As Fire Prevention Week ends, a thank you to Cape Ann's firefighters, EMTs and police

Fire Prevention Week ends today. This year's theme from the National Fire Protection Association is charging lithium-ion batteries safely, the kind in phones, laptops, e-bikes and power tools.

Manchester's open house and chili cook-off

Manchester-by-the-Sea firefighters marked the week with their Fire Prevention Open House and Chili Cook Off at the fire station on Friday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. The open house is one way the department shares fire safety with families.

Who answers the call

When someone in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex or Manchester-by-the-Sea calls 911, it starts a response that crosses many teams:

• Firefighters in each town's fire department, career and call, who respond to fires, crashes, medical calls and storms.
• Police officers in all four towns, who are often first on scene, close roads and keep people back so crews can work.
• EMTs and paramedics. Beauport Ambulance Service, a family-owned company based on Pond Road in Gloucester since 1984, is the main ambulance provider for Rockport and the main advanced life support provider for Essex, and backs up Gloucester and Manchester-by-the-Sea, according to its website.
• Dispatchers who take the call and send help.

Most of these crews also help each other across town lines when a call is too big for one department.

A note from the Cape Ann Current

Thank you to every firefighter, EMT, paramedic, police officer and dispatcher on Cape Ann. Our families, businesses and schools count on you every day and every night, and your safety matters too. If you want to say thanks, a note to your local station goes a long way.

One thing to do this weekend

The state Department of Fire Services asks every household to test its smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. For this year's theme, charge devices on a hard surface, use the charger that came with the device, unplug when it is fully charged, and stop using any battery that is swollen, hot or smells odd.

Earlier coverage: Fire Prevention Week: check your alarms, charge with care and give space heaters room this winter (Oct. 8), with a home checklist and free smoke alarm programs. Essex sets out how it will choose its first full-time fire chief, aiming for Feb. 1 (Oct. 9).