Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 • County fire departments host kiddie rides
Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 edition of the Lassen County Times.
Firefighters from around the county brought smiles to numerous kids around the county on Tuesday, Sept. 16, as fire agencies around the county hosted their annual Kiddie Ride Night.
Kids enjoy the ride of a lifetime on the back of one of the Susan River Fire Protection District’s fire engines near Richmond School on Richmond Road.The Susanville Fire Department and the Susan River Fire Department gave rides to large groups of little kids around the area, making sure that no kid was left behind. Whether they got to ride in the front of the engine or the top, all kids were given a chance to ride.
SRFD was able to provide rides in three different locations, including Richmond School, the Leavitt Lake Fire Station and the department’s Johnstonville Fire Hall on Highway 395.
Gena Ellena let the wind blow through their hair as they take a ride on a Susan River fire engine.The rides also went despite the abnormal weather with heavy winds whipping around the area and light rainfall from an incoming storm front. Kids and townsfolk alike were treated to the sound of various siren noises from the fire engines’ trips around their respective areas around town.
The line for kids wanting rides at the Susanville Fire Department almost wrapped around the building at one point.
Kids line up to go on either of the two engines available at Richmond School for the Kiddie Rides.Parents and kids in the Susan River Fire District were especially appreciative of the rides, considering they almost didn’t happen this year. After an improved parcel tax designed to get more money to the district was shot down by less than 3 percent. Susan River Fire Chief Glenn Hodgson said when discussions among the district’s board members came up over expenses in the department that could be cut, The Kiddie Rides were among the first items mentioned.
Laura Rotlisberger, left, and her daughter EmmaLee get ready to take off on a Susan River fire engine.“It’s something we could’ve cut,” Hodgson said. “But I’m glad we didn’t though.”
Rides were given until it started to get dark. After kids got back from the rides, they were treated to free popsicles.
Brandon Nobles gets a window seat view from the cab of one of Susan River’s fire engines.
