This rhythm’s got a reason: rescue

Friday’s Music in the Park event in Belgium has the typical smattering of summer favorites found at community gatherings.

Live tunes, a bounce house, cornhole and other yard games, food and refreshments.

But money collected here has a bigger purpose than covering the costs of consumables.

The Belgium Fire Department is raising money for a new rescue boat, one designed for floating west of Lake Michigan.

“This is designed for the inland water areas such as retention ponds, the quarry at Harrington, etc. It can be used for both ice rescues or open-water rescues,” Chief Pat Wester said.

“It will replace our current boat that is 18 years old and has several unrepairable leaks in it.”

A new inflatable boat costs $3,200. Wester would also like to buy additional ice rescue suits at $950 each to replace old suits that have leaks.

Fundraising so far has been going well, Wester said.

“The community and local businesses have been phenomenal so far. We’re well on our way to be able to fund the new boat,” he said.

The main attraction on Friday will be the locally famous Shad Lads from Port Washington, a five-piece band that plays vintage rock, country and hits from the 1960s to today.

The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1. Shad Lads start at 6 p.m.

In other fire department news, Wester said at this month’s Belgium Town Board meeting the department was part of a mutual aid call to Port Washington in June for a lithium ion battery fire.

“They’re very hazardous. They will ignite without any warning or any reason,” he said of the batteries, adding he recommends keeping them outside.

Electric vehicles use the batteries, he said, and if they ignite can take 24 to 36 hours to burn out.

“There’s really nothing to put them out other than a lot of water,” he said.

Wester cautioned residents about trees hanging over roadways in the way of emergency vehicles. During one call to Lake Church, the department couldn’t get into the driveway because of overhanging branches.

“All it’s going to do is delay our time to the emergency,” he said.

The department plans to start patrolling lake roads in early August and will be in contact with residents whose trees could use trimming, he said.