Four local kids had the chance to see what it's like to be firefighters Saturday.
Prince George Fire Rescue marked Fire Prevention Week with its annual Fire Chief for a Day event on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Fire Hall 1 on Massey Drive.
The initiative aimed to raise fire safety awareness and inspire young community members to become safety advocates, states a city press release.
Four elementary school students were selected as honorary fire chiefs through a contest, with entries from local schools.
The winners, chosen in a live draw on Oct. 10, were Addison Parker from Hart Highlands, Jonah Tajcnar from Polaris, Smith Cleverley from Vanway and Julia Beckett from École College Heights.
The students spent the day learning about firefighting alongside Chief Cliff Warner, chief fire prevention officer Steve Feeney, fire safety educator Andrew Zielinski, firefighter Sydney Toninato and the fire crews on duty.
Activities included a tour of the fire hall, inspecting fire trucks, and even spraying water from a fire hose under firefighter supervision.
Each child received a custom plaque and nameplate and issued playful “Junior Chief’s Orders” to the crew, which included push-ups and a song performance by a firefighter.
Following the day's festivities, the young chiefs enjoyed a special fire truck ride to the Victoria Street McDonald's, where they were treated to lunch in a decorated section of the restaurant, complete with treat bags and complimentary meals for their families.
This year's event saw a remarkable turnout, the city reports, with more than 900 contest entries from 31 elementary schools in the city.
The theme for Fire Prevention Week, which ran from Oct. 6-12, was "Smoke Alarms – Make Them Work for You!" The fire department collaborated with local schools to distribute educational materials to students from kindergarten to Grade 3, including fire safety tips and a fire escape plan template.
“Our aim is to teach kids that fire prevention starts at home and that they can play a part in keeping their families safe," said Zielinski. "We look forward to growing this event for even greater impact in the future.”
