The Sutherland Fire Station was overflowing with BINGO players Thursday evening. The annual event is always popular, but this year was exceptional. Additional tables and chairs had to be set up. The truck bays were filled. Volunteer fire and ambulance members sold tickets door-to-door the prior week.
Prizes were given for different BINGO games. Taverns and bars were available.
The new ladder truck was on display with the 106 foot ladder fully extended. The ladder truck was purchased from Canada and arrived in the fall. Ladder trucks are in the area, but Cherokee is the closest.
According to Assistant Chief Bomber Fuller, many of the volunteers have received training. He explained that this ladder is equipped in a way that fire hoses can be attached and a fire fought from above without putting a firefighter at the top. This is particularly useful when weather conditions are ferocious or the fire prevents getting too close. The Sutherland Fire department also has a tanker, a pumper and 3 grass attack trucks, each useful in unique environments. The hills east of Sutherland make grass attack vehicles critical tools.
Firemen BINGO is critical fundraising to the organization to improve the tools and training of the team.