By Douglas Maxwell Myer, Contributing Writer
Grafton – In addition to protecting residents, Grafton firefighters have also implemented various town events and have raised money for charities over the years.
The Grafton Fire Department’s three stations each conduct their own events and fundraising. The headquarters, Station One, is located on Upton Street off of the town common and covers the central area; Station Two on Mill Street covers the northern part of town; and Station Three on Main Street covers Grafton’s southern territory. Each of the stations has a District Chief in command and 20 firefighters are employed at the department.
All of the stations have a goal to give back to the community. In past years, Station One had held a Chicken BBQ event for over 30 years drawing large numbers of residents. Events such as this not only are enjoyable for residents and the department; they also raise funds for new firefighting equipment.
“These funds help us buy things from our wish list,” said Assistant Fire Chief Steve Charest. “This would include new nozzles, battery powered power jaws, or any other supplements we can think of that will get added to the list.”
Currently Station One is helping to sponsor a local Little League baseball team.
Station Two collaborates with Engine Company No. 2 of Grafton (a nonprofit organization that is separate from the fire department) on charitable deeds. According to its website, www.graftonengine2.org, Engine Company 2’s membership “was formed to raise funds aims to improve the firefighting skills of the membership of the Grafton Fire Department, purchase firefighting and training equipment, fund a scholarship for a graduating Grafton High School student to further their education and support any other nonprofit entities with the same goals of promoting public charity.”
Each year the company funds a scholarship for a Grafton High School graduate in memory of Jimmy Peterson, a former Grafton firefighter who died in the mid-1980s. Since its inception, the scholarship has benefitted over 30 Grafton seniors. The members also host an annual golf tournament in late summer or early fall.
Station Three hosts other fundraisers each year such as pancake breakfasts and steak fry cook outs. They also collaborate with a local photography company on a fundraiser where residents can have portraits done of their families and friends. When the December holidays arrive, members of Station Three bring presents to young children and help brighten their Christmas season.
“Firefighters have a mandatory retiring age of 65,” noted Office Manager Cheryl Barker. “It’s hard for them to completely leave their chosen field so we offer them work in a non-fire capacity.”
Two former fire chiefs continue to work for the department as board members, traffic officers, and community advocates. Retired firefighters even played an instrumental role in helping to create the Mill Villages Park located in South Grafton as an act of giving back to the community.
Follow the Grafton Fire Department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FriendsofGraftonFiredepartment and Engine 2 at www.facebook.com/graftonengine2.
