Upland Firefighters Association MDA Award

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Upland Professional Firefighters Local 3477 is committed to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They are a small department rewarded for raising big dollars. For their size, the Upland Fire Department has won several awards from the MDA. Their size is important because they only have 39 floor personnel in their entire department. That means each member raised more than $1,500 during last year's "Fill the Boot" campaign.

"The past year we have raised $56,000 dollars and that put us #1 for our size in the state, and then #1 in the nation for the amount of money raised per firefighter," says Captain Brian Vaughan of the Upland Fire Department. They were also one of the top 10 money-raising departments in the state, and that was for all size departments.

One of the secrets to their success is all of the support they receive from their city. Upland Fire Chief Mike Antonucci, says, "We do support it administratively, from the city manager to the city council to the fire chief. We all support the efforts that the association makes in dealing with the MDA drive."

Many fire departments are not allowed to collect money while on duty; however, Upland is, and they feel it makes a big difference to be able to show they represent the city and the badge. Antonucci says, "I've seen other departments that do it all off-duty, and they are not allowed to wear department uniforms and are not allowed to represent the city that they are doing it for.  And it's different in the public's perception of what's going on. People wonder 'Should I give? Are they gonna rip us off?' "

Captain Vaughan comments, "The on-duty crews are more visible being in their uniform. The rest of us wear t-shirts that say the "fire department" on them, but it's nice having the engines sitting their getting the attention."

Everybody participates whether on or off duty. Nathan Foster, Engineer and Paramedic for the Upland Fire Department says, "You've got guys coming in, even if they can just come in for an hour or two, on their days off. When they have time they're coming in to help us."

The Fire Chief even gets out in the street. "Some people look at the badge, some people don't. We don't try to advertise it," he says.

Promoting their "Fill the Boot" drive has really helped their fundraising efforts. One great way they have been able to tell the public where they will be is on local radio stations. Nathan Foster says, "We actually had one incidence last year when a lady drove down from Victorville, about 50 miles, to give us a check because she heard it on the radio."

They also have help from the local newspaper. Dates and times for the firefighters will be published several times before the event occurs. Signs alerting drivers are also posted. They put them up at the locations and the direction of travel so that they can see them a couple days ahead of time.

Like all firefighters with boots in their hands, they never know what they are going to get from large or small. Some receive $100 bills and others a handful of change.

Chief Antonucci adds, "I'm so incredibly proud of all our people because for the size, we're #1 in a lot of the categories, and that is due to their effort and their commitment to MDA."

Like the previous two years, Upland holds their "Fill the Boot" drive at the beginning of April.


Author:Barbara Brooks - Video, Renée Marquart - Text