The Elmira Heights Fire Department is continuing its efforts to raise funds to rebuild a fire truck. As our Katie Husband tells us, the department hopes hosting an Open House for Fire Prevention Week will bring attention and some extra money to the cause.

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ELMIRA HEIGHTS, N.Y. -- The Elmira Heights Fire Department has been even more community-oriented than usual lately, with multiple events like Monday's open house.

"We do this every year in the second week of October. Fire stations around the country hold a public safety event to try to get the community involved with fire safety," said Ryan Hastrich, Elmira Heights Fire Department Captain.

But aside from Fire Prevention Week, the department is also trying to get community involvement to reach a fundraising goal for new equipment.

"It was $85,000 and with that $85,000, we expect to refurbish our rescue truck by putting a body on the new chassis," said Hastrich.

To help reach that goal firefighters have held numerous fundraisers for the last couple of years.

"So our fundraisers included everything from standing on the corner asking for donations to selling raffle tickets and our big one has been collecting bottles and cans and the community support for that has been great," said Hastrich.

And hosting the public safety open house, the department hopes to bring attention to the fundraising events for the chassis, especially for an upcoming race this weekend.

"The department is hosting a 5K race. It will be Saturday, the race will start at 9 o'clock, registration at 8:15. So, we're looking for those athletes to come out who want to try a new race course to come and join us," said Hastrich.

The department is hoping to announce they've reached their goal within the next few weeks.