Local group to host Firefighter Appreciation Day on Tuesday

Members of the public have an opportunity to celebrate the Cape Girardeau Fire Department next week on Firefighter Appreciation Day.

Cape Girardeau Friends of Public Safety will host an event at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive.

Doug Austin, a member of the group, said it's a true "grassroots, citizen-led event."

"This is to pay respect and honor to the men and women of our fire department who risk their lives on an almost routine basis on our behalf," he said.

The group also was responsible for the organization of Law Enforcement Day, which honored local officers in April. Austin said that event "came off extraordinarily well," with an estimated attendance of about 250 people.

At that time, Cape Girardeau Friends of Public Safety already knew they wanted an event for firefighters. Austin said they chose to wait several months to "do justice" to both events. October turned out to be an ideal time.

"Next week is National Fire Prevention Week," he said. "When we saw that was coming up, we just programmed this to take place that same week."

Similar to the law-enforcement event, Firefighter Appreciation Day will include a flag ceremony from an Eagle Scout troop and songs from the Alma Schrader Elementary School choir. Mayor Harry Rediger will read a proclamation officially declaring it Firefighter Appreciation Day in Cape Girardeau.

Fire chief Rick Ennis also will speak briefly.

Austin said excitement has begun to build around the event. His group has been promoting it on social media. The event page created on Facebook shows more than 90 people plan to attend.

"We're looking to fill the auditorium at the center," he said, adding how grateful the group is to have such "picture perfect" location to host the event.

Anyone planning to attend Tuesday can expect a simple but sincere gesture of thanks to the city's fire department, Austin said. The lack of frills and fanfare is deliberate.

"We have a very narrow focus: to honor the men and women of our fire department," he said. "This is just a thank you. And we're proud to do it for them."

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Want to go?

What: Firefighter Appreciation Day

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.