Volunteer fire departments need donations

People in Green Country are helping out firefighters especially during this week of record-high temperatures.

In Turley, the men and women there are asking for donations to make it through the hot summer months.

"I can only imagine what these guys are going through. They just fly through the water and the Gatorade and they're amplified from the heat of the fire and dragging heavy equipment,” says Ross Melone, owner of Melone’s Pool Service.

So he decided to do something about it by picking up two large pallets of Gatorade for thirsty firefighters.

"We heard that some of the volunteer fire departments around the region were having a hard time staying hydrated,” says Melone.

Nelson Sager has volunteered with the Turley Fire Department for 28 years. He couldn’t believe his eyes as the trailer carrying the Gatorade backed into the fire station.

"At least we can get in the pool sometimes and cool off, but these guys are out there with all that gear on just toughing it out and doing it out of the goodness of their heart,” says Melone.

Volunteer fire departments across the state are battling more grass fires as the drought intensifies, and the need for bottled water and Gatorade is tremendous.

"We can get water out of the tap, but it is not easy to grab because it slows you down so we wind up having to buy bottle water,” says Sager.

As Ross and his crew head out to the next fire station, he has a challenge for others.

"We want to see other companies that feel the same way reach out to local fire departments or any other organization that they feel could use help in these really hot times,” says Melone.

A fundraiser for the Turley Fire Department will be held August 11th at the Odd Fellows Lodge located near 61st and Quincy.

If you would like to donate to local volunteer fire departments, you can call Tulsa County Emergency Management at 918-596-9899.