NHFD Force Door Fund Raiser!!!

My name is Cole DeBeradinis and I have been a volunteer fire fighter at the Noroton Heights Fire Department for the past 2 years, and I can say without a doubt it has been the most rewarding expierence of my life. When I was young I remeber driving by the fire department and seeing the outdated sign at the end of the parking lot that said "Volunteers needed", I turned to my parents and asked them what that ment. They told me that "The fire department that we just passed by was a volunteer fire department" and that "The firefighters there are not paid."  I said to them, "Why would anyone do all that work for no reason and get nothing for it?" For many years that exact question puzzled me.

Durring my sophmore year of highschool,  I overheard two juniors who were volunteer firefighters talking about the department.  At first I didn't think anything of it, but as time went on I kept overhearing the converstaions, I became interested.  When I turned 16 I submited my application to join the fire department.  For the next month I went up to Patty Magee (One of the Juniors who was a fire fighter)  2 or 3 times a week to see if they had reviewed my application.  I continued to get the same response, "Dont worry we are all going to vote on whether you get in or not at the next monthly meeting."  Well this got me woried because my relationship with Patty Magee at the time was less then satisfactory. (I wasn't the nicest person all the time)  Then one night I got a call from the president of  the department,  "Congradulations Cole, we have decided to accept your application for line membership at the Noroton Heights Fire Department."

Over the next 2 years I gradually came around the fire department more and more.  It got to the point where it was almost like an addiction.  I loved it so much that I was there all the time.  People would come up to me in school and ask me if I lived at the fire department becuase my car was always out front.  The more I came around the more I enjoyed it, and the closer I became with my fellow firefighters.  Me and Patty Magee went form bitter enemies, to close friends.  

It is with a heavy heart that I am going to have to take a step back and a leave of absence from the fire service for atleast the next 4 years.  I recently enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. and will be leaving August 24th to go to basic traing at Paris Island, South Carolina.

IT IS MY HOPE that before I leave I am able to raise enough money to purchase a brand new, and long desired Force Door made by Fire House Innovations
for the fire department.  This new force door will help the line firefighters of The town of Darien to better train on how to force open a door, so that they can come SAVE YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES if your house is on fire... This is a great cause to donate to becuase any donation you make will go directly back to you, because it will provide better training for your first responders. The total cost of the door is $6200.00 and that does not include the multiple freight shipping costs that will be required to recieve the door.  Any money that is left over will go towards  the department in other benificial ways.

Volunteering countless hours at Noroton Heights Fire Department has brought me a sence of pride in the service that all volunteer firefighters provide to their communities, and the everlasting friendships that I have made. 

Please help me give back, any donation will be appreciated no matter how big or small.  

Thank You,
-Cole DeBeradinis