Jett Schwaier/CHAT News

By Jett Schwaier

SMILE SUNDAYS

Video: A Grade 6 student has taken on the role of Fire Chief for the Day of the Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Service

Dec 14, 2025 | 5:00 AM

As part of Fire Prevention Week in October 2025, a Grade 6 student, Foster Sissons of École Connaught School, took on the role of Fire Chief for the Day with Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Service.

Sissons won the opportunity after entering his name in a draw among thousands of other students during a fire-training assembly.

On Dec. 10, 2025, Sissons was picked up from school in a fire truck and taken to the fire station for a tour and to participate in drills with the day crew.

His mother, Yvonne Sissons, said she kept the news from him so it would be a surprise.

“I found out a couple of days ago, and it was a little bit tricky to keep it a secret,” Yvonne Sissons said.

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“I sent him on the bus today and just pretended it was a normal morning, and then I got to see his look of surprise at school.”

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The fire station in Medicine Hat made the opportunity possible during Fire Prevention Week in October.

Fire Prevention Week is an annual public education campaign that teaches people how to prevent fires in their homes, workplaces, and communities, and how to respond safely if a fire occurs.

The Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Service, Life Safety Educator, Kelli Ireland, said the fire crew always brings a new message on fire safety and prevention.

“We always run a contest, and the contest is Fire Chief of the Day,” Ireland said.

“Then for our little guys, grades one to three, we actually have a separate contest,” she added.

“That’s where Sparky, our mascot, actually gets to come and visit a kid in their classroom and bring them a prize pack.”

Ireland said these are activities she loves to do.

“I love seeing the kids’ faces light up when we walk into the classroom, and then when we announce the winner, it’s so special, just because they don’t know what to expect,” Ireland said.

“As soon as they jump in that fire truck, you just see their eyes light up,” she added.

“It’s such a unique experience to be able to take this kid and show them a little bit about what our talented team does.”