Most would agree when you see a fire truck rolling up your street, your thoughts and fears are for your neighbours and - until you do a cursory check of your own home - perhaps even yourself. That is of course unless you have a youngster, it’s their birthday, and the Snow Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD) is making a birthday party visit under a new promotion they offer.
Outside the normal fare the department deals with, like fires, vehicle crashes and extractions, the SLVFD has taken on a task that brings a bit of levity to a sometimes stressful occupation. They now offer a promotion that will see them attend a youngster’s birthday party – decked out in turnout gear and with the fire truck!
The department has done two of them as of this writing, one for Snow Lake’s Vincents family, the other for wee Farrah Galloway. Asked how the idea came about, Fire Chief Cory Anaka said it was almost by accident. He explained that one of his firefighters – Jordan Galloway – asked if he would take a child out for a ride in the truck for his birthday. Anaka agreed and did so, but during that ride a couple of town council members saw him and asked if the department got a call. He explained what he’d done. Anaka said the councilors thought it was a nice gesture, but the chief wondered if there could be repercussions from others, so he texted town chief administrative officer (CAO) Jordan Willner. The reply back was positive and the CAO felt it was an excellent idea and great PR for the department. He felt the department should do it on a regular basis. “It gets us out into the community more often, and the truck gets out and is used a little more,” said Chief Anaka. So the “birthday brigade” was born!
The last party the department showed up at was for Farrah Galloway, daughter of firefighter Jordan Galloway and Sadie Stabback. They drove up in the truck, were met outside by the kids and parents. The crew gave all the children hats and took them for a short spin in the truck before bringing them back to the party and giving them a few safety tips. “I think this is a great service that the fire department is providing,” said Sadie Stabback. “It was very easy to organize and I really have to give thanks to Cory Anaka, Danny Otto, and Farrah’s dad for suiting up. Farrah and her friends really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it to other parents.”
In order for a parent or guardian to set up a birthday visit from the fire department, they need only phone the town office or the chief and give them the birthday specifics a week or so in advance. If the chief is unable to bring the truck over, he will find a member who can. They take the kids for a drive around the block, give them a small treat bag or when available, a toy firefighter’s hat. They use the event as a teaching experience as well. They ask kids specific questions on what they would do if there was fire and smoke in their home and explain when and why they should phone 911.
Anaka was asked what the members would do if they got a fire call during one of these parties, “Just drop them off on the side of the road,” he replied with a teasing smile. “No, we will never be more than a block away from where we picked the children up. If a page came through, we would drop them off at the home and whip back up to the hall.” Anaka admits they would have the added benefit of the truck already being started and one or two members in full gear.
The chief says that he also gives tours of the fire hall, showing kids through the entire hall and explaining what each piece of equipment is for. He normally has one or two people dressed in their turnout gear, to show the children what a firefighter looks like. He noted, “If a child is trapped in a room in their home during a fire and can’t get out, a firefighter in full gear could be very scary to them.”
During one such visit by a group of Brownies, Chief Anaka had another firefighter with him dressed in full gear, including a breathing apparatus. As he explained each piece and why the crew member wore it, he took it off his firefighter. When he was done, the Brownies could see that the firefighter was crew member Polina Gapotiy. “I told them they could grow up to be firefighters too,” said Anaka. “They all liked that.”
