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DOWAGIAC — On Sunday, Tearsa Smith’s grandchildren, Aleczander and Lavender, stood in the driveway and watched as a fire engine drove by, followed closely behind by a police patrol car.

However, this was not a situation of an emergency, but instead a celebration.

Last week, the Dowagiac Fire Department and Police Departments announced they would join forces and participate with neighboring departments in an idea to serve children in the community by driving by residents’ homes to celebrate birthdays.

“It actually was brought to me through the fire department, and we’ve seen it being done by other departments in the area,” said Director of Public Safety Steve Grinnewald. “We thought it was another way to give our community something.”

Smith’s grandchildren were one of several phone requests the department received. Although Smith was unable to watch the birthday surprise unfold in person due to the stay-at-home order, she was sent over a video of her grandchildren celebrating with the sirens playing in the background.

“Alec was so excited he couldn’t stand still, and Lavender thought it was a parade,” Smith said of the celebration. “My daughter sent me a video which made me cry happy tears as I watched their excitement. It will be birthdays that they will never forget.”

For those who are celebrating their children’s birthdays during the stay-at-home orders issued by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, residents can message the Dowagiac Fire Department Facebook page or contact the department during normal business hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with a drive-by request.

The Dowagiac Fire Department will bring a fire engine to resident’s home and stop outside with the lights and sirens activated for a few moments so children can view the firetruck from a safe and appropriate distance.

So far, Grinnewald said the department helped celebrate four birthdays last week and has two to three scheduled for this week.

“People are very excited when they call in and after the trips. We’ve gotten some call backs from people thanking us,” Grinnewald said of the positive response from the community.

Grinnewald said as the fire truck and patrol car make their way past a resident’s house, drivers are usually greeted with smiles and waves from the family and children, who are lined up on the lawn and maintaining a safe distance of 6 feet.

Department head said they would do their best to respond to everyone’s requests. However emergency calls for service and staffing may affect the department’s ability to respond to everyone.

Another added benefit of the birthday celebrations is for the members of the police department and fire department to get out into the community and become a familiar face to residents.

“It’s one of the side benefits right now as we are trying to keep everybody at ease,” Grinnewald said. “The community sees us in a different way with smiles on our faces and doing something good. Anytime the police department is called, it’s because something bad has happened. For us to be able to go out and do something in celebration is huge for kids and families. We exist for them, and we want them to be comfortable with us when we are out here working.”

Grinnewald said the department will continue to offer the birthday celebrations through the entirety of the stay-at-home order.

Grinnewald added the police department has received support from the community through the COVID-19 situation and has not had issues with enforcing the stay-at-home order or the temporary shutdown of nonessential businesses.

“People have dropped meals and things off to us,” Grinnewald said. “Most people have been very appreciative of us out here continuing to do what we do and respond to their needs. For the most part, everybody has been really good to work with and everybody is really just looking out for each other.”