Jackson Bell
Sirens blared and lights twirled as a cadre of fire engines made
their way to Warner Bros. Ranch and Burbank Fire Station 11.
But the entourage was not dispatched to put out fires. They were
on a quest to collect money for burn victims.
The stops were part of the five-day Quest Rally 2004 fundraiser by
Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors, a group founded in 1996 after
six firefighters -- including one from the Glendale Fire Department
-- were injured battling a Malibu blaze. Money raised goes to assist
the medical treatment and recovery of burn victims.
Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors is a nonprofit organization
made up of firefighters and civilians who assist anyone who has been
burned in a fire. This year's goal is to raise more than the $104,000
collected in 2003, said Tom Propst, the executive director and a
Glendale fire engineer.
"Something like this hits close to home," Propst said. "This
service provides the tools and support needed to assist individuals."
Every year, the caravan travels from department to department
throughout Southern California accepting donations. It started with
18 participating depart- ments in its first year, and has grown to 80
agencies spanning five counties.
This year, the entourage of fire vehicles -- including a vintage
1902 Los Angeles Fire steamer drawn by three horses -- stopped off
for a free lunch courtesy of Warner Bros. before heading to Burbank
Fire Station 11 for a $1,000 donation.
"This is near and dear to our hearts because of all the good work
it does for burn victims," Burbank Fire Capt. Ron Bell said. "I've
seen many co-workers burned in my career, and I want to help support
them any way that I can."
Warner Bros. Fire Chief Chuck Lisi agreed.
"I think this is one of the best charities going on, and I'm a big
believer in it," Lisi said.
Money has been donated to victims from Bakersfield to Orange
County, and to victims in Washington, D.C., and New York City
following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, organizers said.
For more information or to donate funds to Firefighters Quest for
Burn Survivors, call (800) 937-8378, or visit
www.firefightersquest.org.
