Fire and rescue services in communities like Unity are firing up the engines to make some noise for kids eight and under that have an April birthday. (Submitted Photo/Unity Fire & Rescue)

By Josh Ryan

Birthday Parade

Fire & rescue lighting up for kids birthdays

Apr 9, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Families looking to brighten their young children’s day during this period of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have a loud and colourful assist from their municipalities.

The Fire and Rescue Department in the town of Unity is providing mini parades for kids aged eight years and under that have a birthday during the month of April. Fire Chief Leroy Timmermans said a team member brought the idea forward to him after seeing similar initiatives across the country, even as close as Macklin.

“I asked my council and my partner asked his rural council and both agreed it would be a good idea,” Timmermans said.

The department will load up their trucks upon hearing from community members when and where the birthday is taking place, then make the rounds past the specific residence. Aside from spraying water, all of the sights and sounds involved with the equipment is on display.

“Drive by, light up the lights, fire up the sirens, make a pass or two past their house and hopefully all goes well,” Timmermans said.

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The drive-by serves multiple purposes. Parents are given a welcome distraction from attending to all of their family’s needs, the department connects with the community and birthday boys and girls get much needed surprise.

“Kids that are stuck in their houses, can’t have their friends over for their birthday party,” said Timmermans. “Just gives them a little joy hopefully, for a couple minutes.”

It’s also a welcome break for the crew members as well. Timmermans said there was an immediate rush of volunteers once they announced the move.

“We definitely don’t have a shortage of guys available,” he said.

The department is already filling up with requests, after having their first drive-by parade on Wednesday night. The plan is is to cover only April at this point, but there’s a possibility for extending it.

“If people are still isolated into May, I imagine we will keep doing it if we can,” Timmermans said.

And he’s open to more feedback from the public for ways to make days in isolation a little more fun.

“If people had any other ideas, we’d definitely look at them.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports