GLENDO – What helps make a successful fire department in rural America? Good training, good people, and a good solid support system. The Glendo volunteer firefighters have all three. The Glendo …
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Dalton Ferris gives two thumbs up as he prepares to serve up his batch of chili and fixin's. He won the people's choice award for red/white chili, and second place in judge's choice.
The overwhelming support of the greater Glendo community at the annual fire department fundraiser has continued to help the local emergency responders obtain gear and training.
Randy Bell
RTBELL57
Wyoming fire trainer John Bates (l-r)) and Glendo fireman Tim Wright demonstrate the effectiveness of a closed door in slowing down the spread of fire.
GLENDO – What helps make a successful fire department in rural America? Good training, good people, and a good solid support system. The Glendo volunteer firefighters have all three.
The Glendo fire hall was packed during for the Glendo Volunteer Fire Department’s chili cookoff and fundraiser on Oct. 12, and over $15,000 was raised to support the department in the coming year. Receipts are still coming in, so the total amount won’t be known for another two weeks. There were five green chili, nine red or white chili, 10 dessert, and six cornbread entries in the contest; and several items were generously donated for the live and silent auctions; and attendees were treated to a fire demonstration.
First place winners were Camp Guernsey Fire Department “C” Shift (red/white chili), Brian Zinanti (green chili), Leighton Peebles (cornbread), Penny Nesvik (dessert), Penny Nesvik (spiciest red/white chili), Jim Kimball (spiciest green chili). The favorite entries from the public at large (people’s choice) were Dalton Ferris (red/white chili), Brenda True (green chili), Teresa Eppler (cornbread), and Kendra Bauder (dessert).
In keeping with GVFD chief Dave Noyce’s awareness theme of “Close Before You Doze,” Wyoming state fire trainer John Bates and Glendo volunteer firefighter Tim Wright lit a fire to show how closing a door can slow down the spread of a house fire, buying valuable time to escape.
“Close your door before going to bed, check smoke alarms regularly – you don’t want to find out they are not working when you need them most, and consider installing sprinklers in new construction,” the team shared. Houses made with materials typically used in new construction have been known to be completely engulfed in flames in under four minutes, they shared, so prevention and pre-planning is critical.
During the event, kids learned about kitchen safety, including to unplug appliances when not in use, don’t use water to put out a grease fire, only cook in the kitchen with an adult, and test your smoke alarms every month. Volunteer firefighters will be in the schools during fire prevention month (October) to emphasize these topics.
Last year, the funds raised from generous supporters was used to purchase 10 new SCBA breathing device bottles desperately in need of replacement, a new FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared Device) which utilizes an infrared camera to detect and visualize heat emitted by objects and environments, creating thermal images to help firefighters see into smoke and buildings. The funds also went to help with a matching grant for new bunker gear for 10 firefighters to replace 15-year-old gear, and to purchase tables and chairs for the fire hall.
“The head-to-toe cost for firefighter gear is about $6,000, not including SCBA breathing devices and bottles,” Noyce said. “Because of the amazing support last year, we were able to get new safe gear for our team. We also were able to replace a very broken engine (that is still out of service) with a new-to-us Engine 8.”
The Glendo Volunteer Fire Department averages around 120 calls a year with its 15 active firefighters – 13 of whom also volunteer for Glendo Rural Fire District 2F. “We are lucky enough to add volunteers almost every year – one just joined us last month. Eleven firefighters are trained as Firefighter I and above, which is very rare for volunteer departments. We are also partnered with Glendo EMS and recently held an EMR course with Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service, so now have seven firefighters that are dual certified in EMS and fire,” Noyce said.
He added, the volunteer firefighters are able to serve the community and its visitors, and keep providing high level training, gear, and opportunities for the team because of the success of fundraisers like the GVFD annual chili cookoff. “We cannot do what we do without the amazing support of everyone around us. Special thanks to Sabine Mace, Michelle Wright, Christina Mangan and all the helpers behind the scenes for their work behind the scenes to help make this fundraiser happen – and it was a success,” Noyce said.
Anyone wishing to donate or learn more about GVFD can email glendovfd@gmail.com or send donations to P.O. Box 281, Glendo WY 82213 (the mail is checked regularly by GVFD firefighters only). A fireman’s boot is located at Glendo Trading Post year-round to collect donations.