The city’s Fire Safety House is safe once again.
The trailered mini-house – used to educate Grade 3 students about fire safety – had become unusable due to wear and tear, and age.
However, it’s back on the road thanks to firefighters and local businesses who contributed the equivalent of $8,000 in materials and labour to rebuild and replace just about everything.
“It had become water damaged – we couldn’t even use the rear deck because it was rotted,” said Seth Hildebrand, a fire prevention inspector, who helped rebuild the house.
Built by Southgate School’s Grade 11-12 wood-working class in 1988, the fire safety house has been used to educate thousands of local children on how to get out from a smoke-filled room and about safe practices in the kitchen.
However, the safety courses were put on hold earlier this year as the house had become unsafe, even to tow around.
That’s no longer the situation as several businesses donated materials and labour, while city firefighters donated their time to restore the fire safety house just in time for a few trips to local schools in June.
“It works really well at the Grade 3 level,” said Hildebrand. “Approximately 11,000 to 12,000 Grade 3s have gone through here. It’s really well received and it’s good to have it back.”
On Friday, Fire Chief Dean Spry presented photos of the fire safety house to the businesses which supported the rebuilding effort. They included Bob’s Flooring Canada, Camcour Vinyl Sundeck and Rail, CBS Prehung Doors, Grant Signs, Home Hardware Building Supplies, Nelson Roofing and Sheet Metal, Phoenix Enterprises Sandblasting and Windsor Plywood.
“We want to recognize their commitment to fire safety in Campbell River,” said Chief Spry.