Seven-year-old Jonas Prushinski is told by Dewey Fire Co. Chief Mike Maguire that he is receiving customized bunker gear and being made an official member of Dewey Fire Co. Monday. (Credit: Dewey Fire Co.)
A 7-year-old Hellertown resident had a delightful surprise Monday night, when the members of Dewey Fire Co. No. 1 presented him with his own customized jacket and helmet and made him an official designated junior crew member.
Jonas Prushinski lives in the neighborhood and is fascinated by the volunteers and the work they do, often coming outside to watch them work.
According to a fire company Facebook post, “(he) comes outside or looks out the window to watch us work on Monday nights, checking trucks and doing drills. He comes outside to watch us pull the trucks back in and clean equipment when we get back from a call. He comes during open house to learn about the trucks and participates in the activities. Needless to say, Jonas gets involved anyway he can when it comes to the fire service.”
Jonas’s interest was rewarded with a front seat in truck 1341 during Sunday’s Saucon Valley Spirit Parade, but that was just the start of the fire company’s recognition for him.
As an official member of Dewey Fire Company Jonas now has his own set of customized bunker gear equipped with official pass tags, one of which will remain on 1311–so he is with them for every call they go on–and one which will remain on his gear.
“Jonas’s gear is exactly like our gear, with his last name and station number on the coat,” the fire company stated. “Welcome to the crew Jonas! We are happy to have you on board!”
You can watch a video of Jonas being surprised by Fire Chief Mike Maguire here.
Jonas Prushinski, 7, sits in the front seat of a Dewey firetruck after being made an official member of the fire company in Hellertown.
Jonas’s parents and sister were on hand to watch as he was made an official member of the Dewey Fire Company Monday night. (Credit: Dewey Fire Co.)
