Mission Moments: Inverness Fire Department

The Inverness Fire Protection District and Little City have teamed up to make dreams come true. 

What first started as an email about visiting the Inverness Fire Protection District has turned into a vocational skill building experience for a group of participants at Little City’s Center for Employment & Business Opportunities. 

Thanks to the kindness of Chief Richard Kurka, Little City participants have been making frequent trips to the Inverness fire station to learn job skills and create meaningful community and social connections. Participants help clean around the station and kitchen, help maintain the office space and work outside when the weather is nice. 

One of the participants, Katherine, helped put together a menu for a cookout the firefighters and Little City team shared together. 

“When you see them come in and the enthusiasm they have it helps keep things in perspective,” Rich said. “They’re just terrific people and help take things off our plate and they treat it like a special opportunity. It’s just a really nice relationship.” 

One standout during the experience has been Robbie, who has had a lifelong admiration for police and firefighters. Robbie will even assist with washing engines and has learned all the ins and outs of how things should look and be presented. 

“Robbie is pretty in-tune with what we do and is very excited and knowledgeable about the work,” Rich said. “He has a lot of respect for it. He’ll even supervise and make sure we are looking our best when we go out in public.” 

The relationship has gone so well that they are in the early stages of trying to develop a plan for a couple of the standout participants to go beyond volunteer work and get some paid hours at the station.

Jenny Boland, Little City Director of Employment Services, said the relationship with the Inverness Fire Protection District and Chief Kurka is more than she could have ever imagined when it started. She said Chief Kurka’s passion for Little City’s mission goes beyond helping the group as he has also come to special events like a Friendsgiving celebration in November and the Holiday Concert in December. 

“Chief Kurka is more than a mentor; he’s a champion for our success, a cheerleader for our dreams, and a role model of selfless dedication,” Jenny said. “ He gives his time, his wisdom, and his unwavering support to help us become the best versions of ourselves.”

Thank you to Chief Kurka and the entire Inverness Fire Protection District for helping Little City participants reach their full potential!