There was a change in leadership at St. John’s Regional Fire Department on Friday—but only for one day as they welcomed the winner of their annual Fire Chief for a Day contest.

Chibuokem Iwuala, a grade 5 student at First Baptist Academy, won the contest.

She started the day with a trip to school in a fire truck and then got to spend the day with the department and touring their facilities in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and Paradise.

Her day started with getting picked up by the Department at her home, and then they went to her school. Here she is meeting St. John's Mayor @DannyBreenNL at the central station
Now she's off to Mount Pearl and Paradise @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/RzYjMHyAEr

— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) November 18, 2022

The new chief made sure the day was a family affair as well, with her parents and siblings in tow for her inaugural day on the job.

Iwuala couldn’t wait for the day to come and says she couldn’t sleep the night before.

Captain Gary Power, Fire Prevention Officer with St. John’s Regional, had praise for his new boss.

Power chuckles as he says “she’s making us work really hard,” and states they looked forward to having a good day with her.