05/06/2026
On Monday, Ridgway Fire Department President Kevin Anstrom, Chief Jeff Yeager, and Assistant Chief John Wygant attended the Ridgway Fire Department Auxiliary monthly meeting. They wanted to acknowledge and say thank you to the Auxiliary for all they do for the department. This group of volunteers helps at fundraisers, helps at banquets, and responds to major alarms with food and beverages for those on scene. However, this group does much more than that for not only the department, but the community. Each year they conduct their own fundraiser…selling chances on a freezer full of meat. They use the proceeds for different purposes like providing equipment for the department. They also place flags and medallions at the burial sites of deceased Ridgway Fire Fighters. Each year they purchase new flags. The Boy Scouts help by actually placing the medallions and flags, and then gathering up the flags before winter and seeing that they are properly destroyed. As of this writing, in 2026 the Auxiliary will be placing 292 flags. Two of the most recent equipment purchases for the fire department are 36 new hangers for their turnout coats, and landing lights that are placed on each rig. These lights are battery operated and are used to set up landing zones, day or night, for emergency medical helicopters. The Ridgway Fire Department wants to thank the Auxiliary for all they do. If you are looking for a way to help the department and the community, but don’t want to fight fire, maybe the auxiliary is a good fit for you.
