Who we are:
The Schaeferville Fire Protection District is a sixteen member all volunteer Fire and EMS agency serving the unincorporated areas of Pekin. Each year our members donate hundreds of hours towards training, calls, and other community events such as the Marigold Festival Kids Experience and our annual Safe Halloween event. As the smallest fire district in Tazewell County the cost of maintaining certifications, apparatus, equipment, and firefighting gear is no easy task.
Why do we need your help?
When I joined in the early 2000’s fire gear cost around $1500 a set. Today to outfit a firefighter it costs $4-5k per member for new gear. Despite the call volume and usage, the Illinois Department of Labor requires that we replace fire gear every 10 years regardless of condition or use. This does not cover the cost of recruiting, onboard, train, and provide the communications equipment needed for them to respond to a call. Couple this with utilities, vehicle repairs, fuel, and all the other items that go into everyday operations and our $40k a year budget does not go far.
Each camera is currently quoted to cost $4800, with a total project cost of $9600 to replace the cameras on both of our engines.
What we need:
Our current thermal imaging cameras were purchased in 2005 with NFPA 1801 (Equipment Standard) suggesting a service life of 10 years and we are now nearing 20 years of service. While we have been fortunate to not have one fail on a call, we are beginning to experience screen and reliability issues with the cameras.
How can you help?
We will be doing a raffle this year and have identified a few options we feel give us the best chance at meeting our goal. Prizes we are looking for:
- 1 Hour Discovery Flight (Approx $250)
- A short flight that gives people the opportunity to learn about flying and experience the world of aviation.
- Spa Day (Approx $250)
- Massage
- Pedicure/Manicure
- Facial
Yeti Cooler (Approx $250-300)Donated by Runnings 7/9Family Day (Approx $250 Value)Donated by Peoria Park District 7/10Family of 4 museum or zoo pass
- Other
- Have a service or prize you would like to donate, let us know.
By donating a prize your organization will be featured on all advertisements for this raffle. This will include our Facebook page, website, and posters/banners located at the Marigold Festival Kids Experience where we will be exhibiting.
Monetary Donations can be made by Clicking Here, messaging our Facebook page, or via any member of the department.
When
Our raffle drawing will be held on Sunday September 8th at the firehouse after we return from the Marigold Kids Experience.
We are asking for all prizes to be committed to by July 26th. This will allow us ample time to obtain logos and information for advertisements.
For those making monetary donations and wishing to be featured on our information board at Marigold Festival the cutoff will be August 16th.
Sincerely,
Schaeferville Fire Protection District
Chief@schaefervillefire.com