Daily dose of sweetness: Nisswa firefighters sound the birthday alarm for kids

A girl celebrates her birthday
The Nisswa Fire Department is offering to bring their fire trucks to families to "provide your young one with a lights and siren birthday salute."
Courtesy of Nisswa Fire Department

Social distancing means in-person birthday parties for many children are on hold for now. But that doesn't mean they can't be without a little pomp and circumstance.

In Nisswa, Minn., the fire department is stepping up by sounding the alarm.

It’s offering to bring its fire trucks to families to "provide your young one with a lights and siren birthday salute."

"Of course with everyone social distancing, we won't be able to provide any rides or walk throughs but hopefully we can bring a smile to your children on their special day," the fire department said in a Facebook post.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Families that live in Nisswa, Lake Shore, Lake Edward or Merrifield that are interested in the birthday salute drive-by can fill out this request form.

On Monday, the fire department, along with the Nisswa Police Department, the Minnesota State Patrol and North Memorial Health saluted Veronica.


From acts of kindness and sweet gestures to inspirational signs, these are some of the ways Minnesotans are lifting one another during the coronavirus pandemic.

Discover something that brightens your day? We may include it here. Email it to nyang@mpr.org.