By MaryHelen Swanson

The North Branch City Council meeting started off with a positive spin this week as NB Fire Chief Don Brown came before the council with fire department update.

First, he had to plug the Smelt Fry coming up May 5, then it was on to serious business.

He presented the cold-water rescue suit just purchased with funds from the aluminum can tab collection. He introduced fire department educator Don Simons who noted that the grade school education program, which has been given for 15 years, is 100 percent funded by local businesses. He noted that it was started by Kirby Ekstrom. Simons also noted that the firefighters who participate in the annual education during Fire Prevention Week do it voluntarily, without pay.

"We do more than just put fires out and help out at accidents," Simons added.

He also noted that over 2000 kids received the fire training last year, and this year, to include even more students, the fire department will put on a mock crash.

Mayor Gloria Karsky responded to the updates by saying "You go beyond volunteerism."

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