The Citizen’s Fire Company of Tyrone is very limited on funds, but working hard to build their own resources. That, and immense community support, is keeping the crew of The Citizen’s afloat and going strong.
Bingo still runs religiously every Tuesday. Devout players are thanked for their continued support and more are encouraged to attend. Teen dances are held every weekend; the opposite night of the football game. This week the speakers are planned to blare Friday night. The entertainment for those evenings provided by the Company’s own DJ’s, The Chewdog and Hammy Show, aka, First Lieutenant Chris Hammond and Captain Matt DeArmitt. These dances have been happening for about four weeks and will continue.
Citizen’s Fire Company also rents out the Social Hall for weddings, receptions, birthday parties, etc.
The Letter Fund Drive starts over the next month in the community and will run for six to eight months to solicit funds. Chief David Lynch did not hesitate saying, “Everybody tries to help out best they can.”
This also again eliminates the bothersome door-to-door fiasco for both sides. Requests for donations are sent in a timely fashion and the community can respond at their leisure.
Firefest was held at PPG field this year and was a success. Planning for next year will start in June. Nine bands donated their time and tunes to help raise money for The Citizen’s Fire Company.
The Chewdog and Hammy show are also holding an over 21 dance at the Legion to benefit the Company in late November or early December. More details for this event will be forthcoming.
Volunteers of any kind are always readily needed. Besides fire fighting, there is maintenance of the building and the equipment, clean up, and other assorted jobs. “We’ve run over 240 calls this year, then the fund-raising…it takes a lot of man hours,” said Lynch.
With the orders already in place, October 10 is the night the ham and cheese sandwiches are being assembled this year.
The Citizen’s is discussing doing a weekend for possible fire-fighting volunteers to “hang out, see what goes on, maybe follow a call in a private vehicle.” This may happen if there is an influx of volunteers or just general curiosity.
The Company is still deciding at this time if they will sell Christmas trees again this year. It did well last year and is still a strong consideration. This will be settled very soon and if the sale has a green light dates, times, location, and prices will be available to the public.
Of course The Citizen’s Fire Company has applied for state and federal grants, but are currently stalled in the waiting process dealing with very highly stretched and limited funds. With all the Companies in the state, it is stiff competition and the federal grants have to circulate throughout the entire country. They are very understanding of this and are trying to keep their own fire burning with assets from within and a hard-working community. “We do not know where we stand on it; it is just a waiting game,” Chief Lynch said quite matter-of-fact.
Having upstanding volunteers is important Chief David Lynch points out “it benefits them because it helps us be there for them.” The Citizen’s can carry their own weight but it does get heavy and they strive to keep up-to-date training ongoing for the safety of all. Time does become precious when trying to juggle all aspects of keeping the fire hall blazing.
The Company is full-steam ahead, though. They just work harder and harder. Chief Lynch gives props to his team and always includes the people of Tyrone, “We appreciate the donations we get and the help we do get, said Lynch. “ The bingo players that are there for us constantly…the people year after year who donate their money and always buy sandwiches. We always appreciate the community support and what they do for us.”
Quality, not quantity is fitting here, but in this situation, there is always safety in numbers. The Citizen’s Fire Company, the steadfast volunteers, and the generous community are making sure that this is one fire that will not be extinguished.
