After responding to double tragedies Sept. 11 - a totally-involved fire and a fatal car accident - Russellville-Lohman Fire Protection District firefighters were physically exhausted, emotionally spent and parched.
They're trained for the first part, and adrenaline kicks in helping them fulfill their volunteer responsibilities.
What would have helped for the other two symptoms was an auxiliary - those who would support the firemen with water, Gatorade or hot coffee, words of encouragement, a comfortable resting place, and dry socks and blankets.
Many surrounding fire districts have such an auxiliary, and Russellville-Lohman used to have one a few decades ago.
An organizational meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Station 1 on Route AA will determine if there's enough community interest to revive the auxiliary.
Firefighter Dana Cinotto was working on ways to reach the community through a district fundraiser. That's when Teresa McKinney, wife of a former firefighter, shared how the auxiliary used to provide support for the fundraisers when she was president.
The two immediately agreed it was time for the auxiliary to return. The organization's bank account and other formalities are still in place, McKinney said.
In the 1990s, the auxiliary would bring bananas and drinks to firefighters on a scene for extended time or at an all-day training. And they would bring blankets and other immediate support items for fire victims.
"You forget that they need stuff, too; they put forth a lot of effort," McKinney said. "They get leg cramps or have wet feet, but they can't just leave."
The auxiliary did its own fundraising to keep its stores of coffee, cookies, blankets and socks full, she said.
And they helped the firefighters with their fundraisers for improved response tools and equipment.
"We can't do fundraisers by ourselves in case we get a call and all have to leave," Cinotto said.
They were so organized, a retired ambulance had been renovated to store all of the auxiliary's items for response, McKinney said. However, when the auxiliary stopped, the truck soon was gone.
Although the majority of auxiliary members tend to be family of firefighters, anyone from the community is invited to join, McKinney said. There are varying roles one could play from baking cookies to freeze for emergencies to responding to the scenes alongside the firefighters.
"It would be nice to have people who are just interested and want to help," she said. "It's really a lot of fun."
The firefighters look forward to having them back, too.
"It will be a huge benefit to know there will be people with water and a place to sit and rehab," Cinotto said.
Joining the auxiliary also will give community members a firsthand look at what the volunteers do.
"I noticed when we were there, the firefighters feel that someone is taking care of them when they're taking care of someone else," McKinney said. "I think they could last a little longer."
Call 573-821-6090 or email [email protected] for more information.