Pueblo students become fire chiefs for the day

Some kids dream of becoming a firefighter when they grow up.

Others were lucky enough to be the fire chief when they were still 8 years old.

Hundreds of Pueblo students wrote essays about why they wanted to be a Pueblo fire chief.

The essays helped students learn about emergency preparedness during Fire Prevention Week.

“We have some that are pretty outstanding the way they write up their essays,” said Pueblo Rural Fire Chief Robert Guagliardo. “It’s a good educational tool.”

Erik Drummond is a third grader at South Mesa Elementary School. Guagliardo said he was very impressed by Erik’s essay, so he picked him to head the Rural Fire Department for the day.

Drummond and three other students were honored at an assembly with their peers.

The new chiefs wore brand-new fire helmets and drove to lunch in a fire truck.

Drummond said he has what it takes to be chief.

“I like putting out fires and I like saving cats,” he said.