DeKalb Fire Protection District volunteer organizing fundraising race 

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Firefighters spend their careers helping others, but this time they are reaching out to the community for help.  

A volunteer with the DeKalb Fire Protection District organized a 5k and 10k trail race set for Saturday, May 31, through the Bluffwoods Conservation Area trails to benefit the local fire protection district.

"We need to raise money for the department to help us buy extra equipment," volunteer firefighter Camron Hull said. "And also, we want to start engaging with the community more than just when we're responding to emergencies."

Hull called the race a great opportunity to utilize public land in the district it serves. The Missouri Department of Conservation issued a special use permit for the occasion.  

"Missouri Department of Conservation has always been a good partner of ours," he said. "When we're fighting fires there, they always send personnel out. So I think that they're excited for us to be able to utilize the event for such a good cause."

Volunteer firefighters will focus on hosting the event and helping at the on-site medical and aid stations during the races. 

Hull said the race will feature a single-track trail and a logging road with gravel. The special use permit allows the DeKalb Fire Protection District the opportunity to use the grounds for four hours. 

"You don't have to be a hunter or fisherman," Hull said. "You don't have to like hiking. There's ADA accessible trails that are fully paved that anybody can get out and utilize."

Check-in time is at 7:30 a.m. and the 10k and 5k races start at 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., respectively. 

Hull said DeKalb is a tight-knit, supportive community and support spreads further into Buchanan County. 

"Everybody's looking for opportunities to engage and help support us, but it even goes further than that," he said. "St. Joseph has a really great running community and many of the businesses have offered to let us hang the fliers and spread the word about our event."

You can sign up for the DeKalb Firefighter 5k and 10k and find more information at ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=125653.