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Mineral Point mourns deaths of two firefighters

IOWA COUNTY (WKOW) -- After two Mineral Point volunteerfirefighters died in a crash Thursday,messages of sympathy and support quickly came pouring in. 

"We're seeing just a tremendous outpouring of support, and it's almost breathtaking sometimes to think about how people respond to these situations," Keith Hurlbert, Iowa County's emergency management director, said. "It's an emotional thing. It's amazing. It's overwhelming the amount of support that we've seen." 

In addition to being the county's emergency management director, Hurlbert is also a recently-retired volunteer firefighter. He said that makes the tragedy hit even closer to home. 

He said he spent time Thursday fielding calls offering support from other fire departments both in Iowa County and from other communities in southern Wisconsin. 

"The firefighting community is pretty unique in that we're constantly giving, helping each other anyway," he said. "We're mutual aiding with each other, and when something like this happens, we have a natural tendency to come together." 

He said the exact support other fire departments will be able to offer over the coming days and weeks will vary. 

"It can be just having some camaraderie and to be able to talk to other firefighters," he said. "In the in the near future, I can see there could be some times when Mineral Point is just going to need assistance to respond to calls."

Many fire departments and other first responderstook to social media Thursday, sharing their condolences and posting a picture of the Mineral Point Fire Department badge with a red and black line over it. 

Hurlbert said, moving forward, he knows area fire departments and other first responders will continue to support the Mineral Point community in whatever ways are necessary.

"One of the greatest parts about being a volunteer firefighter is that, even in the face of tragedy, we support each other," he said. "It takes the group to get through these things, and we're going to make sure that that's what happens."

St. Mary and Paul Catholic Church held a prayer servicefor the fallen firefighters Thursday night. The church said both were parishioners. 

More at WKOW 27 News


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