On October 1, 2025, 17 Grade-3 students from Blainville and Rosemère elementary schools were selected to take part in the Firefighter for a Day contest — a unique public-education initiative organized by the Blainville Fire Department.
The young participants enjoyed a full day of hands-on activities, discovering the excitement, discipline, and teamwork that define the firefighting profession.
A Fair and Educational Selection Process
Each school was invited to participate by submitting online registration forms. From those, one lucky student per school was chosen by random draw, ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for all.
According to the City of Blainville’s official website, the goal of the program is not only to entertain but also to raise awareness about fire prevention among young students in a dynamic, real-life setting.
A Day Packed with Discovery
The “junior firefighters” spent the day at the Blainville Fire Department’s facilities, guided by professional firefighters. The day included:
- Tours of fire trucks and equipment bays, allowing students to explore the same tools and vehicles used in emergency operations.
- Hands-on demonstrations, where participants tried on firefighter protective gear — including helmets, gloves, boots, and breathing apparatus.
- Fire prevention workshops, teaching children how to react in case of fire, how to safely evacuate a building, and how to handle small fires using portable extinguishers.
- Simulated rescue exercises, where they practiced locating “victims” in a controlled smoke environment.
Every child wore a firefighter helmet and left the station smiling, visibly proud of their achievement — an image that the City of Blainville later shared on its social media pages.
A Broader Mission: Inspiring Awareness and Safety
The “Firefighter for a Day” initiative is part of the department’s larger commitment to fire prevention and civic education.
Blainville’s annual Fire Prevention Report highlights that education programs like this are crucial for reducing fire risks and building a stronger safety culture among residents.
Other educational programs offered by the department include:
- The “Feu Follet Brigade”, an interactive awareness program for 2nd-grade students.
- “Maison ToutRisque”, a mobile safety house used to teach 4th-graders about home fire hazards.
- Annual evacuation drills conducted in schools, daycare centers, and senior residences.
By teaching fire safety early, the city hopes to cultivate both responsibility and curiosity — and perhaps even inspire a few future firefighters.
Ongoing Program and Professional Training
The Firefighter for a Day contest is held annually for students in both municipalities. For 2025, registration closed on September 14, and the event took place at the Blainville Fire Department headquarters on October 1.
Blainville is also home to the Blainville Fire Training Centre (CFIB) — established in 2006 and recognized by Quebec’s École nationale des pompiers — which offers professional certification programs to firefighters and private organizations. The center’s proximity adds an extra dimension to the city’s commitment to safety education.
Lighting Sparks for the Future
Beyond the excitement of wearing a firefighter’s uniform and climbing aboard a fire truck, the day gave children something far greater: a glimpse into the courage, teamwork, and community spirit that define this essential profession.
