The crowd that gathered at Fire Rescue Station #2 next to the Merrill P. Barber Bridge wasn’t cause for ‘alarm’ – the constant flow of civilians through the firehouse was on hand for the 55th annual Vero Beach Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry fundraiser.
The last two years, the Fish Fry was forced to take on a new format due to COVID – in 2020 as a drive-thru so that supporters could still get their fish fix, and in 2021 as a hybrid, with a grab-and-go option or limited seating in the station’s bay.
“It was nice to have a more normal event this year,” said Joe Hill, board secretary of the Volunteer Fire Department.
Whether it was the scent of the fish frying or the call of the sirens, about 350 dinners of panko-crusted cod, chicken fingers, hush puppies, homemade macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, and a variety of desserts were eaten on-site or taken home.
Hill said it is only through the community’s generosity that the Volunteer Fire Department can carry on the tradition of supporting and protecting the residents of Indian River County. It’s something they’ve done since 1923, when an all-volunteer fire department served the City of Vero Beach.
The volunteers work alongside Indian River County Fire Rescue, providing life-saving equipment, personnel, medical, ALS and fire-rescue services.
“We’re seeing a lot of new people in the department,” said Hill. “We have a growing list of retirees that have come down from the north and just want to volunteer. That’s probably the biggest change we’ve had.”
Hill said they consistently have about 25 recruits each year wanting to become firefighters and paramedics.
“Then we lose about that many to the paid departments once they have completed school,” said Hill.
Proceeds from the Fish Fry help the Volunteer Fire Department to provide scholarships for firefighting, EMT and paramedic classes; support IRC Fire Rescue by providing personnel to respond to fire, medical and rescue calls; fund firefighter and medical education for volunteers; assist people who have suffered a catastrophic loss; and provide aid to sick, injured or fallen firefighters and their families.
Approximately 10 scholarships of from $1,000 to $2,000 are given each year. This year, the scholarships will be awarded during the Main Street Vero Beach Downtown Friday event in May. Volunteer Fire Department members meet at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at Indian River County Station 3, 2900 43rd Ave.
For more information, visit vbfire.org.
Photos provided
