Written By David M. Przybysz, Assistant Chief / President
As Fall turns to Winter here in Chippewa, our minds are filled with thoughts of what we are leaving behind in this past year and what we are heading into in the new year to come.
To say this past year will be memorable is an understatement, but for us, it is important to acknowledge that there were indeed positive aspects and experiences. It was disappointing, to say the least, as one event after another had to be cancelled.
When the Fire Department says that we rely on community support, the first thought is that we mean financially, but just as important is the community outreach that is created through public events.
We love being out among our residents that we serve. We want you to see who we are and what we do. It is just as important for you to know us as it is for us to know you.
This year, it looked as though we were going to be robbed of those opportunities. When we were at our lowest point. When we began to realize that our fundraisers would be in jeopardy. When reality hit us that the many social and public safety events we hold throughout the year were not going to happen, you showed us in ways we couldn’t have imagined, just how much you support us!
The food, drinks, cookies and other treats that showed up at our station along with the cards and letters written by children and adults alike were so much appreciated.
So many of you sent in unsolicited donations and we can’t begin to tell you how much that means to us.
If that wasn’t enough, our phone started to ring and our answering machine was flooded with requests to join in makeshift parade celebrations, not only here in Chippewa, but in neighboring communities as well, sometimes going to two or three in one day!
We paraded for sick children like Giana, showing them that love is the greatest thing anyone could ever know. We paraded for children like Lilly, who fought childhood cancer and won! We paraded for a dad’s first Father’s Day and for anniversaries. We paraded for college graduations and of course, for Blackhawk High School’s Class of 2020. And, we paraded for birthdays! Birthdays for the elderly, birthdays for local fire chiefs and birthdays for kids. Kids like Tyler, Bradley, Alex, Morgan and Kip and so many others. We even participated in the Blackhawk Intermediate Schools PTO “Boo Thru”!
And somewhere in there we still managed to train, fight a few fires, and respond to accidents and other emergencies!
Thank you for inviting us and letting us be a part of your celebrations.
As you know, Winter is the most difficult time of year for us, but you can help by following these safety tips:
- Please have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and checked to make sure they are operating properly.
- When the snow starts to pile up, make sure to keep your furnace and clothes dryer vent pipes clear.
- If you have a fire hydrant in front of or near your home, please keep it shoveled out.
- Make sure your car is up to date on maintenance. Check your tires for proper inflation for better traction and make sure all of your lights and wipers are in working order.
- Scrape all of your windows if they are frosted over and slow down on snow covered roads.
- When decorating for the holidays, please use caution as you are climbing ladders and use the proper extension cords for outdoor use. Don’t overload any circuits.
- Speaking of the holidays, please celebrate, but if you are consuming alcohol, please do so in moderation and ask someone who isn’t drinking to be your designated driver.
Chippewa is a great place to live. You are the reason that we do what we do and we are proud to serve you.
The men and women of your Fire Department wish you a very Blessed and very Merry Christmas and a very safe and Happy New Year!
