Madison Fire Department is participating in the Uniforms, Kids and Lunch program, hoping to raise fire safety awareness among children.

Uniforms, Kids and Lunch gives firefighters the opportunity to eat lunch with their children or other children at schools in the community.

 “I think it’s the power of influence. We want to get these guys out in the community,” said Corey Child, Madison’s Chief of Emergency Services.

At least once a week members go out to the schools their children attend or go as a group to visit a particular school.

“I went to my son’s school. It wasn’t just fun for us, but everyone. He was on cloud nine,” said firefighter Ellis Johnston.

The program isn’t just about fun though; the fire department has other goals in mind.

“In the past we’ve kind of kept to ourselves, haven’t really gone into the community. But it’s important for them to see we’re helping people not just in medical trouble or in burning buildings. We want them to be familiar with us,” said Mikel Walker, assistant chief of emergency services.

Usually when the kids see the firefighters they have lots of questions. Johnston said they included some safety questions and curiosities about the job.

“They want to know if it’s scary running into a burning building. They want to know if the hose is heavy. They are really just little chatterboxes,” Johnston said.

Walker said one of the primary benefits is what the kids get from the experience.

“We want to give them a positive role model. Our station has really good morals and we want to give them someone they can look up to with high morals and values,” he said.

Walker said the program has a good chance of continuing. It started at the beginning of the month and was supposed to end in a couple of days, but he’s not sure that will happen.

“We want to continue the program as long as we can get guys out there,” Walker said.

Walker also talked about the overwhelming positive experience he’s had with Uniforms, Kids and Lunch.

“I love kids. When we go into schools they all want to sit at our table, they want to high-five us and give us knuckles. It’s one of the rewarding parts of our job,” he said.

Uniforms, Kids and Lunch is changing the way kids think. Johnston said he could see it in his son.

“First thing when he woke up he said, ‘OK Dad, see you at lunch!’ That was at six in the morning; it was the first thing on his mind.”

Johnston thinks the change is because of the confidence the program brings.

 “It really builds their confidence when we come; it shows them we care and that we’re there for them. That is the best part for me, seeing the looks on their faces.”