The 2009 Truck Fund Drive is now underway. Again this year, we are asking you to donate to our annual Truck Fund Drive to allow us to continue to provide high quality emergency services to your community.
As a general guide, we ask that you donate 1/10 of one percent of the value of your home or business. For example, if your property is valued at $250,000 - we
ask that you donate $250. If your home is valued at $80,000 - we ask that you donate $80. We understand that not all families can afford to donate this percentage. Rest assured, though, that ALL donations, of any amount, will be put to good use maintaining and updating our modern fleet of fire apparatus and firefighting equipment. We appreciate all donations!
As the only source of fire protection to the City of Hermitage, we are asking for your support.
It is with great pride that our members serve their community. Last year we responded to approximately 750 calls for assistance; a number which continues to grow each year. As the number of calls increase, the available resources to fund our operations decrease. Any volunteer fire department needs two vital assets to survive: funding and manpower. We realize that, in this economic slump, some people are struggling to make ends meet, and giving to organizations is not a top priority at this time. Despite this, please remember that our equipment fund is supported solely by donations from the citizens we serve.
Without these donations, we would struggle to maintain a modern, technologically advanced fleet of fire apparatus and equipment.
For us to continue to do our jobs, you must do yours. This year, please make a conscious effort to give. Last year, less than 15% of our residents contributed; a percentage that is alarming compared with our members, who give 100% to the community. It is only with your financial support that the Department will be able to continue to provide quality service to our community. As one of our supporters put it: “What if the fire department only responded to 15% of its calls?”
Given the complexities associated with the management of a fire department, we are not only in need of money, but people as well. Even if emergency response isn’t your thing, we have a place for you. Help us raise money or manage the business side of fire department operations. Use your talents to help your community. Visit the Recruitment section of our website for more information about joining the Hermitage Fire Department.
Help us make this year the best fund drive ever! We sincerely thank you for supporting your neighbors who are the Hermitage Fire Department. As always, should you have any questions or concerns, or if either of us can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our thanks for your support,
Robert S. Goeltz Thomas J. Rollinson
Chief of Department Department President
City of Hermitage Fire Marshal
We would like to take a moment to answer some questions that have come from our supporters in the past:
Don't we have a paid fire department?
The membership of the Hermitage Fire Department is all volunteer. Our members are not paid for their services, but volunteer out of a sense of pride and commitment without recieving a paycheck. In reality, our members actually lose money - as some volunteers often miss work or spend their own money to buy equipment or attend training sessions. Our fire fighters pride themselves on attaining the highest level of training. Each year, our fire fighters respond to over 500 calls in all conditions and at all hours of the day and night.
Doesn't the fire department only respond to fires?
The fire department provides much more than just fire protection. Not only do we respond to fires, but we handle a vast array of incidents including vehicle rescue and hazardous materials releases. Our members are trained to handle fires, vehicle rescues, confined space rescues, rope rescues, water rescues, and hazardous materials incidents. In addition, the Department travels to elementary schools in the City each October to teach kids about fire safety and fire prevention. The Department is prepared to answer any calls for help within the community.
What is the money used for?
Near the end of 2008, the Department took delivery of its brand-new, 2009 Pierce/Kenworth Pumper-Tender. This unit was built in Appleton, WI by Pierce Manufacturing - a major fire apparatus maker in the United States. This unit was purchased to replace the Department's old GMC General Pumper-Tender. The purchase of this unit was made possible through the donations of our citizens to our annual Truck Fund Drive. Read more about this unit and our other state-of-the-art apparatus on the Apparatus page. For more information about Pierce Manufacturing, visit their website at www.piercemfg.com.
More questions will be added as they are submitted. To submit a question for this page, email the Webmaster or Fire Marshal from the Contact Us page.