(Town of Penhold/ supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

final send off

Penhold Fire Department keeps summer tradition alive at elementary school

Jun 27, 2025 | 9:41 AM

The Penhold Volunteer Fire Department gave students from Penhold Elementary School a final send off on the last day of school yesterday.

To mark the beginning of the summer break, firefighters sprayed cheering students as they departed school.

It’s a longstanding tradition of the fire department and even though the origin is unclear, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many.

Lieutenant Nicole Thomson, a former PES student and now a member of the Penhold Volunteer Fire Department, remembers taking part in the tradition as a student.

“It was a fun time, and it’s a great tradition that has continued,” Thomson shared.

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Meantime, Penhold’s Protective Services Manager, Sean Pendergast, said they were also out the night before spraying kids as they wrapped up their soccer season.

“We have two spray days planned for the community this summer,” said Pendergast. “Traditions like this are enjoyable for the fire department and the community.”

(Town of Penhold/ supplied)

The Penhold Volunteer Fire Department also celebrated the Fire Cadet Program on June 25 as the school year ended.

The program provides training and school credits to local students with an interest in the fire department. This time around there were three graduating cadets from the Class of 2025.

(Town of Penhold/ supplied)

They recognized the cadets with a year-end barbecue and Cadet Madison Flight was awarded the annual ATCO Scholarship by Penhold Mayor Mike Yargeau and ATCO representative Brad Marcynuik.

“The cadet program is just one more way the PFD is involved in the community,” Pendergast added. “We have current fire department members who started as cadets, and we’re proud to see the program continue shaping future leaders.”