When tragedy strikes in the fire department, a strong sense of community emerges amid the sadness.

On June 12, the night after MFD Apparatus Engineer Todd Mahoney died at the age of 38, Fire Station 5’s ‘A’ shift crew came together for a meal at the firehouse. Firehouse meals are a daily occurrence, but this one had a special purpose.

“I felt it was good for all of us to be together,” said Acting Lieutenant Carri Holloway, who was assigned to Station 5 that day.

Joining them was Lt. Michelle Bialas of the Appleton Fire Department, which suffered its own tragedy in May when Firefighter Mitch Lundgaard was killed in the line of duty.

“We laughed and told stories,” said Holloway, who was grateful that the two departments could support one another during this trying time. “Having an Appleton firefighter there, who just lost a brother, was a blessing.”
 

Station 5A with Lt. Bialas
(L-R) Lt. Linnea Anderson, Lt. Michelle Bialas (Appleton Fire Dept.), FF Stephanie Clary, FF/PM Jeff Ezzell, FF/PM Mike Flores, FF/PM Maj-Britt Williams, A/Lt. Carri Holloway, FF Sean Emberson, AE Joe Ellingson (Not pictured: FF Matt Anliker and FF/PM Casey Endres)
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Category: Station 5