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Nebraska firefighters have a long and rich history of
serving and protecting our local communities. From the days of
horse-drawn steamers and gunny sacks soaked with water to the high-tech
motorized equipment of today, our Nebraska firefighters have been there.
They have been there with fire prevention activities. And when the fires
struck, they have been there consistently saving lives and property.
Many are uncompensated. They do it out of love and dedication to their
communities. They have been and will continue to be our “unsung heroes.”
A group of firefighters had a dream to someday create a
special place to honor Nebraska firefighters, a place to preserve the
history of Nebraska firefighting and a place to serve as an education
center for fire prevention. The idea of a statewide Nebraska
Firefighters Museum and Education Center was born.
...read the July 7, 2005 press release.
Since the tragedies of 9/11, many states have begun
creating museums that honor the courage, valor and heritage of
firefighters. Nebraska now has a golden opportunity to create its own
outstanding museum and interactive education center for the same
purpose. Now is the time to take this opportunity for all of us to
recognize and celebrate the history, service and education that our
firefighters statewide have so effectively provided.
A few years ago, the Nebraska Firefighters Foundation
purchased a plot of land along the Platte River south of Kearney. This
piece of land had two existing buildings that would need to be renovated
and redesigned to house the Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education
Center. Demolition and reconstruction began on the interior of these
buildings, but there was much to accomplish to make this location a
primary destination point for Interstate travelers.
However, even through numerous setbacks,
the work continued on the site until mid-2008 when the Nebraska
Firefighters Foundation was approached by the city of Kearney with a
fantastic opportunity to relocate the museum & education center to a
prime location for this statewide landmark facility -- right off
Interstate-80!
So the permanent location for the
Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center is found just west of
the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument that spans Interstate 80.
This new location will not only increase the Museum’s visibility &
improve access to a larger population and traffic flow, but it will also
provide the Museum with even greater long-term success as a tourist
campus is being developed in this location around the Archway and the
Museum.
Through a relationship with BD
Construction of Kearney, pre-construction began in November 2008.
On Friday, Dec. 12,
members of the Nebraska Firefighters Foundation and area dignitaries
proudly gripped the gold shovels that turned the first clods of dirt for
the Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center just west of the
Great Platte River Road Archway Monument in Central Neb.
A large crowd gathered for the 10:56 a.m. event to celebrate this
remarkable accomplishment for the state. This unusual time that was
chosen for the occasion was in reference to 10-56 being the dispatch
radio code for Nebraska’s fire departments. ...read the December 12, 2008 press release.
Construction progressed with minimal setbacks, and the
"hose cutting and Open House" was held at the newly completed facility
on August 14th, 2009
...read the July 17, 2009 press release.
and the first day of regular operation was celebrated on August 15th,
2009.
The Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center is
not just a show room for old fire trucks, but rather, this beautiful
facility provides a number of important features that will significantly
benefit all Nebraskans, the young and the not-so-young, alike.
It is a place to safeguard and preserve Nebraska’s
firefighting heritage by discovering, procuring and effectively
displaying historical firefighting equipment and memorabilia.
Effective exhibits & images teach the history of
firefighting, and includes information about improvements through the
years in equipment, technology, and firefighting tactics; plus Nebraska
fire departments will be able to bring in their own antique trucks &
equipment in an ever changing display of Nebraska’s firefighting
heritage.
The Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center will
provide not only a means of telling the story of the heroic history of
Nebraska firefighters, but will also serve as an extensive education
center that will be used by schools, groups and visitors for fire
prevention and firefighting education. It will be a place to provide the
general public and especially our young people with learning
opportunities through interactive exhibits, hands-on training and
entertaining learning experiences.
Another important feature will of the Nebraska
Firefighters Museum & Education Center will be a Hall of Fame honoring
and memorializing those who have made significant contributions to the
firefighting service in Nebraska, or who have performed heroic acts in
saving lives and property, serving above and beyond the call of duty.
A peaceful lakeside Memorial Garden
(an artist's depiction at right) will also be
available where friends and relatives can remember and honor
firefighters past & present for their sacrifices & dedication.
The Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center will
provide not only a means of telling the story of the heroic history of
Nebraska firefighters, but will also serve as an extensive education
center that will be used by schools, groups and visitors for fire
prevention and firefighting education. It will be a place to provide the
general public and especially our young people with learning
opportunities through interactive exhibits, hands-on training and
entertaining learning experiences.
 The
next phase of development for the Museum campus will be focused towards
fundraising for a peaceful lakeside Memorial Garden where friends and
relatives of fallen firefighters can remember and honor firefighters
past & present for their sacrifices & dedication.
We believe that the courageous individuals of the fire
service and EMS should be honored for their service and sacrifice. So,
we invite individuals, businesses and corporate sponsors to link arms
with the Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center, located near
Kearney, Nebraska, in paying tribute to firefighters and emergency
personnel for their valor and bravery in service.
By donating to the Memorial Garden fund, purchasing memorial name
engravings and sponsoring the large special features at the Nebraska
Firefighters Memorial Garden, you will ensure that those who have made a
difference in many Nebraskans’ lives will be remembered and admired for
generations to come.
For more information on how you, your department
or your business can honor the firefighters and EMS individuals of
Nebraska, click here.
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Both of the forms below
are clickable. To print/download a form, click on the images
below. |
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To give the gift of honor to a Nebraska firefighter or EMT,
order a memorial
name engraving today! |
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To be a part of bestowing the gratitude
due to our state's firefighters & EMTs,
make your pledge of support or
purchase a special feature in the
Nebraska Firefighters Memorial Garden! |
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During our first year of operation, another important
feature of the Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center will be
added: a Nebraska Fire Service Hall of Fame that will serve to honor and
appreciate those who have made significant contributions to the
firefighting service in Nebraska, firefighter or not, or who have
performed heroic acts in saving lives and property. The first
inductions into this prestigious Hall of Fame will occur within the
first year of the Museum being open. Nominations of individuals who have
served above and beyond the call of duty should be sent to Hall of Fame
Committee Chairman Bob Vogltance at
bevogltance3@cableone.net |
