Two Clearview Township elementary school students were sworn in as fire chiefs for the day Thursday.
Clearview Meadows Elementary School Grade 1 student Carson Kemsley and New Lowell Central Public School Grade 2 student Joel Gotthelf won a day on the job with Fire Chief Colin Shewell, Deputy Fire Chief Roree Payment and crew in a contest held as part of Fire Prevention Week.
“Clearview Fire and Emergency Service has developed this contest to encourage young children to think about smoke alarm safety,” said Shewell. “The bonus is that the two winners will get to experience all of the excitement of being involved with the fire department.”
Clearview students in JK to Grade 4 were eligible to win through a township wide colouring contest, which ask students to review smoke alarm safety.
The winners, drawn randomly from all entries, were picked up at their homes in a fire truck before going to 97.7 The Beach in Collingwood for a radio interview, said Payment.
They were then brought to Station 1 in Stayner, where they were taken on a tour of the fire, police and EMS areas. After dressing in bunker gear they began their training, dragging rescue dummies, putting out fires, riding in the ATV and learning about fire safety.
“Once these events wrapped up and it was obvious they had what it took to be Chief, they were sworn into office by Mayor [Chris] Vanderkruys,” said Payment. “The day finished up with a pizza lunch along side the firefighters and Chief Shewell before being dropped off at home in a fire truck. A fun day was had by all.”