A total of 73 youngsters ages 7 to 12 graduated on Friday from the 2016 Fire Academy for Kids, a weeklong program where children learn about household safety and firefighting.
The free program, conducted at the Lopez Quave Public Safety Center and at the the nearby West End Hose Company No. 3 Fire Museum, would not have been possible without the support of Biloxi businesses, fire department leaders say.
“We received generous donations from 15 local businesses,” said Deputy Chief for Fire Prevention Vincent Payne. “This academy is a free event for the kids. and the sponsors help to make this academy happen every year.”
IP Casino Resort supplied Fire Academy T-shirts, Palace Casino funded trophies for each participant, and the graduation ceremony was hosted by Kevin Murray of Servopro.
Among the other supporters: Treasure Bay, Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, Golden Nugget, Harrah’s, Scarlet Pearl, and Silver Slipper casinos; Sean Shoemake, US Select Insurance; Vernon Smith, Harrah’s Casino; Mickey Lagasse, Compton Engineering; Smoothie King and a $1,000 grant from Walmart Neighborhood Market on Popp’s Ferry Road.
See photos from the academy
