A local boy has been recognized by the province for his exceptional work in fire safety awareness.
Colin Johnston, a Kindergarten student at Niverville Elementary School, was selected from over 1,200 entries from Kindergarten to Grade Four students, with each grade getting one winner.
The award recognizes participation by the student and family to plan and practice a home fire escape plan for their family during Fire Prevention Week in October and is presented every year to four different schools in Manitoba.
“This award is the second time in five years that Niverville Elementary School has won a grade award,” says Niverville Fire Chief Keith Bueckert. “The grade three class won a few years back.”
Niverville Fire and Emergency Service (NFES) has been participating in Fire Prevention Week with Niverville Elementary for years, according to Bueckert. Classes are encouraged to complete and return their home fire safety plans, with the class who has the most entries winning a pizza party lunch courtesy of NFES. Once all the material is collected from the school, NFES sends the entries to the province, where the students are individually entered for the award.
The elementary school was surprised with an assembly on January 25, where Johnston was presented with his award by Tammie McConnell from the Office of the Fire Commissioner, Bueckert and firefighter Peter Bowyer, as well as Sparky the Fire Dog. Johnston won a gift bag and a $250 gift card to the Lego store, and his classmates and teacher were given gift bags for their participation.
