SHELTER NEEDED

 
Imagine driving down the road, and all of a sudden you realize that you can’t drive any further, due to white out conditions.
That was the reality for many drivers over the weekend, during one of the biggest snowstorms in recent memory.
Luckily for many of the drivers, in the area, there was a warm place to go.
One of those places, was the West Concord Fire Hall, where firefighters not only went out and braved the brutal conditions, they also gave the stranded motorists a place to stay, until it was safe to drive again.
“We as a department come together in times like this to provide meals (chili, pulled pork, chocolate chip cookies) and a warm place to stay, blankets,pillows, tv and Netflix. We try to make our guess as comfortable as possible,” Jill Robertson said.
Over the weekend, during the blizzard, the department had a firefighter on a snowmobile, advising people not to drive on the highway and to rescue people.
“We had firefighter Rick Braithwaite on  a snowmobile advising people to not drive on Hwy 56. He also had to give a ride to a  mother and a daughter by snowmobile into town because there vehicle was stranded,” Robertson said.
Aside from helping out on his snowmobile, he also helped out by putting a family of four in a shelter at his church.
“With out Rick on a snowmobile we would still have stranded motorist and Highway 56 and County Road 24,” Robertson  said.
A few miles down the road, was another organizations that helped out, with stranded motorists.
Faith Lutheran Church, in Dodge Center, agreed to help out, after they got a call from Matt Maas, Emergency Management Director for Dodge County.
Barbie Streed, explained that they were asked to act as a shelter in the area during the storm and the answer was instantly yes.
“This was the first time we've been an emergency shelter and it is a true blessing. This is is why the body of Christ exists, to be there  for one another,” Streed said.
Although, this was the first time, that they did this, Streed explained that they will help out during a crisis in the future.
“We will always be mindful to do this at any future crisis, not wait to be asked but be mindful to offer,” Streed said.
Helping out during the blizzard of 2019, for the West Concord Fire Department included, Jill Robertson,
Chad Finne,Bill Dessner, Neal and Kristen Bachmam, Stacy Newman, Rick Braithwaite And Miss West Concord Lily Finne.
On Monday, the fire department, will be getting the motorist back to their vehicles and making sure the row conditions are safe to travel.
 
Ok great. I think I got everything I need. What is the address for fire hall?