Local firefighters waiting tables for annual fundraiser

ISHPEMING — Firefighters in the U.P. are switching up roles and busing tables to raise money for fire prevention week.

The City of Ishpeming Fire Department and the Ishpeming Pizza Hut have been teaming up for the past ten years for their annual fire prevention fundraiser. At this event, firefighters will be taking orders and serving any customer who stops in.

Pizza Hut will be giving ten percent of every tip to the fire prevention fund that is utilized to further educate pre-school and elementary school students on fire prevention. Free batteries will also be given out for smoke detectors in customer’s homes.

“Energizer donated about four-hundred and eighty batteries that we’re going to be giving out to families with the time change coming up, changing the smoke detectors. We’re going to limit four-sets of batteries per family and for those who may need batteries for their smoke detectors, we’ll be handing them out as well,” said City of Ishpeming Fire Department, Training Officer/Firefighter David Neuffer.

This event gives the public the chance to interact and get to know their local firefighters. The Pizza Hut General Manager has enjoyed holding this fundraiser each year.

“It’s a fun night, its always been a fun night. Everybody’s in a good mood, the customers and everybody. It’s just a fun event,” said Ishpeming Pizza Hut General Manager, Duane Rantala.

The event kicks off on Wednesday evening from 4 to 7 P.M. at the Pizza Hut in Ishpeming. Even if you aren’t interested in ordering food, anyone from the community is invited to stop by to meet fellow firefighters and get some free batteries.