Ready Freddy, a friendly, if slightly dim-looking stoplight, was introduced to La Plata County commissioners on Wednesday as the Office of Emergency Management’s new fire safety mascot.
With one hand on the OEM’s thick fire preparation binder, Freddy became a full-fledged government employee, prepared to promote fire preparedness and the county’s evacuation system.
Freddy was conceived this year as a way to encourage fire readiness, said Rob Farino, OEM director.
The red, yellow and green stoplight is meant to be a play on the county’s “Ready, Set, Go” evacuation system.
The stoplight is meant to be a play on that, Farino said.
Emergency management officials are gearing up for a big wildfire season, as an unusually warm winter and low snowpack in Southwest Colorado are poised to create significant fire risk.
They are encouraging residents to be as prepared as possible, and Freddy will be part of that campaign.
“Are you fire ready?” Farino asked. “Freddy’s fire ready.”
jbowman@durangoherald.com
