Laramie County rallies behind injured firefighter, hosts fundraiser
CHEYENNE — First responders in Laramie County have rallied together to raise money for a Laramie firefighter who was critically injured in the line of duty.
While responding to a structure fire on Feb. 28 north of Laramie, Dylan Schilt was critically injured. A building collapse left him with severe injuries, including a collapsed lung, broken ankle and a spinal injury resulting in paralysis.
The Cheyenne community immediately responded to Schilt's injuries with thoughts and prayers, financial support and efforts to hold events to raise funds for the family. This included a spaghetti dinner and auction fundraiser Friday evening, organized by the Laramie County Fire Authority, Laramie County Sheriff's Office, Laramie County Fire District 10 and the Laramie Fire Department.
'This is a fellow brother, let's take care of him,' LCSO Chief Deputy Aaron Veldheer said. 'Help him out as much as we can and see what we can do. Because the only way we know if we can help is if we try.'
Veldheer noted that while law enforcement and firefighters might jokingly poke fun at each other, they ultimately have a deep mutual respect for the lifesaving and essential safety roles they play in their communities. That means when someone's injured, you rally behind them.
Dylan Schilt Fundraiser Flyer
'Looking at the different situations, what firefighters do, what police do, what sheriff's deputies do, it can be very scary,' Veldheer said. 'Those people put their fear aside to go out and try and make the world a better place. And that's what he was trying to do that night. Trying to save somebody's house, making the best of a bad situation and helping that family. I think it's important and imperative that we get out and do what we can to help him, as well.'
Dylan Schilt's father, Mike Schilt, has been updating the community via Facebook on his son's condition. A few weeks into recovery, he posted to Facebook that the ongoing messages, prayers and community support are greatly appreciated.
'Dylan wants to be challenged more, but there are some physical challenges that are currently preventing him from moving more quickly,' Mike Schilt posted to Facebook. 'We choose to believe that with perseverance and prayer, he will be able to overcome these obstacles in time.
'Dylan has expressed, quite often, that he is so appreciative of all the texts, calls and visits from so many people. I can tell you, as a father, even though it's been just a little over three weeks since the accident, people continue to want updates and are praying for Dylan. This is so encouraging for all of us.'
Laramie County Fire District 10 assistant fire chief Jason Ruff highlighted the need for firefighters to feel valued by their communities.
'Laramie County and our neighboring counties do an absolutely wonderful job of supporting their people any time that there's a need,' Ruff said. 'You know, agencies come together, firefighters come together, leadership comes together. And any time something like this happens, it's guaranteed support.'
Dylan Schilt's father echoed the need to support first responders in his most recent Facebook update dated March 24.
'We need to pray for and encourage all of our first responders; they go through so much mentally and physically,' Mike Schilt wrote. 'Each time there is an emergency call, responders know that they may be going to a situation that is the worst day, ever, in a person's life, and they are about to become part of that.'
Elks Lodge fundraiser flyer
Even though Dylan Schilt's injuries were suffered in Albany County, Laramie County first responders still have been compelled to help him through his recovery. Veldheer added that first responders often have the same types of insurance the average person does, and when you experience mental and physically significant injuries, there's only so much insurance can cover.
'I think that the true strength of a person isn't how much we can take our experiences and try and hide the effects of that event but share with others who may be dealing with a similar experience; to help each other,' Mike Schilt wrote. 'God didn't create us to walk alone in this life; He gave us others that need us as much as we need them.'
The fundraiser in Cheyenne included dinner, a raffle and an auction at Fire Station 72, 410 Horse Creek Road. Even if people were unable to attend, they are still encouraged to donate what they can to the Schilt family at tinyurl.com/help-schilt-family.
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