INNISFAIL – Outside it was cold. Snow was falling. But there was plenty of heat inside the fire station. Burgers were on the barbecue.
In the meantime, firefighters were offering tours of the fire hall, while Sparky the firedog was high-fiving every inquisitive child.
“Sparky is our mascot. Obviously it goes well with some of the children and others not so well,” said Gary Leith, the fire chief of the Innisfail Fire Department, with a chuckle.
The well-attended Oct. 11 barbecue at the fire hall was the town's signature event for Fire Prevention Week, and a good opportunity for citizens to salute, meet and talk to their local unsung heroes, while having a barbecue dinner, looking over the big red fire trucks and rescue boat, and checking out all the equipment the town's volunteer firefighters use for their lifesaving jobs.
“This is a community fire station and we want people to feel welcome here. It is a greater part of the community and we want them to come here if they feel there is an issue they feel we can help with,” said Leith. “It's an integral part of the community and we need to promote it as such.”
Most importantly on this winter-like day it was a chance for the community to mark Fire Prevention Week, held across Alberta from Oct. 8 to 14.
“This time of year we have already detailed why people should check smoke alarms on a monthly basis and also the carbon monoxide detectors as we approach winter,” said Leith. “It is important for people get back into the routine of doing that when the furnaces go on.”
He said citizens also had the opportunity to pick up free donated carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
Leith also noted a table was set up for citizens to pick up free pamphlets on this year's Fire Prevention Week theme – Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!
“We are talking and discussing with people on what their home fire safety plan is and what the plan is in the event they have to leave their property, and obviously the alternatives,” he said. “That's the primary means of escape and the secondary means of escape, two ways out.”
It was a message even Sparky was sure to make loud and clear, even if some of the kids had reservations about returning high-fives with the beloved mascot.
Gary Leith, fire chief of the Innisfail Fire Department
"This is a community fire station and we want people to feel welcome here. It is a greater part of the community and we want them to come here if they feel there is an issue they feel we can help with."
