Firefighters collect for Hurricane Victims (September 24, 2005)

Six hours of fund-raising last weekend yielded well over $6,000 in donations that will be sent to firefighters and EMS workers who were victims of Hurricane Katrina. Washington Township firefighters stood at the intersection of Route 517 and Route 513, in the center of Long Valley, on September 24 collecting donations from motorists.

"People were very generous," said Fire Chief Bob Drake. "They donated anything from change all the way to 100 dollar bills."

In total, the boot drive yielded nearly $7000 that will be split between the First Responders Relief Fund and the National Volunteer Fire Council Emergency Relief Fund, to be sent to the Gulf Coast.

The First Responders Relief Fund was created for first responders who have suffered material loss in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The effort is to relieve firefighters and EMTs - those who have suffered significant material loss, and who have been qualified as "in need" through the listing program of FEMA and their home base departments.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has established an Emergency Relief Fund to aid fire departments who have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

Fairmount Assistant Chief Dave Steinel came up with the idea for the boot drive and though most department fund-raisers are done for local fire equipment that will help the community, he said the situation called for their efforts. County Freeholders approved the idea at their September 21st meeting.

"Usually every time we do a fund-raiser it's to support the three fire companies in town, so people get something for what they give," said Steinel. "But a lot of people wanted to donate for the relief efforts and we just facilitated that."

The Long Valley, Schooleys Mountain, and Fairmount Fire Companies each staffed the intersection for about 2 hours, collecting the donations in fire boots. They were assisted by Fire Commissioner Kevin Walsh, who also provided refreshments, and others were provided by Tony's Restaurant of Califon.

For more information on donating to the impacted first responders and departments, visit http://www.firstrespondersrelief.com and http://www.nvfc.org/news/2005-katrina-emergency-relief-dept.html