Media Alert: Spring Fire Department Recognition to 8-Year Old 9-1-1 Kid Hero
Jan 10th, 2022
MEDIA ADVISORY:
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
January 11, 2022
Contacts: Tracee Evans, Spring Fire Department, PIO (281) 825-7240 (mobile)
Sonya L. Clauson, Greater Harris County 9-1-1, PIO (713) 806-9495 (mobile)
SPRING FIRE DEPARTMENT & GREATER HARRIS COUNTY 9-1-1
RECOGNIZE 8-YEAR-OLD 9-1-1 KID HERO
WHAT
•A Spring third grader will be honored by Spring Fire Department and the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network (GHC 9-1-1) for his quick-thinking when fireworks caught a neighbor’s home on fire early on New Year’s Day. He will also be presented with a proclamation from Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle’s office.
•Around 2:30 AM on January 1, 2022, Justin Clayton, 8, woke his parents to call 9-1-1 to report the fire. When minutes counted, Spring Firefighters arrived in less than 3 minutes to a fully-involved garage fire spreading to the roof. Justin is an example of what to do when emergency help is needed and a reminder if you “see something, say something.”
•Neighbor Bob Schenck was out of town when the fire occurred and wants to express his gratitude for Justin, his parents and another neighbor on a different street who called and reported the fire. He will also join the crew in sharing the importance of a clean roof so spent fireworks can’t ignite pine needle debris on another roof.
•This was the third fire suspected to be caused by fireworks that the crew of Spring Fire Engine 74 handled in three hours.
WHEN
•3:30 PM, Tuesday, January 11, 2022
•Please arrive by 3:10 PM and park in the lot behind the fire station.
•Justin thinks he’s coming to meet the crew only. While his parents do know about the homeowner and media, he will be very surprised to receive awards and kid firefighter ‘gear’ at his ‘party’ with the firefighters.
WHERE
•Spring Fire Department Fire Station 74, 23803 Aldine Westfield Rd, Spring, TX 77373
•PLEASE NOTE: COVID precautions, including masks, will be in place. The presentation will be held in the heated apparatus bay to allow plenty of distancing space.
Photo/Video/Audio Interview Opportunities
•Kid Hero Justin Clayton, Jr. and his parents, Justin and Nicole Clayton.
•Homeowner Bob Schenck
•Spring Fire Chief Scott Seifert and Engine 74 C-Shift crew: Captain Walter Juarez*, Apparatus Operator Blake Thompson and Firefighter Tyler Crane.
•Texas Emergency Communications Center (TECC) supervisor Bree Burger.
•GHC 9-1-1 Public Information Officer Sonya Clauson
*Captain Juarez is a native Spanish speaker and can translate and speak to media.
