GLENDON – In roughly an hour, tickets and tables available to the public for the Glendon Fire Hall’s annual Firemen’s Fall Ball were all scooped up.
A waiting list remains in place in case any seats become available for the third annual event. However, there remains several ways for community members and businesses to support the upcoming event on Oct. 22.
“It doesn't have to be businesses, if a regular person from the public would like to donate towards the event, we always welcome donations,” said Lindsay Folkins, an active member and a lieutenant for the Glendon Fire Department.
For community members unable to attend the event but still wanting to contribute to the fire department efforts, they can provide donations or even hand-crafted items such as crotched blankets, pottery and art that can go toward silent auctions, raffles and door prizes.
“As far as businesses go, if people wanted to, they could provide cash sponsorships or help by sponsoring elements of the event. That goes a long way too,” she said.
One company has already offered to cover the cost of the ball’s midnight lunch.
Supporting the village
The autumn fundraiser is held in support of equipment used and needed by Glendon volunteer firefighters.
“We are part of the BRFA (Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority) but the things that belong to the Village, we fundraise towards helping supply and keep that stuff running,” explained Folkins.
Operating out of the Glendon Fire Hall are four apparatuses, three are owned and maintained by the MD of Bonnyville and the BRFA.
The fourth apparatus, a pumper truck, was purchased by the Village of Glendon from the MD following a fundraising drive by the station about four years ago, said Folkins.
The Glendon Fire Department continues its fundraising efforts to outfit the Village’s truck, supply training opportunities for members and to stock the station with additional supplies.
“(The pumper truck) didn't really come fully equipped. We have been slowly putting some specialty items on there and they're not cheap... We put (fundraising dollars) towards some extra gear for us to train in and training itself, consumables and things that the hall might need,” Folkins said.
“When you go to the burn tower and you train, you burn a lot of calories in that heat. So, it's nice to have stuff sitting around the hall for when you get back. It doesn't sound like much but having electrolytes and snacks that are available for us without really thinking too much is important.”
Preparing youth for emergencies
For Fire Prevention Week, members of the Glendon Fire Department will be speaking to youth in the community.
Folkins says a big element of this year’s education campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape,” is to make sure youth have a plan in place in case a fire occurs.
“Knowing who your emergency contacts are and knowing your own address is huge, especially for certain ages where (kids) can call 911, but they might forget where they are or what their home address is,” she noted. “Learning that stuff is all important things.”
Folkins suggests that parents of children who have a cellphone should pin a note to the phone's home screen that includes the parents' emergency contact information and their home address.
A similar note should be within reach of children who are too young for their own electronic devices.
“It's an easy way for the kids to get immediate information,” she said. “The more details they can give to dispatch, the easier it can make the call because then dispatch has more information to give crews to prepare for on our way to the call.”
When it comes to discussing fire safety with older school-aged groups, Folkins focuses on preparation and response during an emergency.
"We tell them (to) have a plan. Be safe. Know who's in your house. Don't run in and get yourself hurt. Otherwise, it's not just one person we might be looking for. We might be looking for you and that other person and it really impedes time and can put more people at risk.”
