The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) is continuing its island-wide community engagement campaign with a recent visit to the Bermuda Institute, taking part in the school’s annual “100 Men on Campus” initiative.

The programme is designed to foster meaningful engagement between students and positive adult role models, inviting fathers, grandfathers and community figures to spend time supporting and interacting with children during the school day.

This year, personnel from the Port Royal Fire Station were assigned to Pre-K through Grade 2 students, where the excitement and enthusiasm were evident from the moment they arrived.

Young students were given hands-on, educational experiences with firefighters, including spraying water from a booster reel hoseline, exploring a fire appliance up close, trying on elements of a firefighter’s protective kit, and meeting “Sparky” the Fire Dog, who quickly became a crowd favourite.

The interactive session provided children with a better understanding of the role of firefighters, while reinforcing simple but critical safety lessons in a fun and engaging environment.

Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “I commend the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service for continuing to invest in our young people. Engagement like this builds trust, promotes safety awareness and strengthens the bond between our emergency services and the community.”

Chief Fire Officer Dana Lovell emphasised that outreach remains a core priority for the Service. He noted, “Our responsibility does not begin and end with responding to emergencies. It includes educating our community, building relationships, and helping our young people understand safety from an early age.

“When children can see, touch and interact with firefighters in a positive setting, it removes fear and replaces it with knowledge and confidence.”

Chief Lovell added, “This visit to the Bermuda Institute is part of a broader, long-term commitment to engage Bermudians of all ages.

“From installing free smoke alarms in the homes of seniors, to public safety demonstrations, truck design competitions and school outreach initiatives, we are intentional about meeting people where they are.

"In the upcoming fiscal year, we plan to reinforce our presence in both public and private schools to ensure fire safety awareness becomes second nature for every generation.”

The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service has steadily expanded its community programming beyond its annual Fire Safety Awareness Week, underscoring its commitment to prevention, education and genuine partnership across the Island.