It was double the fun with these chiefs

Forest Grove resident Don Osborn got a call a few weeks ago from the Burnaby Fire Department, explaining how one of his five-year-old daughters won a draw at Lougheed Town Centre, and the prize was she got to be fire chief for a day.

And that's when Osborn explained the twin situation - there are two girls: Ava and Marlowe - so he asked if they both could be fire chiefs for the day. The fire department agreed, a date was set, and the big day came on Friday, Nov. 9.

"The girls were almost speechless. They knew there was some kind of surprise going on," Osborn said. "I had them all dressed and ready to go to school, and the truck pulled up, and they were just wild-eyed and speechless. It was hilarious."

As part of the prize, the girls were taken to and from school in the fire truck, they got to meet fire Chief Shaun Redmond, and they were both presented with certificates from the department, declaring them honorary fire chiefs for the day.

"They (got) to be the stars at school for the day, showing up in the fire engine. The whole thing was really a positive experience,"

The NOW attempted to interview the two girls, who were squealing with delight and not quite able to converse. (See our website for a video of their reaction.)

Dan Kilpatrick, the department's chief fire prevention officer, said the Burnaby Fire Department holds the contest every year at a Lougheed Town Centre.

"It's just part of the fire prevention week promotion," Kilpatrick said. "The kids enjoy it. That's the number 1 thing. It helps in a way to promote fire safety. The kids always enjoy the fire truck. . The action, the lights, the sirens, it's always a way to attract the kids and teach them about fire prevention and how to stay safe."

Osborn asked his daughters if they wanted to be firefighters, and they both answered no, he said laughing.

"But it gave them a really positive image of who the firefighters are for sure, it made them very personable," he said. [email protected]