Commentary by Wayne Lee
The Preventor: America’s Life Safety Superhero! Not exactly widely known, but he did exist. And now it can be revealed. I was the Superhero known as The Preventor.
The costume was designed and produced by the folks who did Disney outfits for characters in Disney parades. Somehow, we (being the Sacramento City Fire Department) ended up with The Preventor outfit, and it was fun. It was equipped with a voice box allowing me to speak. Back then, most characters didn’t have that ability and had a small fan in the top of the helmet which was supposed to keep the occupant comfortable. Word to the wise…It didn’t.
I spent more than two years suiting up as that character at weekend events and various fire department-related activities. During the summer I was involved in the daily 6 p.m. parade through the California State Fair. It was a blast interacting with the kids on what had to be their special day at the fair.
There were the occasional times when the forest service didn’t have anyone to be Smokey the Bear, and I had to fill in. I can’t recall which days those might have been in case someone may have photos of that event. Just know it might have been me.
It was mostly spreading joy and happiness on weekends and holidays in various communities. However, there were those occasional community events where mini-gang bangers targeted and surrounded me, trying to punch me in sensitive areas. Thankfully, my fellow firefighters came to my rescue and chased them off.
There was one community event where I had a little girl who attached herself to me no matter where I went. She even insisted on introducing me to her father when he came to pick her up. It’s moments like those where you are able to connect to the kids in the community and actually be a positive influence which makes it all worthwhile.
I actually had trading cards with my picture on them (the costume, not me) that were available to anyone who wanted one. I was at fairs, shopping malls, and any community event which included the Sacramento City Fire Department. At times I felt like Barney. I was nothing more than a guy in a costume, posing for pictures, but I made people smile and that was a good thing.
There were difficult times, like appearing at an event in that suit when it was 108 degrees outside. I nearly baked myself alive but managed to make everyone go home with a smile and a memory. Go Preventor!
Photo: The Preventor (not Wayne Lee ) had trading cards, a board game and even did a 1993 fireworks safety PSA.
