GFFR Ladder-a-thon underway
By Boundary Sentinel
Grand Forks Fire and Rescue (GFFR) is up on a ladder again, raising money for a good cause.
The 14th annual Ladder-a-thon is held in the Overwaitea parking lot, Aug. 1 and 2. Firefighters take turns sitting at the top of the extended firetruck ladder for an hour or two at a time. Down below, GFFR members and volunteers sell hot dogs and drinks to fundraise for a different cause each year.
This year, their money is going to the local Progressive Supranuclear Palsy community.
“One of our former members was diagnosed this last year,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kevin McKinnon. “So any money that we do raise is going locally for his care and treatment.”
Most of the firefighters stay at the top of the ladder in one-hour shifts. But some, who have the time and feel confident at the top, will stay there for two hours. All members are attached to a safety line incase they start to feel dizzy.
Grand Forks’ old antique fire truck is also on display and McKinnon says that this is the last year their current ladder truck will be in service. Next spring they are getting a new ladder truck.
The GFFR will be at Overwaitea until 3 p.m. Saturday.
