While members of Columbus’ newest club dub themselves F.O.O.L.S, the group is far from it.
In fact, if you ever find yourself in an emergency situation, you’d want those men at your side.
Diesel Town F.O.O.L.S recently established itself in Columbus as the fifth regional Indiana chapter of the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society, which is an international fraternal club for firefighters.
Members of the club include career, part-time, volunteer, industrial and retired firefighters who serve Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, and Ripley counties. To join, members must be at least 21 and have one year of firefighting service.
On top of the camaraderie formed between current and past first-responders via networking, the fraternity will focus on the advancement of training and traditions within the fire service locally.
Bartholomew County has its fair share of firefighters, as there are 12 volunteer fire departments spread from Hartsville to Waymansville on top of the Columbus Fire Department.
F.O.O.L.S. will be able to better serve the firehouses that lack funding, providing potentially life-saving training to those firefighters in need.
While F.O.O.L.S. will help provide training, and raise funds, for our local fire departments, it will also help organize and work other community service events.
Members will be frequently involved with fundraisers, charity events, and helping disadvantaged children receive gifts for Christmas. Much of their support goes to help burn victims and cancer patients.
In the future, the fraternity hopes to someday have its own lodge, similar to the FOP lodge on County Road 450S.
All should look forward to the new group as it strives to grow in the coming weeks, months, and years.
