Nice weather brings people out to California Fire Department barbecue

Customers order and volunteer firefighters of the California Fire Department prepare and sell the barbecued ribs, sandwiches and chicken at the annual fundraiser at Village Green Shopping Center.
Customers order and volunteer firefighters of the California Fire Department prepare and sell the barbecued ribs, sandwiches and chicken at the annual fundraiser at Village Green Shopping Center.

The nice weather and good food made the annual fundraiser barbecue of the California Fire Department a pleasant experience Saturday, June 6. The volunteer firefighters were on hand to participate, cooking and serving food at the event.

The fundraiser is held each year at Village Green Shopping Center parking lot, rain or shine. This year, the sunshine held sway, making it a good day to be out in what has been a rainy spring. The sale of more than 100 slabs of ribs, about 400 pork steak and pulled pork sandwiches, and 84 barbecued half chickens brought in about $2,000 for the fire department.

"We're always overwhelmed by the support we get from the community," said Fire Chief Allen Smith. "There was a steady stream of customers and as little waiting as possible."

The funds brought in at this annual event are used for supplementing training funds, meals for the volunteers in case of emergencies and the smoke detector program. The meals are appreciated by the volunteers who have been out on a call for long, hot hours. The department pushes the smoke detector program and constantly pushes to have them in every residence and business.

The annual event is also a good way for the residents to see the equipment the department uses. It is also an opportunity for people to meet the firefighters who volunteer their time for the training necessary to respond to fires or other emergencies. The support of the people for what the firefighters do for the community increases the motivation of the firefighters to serve the community. For information about the California Fire Department, call 573-796-1987 for non-emergencies. For emergencies, call 911.