Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Sleepy Eye Fire Department and Sleepy Eye Ambulance extricate firefighter Aaron Bruggeman from a vehicle outside the fire station Wednesday. From left, firefighter Alex Bruggeman and ambulance crew members Katie Trebesch and Kevin Olson assist.

SLEEPY EYE — It was only practice, but Sleepy Eye firefighters and the ambulance service staff extracted a vehicle driver like they meant business outside the fire station Wednesday as part of national fire prevention week.

Firefighters used battery operated power equipment to peel off the roof and remove the windshield and side windows of a Saturn sedan before firefighter Aaron Bruggeman was removed from the vehicle, placed on a stretcher and carried to an ambulance.

“We want to let everyone know what happens at a crash scene and that we work together quite well with the fire department,” said Sleepy Eye Ambulance Chief Shari Hittesdorf.

Hundreds of people attended the open house that included door prizes drawings, equipment displays, fire extinguisher demonstrations and Sloppy Joe sandwiches, chips, cookies, pickles, 1919 Root Beer and water.

“We’ve been doing this (fire prevention events) every other year for a few decades,” said Sleepy Eye Fire Chief Ron Zinniel.

“We host a 5th-grade fire prevention week poster contest, hold school fire drills, host a fire station tour for kindergarten students and do Operation EDITH (Exit drill in the home, driving a fire truck around town with lights and sirens on).”

The fire department sold t-shirts for the “21 Project,” a fundraising drive to help raise money to restore Sleepy Eye’s first fire truck, a 1921 La France.

A benefit dance to raise money for the purchase of a new air compressor and fill station for fire department air packs is set for 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 at the Sleepy Eye Event Center.

Dain’s Dutchmen & Friends and the Misfits will perform. A silent auction, raffle drawings and door prizes will be given away throughout the night. Admission is $5 at the door.