Grade 6 student Asher Melanson enjoyed an action-packed day Thursday, when he served as Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Service's chief for the day.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services welcomed a new (temporary) chief Thursday, when Fire Chief for a Day contest winner Asher Melanson took over the role.
The Grade 6 student – whose name was drawn at random from more than 3,900 local students Grades 4-6 – began his day with a firetruck ride, followed by a visit to Station No. 2.
At the station, Melanson met with fire chief Brian Stuath who shared with him what it means to occupy the role.
Then, led by the service’s fire prevention officers, Melanson got to experience the everyday life of firefighters as he tried on fire turnout gear, participated in drills with the station’s day crew and learned about fire prevention, detection and control methods.
“It was really exciting,” Melanson said. “(My favourite part was) learning how they use the (Jaws of Life) tool to open car doors and save people.”
Melanson returned to school in the afternoon where he and his classmates were treated to a pizza party fit for a chief.
This is the first year since the pandemic the city’s fire service has held the Fire Chief for the Day contest – part of its annual Fire Prevention Week school education activities.
