CAPE FIREMEN HOPING AREA STUDENT MAY COLOR WAY TO TRIP, NEW TRUCK

Cape Girardeau firefighters hope an elementary school student in the city will color his or her way to a trip to Dallas, Texas, and win a $150,000 rescue fire truck for the fire department.

Fire Chief Bob Ridgeway said it's an unorthodox way to obtain a piece of equipment. But, he said, "If we're able to win a $150,000 vehicle for the city for just the cost of postage for sending in the entries, I don't think that's a bad investment."

Ridgeway discovered the poster coloring contest while working with Capt. Donnie Smith and his crew on the department's rescue truck.

"We're in the process of developing a master plan for the fire department that will include the replacement of the rescue truck and service truck with a single vehicle that can serve both purposes," the chief explained. "While Donnie was going through some specifications from manufacturers, he found this poster coloring contest for students. We thought it would be a fun thing for the students, and who knows? We might wind up with a new rescue truck."

The contest is sponsored by a manufacturer of emergency service vehicles and equipment. To enter, children 12 and under, in kindergarten through fourth grade, color a poster that illustrates a fire rescue truck.

The winning student and a parent or guardian will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Dallas, to the International Association of Fire Chiefs Convention Aug. 29-31. During the convention, the student and the fire chief of the community in which the student lives will be introduced to the convention. The chief will receive the keys to the new rescue truck.

The winning entry will be announced in July.

Firefighter Paul Breitenstein, who is coordinating the activity with the public and parochial schools here, urged teachers to remind students to complete their posters and return them before school is dismissed for the summer. Teachers will collect the posters and send them to the fire department, which will mail the entries.

"Sure, it's a long shot, and chances are we won't win, but even if we don't the kids have had fun coloring their posters," said Ridgeway. "And we've been able to get a message to the people of Cape Girardeau about our effort to upgrade our service and protection to the community." he said.

The chief said the department's rescue and service trucks must eventually be replaced because of their ages. He said the rescue truck was bought used in 1987 from the Pacific Fire Department when Gene Huckstep phased out his privately-operated rescue and extrication service. The rescue truck carries the "Jaws of Life" and other rescue and extrication equipment.

The service truck carries extra air bottles, fans, axes, and other firefighting equipment. It responds to all structure fires.

Ridgeway said the body of the service truck was made in the 1950s, and is mounted on a 1980 truck chassis.

"The problem with both vehicles is that they are no longer adequate," said Ridgeway. "Neither one of them can carry the number of people we need for rescue and extrications. The service truck can only carry two men. If we have to, we can put three men in the rescue truck, but its not a good idea from a safety standpoint.