Marysville fire crews top pizza orders with safety checks

Published 9:45 pm Sunday, November 2, 2008

MARSYVILLE — When most pizza delivery drivers prepare for work, bunker gear and a Pulaski ax are not required.

The Marysville Fire Department has teamed up with Domino’s Pizza to help get the word out on fire safety and the importance of functional smoke detectors and fire alarms.

“October was a deadly month for families in the Pacific Northwest and we felt that any extra effort to help raise awareness of fire safety would help,” fire department spokeswoman Kristen Thorstenson said. “On a national level Domino’s has worked with fire safety organizations, and in Marysville our Domino’s Pizza is helping out any way they can.”

The promotion is simple — those who order through Tuesday from the Domino’s Pizza on State Street might also get a visit from the Marysville Fire Department. For those who have a working smoke detector, the pizza delivery is free.

Six firefighters visited four homes Sunday, checking smoke detectors and making sure that families had a fire escape plan.

Reactions to seeing firefighters wearing an assortment of bunker gear as they deliver a large pepperoni pizza have varied from pleasant shock to outright delight.

According to Domino’s manager Miles Miller, one of his drivers was allowed to deliver his pizza with the bucket on a ladder truck.

“The fire department captain had the idea to put him in the bucket — it was a great idea,” he said.

While the pizza was delivered, neighbors came out to watch and kids milled around the fire truck on bicycles. Thorstenson was happy to see those people and was confident it had the desired affect.

“It was awesome,” she said. “With all those people coming outside to see what was going on, we were able to tell them about fire safety and smoke detectors. Making sure they stay safe is what it’s all about.”

Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.