GLENDO –  The Glendo Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) is celebrating Fire Prevention Month with a Chili Cook-off and silent auction on Oct. 26 at the Glendo Fire Hall at 6 p.m. There will be fire truck tours for kids, great food, and more.
While the event promises to offer a good time for the community, it is not just about the chili, cornbread, and desserts The department is struggling with adequate funds to maintain their current level of service. The City of Glendo supports the department, but unfortunately the budget is not enough to replace broken or out-dated equipment and definitely not enough to purchase a new $300,000 quick response rescue and medical vehicle to decrease initial response time for out-of-town calls.

“We are supported by the Town of Glendo with a generous budget that allows us to maintain equipment as well as purchase supplies and fuel, but it is not enough to purchase new or update equipment,” explained Glendo Fire Chief Dave Noyce. “To equip a single firefighter with new protective gear, radio equipment and other essentials can cost up to 60 percent of our annual budget. So as you can imagine that affects our efforts of recruiting new personnel.”
The department has applied for some grants to raise funds but have not had any success so far. As a result, they are turning to the community they serve for assistance which is about a 624 square mile area including about 22 miles of I-25 while creating a memorable community event at the same time.
Currently, they are working towards funding for upgrades for old and worn out protective gear, new radios (they have four 15-year-old radios for a staff of 12), a quick response vehicle, replacing worn out Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and filling station, upgrade climbing gear for rescues at Glendo State Park and funding advanced training for firefighter volunteers.
Participating in the Cook-off as a contender or a spectator will help the department get going in the right direction. For more information, to donate or to enter contact Jacki Mangan at (307) 298-7947.