What you need to know
The program, which began in 1993, includes a group of active firefighters that teach fire and life safety to school-aged children in McKinney-area schools.
The clown’s educational performances are updated annually to include safety topics identified as “high-occurrence subjects” in annual Collin County injury and death statistics for children 13 years old and younger, according to the fire department’s website.
McKinney Mayor George Fuller proclaimed Sept. 19, 2023, as the McTown Klownz 30th anniversary and appreciation day at a recent McKinney City Council meeting. The proclamation also notes the McKinney program’s impact on other fire and life safety organizations nationwide. The McTown Klownz have contributed sets and supplies, as well as shared their experiences with fire safety clown groups across the United States, according to city documents.
“Thank you for all you do; it’s fun but provides a very serious benefit,” Fuller said to the clown group at a Sept. 19 council meeting.
Get involved
An event celebrating the anniversary of the McTown Klownz program, as well as fire prevention week, is scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 7 at the John and Judy Gay Library.
Eventgoers will have the opportunity to meet the McTown Klownz, as well as see fire safety storytimes. The event will also include;
- Crafts
- Snowcones
- Fire safety games
- Tours of a fire truck, ambulance and fire safety house
- Assistance preparing a family fire escape plan and more
“The McTown Klownz have served our city proudly for 30 years, and this is our chance to honor them for their hard work,” McKinney Fire Chief Paul Dow said in a news release. “They have taught tens of thousands of children how to stay safe, and they have no plans on slowing down.”
Learn more
For more information about the McKinney Fire Department’s McTown Klownz program, visit www.mckinneytexas.org/325/mctown-klownz.
