Masonic Keystone Lodge #263 of Hayward and the Springbrook VFW Post 10568 partnered to purchase three fire suppression tools which they donated to the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department on Friday, July 14. Keystone’s Worshipful Master Chris Olson said the fire suppression tools, which cost $1,000 each, can be thrown inside a house on fire, spraying a safe chemical called Halotron 2 which drops the temperature and sometimes can put the fire out. The tool works like a grenade, in which the firefighter pulls a pin before throwing it into the house and closing the door to contain it.
The Grand Lodge Masononic Foundation has the funds to supply departments with these tools, and they are working with the Wisconsin State Patrol to supply 450 trooper units with these fire suppression tools, defibrillators and more. So far, 57 units have been supplied and 11 tools have been used. The insurance company will reimburse a department once the tool is deployed.
Some have been donated to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Masons will soon be providing the Washburn County Fairgrounds with defibrillators. Pictured (L-R) are VFW Quartermaster Tony Wright, Washburn County Sheriff Dennis Stuart and Olson.
Regan Kohler, Spooner Advocate, July 22, 2023
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