DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac Fire Department’s responsibility is putting out the fires, but at 5 p.m. Friday, the fire department will be starting a fire of its own — on the grill that is.

The fire department is hosting its inaugural corn and sausage roast fundraiser and an opportunity for families to watch the Young Professionals of Great Dowagiac’s firework display at the Dowagiac Fire Department, 302 Wolf St., Dowagiac.  The event is to raise money for its fundraising account, said Anthony Stewart, the lieutenant of Company C Crew at the fire department. Money in the account goes towards purchasing items such as T-shirts for the firefighters and other loose supplies, he said.

“We don’t do a lot of fundraisers like we used to,” Stewart said. “We used to do a spaghetti dinner and things like that, but we’ve kind of gotten away from it now.”

To reach more of the community and develop stronger bonds with citizens, the fire department is wanting to host an additional two or three fundraisers this year, Stewart said. The roast is just the beginning.

“We want to reach out to the community and let them know we are still here,” Stewart said. “Come in and check it out. We got a new fire truck this year, so check that out also. Come hang out, bring a chair and watch the fireworks from our fire station.”

The new fire truck in the fleet was introduced to the public in late March of this year and cost $340,000, according to Deputy Fire Chief Robert Smith. The department also purchased an additional $15,000 worth of other equipment.

The planning for the event has been in the works for several months as the department unanimously decided a fundraiser during the fireworks would be a good idea, Stewart said. Smith added that the fundraiser is due to the planning of an eager group who took the project on full force.

“We kind of just started throwing it together, but we’ve been planning on doing a fundraiser at the fireworks for about three or four months,” Stewart said.

For the fire department of a city like Dowagiac, it is important for firefighters to get out and talk with the community and let them know it is here, Stewart said.

“It’s so important. Obviously, [the community] calls us at the worst moments of their lives,” Stewart said. “We are supposed to show up and make it better. For them to know us on a more personal basis is great. You know, when there is not an emergency, they can sit down to talk to us and meet their local firefighters.”

Stewart encouraged members of the community to stay interested in public safety.

“They can talk with us and see our equipment and how we operate,” Stewart said. “We let them know we are here for them, and they can come and see what we do whenever they want.  Our fire station is their fire station.”

The event will continue until food is sold out.