Fundraiser For Local Volunteer Fire Chief Leonard Lundby

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By KFBB News Team

Story Published: Nov 14, 2009 at 11:48 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 14, 2009 at 11:52 PM MDT

Manchester Fire Chief, Leonard Lundby usually spends his time fighting fires as the Manchester Fire Chief. But now, he is fighting for his life, battling a severe case of H1N1. On Saturday night, family and friends gathered in Vaughn to support the man who has spent almost twenty years leading local volunteer firefighters.

Andrew Carlsson, a local firefighter says, "There isn't enough we can do to give back to what Leonard's given us." Leonard Lundby is the go to guy for firefighters on the frontline, after writing a grant for a $450,000 burn trailer that benefits 30 departments in three counties. Now those firefighters say it is their turn to say thank you.

On Saturday night, firefighters from across the area came out to the Vaughn Fire Deartment for a big fundraiser for Lundby, who was diagnosed with a severe case of H1N1. It got so bad at one point, he ended up in a drug induced coma, his organs shutting down on him, causing him to lose more than 40 pounds. He says friends and family are what is keeping him alive.

Don Lundby, Leonard's brother says, "He's just extremely emotional. He can't believe this is going on, he can't believe the amount of energy and time and deopth that's been going on. He is extremely grateful."

Those closet to Leonard say he is overwhelmed by the support, but they're hoping it gives him the strength he needs to make a full recovery. Carlsson says, "This is the kind of power this guy has. Even in this type of atmosphere, where he is laying there, facing the light, he can pull this together. This isn't us pulling this together, this is his work, that's pulling this together."

Lundby has been transfered to the rehab floor at the hospital, and his family is hoping that he will be released in about two weeks. But it could take three months to fully rebuild his muscles, before he can go back to work.

If you missed the fundraiser, you can still help. You can send a donation to the Manchester Fire Department or Stockman Bank on the west side of Great Falls. The bank can be reached at 771-2740 and their address is 711 3rd St NW Great Falls, MT 59404. You can also call Don Lundby, Leonard's brother directly at 868-8240.

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Haines Fire, Haines Or said on Monday, Nov 16 at 7:38 PM

Haines Fire would like to wish the Chief the best and a speedy recovery.

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