Kentville boy named 'Junior Fire Chief for the Day'

BY KIRK STARRATT

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

It was a dream come true for an 11-year-old Kentville boy. A couple weeks ago, at the Kentville Fire Department, the Canadian Fire Chiefs’ Association awarded Kyle Vaughan the title “Junior Fire Chief for the Day”.

The award included a certificate, smoke detector, iPod, watch, batteries and charger, and full firefighter turnout gear with helmet. Vaughan wore his gear as he spent the day at the fire station with other volunteers.

He explored the fire trucks, drove in a truck and talked on the radio. Vaughan will serve as the department’s mascot until October 2009.

The department didn’t respond to any alarms during his day as fire chief, but Kyle really enjoyed the experience. He spent Halloween night with firefighters at the hall as well.

His father, Lieutenant Derrick Vaughan, a firefighter for 16 years, influences Kyle’s love for fire trucks.

Kentville Fire Chief Shawn Ripley said there are 100 fire departments picked to take part in the initiative, which is held in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week activities.

Elsewhere, firefighters from the Kentville, New Minas, Wolfville and Canning fire departments responded in mutual aid to the Waterville and District Fire Department Saturday, Nov. 1 as that department was busy battling a fire at a pig barn on Bond Road.

The Hall’s Harbour Fire Department responded to a false alarm regarding a possible missing diver in the bay Saturday night, Nov. 1. However, Chief David Watson said it turned out to be a prank.

“It was soon determined to be a hoax and called off,” he said.

Canning Deputy Fire Chief Scott Cruickshank said his department sent their four-wheelers to the scene in mutual aid. Coldwater rescue team members and firefighters from Canning, Kentville, New Minas and Wolfville involved in the high angle rescue team responded.

Kentville firefighters responded to a call about a blocked chimney on Lanzy Road in north Kentville Sunday, Nov. 2.

Kentville responded to a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Cornwallis Avenue and Belcher Street Monday, Nov. 3. No serious injuries were reported.

Kentville firefighters were called about a fire in a wall of a Main Street building Tuesday, Nov. 4 and provided lift assistance to paramedics moving a patient at the seniors’ complex on Oakdene Avenue Thursday, Nov. 6.

They responded also to a fire alarm sounding in Centreville Friday, Nov. 7. Some smoke from a toaster apparently set off the alarm.

Canning firefighters responded to a report of tires on fire on Highway 358 in Scott’s Bay Friday night, Oct. 31.

Wolfville Fire Chief Tim MacLeod said his department responded to a brush fire on the dykes north of town Monday, Nov. 3. It turned out to be a controlled burn.

Greenwich Fire Chief Randy Schofield said his department responded to a single-vehicle rollover on Deep Hollow Road early Tuesday morning, Nov. 4. There were no serious injuries and no entrapment, but the car was totaled.

New Minas Fire Chief James Redmond said his department responded to a three-vehicle collision in front of the Superstore on Commercial Street Saturday, Nov. 1. No serious injuries were reported.

New Minas responded to a propane leak at Wal-Mart Monday, Nov. 3 and members responded to a woods fire behind Cornwallis Chev-Olds and another woods fire behind the old liquor store property in New Minas Wednesday, Nov. 5.

New Minas responded to an alarm sounding at New Minas Elementary School Wednesday, Nov. 5. Redmond said the alarm was set off by smoke from a propane floor polisher.

New Minas responded to a brush fire in Meadow Terrace Wednesday, Nov. 5 and to an alarm sounding at Evangeline Middle School Friday, Nov. 7. However, Redmond said it turned out to be a false alarm.

New Minas responded to a call about overheated brakes on a tractor-trailer in Kentucky Court Friday, Nov. 7.