SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Everyone rushed to the windows with excitement at K'alemi Dene School when a fire truck arrived, lights flashing, and several firefighters rushed into the school – none, though, were more excited than Nick Beaulieu, whom the firefighter were rushing to meet. He was, after all, to be the junior fire chief for the day.

Senior firefighter Mike Woytuik stands directly behind Nick Beaulieu, who was junior fire chief for the day on Nov. 30, as they get ready to take off from K'alemi Dene School in a firetruck. Firefighter Corey Goyman stands in the foreground. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

"I never won a contest before," said Beaulieu as he sat in his chair in class, decked to the nines in a firefighter suit and hat that he was given as part of his junior fire chief package.

The contest had been open to all students in Yellowknife ages from seven to 12, and Beaulieu lucked out. He was to receive a prize of his very own firefighter suit and hat, as well as other gifts, in class – hats were given out to the rest of the class as well – and be driven from the school in a fire truck, get a tour of Yellowknife's fire hall, followed by lunch at McDonald's.

Beaulieu worked up quite an appetite by the time they got to McDonald's.

"I ate two cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, fries, half a drink," said Beaulieu, who roped the firefighters into playing with him in the fast food restaurant's playroom afterwards.

His teacher, Ashley Deavu, got to ride along with him as his chaperone.

"We got to ride in the truck – he got to ride up front and honk the horn, and put the lights on," said Deavu, who seemed as excited as Beaulieu about the trip. Deavu said they got to see the fire hoses, the jaws of life, and all the ins and outs of the fire hall.

"Sparky the fire dog came out and did a special dance for us," said Deavu.

"Nick (Beaulieu) did his own zombie dance for Sparky the dog."

They also went to Beaulieu's street in the firetruck to show off his ride.

"Everyone is Sissons Court was very excited and surprised when Nick got out," said Deavu.

Fire Chief Albert Headrick, who had presented Beaulieu with his firefighter prizes, said that the yearly event, which started last year, has brought kids lots of smiles.