In addition to being able to look at various photos, equipment and artifacts from decades of fire departments from across the state, Perry’s latest attraction also offers an educational aspect.
Executive Director Brian Eiteman says he intentionally gave the Iowa Fire Museum a long name, which also includes the Fire Prevention Education Center.
“I’ve been doing fire prevention talks for the schools for over 20 years. So that has kind of been my passion for years, and a lot of people know that. I enjoy talking to kids because the more information you can get into kids, as young as you can, the better off they will be. Maybe it can save their lives, or they can save another person’s life by doing CPR.”
Though Eiteman says he’s already running out of space in the current location, when he builds a new museum plans are to have a whole room dedicated to fire prevention information.
“I want to be able to take little kids in for tours in there and actually show them educational videos and send them home with books on fire prevention, things like that.”
The current museum, which celebrated its grand opening this past weekend, is located at 1122 2nd Street in downtown Perry.