By Whitney Donohue
Moapa Valley Progress
Last week’s house fire brought a sense of fear and loss to the Corey Dalley family of Logandale. Operation HEAT, along with Fire Stations 73 and 74, jumped into action to relieve some of that anguish.
On Saturday, January 15, Fred Wechselberger from Operation Heat and firemen from Stations 73 and 74 delivered a huge load of toys to the Dalley kids in the hopes of erasing any possible connection between their house burning down and firemen.
Along with the toys, the firemen did a “Friendly Fireman” demonstration with the kids, showing them each part of the uniform to help them understand that they shouldn’t be afraid of firemen.
Daniel Pray explained each and every part of Station 74’s fire truck, allowing the kids the opportunity to get inside and check things out for themselves.
Gayle DeCaria from Station 73 gave the kids a tour of the EMT truck, explaining how each thing works.
Scott Beckstrand from Station 73 gave a fire hose demonstration, allowing the kids a chance to run the hose for themselves.
Operation FireHEAT is the brainchild of President Fred Wechselberger. As a dispatcher for the Clark County Fire Department, he is among the first to hear about fires and the devastation they cause to families, especially children. In 2008 Wechselberger and eight of his coworkers started a fund with just $5 a week from each of their paychecks to replace Christmas toys that children have lost during the holiday season to a catastrophic fire. The fund grew, and in February of 2010 the group was granted non-profit status.
The Dalley family felt a mixture of both fear and relief when the heard the fire engines Saturday afternoon. The sounds brought back still fresh memories of the fire earlier in the week. But hopefully by the time everyone left, the sound will provoke more pleasant memories.
For more information on Operation FireHEAT, visit http://www.operationfireheat.org.
2 thoughts on “Firefighter Program Helps Comfort Local Family”
Operation FIREHeat is an amazing organization that has touched the lives of many. When Fred called us we told him that we didn’t need anything and that we were doing fine. He went on to explain that it was worth it to him to see the light in the kids’ eyes and that is the reason they do it. I told him a gift they each got and they went way above and beyond what we told them! It was such a healing experience to feel the trauma again of the fire engines pulling up with their sirens on and then ending it with a positive good feeling. Fred and the rescue crew were so patient and kind spending the whole evening with the kids. I am truly amazed an their service and sacrifice they freely gave in our behalf.
Operation FIREHeat is an amazing organization that has touched the lives of many. When Fred called us we told him that we didn’t need anything and that we were doing fine. He went on to explain that it was worth it to him to see the light in the kids’ eyes and that is the reason they do it. I told him a gift they each got and they went way above and beyond what we told them! It was such a healing experience to feel the trauma again of the fire engines pulling up with their sirens on and then ending it with a positive good feeling. Fred and the rescue crew were so patient and kind spending the whole evening with the kids. I am truly amazed an their service and sacrifice they freely gave in our behalf.