MCCOY, Colorado — Chief Brita Horn of Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department recently returned from a six-day class on leadership and administration at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md., with a $500 donation and a plaque.

The class is one of many Volunteer Incentive Program courses offered by the National Fire Administration — an entity of the Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency — to volunteer and combination fire departments year round. The program gathers chief officers across the country to meet and exchange ideas and information.

Each class has the opportunity to donate to an organization that is fire related and needs funding.

“Having been to the NFA many multiple times ... it is the first time that I have seen a class come together as a group and put the group's interest ahead of their own,” said Deputy Assistant Chief S. Paul Cummins of Tinley Park (Ill.) Fire Department. “The donation to RCVFD on our final class day was the epitome of that togetherness.”

Other states that were represented were Arizona, North Carolina, Utah, Montana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“It is enough to keep going and get the funding our nonprofit fire department needs,” Horn said of the donation.

Horn went to the Flat Top Ranch Supply in Phippsburg to order a heat gun, extension cords, bolt cutters, tarps and free standing lights for on-scene lighting.

“I promised the class we would get emergency tools that we need for our engines,” Horn said. “A promise is a promise.”

To donate to the Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department, visit www.rockcreekvfd.org. You can also follow the department on Facebook. All donations are tax deductable.