CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Fishing rods, fire trucks and smiles took over Yoctangee Park on April 26 for the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) Fish with a Firefighter event. Members of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 300 and Ohio Department of Natural Resources provided fishing instruction and assistance to nearly 80 youth participants.
This event was part of a series of free, community-based youth outreach activities organized under the USA’s flagship conservation program, Work Boots on the Ground.
“It seems like the kids had a good time,” said IAFF Local 300 Treasurer/Secretary Scotty LaGard. “We were just excited they got to see the fire trucks, catch some fish, and enjoy time outside, even though it was a little cold. Some of these kids brought up trout and were excited. I had one kid bring up the smallest bluegill and he was just so ecstatic that he caught a fish.”
The best part of the day, according to IAFF Local 300 Interim President Jason Miller, was giving away rods and reels for kids in attendance to take home.
“Kids won’t get into fishing unless someone gives them the opportunity,” he said. “Hopefully the enjoyment they found in fishing and spending time outdoors at this event encourages them to continue to keep it a strong aspect of their lives as they get older.”
As a father of three, hunter, and fisherman, LaGard said events like Fish with a Firefighter give the community a chance to see firefighters in a different light.
“We want to be able to be community-based,” LaGard said. “We live in a smaller community, and want them to see us outside of work and learn about things we are interested in as well. This is a way for us to give back. One of the best things is when a kid comes to the firehouse just to see a firetruck. That brightens your day because as firefighters, you see kids at the worst possible moments. When you see a kid smiling, it’s the best.”
Miller described the importance of community involvement for firefighters.
“A large part of our relationship with the community is getting out for kids getting to see local firefighters who respond to their homes to their families,” he said. “You hope it leaves a positive impression so they are not scared when they see our uniform and have some comfort knowing that we are doing the best that we can.”
Fish with a Firefighter was not only an opportunity for firefighters to engage with the community, but it also built camaraderie among the volunteers.
“A good majority of guys I hunt and fish with are all in the department or have retired from the department,” Miller said. “Having the ability to find people who fish and hunt and have similar interests makes it a more comfortable process to get to know people and continues relationships that you’ve built throughout your career.”
Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA): The USA is a union-dedicated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Work Boots on the Ground (WBG): WBG is the USA’s flagship conservation program that brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise to conservation projects that improve and enhance public access to the outdoors, conserve wildlife habitat, restore America’s parks and mentor youth in the outdoors. The USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program works closely with federal, state and local agencies and other conservation groups to provide manpower needed to complete critical projects that may otherwise go undone.
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