Newly appointed Junior Fire Chief Cali McPherson rides in a fire truck from her home to the fire hall. (Richard McGuire photo)
Osoyoos Fire Chief Ryan McCaskill will be sharing the limelight with eight-year-old Cali McPherson this year.
The girl last week was named “Junior Fire Chief” after winning a colouring contest for local children that was held last month during Fire Prevention Week.
As the new Junior Fire Chief, McPherson got a ride in a shiny red fire truck to the fire hall from her home last Wednesday evening. There she participated in firefighter activities along with third-place finisher Max Keller, 6, and both children’s siblings.
Second-place finisher Rory Antonello was away and wasn’t available for last week’s event at the fire hall.
The winner would normally get a ride in a fire truck to school, but because McPherson is home schooled, the ride from her home to the fire hall was provided instead.
Asked if she wants to become a firefighter when she grows up, McPherson expressed some interest, but confessed she has other plans.
“I really want to be a doctor,” she said.
McPherson, Keller and their siblings watched and helped out as the firefighters inspected and checked the equipment on their trucks to make sure it was fully functioning.
Then came the highlight of the event when the two contest winners participated in a training exercise in which a group of firefighters simulated entering a burning building to rescue the two occupants, McPherson and Keller.
The children were given flashlights and they took positions on the metal stairway in the training tower as the lights were turned out.
The firefighters crept up the stairs, sticking together, as they reassured the children they were on their way.
When at last the firefighters located McPherson, she opted to be carried out on the shoulders of firefighter Tyler Loura.
Casey Brouwer, the firefighter who organized the colouring contest, said he was impressed with McPherson’s artwork, which showed details of fire, smoke and lights of a burning building.
He and some of the staff at the Town of Osoyoos picked the winners after ensuring the names on the colourings were covered so the judges wouldn’t be biased.
This is the second year the Osoyoos Fire Department has held the contest during Fire Prevention Week to pick a junior chief. Last year’s winner was Zephyr Peltier, now 6, who has decided already to become a firefighter.
“We’ve taken a real hands-on approach to Fire Prevention Week,” said Brouwer. “We want to get more involved as a fire department with the community.”
This year they set an age limit of four to 15. Last year there was no limit and an older woman entered, saying she would like a ride in a fire truck to her pickleball if she won.
The entries mostly came from children aged five to 10, said Brouwer.
McPherson’s appointment as Junior Chief lasts a year and in her new role she’ll be invited to join the firefighters in special functions, such as the parades during Christmas Lite-Up and Cherry Fiesta.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Firefighter Casey Brouwer helps Cali McPherson into her gear before her ride to the fire hall. (Richard McGuire photo)
Newly appointed Junior Fire Chief Cali McPherson rides in a fire truck from her home to the fire hall. (Richard McGuire photo)
Newly appointed Junior Fire Chief Cali McPherson rides in a fire truck from her home to the fire hall. (Richard McGuire photo)
Cali McPherson tries on a firefighter’s jacket, which is a couple sizes big for her. When loaded, the gear weighs more than she does. (Richard McGuire photo)
The children help out with the truck inspection. Third place colouring contest finisher Max Keller (centre) and his sister Mila check that portable lights are working. (Richard McGuire photo)
Junior Fire Chief Cali McPherson chats with firefighters Casey Brouwer and Diane Butt. With her are her sisters Arianna and Elise. (Richard McGuire photo)
Firefighter Casey Brouwer gives Junior Fire Chief Cali McPherson a lesson on how to aim a fire hose. Behind is Cali’s sister Arianna. (Richard McGuire photo)
Firefighter Casey Brouwer gives Mila Keller a lesson on how to aim a fire hose. Mila is the older sister of third-place contest winner Max Keller, who is behind them. (Richard McGuire photo)
Fire Chief Ryan McCaskill (left) and firefighter Casey Brouwer present Cali McPherson with a certificate recognizing her as Junior Fire Chief. (Richard McGuire photo)
Firefighers “rescue” Cali McPherson during a training exercise in which she played the role of an occupant in a burning building. It was dark, but she had a flashlight. (Richard McGuire photo)
Cali McPherson was carried out of a burning building on the shoulders of firefighter Tyler Loura during a rescue simulation. She enjoyed the ride. (Richard McGuire photo)
Contest winners Cali McPherson and Max Keller pose with firefighters after a training exercise in which they were “rescued” from a burning building. (Richard McGuire photo)
