King County Fire District 20 (Skyway Fire) has joined a national effort to provide assistance to the Detroit Fire Department.

Detroit Fire Mutual Aid is a nationwide call and response of individuals, fire departments, organizations and corporations with one common goal; to put life-saving equipment in the hands of Detroit’s Bravest who respond to the highest number of working structure calls in the nation.

Last month the firefighters of KCFD 20 sent 37 pairs of gloves for each firefighter on Engine 50, Ladder 23 and Chief 9.

“Our badges are different, but the purpose is the same when we respond to the needs of our citizens,” Dave Nelson, Skyway Fire public information officer said in an email. “We believe every firefighter, including those on Detroit Engine 50, Ladder 23 and Chief 9, should have the proper equipment when the bell sounds.”

Just last week Detroit senior firefighter Dave Miller emailed the fire district saying, “Detroit is going through some really tough times” and thanked the firefighters for the donation.

The 20-year veteran also invited the group to stop by if in the find themselves in the Detroit area.

Each firefighter also received a Challenge Coin from both the Fire Union and the Volunteer Firefighter Association. The coin is a symbol of brotherhood or sisterhood in the fire service. The coin is becoming a more traditional way of trading than those of department patches.

The fire district worked with Seattle company L.N. Curtis and Sons, a local fire equipment store with the cost of the gloves.

More information on Detroit Fire Mutual Aid is available at http://www.detroitmutualaid.com.