• Home
  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Police & Fire
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Advertise
  • Town
    • Westborough
    • Shrewsbury
    • Northborough
    • Marlborough
    • Hudson
    • Southborough
    • Grafton
  • Print Edition
Sign in
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Password recovery
Recover your password
Search
Saturday, June 25, 2022
  • Events
    • Ongoing
  • Contact us
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Community Advocate news and events Community Advocate
  • Shrewsbury
  • Westborough
  • Northborough
  • Southborough
  • Grafton
  • Marlborough/Hudson Edition
  • Home
  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Police & Fire
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Advertise
  • Town
    • Westborough
    • Shrewsbury
    • Northborough
    • Marlborough
    • Hudson
    • Southborough
    • Grafton
  • Print Edition
Gillespie Real Estate Agent
How can the Community Advocate help you promote your business?
Print Ads
Web Ads
Digital Marketing
Home Byline Stories - News GFD calls on the community to help them go above and beyond...
  • Byline Stories - News
  • Grafton
  • Police & Fire

GFD calls on the community to help them go above and beyond for people and pets

By
Community Advocate
-
August 18, 2016
168
Facebook
Twitter
Email

    By Christine Galeone, Contributing Writer

    Grafton Fire Department Photo/Dave Runyan
    Grafton Fire Department
    Photo/Dave Runyan

    Grafton – When someone performs a job well, it’s impressive. When a person goes above and beyond the call of duty, it’s admirable. But when that call of duty that’s surpassed involves courage, selflessness and determination, it’s something to be treasured. In the case of the Grafton Fire Department, an organization of men and women who must routinely face danger while protecting the community, treasuring its noble desire to go above and beyond is just the beginning. It needs the support of the community as well.

    On Saturday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Grafton Fire Department (GFD) will host the Pet Rescue Equipment Fundraiser at its 26 Upton St. headquarters. With nail trimming provided by Ana’s Pets Mobile Salon for a donation and therapeutic pet advice given by a massage therapist, the GFD hopes to raise enough money to buy equipment for three kits that will help the firefighters go beyond saving the human lives they strive to save. It will help them to save more animal companions as well.

    The GFD’s quest to save more pets began around the beginning of this year. After receiving Basic Animal Rescue Training along with other area firefighters at the Millbury Fire Department, Dave Runyan – a GFD firefighter who serves as the department’s medical coordinator – was inspired to do more.

    “After that training, it was always my intention to get some equipment on our trucks,” recalled Runyan. “It was important to me, because for many people, pets are just as important to them as their family members.”

    Shortly after the training, those animal rescue techniques were utilized by another GFD firefighter, who had also attended the seminar, when she responded to a house fire. Although the pets were resuscitated, they didn’t survive. Knowing how devastating the loss was for the home owners and how upsetting it was for the firefighter who tried to save the pets, Runyan realized how much the specialized equipment was needed. The department decided to raise $2,000 to supply one pet rescue equipment kit for each of its three stations.

    In addition to a $500 Service Fund grant from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts, the department has already collected $600 in donations. The kits will include items such as small animal resuscitation equipment, equipment that will allow first responders to safely handle agitated pets and animal first aid supplies. They will also contain pet food. Runyan said “Any additional money raised will be used to purchase enhanced equipment for animal rescue and replenish expendable supplies.”

    Besides giving the community a chance to support its treasured public servants at the Aug. 20 fundraiser, the GFD and Ana’s Pets Mobile Salon will also be accepting donations during the Grafton Recreation Commission’s Doggie Dip Day at Silver Lake Beach from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. At the GRC event, held at 245 Upton St., people may also donate pet supplies, bedding and food for a local shelter.

    Although Runyan doesn’t currently have a pet, he said that he and the other firefighters are “all-around animal lovers.”

    “We hope that putting this equipment in service will help us be better prepared to treat and safely handle pets,” said Runyan. “Ultimately, the end goal is, hopefully, to save more animals.”

    Donations may be sent to Grafton Fire Headquarters, C/O Animal Rescue Fundraiser, 26 Upton St., Grafton, MA 01519.

     

    • TAGS
    • christine galeone
    • grafton fire department
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Email
      Previous articleDPW presents results of water, sewer rate study
      Next articleMarlborough supports the campaign to honor law enforcement
      Community Advocate

      RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

      Police & Fire

      Northborough police log, June 24 edition

      Police & Fire

      Westborough police log, June 24 edition

      Police & Fire

      Grafton police log, June 24 edition

      Police & Fire

      Southborough police log, June 24 edition

      Police & Fire

      Marlborough police log, June 24 edition

      Police & Fire

      Shrewsbury police log, June 24 edition

      Follow Us

      Sign Up For Our Newsletter


      RECOMMENDED VIDEOS

      Featured News

      MidWach League announces 2022 spring all-stars

      Community Advocate - June 24, 2022
      0
      Featured News

      Shrewsbury plans food truck festival in August

      Laura Hayes - June 24, 2022
      0
      Featured News

      Hudson Legion baseball beats Northborough in early-summer clash

      Dakota Antelman - June 24, 2022
      0
      Featured News

      Northborough celebrates new Be Well initiative 

      Laura Hayes - June 24, 2022
      0

      POPULAR

      MidWach League announces 2022 spring all-stars

      June 24, 2022

      Shrewsbury plans food truck festival in August

      June 24, 2022

      Hudson Legion baseball beats Northborough in early-summer clash

      June 24, 2022

      Northborough celebrates new Be Well initiative 

      June 24, 2022
      The Southborough Police Station is located on Cordaville Road. Photo/Laura Hayes

      Southborough Select Board opts for internal search for new police chief

      June 23, 2022
      community advocate logo
      ABOUT US

      The Community Advocate is an independently owned newspaper with a legacy of over 40 years serving the communities of Westborough, Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough and Grafton. It is also the number-one circulated paper in those communities. We cover a wide variety of breaking news, municipal issues, human interest features and sports stories.

      For Advertising Inquiries:
      [email protected]

      For editorial inquiries:
      [email protected]

      Contact us: [email protected]
      FOLLOW US
      • Events
        • Ongoing
      • Contact us
      © Community Advocate. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy