IL Volunteer FDs Finding Creative Pandemic Solutions

Jan. 28—Volunteer fire departments increasingly are finding themselves on the growing list of pandemic-related casualties, but west-central Illinois departments are finding ways to survive, including strong community support and creative fundraisers.

While Chapin Volunteer Fire Department postponed its spring pork chop fry in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, it eventually borrowed an idea from others, hosting a drive-through pork chop fry in September, Chief Scott Pahlmann said.

"We were able to purchase two thermal-imaging cameras and two gas meters that detect four different gases" using the funds raised, Pahlmann said. "We were able to take care of what we needed as far as fuel for the trucks, replacing equipment."

Thermal-imaging cameras cost around $500 each and the gas meters cost $800, he said, adding that the department wouldn't have been able to afford any of those things, if not for the pork chop fry.

The department had another fundraiser in December, a drive-through Breakfast with Santa that served pancakes and sausage. A free-will donation was suggested.

"We're grateful for everyone that did come out," Pahlmann said. "Without their support we wouldn't be where we're at now. It was quite humbling to see the cars and number of people that came to both fundraisers."

Pahlmann said they plan to do the same two fundraisers later this year and hope to buy at least two more thermal-imaging cameras.

Franklin Volunteer Fire department has had similar fundraising problems since the pandemic began.

The department usually has a silent auction during the community's Fourth of July celebration that brings in around $2,400, said Amy Moeller, a lieutenant with the department. A November chili supper typically raises $500 or $600.

Along with buying necessary tools and equipment for the department, money raised is funneled back into the community, whether to help a family get back on its feet after a house fire or to provide a small gift for school children during October's Fire Safety Week, she said.

But while the traditional fundraisers were canceled, it didn't stop the community from rallying behind the fire department, Moeller said.

The Green Wall Bar and Grill donated $1 for every drink sold to the department.

"We want to thank them so much for that," Moeller said. "They came up with that on their own and did that the whole month of September."

Country Financial also donated to the department through the company's "Helping Heroes" program. The money helped the department buy new gear, she said.

Still, it hasn't been easy for the department.

"It's a struggle," Moeller said. "We're just so lucky that we have a good community that's supporting us still or attempting to support us through this pandemic."

While the department is optimistic that its fundraisers will be able to happen this year, worries remain, including whether small businesses that typically have donated items for the silent auction will be able to do so.

"It is hard and everyone is struggling right now," Moeller said.

And even if the silent auction does happen, it's not yet clear if it's feasible to plan on having it the Fourth of July.

"If this (pandemic) is still going on then we're going to have to put our brains together and see if there's something else that maybe we can come up with," Moeller said.

Five out of six fire departments in the United States are staffed by volunteer firefighters who protect nearly one-third of the population of the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

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