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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.
The Foundation Board has spent many years planning and
searching for the best location for a statewide museum of this
magnitude. Recently, the Firefighters Board placed a winning bid on a
beautiful 10-acre site with two existing buildings along the Platte
River just south of Kearney, with easy access from 1-80.
...Take a Virtual tour of the Museum site.
Since the
tragedies of 9/11, many states have begun creating firefighter museums.
Nebraska now has a golden opportunity to create its own outstanding
museum and interactive education center. It is an opportunity for all of
us to recognize and celebrate the history, service and education our
firefighters have so effectively provided.
The 20,000-square-foot facility to be constructed will
provide a number of important features, all of which will significantly
benefit young and old Nebraskans alike.
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A place to safeguard and preserve Nebraska’s
firefighting heritage by discovering, procuring and effectively
displaying historical firefighting equipment and memorabilia.
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A Hall of Fame which will memorialize those
firefighters, past and present, who performed heroic acts in saving
lives and property, and who otherwise served above and beyond the
call of duty.
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A means of not only telling the history, but also
serving as an extensive education center that can be used by schools
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 and
entertaining exhibits.
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