Drexel Fire Department needs you to respond

By STACY RICE,
Managing Editor
It’s a parent’s worse fear.
It’s 3 a.m. on a crisp December 6th morning when their family home bursts into flames from the overheated extension cord hooked to the family Christmas tree.
The 9-1-1 call came in. Dark smoke and flames begin to billow from the windows.
Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders responded to the call.
Three members of the family exited the home safely. Where was the fourth?
Mom counts.
Dad counts.
But Jimmie wasn’t accounted for. Mom knew Jimmie was asleep in his toddler bed upstairs, as she had tucked him in hours before.
Panic set in.
“Where’s Jimmie!” she cried.
Volunteers responded minutes after the call, took immediate action and rescued 3-year-old Jimmie just moments before the entire house was engulfed in flames.
This story, though fiction, is one that can be related to all across the nation. However, falls on the minds of our rescuers each and every day.
It’s apparent, this story with a bittersweet happy ending, could’ve had devastating results. Our Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders are a critical part of any community... especially right here at home.
It sort of sounds like a help wanted ad, and it reads like this... the Drexel Community Fire Protection Association is in desperate need of your help.
The Drexel Volunteer Fire Department is seeking volunteer firefighters. The mission of the Fire Department is to protect life and property, provide fire suppression and prevention education, provide emergency medical services, and respond to and manage emergencies within the community of Drexel. They respond to a wide variety of emergency calls, including fire, medical, traffic collisions, public assistance, and emergencies of life safety.
Drexel has a critical shortage of Volunteer Firefighters and our community depends on them. The department needs a few good men and women to help fill the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday while most of the current volunteers are at their full time jobs. Currently, they have one volunteer living within the city limits of Drexel; the rest are in rural areas, which greatly affects response times. The department is relying on you to help fix that problem.
Are you physically able to serve? Do you want to become part of a great community based organization? Do you want to help your friends, family and visitors of our beautiful town? Do you want to be sure your interests are cared for? If you answered yes to any of these questions than you need....
Read the complete story in the December 18th edition.