Brody Quinn, at age 11, is the Calgary Fire Department’s newest honourary Fire Chief.
Quinn received his year-long appointment to the role of Junior Fire Chief at Station 17 in Varsity on Wednesday, after having been selected for the role by his medical team at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
The Calgary Fire Department has been appointing Junior Fire Chiefs since 2016 in partnership with the hospital as part of Fire Prevention Week.
His role will be to act as an ambassador for the Calgary Fire Department, promoting the 2022 theme of “Fire Won’t Wait: Plan Your Escape.”
“This is a very significant role and we don’t take this appointment lightly,” said Chief Steve Dongworth.
“We love this day every year. It’s part of Fire Prevention Week, and a really important part, bringing on a new fire chief who can spread the message of fire safety amongst his peers, his friends, his family.”
Quinn was given his real firefighter’s helmet by Chief Dongworth, alongside a certificate of his status and an official duty cap for the service.
“One thing when you were wear that, you know what our values are?” said Chief Dongworth speaking to Quinn during the ceremony.
“Our values are pride, professionalism, teamwork and respect, and my sense is those are the kind of values that relate to you, so when you wear that hat, think of those values as well.”
Family proud of newest Junior Chief
Quinn’s mother Dora Urban said she couldn’t be prouder.
“We’re honoured on many levels. The fact that the Alberta Children’s Hospital and his medical team picked him to to have this role, and honoured that the City of Calgary also agreed and saw that this was a great fit,” she said.
“Honestly, when I got the call, it’s not the call that I usually get from the hospital, so I was absolutely elated.”
Quinn has been a patient since he was six-months-old, receiving treatments every five months at the hospital.
For Quinn, being a firefighter has been a lifelong dream. Urban said that for the 10-years that Quinn has been Trick or Treating, five of them have been as a firefighter.
“I’ve always wanted to be a role model for a lot of people, so it’s probably going to be a very exciting opportunity for myself and a lot of other people,” he said.
He said that the ride in a fire truck from the hospital to Station 17 was one of the highlights of his time as Junior Chief so far.
“I got to go on the highway, and it was my personal favourite part—pretty bumpy, but pretty fun,” he said.
“A half an hour drive felt like an hour.”
The 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week is being celebrated in Calgary this year. For more details on the week, how to create a fire smart plan for your home, and for more events, see calgary.ca/firepreventionweek
