On October 2, 16 students from Blainville and Rosemère had the opportunity to enjoy an extraordinary experience as firefighters for a day and discover the many responsibilities associated with this line of work.

The "Firefighters for a Day" contest, designed for third-grade students from Blainville and Rosemère elementary schools, offered a unique immersion into the world of firefighting. Through a series of educational activities, the youngsters had the chance to explore what goes on behind the scenes of the firefighters' role, on the premises of the Blainville fire department.

Proudly dressed as real firefighters during this day filled with discoveries, the youngsters toured the fire trucks and were shown a variety of specialized equipment. The program included an introduction to firefighting gear, handling of breathing apparatus, search and rescue demonstrations, and fire prevention training. They even had the opportunity to operate a fire extinguisher and practise putting out a real fire on pallets!

Liza Poulin, Mayor of Blainville, and Eric Westram, Mayor of Rosemère, were on hand to welcome the youngsters at the end of the day, accompanied by Stéphane Dufour and Patrick Marineau, councillors on the mobility, safety and traffic committee. Members of the fire department and mascot Yvon Larosé were also on site. It was a memorable moment, during which each child received a gift as a souvenir of their experience, and had the honour of signing their town's guest book.

"The Firefighters for a Day activity is an unforgettable experience for these young students. It's a privilege for them to learn what goes on behind the scenes of this crucial line of work and I'm convinced that they will share this adventure with their family and friends," stated Eric Westram, Mayor of Rosemère.

Liza Poulin, Mayor of Blainville, added: "This day gives the children an interactive way of discovering a fascinating line of work that is essential to the safety of our community. Their enthusiasm and involvement confirm the educational value of this activity."

The 16 students selected this year to represent their school were: Maria Cardinal (École de la Seigneurie), Mirko Fournier (École des Semailles), Alexane Maltais (École de l'Aquarelle), Elissia Béland (Pierre Elliott Trudeau School), Nathan David (École des Ramilles), Laura Morosan (École de l'Envolée), Williams Laflèche (École Notre Dame de l'Assomption), Mélodie Brassard (École Chante-Bois), Antoine Morin (École Plateau Saint-Louis), Olivier Tessier (École de la Renaissance), Gabriel Rodriguez (École de Fontainebleau), Théo Lafrance (École Montessori International), Victoria Alves (McCaig School), Eddy Beaudin (Académie Ste-Thérèse), Lucy Coiteux (École Alpha) and Arthur Archambault (École Val-des-Ormes).