News : Vinton Strong: VSHS students thank firefighters, first responders

The Vinton-Shellsburg High School Student Senate welcomed several fire departments, the Vinton Police Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office and North Benton Ambulance to the school on Tuesday to thank them for their service to the school and the community, and particularly for the long response to last month's downtown fire. There were 577 "Vinton Strong" t-shirts sold, said Student Senate advisor Rachelle Rammelsberg. The proceeds totalling $3,892.50, were divided equally between the Vinton, Garrison, Van Horne, Shellsburg, Mount Auburn and Urbana fire departments, the VPD, BCSO and North Benton Ambulance. Student Senate members Elisabeth Davis-Walker and Natalie Boyer thanked law enforcement personnel for keeping them safe at home and school, and for their help during parades, events and the cross-country team's carrying of the Homecoming game ball. Vinton Fire Chief Charles Garwood told the studens that the fire required using 970,000 gallons of water, enough to fill the local swimming pool more than three times. He said that scores of firefighters worked hundreds of hours that weekend; the original response lasted 24 hours for many of the firemen. The participating agencies and numbers that Chief Garwood shared aout the fire include:

Participants: Vinton PD, Benton county Sherriff, North Benton Ambulance and 6 fire departments: Vinton, Garrison, Van Horne, Mt Auburn, Urbana and Shellsburg

79 firefighters + 6 retired firefighters assisted

965 man-hours; initial call was 24 hours long

14 Fire trucks

2 Light Units

1 Pickup truck hauling Fuel to the Fire trucks

Over 5000 ft. of fire hose

Pumped over 970,000 gallons of water, enough to fill the Vinton pool 3.5 Times

See more photos HERE.