Westmere Fire Chief David Weiser and John Lutz Jr., head of the fire commissioners share a laugh as they uncouple the fire hose Saturday to officially open the doors on the departments new $5 million firehouse. Standing alongside Commissioner Lutz are the other fire commissioners: Bob Dinovo Sr., Sean Maguire, and David Juron. William Swartz Jr. is also a commissioner and just out of the frame.

Old Glory waves proudly off of the MacBoston 18 truck dedicated to the fallen firefighters outside the new building as inside Daniel Silvernail, 10, of Delmar, plays the bagpipes in front of Ted Raymond Tony Vogt, and Ted LaMountain, Westmere Fire Department’s Color Guard.

Future firefighters got their due, too, as kids like Lily Cresswell, 5, below, aims the hose to hit a target while Westmere firefighter Anthony Cannistraci helps her, and two sisters look on wearing pink fire helmets.