By Ginger Kozlowski
Staff Writer

It's been a year since Pembroke police and firefighters joined forces in a newly expanded safety center, but Saturday, May 14, was the public's chance to see just what the building looks like inside during the official grand opening.

STRAPPED IN - Kindergartners Allison Fischer, center left, and Sarah Girard were safe and secure in the bucket of the fire department's ladder truck, as they took a ride with Sarah's mother, Michelle, and Pembroke firefighter Steve Perron at the safety center's open house celebration on Saturday, May 14. (Ginger Kozlowski Photo)

"It's about taxpayers seeing what they got for a new safety center," said Fire Chief Harold Paulsen.

Firefighters brought their ladder truck out front, catching the eye of motorists driving along Route 3 as they gave rides to visitors, lifting children high into the air.

"It was awesome," said 5- year-old Allison Fischer of Pembroke, after her sky-high view of town. She made the trip up with her friend Sarah Girard, also 5, a kindergarten classmate, and Girard's mother, Michelle.

"It was kinda scary," said Cody Bodner, 5, of Pembroke. Stan Bodner, Cody's grandfather, and Brennan, Cody's 3-year-old brother, also rode the bucket to the heights. The elder Bodner is a retired Manchester firefighter, and the boys. father, Daron, is currently a Manchester firefighter. Both boys said they want to be firefighters when they grow up. Or train drivers.

Pembroke Police Chief Wayne Cheney was happy with the turnout to the grand opening.

"We served 300 hot dogs today," he said, and that was before the open house had come to an end.

Cheney was all smiles when talking about the change in his life now that the police department has spent a year in the new building.

"I have to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming sometimes," he said. "Efficiency is like night and day."