Fund-raiser set for Branson Fire Department

Since the early 1900s the Branson Fire Department has provided fire and life safety services and now the community it serves has an opportunity to give back on May 17-18 in the Jubilee parking lot 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Branson Fire Department and Auxiliary are hosting a fund-raiser with all the proceeds going to several funds to help firefighters in their time of need. Funds include Branson Firefighters Association, Branson Firefighters Auxiliary, Branson Fire Rescue Honor Guard, E.F.F.O.R.T. (Every Firefighter Offering Relief Together) and C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team).

Classic and non-classic fire trucks from across Missouri will be on display such as Branson Fire Department’s 1937 Dodge Pumper 3 M Series. Prizes will be given to antique fire truck owners for Best of Show (voted on by the public), furthest traveled, oldest working and more.

Among the events are local vendors and prize drawings and refreshments sponsored by the Branson Fire Department and Auxiliary. Lunch will be served beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday is Johnsonville brats and Sunday is Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Que. Donation drawing items include a one night stay at La Quinta, a 32-inch flat screen HDTV, one free haircut at City Styles, a Stihl leaf blower, Bass Pro Merchandise worth $150- barbecue smoker package, rod and reel and more. Anyone wishing to donate items may contact Chris Ely at 417-598-9420 or Brandi Ely at 417-230-8118.

Junior Firefighter Challenge for ages 8-12 will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with a new challenge starting on the hour and one heap every hour.

Local performers will provide entertainment noon-5 p.m. on Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. To date members of American/Arkansas Kids Inc., American Kids alumae Brandi Ely and Wendy Keith, and performers from the Gene Williams Theatre are on the schedule.

Branson Fire Department is dedicated to teamwork, communication and professional career development to provide prompt and reliable fire and life safety services to the residents and visitors of Branson. It was organized in the early 1900s and was volunteer until 1993. The first piece of motorized apparatus was obtained in 1927 and a rural fire service was established in the mid-1950s. In late 1996 Station #2 opened, in 1999 Station #3 opened and Station #4 is being proposed to open soon.

In addition to fire protection the Branson Fire Department provides public education, maintains a benevolent fund to help visitors and residents in times of need and operates volunteer programs. Other programs include Storm Ready for weather emergencies, continuing education and training programs and the Honor Guard that participates in 10 to 14 events per year, both fire, and non-fire related.

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