SENECA -Last year, Seneca Emergency Medical Responders and Seneca Volunteer Firefighters were on calls that led them on foot nearly a mile into the woods deep in a hollow.

These responders were unable to communicate by radio with dispatchers and other responding units because the handheld radios do not have the strength to transmit in all situations when surrounded by hills. The radio in the Seneca First Responders Squad is 10 times stronger, but responders are not always able to take the squad to the scene.

One solution is to install a stronger radio (20 times that of a handheld) and repeater in the squad – the handheld radio then communicates with the repeater which then has the strength to send the radio signal to dispatchers. This type of equipment costs $3,000 or more.

Thanks to the generous support of the community at the Annual Bean Bag and Euchre Tournament and now from Roy Knoble through the No Bull Tavern in Seneca, the Seneca First Responders can easily afford this lifesaving equipment.

Roy purchased and donated a .22 long rifle adorned with laser etching in an emergency medical theme. Starting at the tavern’s annual Brewers Opening Day Tailgate Party, Roy sold 300 chances to win the gun, at $5 a chance. Once the 300 tickets were sold, the winner was drawn. Nick Lorenz was the lucky winner. All of the money from the ticket sales was then donated to the Seneca Volunteer First Responders and the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department.

Seneca Fire Chief Tyler Aspenson recently informed all Fire and EMS personnel he would like to see the First Responder Squad respond to all woodland fire scenes and any other calls that put our members deep in the woods. The ability to communicate with dispatchers and other responding units is important to all of our volunteers’ safety.

The Seneca Volunteer First Responders look forward to using this technology as they serve their community!