There was plenty of good chili, raffle excitement and neighborly conversation Saturday evening at the annual Two Hot Chili Pot in De Borgia. But tucked in among the chili bowls and raffle tickets was some news that made the evening especially memorable for members of the West End Volunteer Fire Department.

With exactly 100 people in attendance, verified by the number of door tickets handed out, and a record 13 different chili entries, the evening was already shaping up to be a success. But just before the raffle and door prizes began, Fire Chief Frank Magee had one more announcement to share with the crowd. 

First, Magee introduced the fire department and Quick Response Unit members, thanked everyone for attending and acknowledged the support that makes events like this possible. A round of applause was held for Josh Gordon, Brogan Keenan, Rod Byers, Anthony Lower, Heather Hotchkiss, Damian Belzak, Courtney Rigney, James Roe, Issac Belzak, Dan Hartill and Joseph Belzak. 

Magee also recognized members of the St. Regis Volunteer Fire Department who were in attendance, reminding everyone that Mineral County's fire departments work together, sharing resources and sometimes even joining forces to write grants. That cooperation is an important part of keeping rural emergency services operating. Magee gave a plug for the upcoming chili cookoff at the Superior Volunteer Fire Department this Saturday, Nov. 14, which will serve as a fundraiser for the Tarkio Fire Department building.

The 13 chili competitors set another record for the event as the judges' identities were kept under wraps, with Magee personally selecting them each year. When the votes were counted, Susan Charles earned third place, Mike Dickinson took second, and Brooke Lincoln claimed first place and the $100 grand prize. 

The evening's food came with no charge. Guests could enjoy chili, hamburgers and hotdogs while being encouraged to purchase raffle tickets or drop a donation into the firefighters' boots placed on the tables. There was plenty to win, too. Twenty-one raffle items, along with two rifles, were up for grabs. Local businesses stepped forward with donations, something Magee said means a great deal to the department. 

“A lot of the businesses in the area made donations to our raffle, which is a show of support that we are appreciated, which helps us keep going,” he said. 

Brenda Baker won the Ruger 10-22 donated by Superior Towing, while Terry Scantel took home the Henry .44 Magnum purchased by WEVFD as the major prize. 

By the end of the goody giveaways there were smiles on plenty of faces, and it seemed nearly everyone had something sitting in front of them. Between chili servings and raffle drawings, table conversations covered the usual assortment of small-town concerns: how aging or ailing neighbors were doing, the challenge of finding a legal elk during the hunting season and the general nuisance of returning to Standard Time.

But the biggest conversation starter was still to come. Magee announced that the West End Volunteer Fire Department had been awarded a $328,000 SAFER grant (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response). The grant represents a significant investment in the department and, more importantly, in the people who answer the calls when their neighbors need help. 

Of the total award, $200,000 will go directly to firefighters over the next four years as compensation for responding to calls and attending training meetings. Members will receive $40 for each callout and $40 for each training meeting they attend. Until now, the department has operated entirely on a volunteer basis, without a stipend for those hours of service. 

The grant provides a new incentive to help with recruitment, encourage training participation and recognize the time members give to their community. 

“We've already filed for the first expense reimbursement that we'll be handing out that comes to about $2,800,” Magee explained. 

Some members will receive $100 to $200 in the first distribution. 

“Nobody even knows about this until tonight,” he said. 

The announcement was met with applause from the audience. It was a welcome surprise for the firefighters, although the news was delivered with the same modest spirit that has kept the department going all along. These are people who have answered calls, attended training and given their time without expecting a paycheck. The grant is welcome recognition, but the commitment to serving their neighbors was there long before the money arrived.

Magee also shared some of the department's recent progress. Recruitment remains a constant challenge, as there are never enough people willing to step forward and become part of the team. He was especially excited about the addition of two new EMTs, Brogan Keenan and Courtney Rigney. In fact, he said one person had already approached him about becoming involved before the festivities began that evening. 

“If we get one person, that's big,” Magee said.

The department retired its 1998 ambulance model and replaced it with a 2016 model. It may not be brand new, Magee pointed out, but it is new to them. The department also purchased a new-to-us 2018 crash truck. Guests were given a look at other improvements, including a new washing extractor and drying closet for cleaning firefighters' protective gear. That equipment was obtained through a grant, thanks in large part to board member Brooke Lincoln, whose persistence in reapplying finally paid off.

Saturday's gathering was designed to be an enjoyable evening of food, prizes and community fellowship. It certainly delivered. But the $328,000 announcement added something much bigger to the occasion. For a department that serves its neighbors around the clock, the support of those neighbors is every bit as important as the equipment in the firehouse. And Saturday evening, 100 people showed up to demonstrate just that.

    One hundred people attended the Two Hot Chili Pot fundraiser and recruiting event at the station in De Borgia. Over 20 businesses donated prizes that were raffled off and 13 different chilies were entered in this year’s contest. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)