A Letter from Chief Nelson regarding the Steak Fry

To Our LLFD Supporters, We hope this message finds you healthy and enjoying your summer. As most of you know, for the last 27 years, the second Saturday in August has marked our Steak Fry Fundraiser. Your continued support of this event has allowed us to purchase A LOT of lifesaving equipment over the years. Unfortunately, this year, we have made the tough decision to cancel this event due to the Covid Outbreak. The decision was not an easy one, but we feel it is in the best interest of everyone to not hold a large gathering at this time.

The proceeds from the 2020 Steak Fry were slated to help complete our new training center that is being constructed on the new town property across the road from the Fire Department. The proceeds from our spring dance (which we also had to cancel) were going to be used to purchase the needed shipping containers for the project. These containers and shipping to our location were about $12,000. Even though the dance did not happen, YOU came through in a big way with your donations and we were able to raise enough funds to purchase the needed shipping containers to start our project!! THANK YOU!!!!

Over the next few months department members will work to get the 7 – 40 foot containers set in place and start the construction of the burn rooms and other items. We anticipate to invest another $20,000 or so in the development of the containers. When completed, this facility will allow us to hold live burns in a controlled environment, as well as give us a place to practice search and rescue, roof ventilation, rope rescue, down firefighter rescue techniques, fire sprinkler operation, ladder work and even some space for our Emergency Medical Technicians to sharpen skills in patient handling in confined spaces. The construction of this will be completed by the skilled and dedicated members of the LLFD at the same pay rate they receive for all training and calls. That’s right. FOR FREE. This department would not be what it is without our dedicated volunteers.

As we navigate through these uncharted waters, we hope that you and your family stay healthy. Our LLFD family is trying to do the same so that we can be there 24-7 to answer your call for help when we are called upon. Please mark your calendar for August 14, 2021 for our next steak fry and we hope to see you all there!!!

We Thank You again for your past and future support, Dave Nelson, Fire ChiefLauderdale LaGrange Fire Department