Union group supports first responders and communications workers

Professional Firefighters of Marion County board member Clifton Murphy, second from left, with high performance crews and donated turkeys. [Photo courtesy Professional Firefighters of Marion County]

On Nov. 27, the Professional Firefighters of Marion County group continued its tradition of providing turkeys for crews working on Thanksgiving Day. The PFFMC is a labor union organization representing 575 active and retired first responders working for or retired from Marion County Fire Rescue.

Dubbed the “Worky Turkey” event, the tradition started four years ago and was spearheaded by PFFMC board member Nicolas “Zanc” Zancanata. This year, the leadership of PFFMC coordinated the with board member James “Butcher” Butscher organizing delivery efforts.

“This time of year can be very stressful for our first responders and I am honored to continue the tradition that Zanc started by helping to relieve some of the stress,” Butscher said in a media release.

Delivery of the turkeys was coordinated by Butcher and 10 off-duty PFFMC members to cover all the stations in Marion County’s 1,663 square miles. The turkeys are thawed and precooked, making it easy for on-duty crews to make dinner. This year, to expand the holiday spirit, PFFMC President Rolin Boyd was joined by David Knowles of 1-800boardup.com to share the program with MCFR Public Safety Communications members by providing dinner for the dispatch crews on duty on Thanksgiving Day, the release noted.

“Our members are happy to have a supporting community that appreciates their sacrifice and if we can empower and support our members to continue the service they provide, I am all for it,” Boyd stated.

To learn more about the PFFMC, find the group @marionfirefighters on Instagram, @FF4Marion on X and Professional Firefighters of Marion County on Facebook.

Professional Firefighters of Marion County delivery members, from left, President Rolin Boyd, Chris Stencel, David Knowles, Alex Gikerie, James Butscher and John Ramsey, with boxes of turkeys. [Photo courtesy Professional Firefighters of Marion County]