May 30 – On a rare sunny day in the northwest this spring, Bellevue Firefighters brought their smiles and empty bunker boots to Clyde Hill for Fill the Boot.  Banners and signs were posted to let passing cars know that a “Voluntary Toll” was ahead, and thanks to Mike Crosby, we had the old ladder truck to use as a backdrop.Passing motorists readily filled the boots with everything from spare change to $100 bills.   Many thanked us just for being out there and helping others.  Even when traffic was at a standstill at the end of the day, people were still cheerful and willing to give when they saw the firefighters were collecting money to help “Jerry’s Kids.” Bellevue Firefighters Local 1604 has been trying, unsuccessfully, for years to have a worthwhile Fill the Boot event in the City of Bellevue.   We have been banned from collecting from motorists in the streets, with concern for our safety being cited.  This is despite the fact that Fire Departments all over the US have been holding Fill the Boot events in the streets for more than 50 years without incident.  We have had meetings with Risk Management and Transportation, have applied repeatedly for permits, and even lobbied support from City Council, but were continually denied the opportunity by Risk Management to hold an event in the tried and true manner.  The City suggested we take our efforts to static events such as 4^th of July festivities or the Arts and Crafts Fair, which we did try.  We raised a meager $100 July 4^th  one year, and in 2007, we spent 3 entire days at the Arts and Crafts Fair as well as one day in front of Top Foods collecting to raise a total of $6,500.  At the annual Telethon to present the checks, Bellevue stood next to last in amount of funds raised, an embarrassing moment for a department that serves a city of this size and affluence. This year we decided to approach our surrounding contracted communities with the idea of holding Fill the Boot in their areas.  Both Clyde Hill and Newcastle agreed without hesitation, and plans were set.  Firefighters volunteered their time throughout the day, and the generosity of the motorists made it very satisfying.  For the first time, we were able to experience how truly rewarding Fill the Boot could be. Thanks to all who gave their time and effort:  Lewis Stoliker, Eric Shepler, Laura Kemp, Mike Vander Beek, Mark H. Anderson, Mike Williams, Rick Catlin, Will Dunne, Russ Caney, Ryan Schramling, Brian Fialdini, Alexa Dillhoff, Matt Burrow, Bob Crueger, John Batts, Mark Vinup and Shannon Teeter.  A special thanks to Mike Crosby for commuting to work in the old ladder truck so we’d have it out there and John McNeill for working UWR for Camari Ferguson while she worked at the event.  We are extremely grateful to the City of Clyde Hill for providing us this opportunity and to the 76 Station for letting us set up there. We have another day of Fill the Boot scheduled in Newcastle on August 22^nd.  We need another great showing of firefighter volunteers with bunker boots in hand to ensure we have more success with this time-honored tradition.

For more pictures of our MDA activities, please go to our photo gallery and click on  MDA.

*The Bellevue Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the cities of Clyde Hill and Newcastle.