Randolph County farmers can support local fire departments during Fire Prevention Month
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Volunteer firefighters are more than just a rescue service. They are teachers, farmers and mechanics; they are fathers, daughters and friends. The communities served by volunteer fire departments depend on these brave men and women to be their first line of defense in the case of an emergency. Most small communities such as Coulterville do not receive enough funding for fire protection services, yet still experience the same emergencies found in a big city.
Community support is vital to Coulterville Fire Protection District to help purchase necessary equipment for its volunteers to protect Randolph County during fires and other emergencies. Local farmers Donald and Linda Greer know the importance of volunteer fire protection and chose Coulterville Fire Protection District when given the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit organization through America's Farmers Grow CommunitiesSM, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.
With the $2,500 donation, the fire department was able to purchase an ice maker for the fire department's kitchen.
"The main reason we needed the ice maker is for the firefighters to be able to take the ice with them during fires," said Robert Fox, president of the Coulterville Fire Protection District. "Anything I can do to help our firefighters, I would like to do."
"The kitchen is available for anyone that lives in the fire district and is paying taxes. Community members use the fire department for wedding showers, birthday parties and the AA uses it every Saturday night."
"During this time of the year, the farmers are picking corn and beans. With it being dry in some locations fire departments get a lot of calls for equipment on fires." As we observe Fire Prevention Month this October, Fox reminds us to thank the local volunteers who strive to keep our community safe and to inspect our homes for possible fire hazards by following these safety tips:
Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home if you haven't done so already, and test it monthly.
Prevent electrical fires by checking outlets and unplugging any unused appliances. Avoid overloading extension cords or circuits, and secure any loose electrical connections.
As we move into the winter months, provide sufficient space around portable heaters, and inspect chimneys and fireplaces.
Create an escape route with your family and practice it often. Make sure everyone knows what the safe meeting place will be outside the home in case of an emergency.
Blow out all burning candles when leaving a room and never leave a child alone in a room where a candle is burning. Also, remember to keep lighters and matches in a locked cabinet out of a child's reach.
For a rural community, $2,500 can go a long way to providing organizations such as Coulterville Fire Protection District with the tools they need to keep their communities safe. Visit www.growcommunities.com to learn more about America's Farmers Grow Communities. The program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to invest in farm communities in order to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society, and sign-ups for this year's program are going on now. From now through Nov. 30, 2011, farmers can apply online at www.growcommunities.com or call 1.877.267.3332 to apply by phone.
About the Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.