RACINE, Wis.— It is common knowledge that when an alarm sounds at a fire station the crews dispatch to the fire, but in Southeast Wisconsin there is a second group that also is dispatched known as The Racine Fire Bells.

It is a group that has been around since 1948; they are all volunteers that don’t get paid and at times are called in the middle of the night.

The Racine Fire Bells don’t fight the fire, but they are just as important when at the scene.

“We provide everything from food, drinks to warming tents and cooling tents that the firefighters and fire victims can use at the scene,” said Adrian Machalik, vice president of the Racine Fire Bells.

The volunteers provide rehab coverage in Racine, Kenosha and Walworth Counties, serving the fire departments and law enforcement agencies.

“I do it because I know it gives back to the firefighters and that is something they need; they need rehab,” explained Machalik.

The Fire Bells average more than 100 emergency calls per year, with about 25 non-emergency events, which includes training fires. The Fire Bells support and maintain two in service rehab units and also one spare.

Along with rehab support, the Fire Bells also supports Fire Safety and Education by maintain the Fire House 3 Museum in downtown Racine.

However, this has been a tough year financially for The Racine Fire Bells because COVID-19 has cancelled all fundraising events.

“When we don’t have those, that $9,000, it hinders our availability to help our community fire departments,” said Machalik.

The Racine Fire Bells are a nearly 75-year tradition of service that has never lacked volunteers. If you’d like to help the volunteer group or learn more about the Fire Bells click here, or email them at racinefirebellclub@gmail.com.