Calgary firefighters plan 'Drive-By Birthdays' to brighten mood during pandemic
The program is open to children ages 4-12, or those 75 and older
The Calgary Fire Department is hoping to brighten the birthdays of kids and seniors whose celebrations have been scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fire Chief Steve Dongworth says firefighters have already been delivering some birthday greetings outside homes with sirens and lights blaring.
But he says the fire department has now formalized the practice through a new program called Drive-By Birthdays.
We know that birthday parties are challenging right now A mom contacted the crew at 30 Station asking if they could drive a firetruck by her house on her son's bday Crews even used an aerial ladder to deliver him a birthday message. Happy 4th Birthday buddy! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/drivebybirthday?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#drivebybirthday</a> <a href="https://t.co/qsmHzKiTTH">pic.twitter.com/qsmHzKiTTH</a>
—@CGYFireFightersThe program is open to children between the ages of four and 12 or anyone 75 and older who has a birthday.
Drive-By Birthdays can be booked online until the end of May.
Officials say the program could be extended if physical distancing measures continue to scuttle in-person celebrations.
"We'd be happy to come and sing happy birthday or greet you, make some noise outside your home and hopefully that will make a huge difference," Dongworth said Friday.
"If we have an emergency call, obviously that takes precedence and we will get to you somehow."
Wow! We've been overwhelmed by response to our new Drive-By Birthday program. We have received over 4,000 requests! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/drivebybirthdays?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#drivebybirthdays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yycfire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yycfire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/weareallinthistogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#weareallinthistogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/VPr7E4hQfn">pic.twitter.com/VPr7E4hQfn</a>
—@CGYFireFighters