GREAT FALLS — Great Falls Fire Rescue hosted a ceremony to honor three young winners of its inaugural fire prevention essay contest.
Kids between the ages of 9 and 12 were asked to write a 500-word essay on a fire prevention topic for Fire Prevention Month.
This was the first year of the annual essay contest, and the topic for the essay was: What does fire prevention mean to you and your community?
The three winners are Benjamin Brown, Ethan Janusz, and Amara Ochsner. The three participated in a ceremony at Fire Station 1 on Wednesday, where they presented their essays to members of Great Falls Fire Rescue and the community.
Great Falls Fire Rescue shared this video of the event:
Great Falls Fire Chief Mike McIntosh explained, “This year we were looking at ways to engage the community and to get the fire prevention message, out so we came up with this essay contest."
He continued, “The amount of submissions we received makes us hopeful to bring it back next year and hopefully make it an annual thing."
(OCTOBER 4, 2021) Great Falls Fire Rescue (GFFR) is conducting a Fire Prevention Essay Contest for kids in honor of Fire Prevention Week. The essay topic is: What is the history of Fire Prevention Week and how does it affect our community?
The essay contest is open to kids, ages 9-12, in public, private and home schools, located within the City limits of Great Falls.
Essays should be 500 words or less, and may be typed or hand-written in the author’s best, legible handwriting.
The front page should include:
- The author’s name
- Author’s parent or guardian’s name and phone number
- Author’s age and address
Judging Criteria:
- Essays that demonstrate ability to write in an organized manner
- Essays that focus on the Essay Topics
- Essays that display an understanding of the importance of Fire Prevention
Essays may be submitted in hard copy or by email. If by email, please submit the essay as an attachment. Hard copies can be submitted by mail or in person to: Fire Station 1, 105 9th Street South, Great Falls. Emails should be sent to gffr.office@greatfallsmt.net.
All essays must be received no later than 5:00 PM, on Friday October 22nd.
Great Falls Fire Fighters Local 8 will provide the following prizes:
- 1st place: $100 Visa gift card
- 2nd place: $50 Visa gift card
- 3rd place: $25 Visa gift card
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd-place winners will be invited to a ceremony at Fire Station 1. Winners will be notified on Friday, October 29th. GFFR will share the date of the ceremony after all winners have been contacted.
Friends, family and media are welcome to attend to hear the winners’ essays read aloud. Winners will have their pictures taken with Great Falls Fire Rescue staff and receive a personalized plaque for their essay.
