Dear Editor,

Firefighter tradition is more predominant in the North versus the South, but we have something here in Central Alabama that is rich in tradition, the Montevallo Fire Prevention Parade.

We (local fire departments) look forward every year to the weekend before Fire Prevention Week to gather among our brothers and sisters in uniform, to socialize and show off our “new” trucks.

This parade has many benefits for the fire departments that participate; sharing ideas on how to be more efficient, recruitment (young and old) and morale.

This is also a great opportunity for us to show the public the arsenal of equipment that serves this area.

It’s proven that many careers in the fire service began because a child chooses to follow in the footsteps of a father, a mother, a grandfather, or uncle who were fire fighters.

I’m a follower because my dad planted a seed in me at a young age by taking me to the fire prevention parade and letting me ride on a fire truck.

He was a volunteer and from that point on I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. I had the opportunity to ride with my coworkers at this year’s parade along with their children in tow.

It was great! I saw a lot of off-duty fire fighters lining the streets of Montevallo along with their children, some with hands over their ears, some waving, some smiling and dancing, others just not sure or old enough to know what’s going on.

But I’m sure many more seeds were planted at this year’s parade and I hope that many more will be planted for years to come.

I hope one day I will be able to carry my son or daughter (when God blesses us) to the fire prevention parade and tell them about my first parade.

Thank you to the City of Montevallo for allowing us to come in to your city and wake up the college students, and a huge thank you to Chief Reid and his personnel for all of the hard work and preparation that goes into keeping this tradition alive.

I’m ready for next year!