Firefighters’ deeds extend beyond emergencies

The firefighters of the O’Fallon Fire Protection District come from a variety of skilled backgrounds. They use their skills every day, whether on duty and in emergency situations or off duty to help a neighbor in need.

Recently district personnel learned that an O’Fallon resident required the use of a ramp to get in and out of her home safely. With the help of a generous donation from Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service, a group of off duty firefighters donated their time and efforts to draw up the project, order the lumber, and build the ramp. Now this resident can enter and exit the home safely without the fear of falling.

Their skills are not limited to just carpentry. Recently the OFCO was contacted by the Center for Autism to help paint a new 9,000-square-foot facility. Firefighters from the O’Fallon Fire Protection District organized donations from businesses and residents from the O’Fallon community to purchase the paint and coordinate manpower to get the job done in one day. Students from Fort Zumwalt North High School Key Club and firefighters from Cottleville andCentralCountyalso donated their time to paint.

The Center for Autism offers training in life skills such as meal preparation and job skills to adults with autism spectrum disorders.