Grand Island, Neb. — Emergency First Responders are partnering with the Foundation at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island to raise funds that will improve rescue equipment in Hall County through the 2016 Hullabaluau event.
The Hullabaluau is a food tasting and dance event that will take place 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, to raise funds for rural EMT teams in Merrick, Hamilton, Howard and Hall counties. Hullabaluau, in its 10th year, will be at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center at Fonner Park.
“Historically, we have limited access to funds for equipment,” noted Chuck Hoffman, Fire Chief. “This is a great opportunity for a fun night out and for Hall County First Responders to add important equipment and we hope folks will attend the Hullabaluau in support of our EMTs.”
Some examples of Emergency First Responder needs in the area include: grain bin extraction equipment, gas monitoring equipment, GPS-based dispatching systems (for quicker location of the emergency sites), lap top computers to download information critical to the rescue of victims, flexible rescue stretchers and training for personnel.
“Each of our teams has different responder needs,” Hoffman said. “The St. Francis Foundation is distributing funds among many of our EMT stations and allowing them to decide what needs are most critical.”
Other first responder units associated with Hall County are located at Cairo, Chapman, Francis McCulla, fire chief; John Hadenfeldt, fire chief, Doniphan, Mike Myer fire chief; St. Libory, Chris Dvorak, fire chief; and Wood River, Todd King, fire chief.
The event will include a buffet-style dining event 6-7:30 p.m., followed by a performance by the popular band, 5 OFF FAID.
Tickets are on sale for $25 per person and may be purchased by contacting the St. Francis Foundation at (308) 398-5400 or with a credit card by going to the St. Francis web site, www.chihealthstfrancis.org supported by Eventbrite. On the website, viewers will see a Hullabaluau logo. Simply click on the “learn more” link and then “Tickets” when the green bar on the right appears on the next screen. Tickets also will be on sale at the door.