Start of fire prevention program signaled with annual parade

COLUMBUS -- Sirens blared and red and white lights blazed early Thursday evening as hundreds of Junior Fire Patrol members paraded through downtown streets lined with cheering spectators.

About 400 fifth-graders from the community’s public, private and rural elementary schools rode on parade floats and Columbus Fire Department equipment and marched to the start of this year’s annual fire prevention program.

The department had about all of its equipment, manned by career and volunteer firefighters, participating in the parade, Fire Chief Dean Hefti said. “We try to have a good time for the kids.”

Family members of Junior Fire Patrol members, from grandma and grandpa to younger siblings eagerly scooped up pieces of candy tossed by marchers, were wowed by the siren blasts and throbbing lights.

The chief said the department’s antique 1923 and 1947 fire trucks, along with modern pumpers, ladder trucks and ambulances, paraded down 13th and 14th streets in the downtown area.

The Junior Fire Patrol program is an important way to teach area youths the importance of fire prevention and fire hazard awareness, Hefti said

while describing the aim of the more than 50-year-old program.

The theme for this year’s annual National Fire Prevention Week, observed from Oct. 5-11, is “It’s Fire Prevention Week: Prevent Home Fires.”

Fifth-graders from Columbus Public Schools, Scotus Central Catholic elementary schools, St. John’s, Christ and Immanuel Lutheran schools, Columbus Christian and Lakeview’s rural elementary schools were represented.