Two Clearview Township students were declared the new fire chiefs – but only for a day.

Everett Rigney, in Grade 2 at Nottawa Public School, and Mickayla Tot, in Grade 3 at New Lowell Central Public School, were selected from 150 students as the winners of the 2012 Fire Chiefs for the Day contest.

The students first had to complete a colouring sheet that required them to examine the fire safety routes of their homes.

Clearview Township Mayor Ken Ferguson swore Everett and Mickayla into office at Clearview Station One on Thursday morning.

“Remember to take it back to the schools and you be the teachers of your friends and the kids in the school. The message of the fire department is about safety at home and at school,” Ferguson told the students.

He said it is important to bring awareness to the fire department.

“It's a good way to connect and promote our fire service and show what we do for our communities, especially for Clearview Township with our volunteer system — and the eminence of that being taken by young people and going forward that maybe some day they will want to volunteer and give back to their community.”

Fire chief Bob McKean said the day was successful.

“It's nice to see young people wanting to get involved in fire safety. Everybody seemed to be very excited, so from my perspective as the fire chief, it went really well.”

The fire department want people to plan two evacuation points for their homes so in the event of a fire, if one exit is blocked there is another escape. McKean said it is also important to have a meeting place once everybody is evacuated.

The students and their parents met Sparky the Fire Dog, received a tour of the new fire station, and had the opportunity to ride in the front seat of a fire truck.

This event was run as part of national Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 7 until the 13.