, so he has no regrets.

Michener, who oversees the Conestoga Volunteer Fire Company's fire prevention program, had long been urging fellow firefighters to welcome visitors to the grounds.

"My crew has been asking for an open house," said Michener. "(The other fire company members) finally said, 'All right, we're going to do an open house, and you're doing it.'"

He took his new task in stride. "That's how it works in a volunteer organization," Michener said matter of factly. "Don't bring it up if you're not willing to carry it out."

The first open house will be held Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Conestoga Volunteer Fire Company, 3290 Main St., Conestoga. The fire company will provide hot dogs, ice pops, and drinks.

"We have two reasons for doing the open house," Michener said. "The main reason is to let the public know who we are, what we do, and what it takes to run this company." The other reason is to provide fire prevention tips to members of the community.

Volunteers will give tours of the apparatus and answer questions. There will be hands-on activities for kids, who will have the opportunity to learn how to operate a fire hose. Lancaster Cast Iron has donated a skillet so that Michener can demonstrate the proper way to extinguish a grease fire. He will also show how to use a fire extinguisher.

Michener visits schools to provide fire prevention hints, and he will give a mini version of that presentation at the open house. "Questions that kids ask are interesting," he said, adding that some people, including adults, have the misconception that firefighters magically appear when 911 is dialed. "That's not a guarantee in a volunteer organization, depending on who is around that day and the time of day. ... (The volunteers) do not live here. It just seems like it. We do the best we can."

Michener mentioned that to lead into a point that likely seems obvious, but it is still worth reiterating. "The greatest fire prevention thing is to not have a fire in the first place," he said. "But if you do, (we want you to know) the steps to follow."

One demonstration will show how fast a fire can spread. During a simulation, firefighters will wait five minutes after the dispatch to represent the time it takes for volunteers to get to the station and suit up. They will wait for another five minutes to account for the time it takes to get to the scene.

"People will be able to see how fast a fire can grow and why it's so important for early detection and to get out," said Michener. "If you can't get out, we'll tell you things you can do to buy time. There are some simple things like closing the door of the room you are in and waiting by a window for firefighters to arrive."

Michener noted that families should formulate escape route plans in the home and decide on a meeting place so that first responders will know all family members are accounted for.

Michener started spearheading the fire company's fire prevention program after responding to a call that wound up being a fatal fire. "I was sitting on the bumper of the truck, and I thought, 'That was preventable. If there had been a smoke detector at the base of the steps and a second one at the top of the steps, that could've been prevented,'" said Michener.

As part of its fire prevention efforts, Conestoga Volunteer Fire Company is partnering with the American Red Cross to offer free smoke alarms with free installation to all Conestoga Township residents. Anyone interested can call 717-584-5649; messages will be returned.

Michener said the fire company is always in need of more volunteers. Anyone interested in joining can visit at any of the organization's weekly activities. Members get together every Monday beginning at 7 p.m. for maintenance, meetings, and training.

"We don't just need firefighters," Michener said. "We need anyone who can assist with fund drives, work behind the scenes on administrative things, or help with the fire police. Don't think we're going to make you run into a burning building if you join the fire company. If that's not your thing, we'll find something else that you want to do."