Haley Marier, a Grade 4 student at St. Bernadette Catholic School, is the winner of this year's “Fire Chief for a Day” contest, presented by the City of Greater Sudbury Fire Services.
Approximately 1,700 Grade 4 students were eligible to enter the contest by creating a fire escape plan for their homes with the help of family members. An escape plan includes two ways out of each room, the location of smoke detectors, a meeting place outside the home, knowledge of the 9-1-1 emergency number and a commitment to practice the plan as a family. This activity focuses on ensuring that every family has prepared a plan that can save their lives in the event of a fire.
“I'm overwhelmed by the quality of the work presented,” said Acting Fire Chief Marc Leduc in a news release. “Every family should develop and practice a home escape plan. In the event of a fire, every second counts. A plan like Haley's could dramatically increase the chance of escaping to safety.”
As the winner, Haley will receive a ride to school on board a fire truck with Greater Sudbury Acting Fire Chief Marc Leduc. Once at school, she'll be presented with a prize package consisting of a $200 cheque from the Sudbury Fire Safety Foundation, an emergency survival kit courtesy of Emergency Management Services, and a congratulatory certificate. Haley's escape plan will be displayed on the Public Safety officer's van for a year. Haley and her classmates will also be treated to a pizza lunch as part of the prize package.
Haley was presented with her prizes on Thursday, June 5.
