THE HEAT CONTINUES AND SO DO THE FIRES – You can help!

With temperatures once again hovering at 100 degrees Sunday, firefighters fought a house fire in Oak Ridge North in heavy protective equipment and the heat of the fire quickly wore them down. The same was true throughout Montgomery and surrounding counties.

Earlier this month, Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace James Metts donated cases of bottled water and to every fire department in East Montgomery County and is encouraging others to do likewise.

“With the fires resulting from the record drought, and with the extremely high temperatures, our firefighters are risking their health and safety, and often sacrificing their personal time, to protect our homes and property,” Judge Metts said. “This is a way to thank them, and let them know their efforts are appreciated.”

Judge Metts said he hopes area residents and elected officials will take the time to express their gratitude to firefighters in whatever way they are able.

“I realize in this economy not everyone has extra money to contribute several cases of refreshments to the fire departments, but even one is appreciated and they all add up,” he said. “There are those who can’t afford to help at all, and I would encourage them to simply say ‘thank you’ the next time they see a firefighter, because theirs is often a thankless job.”

Area fire departments have said they can use not only the donations of water and Gatorade, but also individually wrapped snacks to help sustain them when they are on scenes for many hours without access to food.

Lately water and Gatorade have been on sale almost everywhere. Most people make a trip to the grocery or dollar store at least once a week and most pass a fire station on their way home. Suplies of water and Gatorade quickly become depleted on just one fire call and all area departments are consistently running multiple calls per shift. 

Next time as you shop, pick up one or several cases of either, on your way home stop by the fire station and leave it with them. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. Over the past several weeks several people have done this. Many, with children accompanying them, were treated to a tour of the fire station leaving with smiles on the children’s faces.

FIREFIGHTERS ATTEMPT TO COOL OFF BEFORE GOING BACK TO WORK

JUDGE METTS LOADS WATER AND GATORADE

DELIVERING TO PORTER FIRE DEPARTMENT

DELIVERING TO NEW CANEY FIRE DEPARTMENT

DELIVERING TO CANEY CREEK FIRE DEPARTMENT

TAKING A QUICK BREATHER AT SUNDAY NIGHTS HOUSE FIRE