As he seems to be about this time every year, Airdrie Fire Chief Kevin Weinberger has been replaced.  

His replacement is a grade four student from Heloise Lorimer School named Levi Bucholtz who was named the Airdrie Fire Department's (AFD) Junior Fire Chief.

The honour is bestowed on an Airdrie student during Fire Prevention Week each year.  Students in grade four were asked to compose a 50-word essay, detailing fire safety best practices.  This year's topic was the fire department's theme for Fire Prevention Week: 'Not every hero wears a cape.  Plan and practice your fire escape.' 

The AFD said Levi's essay was thorough and comprehensive.  "It's amazing," says Levi.  "I never thought I would actually win.  I thought about all this stuff I learned about fire safety and just put it down on a page," he explains.   

One thing Levi learned was that you should never waste time looking for things before you exit a burning building.  "I learned that if there's anything in the building that you want to grab don't, 'cause the firefighters might grab it for you.  You don't waste time in the building to get stuff." 

Levi was taken from his school by fire truck to the Chinook Winds Fire Station where he met, not only Fire Chief Weinberger but, after signing his contract, had his hand shaken by Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown. Then he and some members of his family shared lunch with Airdrie fire crews.

Teachers from all the grade four classes that participated in the essay contest selected one from their class to represent the school.  The Fire Department then reviewed the finalists and selected the winner. 

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