For just one day, the Portage Fire Department had a new chief.

After winning a contest, Grade 3 La Verendrye School student Olivia Young got to be Fire Chief for a day. She spent it alongside Captain Corey Jowett today, learning about firefighters and fire safety.

The duo had a packed schedule that started with breakfast alongside Mayor Irvine Ferris, Fire Chief Phil Carpe

Olivia Young got a close up look at everything at the fire department. (photo by Matt Hermiz)nter and Deputy Chief Dave Holmes. She then toured city hall, the fire hall and the RCMP detachment, before heading over to Southport to see some of their crash rescue trucks and check out aircraft.

She had a blast.

"It was really exciting!" Olivia says. "We went to tour a plane, the police station, fire station and rode in a police truck."

"And I learned how you pull the string to turn on the fire siren," she continues. "And that firefighters help people by putting out fires with hoses."

The new boss didn't have to oversee any emergency situations, but Jowett says she was tough on the crew at first. "As the day went on she started softening up on us," he jokes.

The Fire Department invites a student each year to be chief for a day to provide education about fire safety and engage with the community, Jowett explains.

"We want the kids to experience us not only in instances when bad things happen, like crashes or fires," he says. "But also in positive experiences, like just having fun with us and hanging out."