DIXFIELD — The Dixfield Fire Co. kicked off Fire Prevention Week Monday morning with a visit from Smokey Bear.
About a dozen preschoolers with their parents turned out to talk with the big bear, also known as Myriah Porter, a Dirigo High School junior who is a junior firefighter for the Peru Fire Department.
Dixfield firefighter Jason Hyde also switched on the siren and flashed the red lights from one of the engines, much to the delight of some and ear-covering fear of others.
Children also had their pictures taken with Smokey, Hyde and the department’s fire engines.
Hyde said the department will visit three day care centers and the Seventh Day Adventist School during Fire Prevention Week. Because students are taking standardized tests this week, the fire prevention educational visits to Dirigo Elementary School and Dirigo Middle School have been delayed until the end of the month.
The fire company’s annual open house is set to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. Everyone is invited to visit the station, look over the trucks and get fire prevention information from firefighters.
Porter said the preschoolers were part of Ludden Library’s weekly storytime session.
“It’s nice to have them come, especially at such a young age,” said Porter.
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