Firefighters make boy’s dream come true

LACONIA _ Paul Swenson has a dream of becoming a firefighter.

Working with Make-A-Wish, the Laconia Fire Department was more than happy to make that dream come true.

Swenson, 6, has a serious chronic illness called juvenile arthritis syndrome.

Amy Jones, a volunteer with Make-A-Wish, together with her husband, Aaron Jones, and foundation employee Nikki Lahey, worked with fire Lt. Chad Vaillancourt for months to work out the details of Sunday’s 3-hour visit to Laconia’s main fire station.

“My husband and I went over to chat with Paul and find out what he likes, what he likes to do,” Amy Jones said. “We talked about trips and meeting different people, but it always came back to his love of firefighters and how he wanted to become one.”

Swenson’s special day began at his home with the surprise arrival of a big fire truck that took him and his family to the station with lights flashing and sirens blaring. About 70 people were there, including 15 firefighters, some of whom came in on their day off as backup in case the station got a fire call during the festivities.

“People were waiting for him with homemade signs as the fire truck came screaming down the road,” Jones said. “He was a little overwhelmed by the support of the community and the fireman there.”

Guests included friends, family, teachers and staff from Pleasant Street School, where Swenson is a student.

He got a tour of the station and was sworn in as a firefighter by Chief Ken Erickson and given firefighter turnout gear in his size, including boots and helmet.

There was pizza and cake and various firefighter-type activities like pulling hose.

That’s when the fire bell rang.

Turns out there was a fire at a miniature house firefighters had constructed nearby.

Swenson hopped in the front seat of the fire truck with Vaillancourt and off they went with other firefighters to respond to the call.

As if in a dream, Paul Swenson was able to put out a fire, just like his heroes do on a regular basis.