With COVID-19 and mandatory physical distancing, children’s birthday parties just aren’t what they used to be. But District of North Vancouver firefighters are coming to the rescue of kids and kids-at-heart stuck inside on their special day.
Crews have begun doing lights-and-siren drive-bys in their engines to help lift spirits.
“We recognize that within our community, our youth and some of our seniors are probably having a really hard time with the physical distancing and the ability to have their birthdays with their friends,” said assistant fire chief Wayne Kennedy. “One of the things we wanted to try and do was say we recognize that and we’re support you as well. If we can drive by and spread a little birthday cheer … it’s just one little positive that we can bring to somebody’s day.”
Crews made their first two birthday rescues on Sunday, one for a little boy and one for a little girl, both of whom were thrilled by their visits, Kennedy said.
Kennedy said they were inspired by their colleagues from the Calgary Fire Department who started their own birthday rescue program.
The program is open to kids in the District of North Vancouver up to 12 years old and slightly older kids age 75 and up.
Registering requires at least one week’s notice and there is one major caveat: If there’s a real emergency requiring firefighters’ attention, that will take priority (although Kennedy said they will try to make up for any missed parties at another time).
“We’re all together to get through these times that we’re in right now,” he said.
Right now, they are taking bookings up until the end of May.
To learn more, visit: dnv.org/programs-services/birthday-rescue-program
Happy 13th Birthday Trin#InThisTogether #NorthVancouver pic.twitter.com/2ljNaVyKhU
— DNV Fire Rescue Services (@DNVFRS) April 20, 2020
