Parkview Helicopter lands at the Rochester Fire Department as seventh graders participate in a community “Day of Giving” event on Oct. 8.

Text and Photos
By Libby Hubbard
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER – Rochester Middle School seventh graders participated in a community “Day of Giving” on Wednesday, Oct. 8, working alongside firefighters at the Rochester Fire Department.

This giving event, organized by RMS math and homeroom teacher Ashley DuBois, gave students hands-on experience with daily firehouse operations while emphasizing responsibility and community service.

“Recently, the superintendent, Mrs. Vance, sent out a message asking for ideas for a community giving back day,” DuBois said. “We thought about what the fire department could use help with, and this idea came together.”

DuBois, whose husband, TJ DuBois, serves as the Rochester Fire Chief, said the students helped with a variety of tasks during the five-hour event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Seventh grader Emma Rose Smith stands inside the engine bays after a brief interview about her experience flying in a Parkview helicopter.

“They cooked their own lunch on the grill, washed the firehouse bays, tested hoses and mulched the perimeter of the station,” she said. “They even put up signs recognizing families and businesses that donate smoke detectors.”

The event, DuBois said, offered students an opportunity to learn about the daily responsibilities of firefighters and the importance of teamwork.

“It taught them a work ethic,” she said. “They learned to ask, ‘When’s lunch?’ but we don’t get lunch until all our jobs are done.”

DuBois said the activity also provided insight into the life of a firefighter, which can be demanding and unpredictable.

“Being married to a firefighter is unique,” she said. “His job is giving, and mine as a teacher is giving. We both understand the commitment it takes.”

She added that October, designated as Fire Prevention Month, is especially busy for the department.

“Firefighters visit local preschools and elementary schools to teach kids about safety and emergency preparedness,” she said. “They make a plan in case there’s a fire at home.”

The day also allowed students to explore potential future careers.

“I think a couple of boys really want to be volunteer firefighters when they turn 18,” DuBois said.

Students’ Say About The Day

Seventh grader Garrett Gressley, who wore firefighter gear and participated in hands-on activities, said he enjoyed the experience.

Seventh grader Garrett Gressley wears a firefighter helmet while standing behind the bays for an interview during the RMS “Day of Giving.”

“It was not very heavy,” he said of the suit. “I helped wash and mulch. I think it was fun to give back to the community.”

Gressley said he sees the value in service at a young age.

“If you give back to your community, it means being kind to people,” he said. “Being a hero is helping others.”

Emma Rose Smith, another seventh grader, also participated and had the chance to ride in a helicopter with her father, Michael Smith, a Parkview emergency services pilot.

“I’m really proud of what he does for me and the community,” she said. “He has a big heart, and he inspires me.” She hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps one day and fly helicopters herself.

DuBois said planning the event involved coordination with school leadership and the fire department.

“We discussed it as a seventh-grade team, got approval from our principal, and then it was presented to the school board,” she said. “It’s a team effort to organize something like this.”

She added that teachers looking to involve students in community service should start by brainstorming as a team and presenting a clear plan to administrators.

“It’s important to get kids outside the classroom and into real-world situations,” she said. “They can learn responsibility, discipline and work ethic in ways that school alone can’t teach.”

DuBois said the success of the day showed the value of connecting students with community institutions. “It was a fun, educational experience that brought the students closer to the idea of giving back,” she said. “They saw firsthand what it takes to serve others, and they were a huge help to the fire department.”

The Rochester Fire Department, which has been led by Chief TJ DuBois since June 2024, said the collaboration was welcome and highlighted the importance of community involvement in emergency services.

By the end of the day, students had not only helped the fire department with chores and community projects but also gained a practical understanding of public service, teamwork and personal responsibility.