The Pine River Fire Department will hold its 13th annual pig roast fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the fire station on Range Line Road.
The event features food served from 1-7 p.m., live music from 1-11 p.m., fire and EMS demonstrations, fireworks at dusk and raffles throughout the day. The drawing for 17 major prizes will be held at 6 p.m.
The pig roast has been the fire department’s major fundraising activity since the department was established in 2005 and proceeds are used to cover expenses beyond the general budget. This year’s proceeds will be used toward purchasing EMS training manikins, an AED for the station, update scene lights with LEDs on most of the department’s apparatus, and saving to update larger pieces of equipment as standards continue to change.
Major purchases last year included updated department appliances, air quality testers, thermo-imaging camera, contributing toward the retirement incentive program, and to support the ongoing effort for recruitment and retention of the department’s members.
Pine River Fire Chief John Uttech noted that local businesses have always been very generous in donating raffle prizes for the pig roast.
“A lot of people have been donating from the beginning. I can’t express enough out thanks and gratitude,” Uttech said.
The establishment of the fire department was approved by the township in 2004. The fire station was built in 2005 and held its first open house that year. The department went into service on Jan. 1, 2016. A First Responders group was started as part of the fire department in 2007.