Coloring page contest promotes Fire Prevention Week

The Greenfield Fire Department and the Greenfield Firemates have decided to bring an old Adair County tradition back this year, and their first crack at it was a success.

A poster contest for youngsters during Fire Prevention Week was once a very big deal in the area. This year, the Firemates decided to sponsor a coloring page contest.

Winners were announced in an assembly Thursday, Oct. 26 at Nodaway Valley Elementary School.

Firefighters came to give a presentation as part of the assembly and students were able to see fire trucks and firefighting equipment up close.

“In the past, Greenfield, Fontanelle and Bridgewater fire departments had rotated taking turns having some sort of a program at the school,” said Firemate Deb Parrott. “At our August meeting, the Firemates decided we wanted to do something for Fire Prevention as the departments had not done anything at the school for the last several years. We decided to start small this year.”

Firefighters present helping with the event were Adam Endres, Brett Stender, Neal Siedelmann, Chris Roberts and Willie Tipling. Firemates in attendance to help were Parrott, Crystal Wolfe, Katie Stender and Jennifer Rubio.

“We heard a lot of wonderful feedback. [Principal] James Larson, teachers and staff at the elementary were very appreciative of the department putting on the presentation and especially bringing the trucks,” Parrott said. “The firefighters did a great job of explaining what each truck was used for and the kids did a great job of asking questions.”

Winners in the coloring page contest were as follows:

Pre-K: Ember Durand, first; August Pingree, second; Presley Stormer, third.

Kindergarten: Ava Tull, first; Allyson Montgomery, second; Adaline Johnson, third.

First Grade: Aria Bigelow, first; Brady Groves, second; Lucy Miller, third.

Second Grade: Olivia Smith, first; Declan Johnson, second; (no third).

Third Grade: Khloee Van Soelen, first; Lydia Tipling, second; Axel Miller, third.

Fourth Grade: Brynnlee Siedelmann, first; Toby Day, second; Hayden Romesburg, third.

Fifth Grade: Khloe Tener, first; Abigail Scovel, second; Hadley Heckman, third.

The Greenfield Firemates report they hope this can be an annual event moving forward.