Middle Georgia firefighters team up to raise money for fallen firefighter’s family

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon County Assistant Fire Chief, Chad Yoder lost a brother a few weeks ago, but little did he know, he would gain so many more.

“It shows the true brotherhood of the fire service.,” said Yoder. “Just to see the support that they have given us, it’s amazing, it really is.”

Macon County firefighter, Darrell Plank, lost his life while on the job in May. He left behind a wife and five small children.

“What we’re trying to do is we’re just trying to bring it back home,” said Steve Rodgers, President of the Servants Task Force.

Rodgers is rallying up a team to participate in the ‘Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers’. It’s a national event coming to Atlanta where firefighters climb up 75 flights of stairs at the Westin Hotel.

“I came home and started calling some of the chiefs I know and decided we should put together a team Middle Georgia to help,” said Rodgers.

Each participant needs to raise $140 dollars to race. The foundation started after fallen firefighter, Stephen Siller, lost his life in the attacks of 9/11. The foundation helps injured veterans as well as families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

“We never know when it will happen here, we never know when we’ll be next,” said Rodgers.

Rodgers spoke with the foundation and came to an agreement that all extra money raised, will go to the Plank family. The family doesn’t know yet, but Yoder says they will definitely appreciate it.

“I think they’ll be amazed and just like I said, amazed with the support of the fire department,” said Yoder.

About 20 firefighters from six different fire departments will take the stairs on June 24th. Businesses like Buffalo Wild Wings and Firehouse Subs are helping raise money as well. This is only the beginning, but Yoder and the rest of the Macon County Fire Department are grateful to see the community come together for their brother.

“You know, everybody always talks about the fire department as a brotherhood, but you never know how really close it is until something like this happens,” said Yoder. “Then, it really comes out.”

Firehouse Subs has donated a $1000 to help pay for participant’s entry fees. On Monday, they’ll start selling sub lunch boxes for about $8, and all proceeds will go to the Plank family. So far, Warner Robins, Perry, Centerville, Fort Valley and Macon-Bibb County fire departments have signed up to participate. Rodgers is hoping more will sign up.

Even though the stair race is the 24th, Rodgers says he will keep collecting donations for the Plank family until August 4th. If you would like to participate or donate, call Rodgers at (478) 960-5838.