Support The Local Fire Companies

To the Editor:

I am the proud wife and mother of Newtown Volunteer Firefighters.

Recently, Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company conducted their annual fund drive by going door-to-door for donations to support their fire company. They were met with answers such as, “We’re in the middle of dinner” or “I gave a big donation to the United Way,” just to name a few. Others didn’t answer their door and still others said they weren’t interested.

I’d like to tell the people of Newtown what is involved in being a volunteer (and I emphasize volunteer) firefighter. Did you know that my husband, son, daughter, and every other volunteer have taken on a huge responsibility to keep your community safe? Did you know that they have chosen to serve their community and to risk their lives for you and your family? Did you know that if their pager goes off in the middle of their dinner, they jump in their vehicles and head for the firehouse to answer that emergency call, often returning home hours later, exhausted, to a cold dinner? Did you know that when they are entertaining friends and family or out enjoying dinner, and they get a call, they are out the door without time for even a polite “excuse me”? Did you know that they are often woken up out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night and have to respond to a call? Did you know that they go out that door for you in the dead of winter or the heat of summer, in the middle of a blizzard or a torrential downpour? Did you know that they often leave their jobs, in the middle of a workday, to answer a call?

A fire call, hopefully, a simple matter of burnt toast or a false alarm still takes time from their day and night and personal lives. They have trucks, gear, and equipment that all needs to be put away upon return. They have reports and paperwork, related to every call, to complete. And in the unfortunate case of a real fire, they have equipment and hoses that take hours to clean and roll up. Not to mention the numerous automobile accidents they are called to, where they assist the police and EMS personnel, and often have to extricate a seriously injured person from a vehicle.

In addition to the emergency calls themselves, they go to monthly meetings, conduct and participate in drills to update their training and maintain all of the trucks and equipment. They had completed a full day of work and still went out with fellow volunteers to raise funds for their fire company the evening you turned them away from your door. In the unlucky situation that one day you might need them, I guarantee that you will be thankful to see that same face that you previously turned away.

I am asking you to reconsider and send a donation to your local fire company. Big or small, it will be very much appreciated. It will help to keep the trucks and equipment updated so that they can safely do a job that comes from the heart. The cuts in town budgets have impacted everyone this year and the Newtown fire companies do not benefit from the United Way or any other charity. They run on a small amount from the town, small fundraisers they themselves put together, and their annual fund drive –– all to keep you and your loved ones safe.

My family is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to protect your family. That should be worth something to each and every citizen of Newtown.

Sincerely,

Joanne J. Brunetti

77 Butterfield Road, Newtown                                       June 28, 2003