New Miami Fire Department host fundraiser for firefighter involved in head-on collision

BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio (FOX19) -New Miami firefighters hosted a fundraiser Saturday to help out a fellow firefighter pay his medical bills after he was involved in a head-on collision on Aug. 23.

Dustin Cook was driving with his 9-year-old son on Stahlheber Road near Gene Avenue when the crash occurred.

His is son fine, but Cook remains in the hospital, and his fellow firefighters remain concerned for the man who has been through multiple surgeries.

“He’s alert, he’s eating a little bit, and that’s about all we know,” Assistant Chief of the New Miami Fire Department Jim Lakes said.

While the prayers continue, New Miami Firefighters hope Cook will have one less thing to worry about in all of this.

To help raise money, organizers had a fill-the-boot donation at the event.

“We’re just trying to raise as much money to help out as much as we can because he’s done justice for the community... we’re just trying to help out,” said Lt. Shaun Brandenburg of the New Miami Fire Department.

They say the residents of New Miami are giving what they can, but the gifts do not always come in cash.

“People are just giving tons of money and just… even the ones that ain’t their like ‘God bless you, thank you for your service,’ and we appreciate them, and we appreciate that as much as anything. This community has been so good,” Assistant Chief Lakes said.

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