SNOHOMISH COUNTY — The North County Regional Fire Authority is looking to students to design its new junior firefighter patch.

Children in grades 1-5 are encouraged to pick up an application and design the patch based on what comes to mind when they think about the people who keep their families safe, said Christian Davis, battalion chief for North County Fire/EMS.

Designs can be drawn, colored, painted or through other methods as long as it fits within the outline of the patch, Davis said.

One child in each grade level will be awarded a prize on Jan. 15, 2010. Winners will be announced on the Fire Authority’s Web site and notified through the mail.

In addition to $20 gift cards to Target, winners and their parents or guardians will be invited to their local fire station and presented the award by Dale Fulfs, North County fire chief.

One winning piece of art work from each grade will be printed on stickers and handed out by the fire authority during public safety events throughout the year.

All students who enter will receive a certificate.

Applications are available at Fire Station 90 (3002 252nd St. NE, Arlington), Fire Station 96 (3231 300th St. NW, Stanwood) or Fire Station 97 (19727 Marine Drive, Stanwood).

They are also available at www.northcountyfireems.com.

Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 18.

They can be mailed to North County Fire/EMS, c/o Battalion Chief Christian Davis, 19727 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292.

For more information, call 360-652-1246.