Fire truck should bring fun, education to youth
Published 7:22 pm Saturday, April 18, 2015
Children in Selma are going to be more excited than they have ever before for Fire Prevention Month when they see the Selma Fire Department’s latest addition to its fleet.
NFL star Michael Johnson, who returned home to the Selma this weekend for his annual football and cheerleading camp, was honored Friday night at ArtsRevive for donating $10,000 to the Selma Fire Department to help them captivate and entertain children while teaching them about fire safety.
Johnson already gives back so much to the community with his camp and his charity, and everything he does is much appreciated by the community and the youth.
The fire department used the money from Johnson to purchase Engine 3.5, an interactive, remote control fire truck that will be one of the department’s many teaching tools for the hundreds of children they talk to about fire safety each year.
With children being so easily distracted, the truck, with its flashing lights, sirens, blinking eyes and water squirting capabilities, will easily grasp children’s attention and keep it.
The truck can also talk, answer any questions the children might have, sing fire safety songs and play games.
Selma saw two fire deaths in April, and there is no better time for the department to be teaching children about precautionary measures that can be taken to prevent fires and escape a home in case of an emergency.
Not only did Johnson donate money for the program, along with the community, he also contributed to the return of Sparky after his disappearance in 2014.
Selma should rally around people like Michael Johnson that give back to their community by supporting what he does. The Queen City should take a bow in honor of Johnson and the time and effort he takes to give back to his home.