Calgary Fire Department appoints Junior Fire Chief to act as Calgary’s safety ambassador for 2023 - 2024

Mustafa Mohammadi, age 11, was named Junior Fire Chief in a ceremony today at the Tuscany Fire Station. Chief Dongworth made the announcement and presented Mustafa with a fire helmet and special certificate honouring his appointment.

Each year during Fire Prevention Week, the Calgary Fire Department appoints a Junior Fire Chief to act as Calgary’s fire safety ambassador. This program has been running since 2016 in partnership with the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Mustafa’s duties will include promoting this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”, which shares the importance of keeping cooking areas free of distractions and staying in the kitchen while cooking. As part of Mustafa’s first day, he went for a ride in a fire engine and had lunch with the crew at Tuscany Fire Station.

“Mustafa will be a great ambassador for the Calgary Fire Department. He’s keen to share messages of safety and fire prevention, and we can’t wait to support him as our Junior Fire Chief.” said Chief Dongworth. “We wouldn’t have such a successful Junior Fire Chief program without our partnership with Alberta Children’s Hospital. The impact of their dedication and support of the Calgary Fire Department and all our Junior Fire Chiefs can’t be overstated. We sincerely thank them for their continued participation and for introducing us to Mustafa.”

“We are happy to continue this important partnership between the hospital and Calgary Fire Department to select a child for the Junior Fire Chief program.” said Stacy Kelly, from the Family and Community Resource Centre with the Alberta Children’s Hospital. “The program helps to promote important initiatives and our shared values around safety, teamwork and leadership.”

During Fire Prevention Week, running from October 8 - 14, 2023, the Calgary Fire Department advises Calgarians that staying diligent and taking simple, but important, actions can keep themselves and their families safe.

With an average of 20 cooking fires taking place in Calgary homes every month, it is important to follow these safety tips when preparing food and using cooking appliances:

1. Watch what you heat. Always pay close attention to what you are frying, grilling, broiling, boiling or baking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking. If you leave the kitchen, for even a brief period of time, turn off the stove and remove any pots or pans from the burner.

2. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan if you feel safe doing so, then turn off the burner, exit your home and call 9-1-1.

3. Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of one metre around the stove or grill and anywhere hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Watch our multi-lingual video about cooking safety here: Calgary Fire Department - Cooking Safety - YouTube

Fire Prevention Week is held annually by fire departments across North America. Fire Prevention Day was proclaimed in Canada in 1919 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, as well as a major fire that destroyed the Centre Block of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa on February 3, 1916. Fire Prevention Day was extended to Fire Prevention Week in 1922.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week, visit calgary.ca/firepreventionweek.

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