This past year posed a lot of challenges for nonprofit organizations because many were unable to host fundraising events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Strasburg Fire Company No. 1 is among them. Nevertheless, according to food service committee president Isaac E. Fisher, this past year was amazing because people contributed more since they knew the fire company was unable to have its annual mud sale.
"Even out-of-state people sent money," noted Fisher.
"We've been blessed with the support of the community over the years," commented golf committee chairman Jim Kiscaden.
As a result of the community's support, the fire company is in the process of getting a brand-new rescue pumper to replace its 1993 version.
"We can go on giving our community fire service 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Fisher. "I've been doing it for 25 years, and it's part of me. It's my way of serving the community."
Fisher is a second-generation fireman. Kiscaden worked with Fisher's father, Gideon, in the early 1970s when Gideon's career as a firefighter began. Now, Fisher's two sons are involved with the fire company as well.
"The Fisher family has been very supportive of the fire company for the last 50 plus years," said Kiscaden. "I think the fact that you have people who've been connected with an organization for that long, it's just part of their contribution to the community. The service that they provide is noteworthy. It takes a lot of effort to get out of bed at 2:30 in the morning to respond to a fire call."
Fisher noted that the families and spouses make sacrifices, too. "We can take off anytime of the day and night, maybe in the middle of a wonderful dinner and then away we go," said Fisher.
Kiscaden mentioned that he remembers several occasions where he and the other firemen were putting out fires for several hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It takes a special type of person to be involved with the fire service, stated Kiscaden.
To enable the firefighters to continue serving the community, the fire company has planned fundraisers. The first event this year for the Strasburg Fire Company No. 1 is the breakfast buffet, which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 6 to 10 a.m. at the fire hall, 203 W. Franklin St., Strasburg. Fisher noted that about 300 people usually attend. The buffet will consist of eggs, bacon, sausage, scrapple, French toast, toast, pancakes, potatoes, dry beef gravy, sausage gravy, tapioca and shoofly pies, doughnuts, coffee, and juice. Payment will be accepted at the door, and the proceeds will go to the fire company.
For more information, visit https://strasburgfire.com. To stay up to date on the Strasburg Fire Company No. 1, search for "Strasburg Fire Company #1" on Facebook.
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