After the membership of St. John's Lodge No. 9 had heard of several devastating fires which claimed the lives of Seattle Firefighters it was decided to try to do something which would help the Fire department keep these brave men and women alive when in dangerous situations. After much deliberation it was decided that a Thermal Imaging Camera would give enough warning of impending disasterous situations to save lives.

The Lodge immediately found that it had problems to surmount in order to get the Fire Department the money it needed to purchase the camera. The City of Seattle had no method set up to accept public donations for equipment to its departments. WB Ken Lane Jr. went to the City Council and encouraged them to set up a Gift and Trust Fund for the purpose of making donations to the City's Departments. The Council did so and the Lodge was then able to look further into making the donation a reality.

After determining the cost of the camera the Lodge cut and sent the check to the Seattle Fire Department. The check was received by the Seattle Fire Department on April 6, 2001 and it immediately ordered the needed camera. The officers and members of St. John's Lodge No. 9 were invited by the Seattle Fire Department to witness the first test use of the new camera.

The Master, Secretary, and several other members of the Lodge went to a training fire to witness the use of the camera and spent an exciting day getting a first hand look at the inner workings of fighting a house fire. The members of St. John's Lodge No. 9 are very pleased that they were able to help our Fire Department and are always looking for ways to help protect those who serve the public.

Caring citizenship in the community is a very important part of the lives of the members of St. John's Lodge No. 9. The Lodge offers its members the opportunity to exercise good citizenship as a group. The donation of this camera is but a single example of what the Lodge does in Seattle.