Hey buddy, wanna have lunch?

Goucher Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jimmy Lamb speaks with Damion Martin on Tuesday during a lunch buddy program at Goucher Elementary. Good behavior and improved grades earned a few Goucher Elementary students a ride in a fire truck Monday during their lunch break.

Nine fourth and fifth graders took turns activating the lights and siren while taking a short tour on rural roads near the school in a Goucher Volunteer Fire Dept. truck. Afterwards, the students toured and ate lunch at the Goucher Volunteer Fire Department across from the school.

Goucher volunteer firefighters have been regular participants in the lunch buddy program since it started last year. Firefighters spend their lunch hour each Tuesday visiting with students.

"We set a goal for them to show improvement in their behavior and grades over the past two weeks in order to go on the trip," Goucher Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jimmy Lamb said. "The biggest thing for me has been to see the kids put forth an effort to do better."

Goucher volunteer firefighters are among the community members who eat lunch with students on a weekly basis. Guidance counselors select students who can benefit from an adult mentor in the lunch buddy program.

"The firefighters are really good about talking with teachers to make sure the students are doing their homework and following through with the things they talk about in the lunch buddy program," Goucher Elementary Principal Ashley Clary said.

Goucher Elementary students lost no instructional time while enjoying the field trip with the Goucher volunteer firefighters. The fire truck ride and lunch at the station was done within the school's regular lunch time.

Students will have another opportunity this year to earn a trip to the Goucher Fire Station. They just have to keep their grades and behavior in good order.

"The kids absolutely loved riding in the fire truck and sounding the siren," Clary said. "We will offer this incentive to students again."