Local firefighters sacrifice vacation time, checks to help tornado victims

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Local groups are stepping up and doing their part to help tornado victims in Kentucky.

Firefighters in Burke County were heading to Kentucky Wednesday afternoon, using some of their vacation time -- and Christmas checks -- to help people.

Since the devastating twister last weekend, firefighters at the Triple Community Fire Department near Drexel have been gathering items, like cleaning supplies, water and paper products that have been donated.

The fire department has a special connection with a fire department near Harlan, Kentucky. Earlier this year, they donated some of their older equipment to the department that could no longer be used in North Carolina.

Channel 9 spoke with some of the firefighters and paramedics who are sacrificing their vacation time and portions of their holiday checks to help people they don’t know.

“It is still a vacation for us,” said Lt. Kelly Michaels. “We absolutely love what we do, whether we are doing it here or in Kentucky or Tennessee. It doesn’t matter. It’s a very large calling and it’s up to us to do what we can when people need it.”

>> More Kentucky tornado coverage.

“It’s all about a brotherhood and sisterhood and helping each other out,” said Capt. James Deal. “If our communities were the ones affected, we would want the help.”

Firefighters said U-Haul heard about the donation efforts and gave them a truck to use, free of charge. Four firefighters from the department will be headed to Kentucky, including one trained as a paramedic and another in search and rescue.

(WATCH BELOW: Volunteers from Carolinas head to Midwest for recovery efforts after deadly tornadoes)

Volunteers from Carolinas head to Midwest for recovery efforts after deadly tornadoes

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