Local firefighter takes part in ride that supports youth burn camp
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
Members of the Whitewater Fire Department welcomed motorcyclists participating in the 10th Annual Ride for the Burn Camp July 11. The group, after leaving Wisconsin Harley-Davidson in Oconomowoc, was on its way to fire departments in Cambridge and Johnson Creek before ending the ride at Ixonia Fireman’s Park.
More than 350 riders participated in four groups; this was the first time one of the routes included a stop in Whitewater.
Kelly Freeman, a member of the Whitewater Fire Department, participated in the ride along with his wife, Jona, a retired member of the Whitewater EMS.
“To be able to ride with a group of individuals who share the same enjoyment of motorcycles and have the same drive to be part of the fire service, past or present, and helping others, makes the Fire & Iron a great organization to belong to,” Freeman said.
The ride is organized by Fire and Iron Station 17, of southeast Wisconsin, one of 145 stations (rather than chapters) of the Fire and Iron Firefighter’s Motorcycle Club spread across the United States, as well as a station in Canada and Germany, respectively.
Proceeds from the ride benefit the Alliance for Fire Safety’s Summer Camp for Burn-Injured youth 7 to 17 years old that have been hospitalized for burns.
“There is a strong brotherhood/sisterhood in fire service and Fire and Iron takes it another step further,” Freeman said. “Two guys from North Dakota Station 16 rode 736 miles each way to participate in this one day ride to raise money for the burn camp, to see friends they have met over the years and to meet new friends.”
According to its website www.fireandiron.com, “Fire and Iron is a group of firefighters and other people associated with the fire service who love to ride and have a good time. The club prides itself in its efforts to support various organizations along with other clubs.”
In addition to firefighters, the group welcomes “dispatchers, inspectors, and mechanics who share a passion for not only protecting the lives of the citizens of their community, but also for the open road,” the website states.
