In 2006, the Keeseville Volunteer Fire Department in Upstate New York led a 10-day rescue effort for a rafter who was missing in the Ausable River.  They continued their search long after other agencies had given up.

The father of the rafter wrote an essay (available on the website) to nominate the Fire Department for a $100,000 grand prize in the Circuit City firedog Across America contest.  Anyone can go and vote for the department until May 13.  As a bonus, each and every vote counts as $1 for the fire department!  I highly recommend going and voting to help money get to fire departments that can really use it!