07/31/2026
Cicero Township Volunteer Fire Department Receives Emergency Drinking Water Donation from Anheuser-Busch and Mid-America Beverage Inc. Kokomo, IN. to Support Wildfire Response Efforts
Water provided through partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council
Cicero Township Volunteer Fire Department of Tipton IN. has received a donation of emergency drinking water from Anheuser-Busch to help keep its firefighters hydrated during wildfire response efforts. The donation, made in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), will provide critical hydration to first responders working long hours in extreme conditions.
On 7/31/2026, 2,300+ cans of water were delivered by Mid-America Beverage Inc. Anheuser-Busch’s local wholesaler partner. The donation will help ensure firefighters have access to clean, safe drinking water while responding to wildfires and other emergencies where proper hydration is essential for safety and performance.
Cicero Twp VFD is a combination department with 32 volunteers and 3 paid drivers and a junior program with 12 members. We cover 64 square miles with, a population of approximately 1,500 and cover portions of US Highway 31, SR 19, and a Norfolk and Southern railway. We do on average 550 runs a year, with 75% being EMS related. Our current fleet is a Pierce Enforcer Engine, 2- 3,000 gal tankers, a medium duty rescue, a brush truck, utility pick up and 1 ambulance.
Jeff Cline, CTVFD Fire Chief, says “We really appreciate the donation of this water supply. It will definitely be beneficial to our department and neighboring departments we run mutual aid with. It’s extremely important to stay hydrated when working emergencies on these hot summer days. Having access to emergency drinking water helps protect their health, maintain their endurance, and keep them mission-ready when our community needs them most. We’re grateful to Anheuser-Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council for providing resources that directly support firefighter safety and operational readiness.”
Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing support for disaster relief efforts dating back to 1906. Each year, its breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado periodically pause beer production to produce emergency drinking water for times of need. Since 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 100 million cans of clean, safe drinking water for communities impacted by or preparing for disaster. With an increased focus on disaster preparedness, Anheuser-Busch partnered with the NVFC in 2019 and, together with its wholesaler partners, has supported volunteer fire departments with nearly 12 million cans of emergency drinking water through over 3,700 deliveries across almost all 50 states.
The NVFC is the leading nonprofit association representing the interests of volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services across the U.S., with a mission to support volunteer responders and the communities they serve.
To learn more about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program, visit www.nvfc.org/water.
Thank you Anheuser-Busch and National Volunteer Fire Council for the generous donation of emergency drinking water, and to Mid America Beverage for delivering it to our fire station! This water will help keep our firefighters hydrated during wildfires and extended responses in extreme heat.
