Barwick boy wins provincial fire safety contest

Ken Johnston
Editor

Chapple Fire Chief Larry Hunsperger was very pleased with the number of entries in they had in a colouring contest hosted by the department at Sturgeon Creek Elementary School. He was even more pleased when one of the local winners won a prize at the provincial level.

Stefan Gerber won a Bell Express Vu Satellite system for his colouring efforts at the grade 6/7 level.

Forty kids entered the contest at Sturgeon Creek and judges Doris Dyson, Cheryl Hagen and Rilla Race had a difficult time judging them but in the end selected Gerber as well as Jessica Haw (gr. 1/2), Ryder Wolsey (gr. 2/3), Alicia Desserre (gr. 4/5) and Sarah Truelove (gr. 8). Local prizes were provided by the Barwick Village Restaurant, Clearwater/Pipestone Fire Team and Chapple Fire Department.

Gerry Armstrong of the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office in Fort Frances said that the contest was held in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week October 7-14, 2001. Working close with the Public Fire Safety Council, Armstrong said that several similar efforts were held across the district. He explained that a fire safety game package was used in the classroom and that the coloring contest was part of it.

Hunsperger said the Fire Prevention and Protection Act mandates public education for local fire departments. He with the assistance of Sparky the Dog, visited the classrooms at Sturgeon Creek in October. They are also planning to do the same again next week to talk about the soon to be implemented 911 service in the region. He said the kids have been very receptive to their visits.

Gerber’s prize was one of 10 satellite systems and 10 phone systems awarded across Ontario.