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Dear friends:
Thompson Fire Engine Company needs you to help us replace our 1985 Engine Tanker as soon as possible. This truck has served our company and community well for over 20 years. This truck carries 1000 gallons of water along with hose and other firefighting equipment. This truck and the water it carries is crucial in stopping a fire to protect life and property.
Unfortunately, time marches on and this truck has reached the end of its useful and safe service life. As with everything, the price of a new truck has gone up a lot since we bought the last one. A similarly equipped truck will cost close to $200,000 and this price does not add any extra "frills".
Last year the fire company responded to 142 calls including fire suppression, medical emergencies, automobile accidents, as well as water in basements and yes, even a cat stuck in a wall. Each year the number of calls we respond to increases.
The company still doesn't charge for these services and residents do not receive a "fire district" tax bill (as residents of many other towns do). The costs associated with each call are offset by a $34,000 grant from the town and we also have fund raisers throughout the year to raise the additional funds needed to pay for fuel, maintenance of the equipment, firefighting gear, medical supplies and a whole host of bills associated with keeping an aging building in good order. When we need a new truck we have to appeal to you to donate some of your hard earned money.
The Thompson Fire Engine Company was founded on the principle of neighbor helping neighbor and this tradition still endures 175 years later. The fire company is staffed with dedicated volunteer firefighters and EMT's willing to put their time and lives on the line twenty-four hours a day seven days a week at a moments notice no matter what the weather may be and put in many hours training and maintaining the equipment and the building at their own expense.
You may have met one of these volunteers at an unfortunate moment in your life or in happier times at one of our chicken barbeques that are held on the third Saturdays in May and September at the fire station or other fund raisers that held throughout the year. You or your children may have taken part in the Fire Companies Halloween parade around the common with free candy, cookies and ice cream at the fire station.
The members of the company meet most Monday evenings at 7:30 pm for training drills, work details and company business. You are very welcome to meet the members, ask questions, see training activities or learn about the equipment.
Any donation to the New truck/Building improvement fund will be greatly appreciated by the Company, its members, your friends and neighbors.
Thank you for your time and continued support.
Sincerely,
Chief Hogan Krohn
and
The members of the Thompson Fire Engine Company, Inc.
Please mail your donation to the Fire Department. If you need a reciept please add a stamped self addressed envelope.
Thompson Fire Engine Company, Inc.
70 Chase Road.
Thompson, Ct 06277
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