A recent fundraising effort by Henry County Fire Department personnel resulted in nearly $1,000 being given to the department’s volunteer support unit, Squad 82.

According to officials, Squad 82 was created in 2009 by former chief Charlie Rice, who still operates the unit. Its purpose is “to support the Fire Department during operational calls including residential and commercial fires and large scenes that would require extensive time to mitigate.”

The fundraising drive, spurred in large part by the fact that Rice typically funds the unit himself, was organized by Lt. Tommy Lloyd from the A-shift at Fire Station 1 on Industrial Blvd. in McDonough.

“Squad 82 is always there on the very cold dark mornings with a warm drink or the very hot afternoon with a cold Gatorade and a cold towel for our firefighters,” according to an HCFD spokesperson. “With all of Squad 82’s funding coming from Chief Rice’s own pockets, it was their pleasure to help Chief Rice keep the coolers and quick snack supplies stocked and ready for the next call.”

In a March 2 presentation hosted by Fire Station 1, a donation of more than $900 was given to Rice by Lt. Lloyd, station personnel, and training division chief Richard LeCroy. The money was collected from operations personnel as well as the training division. Department chiefs Luther Phillips and Jonathan Burnette were also present during the presentation.