Fire departments respond to more than house fires in the Keweenaw peninsula. During traffic accidents, firefighters have used the jaws of life to rescue victims. And even respond to wildfires after lightning strikes. Despite the many types of emergencies fire departments respond to, operation millages offer limitations on how departments use funds. Gay Fire Department auxiliary president Sherry Middlemis-Brown says Giving Tuesday’s access to unrestricted funds have supported matching grants and equipment purchases for firefighters.
Our fire department is very good about going after state and federal grants and often times they require a match. And so that’s where the auxiliary steps up and provides you know $2,500, $5,000, whatever the match needs to be. – Sherry Middlemis-Brown, President, Gay Fire Dept. Aux.
The Gay Township fire department provides services across much of the area east of us-41 iN Keweenaw County. Middlemis-Brown adds that calls for medical responses that have increased in recent years. Auxiliaries play important roles for fire departments in small communities. These groups often work behind the scenes to support grant writing, fundraising and community events, and help keep firefighters hydrated when at a scene. Learn more about the gay fire department auxiliary and Giving Tuesday with Copper Shores online.
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