Hillsboro firefighters thank employers
At a moment's notice, community firefighters must answer all types of fire-related emergency calls.
They may be at home or at work when they are called to duty. Not only does the firefighter drop what he's doing to respond, but an employer loses that employee for the duration.
During a training session March 17, firefighters from the Hillsboro Fire Department said they appreciate their employers' understanding of their service to the community.
Of the 14 in attendance at the training meeting, about half said they get paid when they take time off from work to answer the community's call for service.
A firefighter may get the call to respond while at the job with limited time to follow typical protocol for leaving his station. Most Hillsboro employers, said fire department personnel, are understanding and supportive.
The men receive $10 per run and $10 for the twice monthly training drills.
Those responding to the fire March 7 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church received $10 for the run, which lasted more than three days. Some will lose three days of pay from their jobs because of the fire however, they still are willing to respond.
There are those who work outside the Hillsboro area and do not respond to fires other than when they are in Hillsboro. Some of them gave up their paying jobs to stay and work the church fire.
"Employers deserve recognition for being community-minded," said Ben Steketee, fire chief.
The following employers were thanked for supporting the fire department volunteers: Agco (Hesston), Ag Service, Galva USD 419, City of Hillsboro, Cooperative Grain and Supply, Flaming Metal Systems, Flaming's Heating-Air Conditioning, Inc., Hillsboro Ford Mercury, Hillsboro Industries, Inc., R&B Express, Tabor College, and Foth Service Center.
