Fire Department Raises $13,000 for Burn Victims (Photos)

Firefighters don't just merely save people from burning buildings—they also help them rebuild their lives.

For 19 years now fire departments up and down the Peninsula have combined efforts to raise money - with a caravan of new and vintage fire trucks - and raise awareness for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF). This year the Mountain View Fire Department presented a check for $13,000 to AARBF. The MV Fire Associates, a volunteer organization that supports firefighters, donated $100 and Francesca's Sports Bar and Grill donated $500.

"We are here to support a great cause," said Francesca's owner Mike Baker, who along with business partner Chris Lgungquist, attended the event on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 4. "We became involved because our karaoke DJ Tommy Anderson, who is a fire associate, brought this to our attention and we wanted to help him out and help the kids out."

The AARBF provides support to burn survivors and their loved ones, and came about after 8-year-old Alisa Ann Ruch died in a backyard barbecue accident in Southern California. Her parents, local firefighters and medical professionals created AARBF in 1971 to prevent burn injuries by teaching Stop Drop and Roll.

Years later, there are several programs that include a young adult summit, support services and "Champ Camp," a residential camp for burn survivors ages five to 16.

"This camp changes their lives," said Jeanette Pavini, a volunteer with the Foundation. She told a story about a burn victim from Mountain View who after her injuries shied away from showing off her skin. "She went to the camp and it was like being reborn again. She wears shorts and tanks tops and she said that she's beautiful and now has friends for life."

Station No. 1 was the third stop in a caravan relay that began at the Moffett Field Fire Department headquarters and then headed to Sunnyvale. At each stop, the fire department presents a check to the foundation. By the end of the day, 16 fire stations—including Menlo Park—would have been visited on the way to San Francisco.

To support these efforts, each year the MVFD hosts its annual Pancake Breakfast where they teach fire prevention and also raise money for the foundation. This year the 8th Annual Pancake Breakfast took place on Sept. 22.

"We had record attendance," department spokeswoman Jaime Garrett said. She calculated a total of 1,559 people.

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