By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle Post
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep across the panhandle. The Alliance Volunteer Fire Department reminds residents to be safe for the Thanksgiving holiday and urges everyone to wear a mask.
"The members of the Alliance Fire Department want to take a moment to wish you all a fire-safe and Happy Thanksgiving," said Troy Shoemaker, Alliance Fire Chief. "We know that this will not be the typical Thanksgiving that most of us are used to, but we are positive that each one of us can think of at least one thing that we are both grateful and thankful for this year."
Chief Shoemaker said he is grateful for his team and Emergency Medical Technicians.
"I know as the Alliance Fire Chief, I have 48 dedicated people I am thankful for," Shoemaker said. "Those are all of our volunteer firefighters and EMT's that answer the call for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days out of the year. Not that I'm wanting to make 2020 any longer than it needs to be, but, in case you didn't know, don't care or just plain forgot 2020 is actually a leap year so we have 366 days that these dedicated volunteers are answering the call for help."
Shoemaker urges the community to wear a mask to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
"I would like to ask all of you, our friends, neighbors, and loved ones, 'Help us, Help you'. Please wear a mask when in public, practice social distancing, and please try to avoid the 3C's - crowded places, close contacts, and confined spaces so together we can bend the curve and slow the surge of positive cases in our region and here at home. Last but not least, in the words of Fire Chief A.V. Brunacini 'Be Nice'. For me, I learned that from my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Phyllis Pebley."