Inter-state mutual aid

   First of all, our prayers go out to the people at Maui, Hawaii. On Aug. 7 and 8, a massive wildfire struck the island. In western Maui, block after block of the town of Lahaina (pop. 12,700) was reduced to smoldering ruins.  We’re talking about 3,000 structures, 86 percent which were residential. Sadly, 106 people lost their lives with approx. 66 others unaccounted for at last count. Thousands of local residents were left homeless. Some people only survived by climbing into the ocean.

   On a more positive note, Gering Fire Chief Nathan Flowers and I travelled to Broken Bow on Aug. 19 for a meeting with Governor Jim Pillen and his staff. Others present were several members of the fire and EMS community from around the state of Nebraska. Several issues of mutual concern and/or interest were discussed. It was an excellent opportunity to bring Governor Pillen into our public-safety “spectrum” and we thank him for his time as well as support. 

   Also, the GVFD received orders on Aug. 21 for incident support concerning a call for help originating in the state of Texas. Firefighters Jeremiah Closson, Danny Grumbles and Jeff Vance answered the call. Deployment was expected to last 14 days. And then on Sept. 8, Nathan Flowers, Cole Shultz and Jared Hinebauch headed south to serve as replacements.

   We are so proud of our firefighters who bravely and without hesitation stepped forward in the call for inter-state mutual aid.   

Darrell Vance,

NSVFA President