
Washington Fire and Rescue is having their Annual Chicken BBQ fund raiser. This annual event falls on the first Saturday in August, which will be August 4th this year. This BBQ is held to raise funds for another year of emergency response service to the community. The personnel of the all-volunteer department give of their time and mostly their monies, and believe me these volunteers work hard to have in hand certifications recognized by all local and state wide agencies.
The volunteer fire department has been in existence since the late 60’s. The Fire House started with donated land and a pole barn. Due to snow and freezing temperatures, there came the need for better sheltering of their hand-me-down engine and equipment. Over the years the Fire House was gradually improved to its current condition, with two engine bays, turn-out lockers, and office, and a training room. Additional vehicles, and replacements, have come over the years to upgrade capabilities.
It’s not just that firefighters that pitch in to help. The department leans heavily on community support and assistance:
‘We need someone to learn to write grants!’ – ‘okay, I volunteer.’
‘The grass is tall behind the firehouse. – ‘I’ll mow it’
‘Who will change the oil? – ‘I will’.
Washington community members volunteer to work on their own behalf and that of those that visit our little historic mining town.
Presently, there is a 5-member department. Washington’s official population is around 160. However, on a given weekend in the summer months, with the two in-town campgrounds at full capacity with 800 and 700 campers, plus another 500-600 day users that are here for the beauty and peacefulness of the area, the population swells to over 1,300. Our responders have a huge calling. When an incident occurs, Washing Fire and Rescue is there in minutes while responders coming from out of town may take nearly an hour.
Support is needed to be able to proficiently assist in the (your – mine – our) ‘Golden Hour’ of need. So many things are done at any incident that there are many NEEDS. Oxygen – bandages – gauze – batteries, radio repairs, fuel, vehicles and supplies, on and on. In addition, funds are needed to pay for classes and training sessions for our volunteers firefighters.
Washington Fire and Rescue can use your help. Come enjoy a delicious BBQ and help support the folks who have your back when you are in or near WASHINGTON, CA.