Star Journal staff

The Rhinelander Fire Department is participating in a nationwide show of solidarity Wednesday at 7 p.m.

“We want all of our citizens to know we stand ready to fight this on the front lines to protect those we serve,” wrote Fire Chief Terry Williams in an email.

Fire departments are encouraged to open their doors and turn the lights on their trucks as a “sign of strength and hope for all,” stated Amy Jurgens, executive director of the Wisconsin State Fire Chief’s Association (WSFCA), in an email. “Hope for all who work daily in EMS, fire and law enforcement to be ready, strength of those working around the clock to provide care, those who strive to find the right medicine to help, those in the food and grocery industry to feed us and those trucking daily to keep us going.”

Jurgens is also asking citizens to join in by turning on porch lights at 7 p.m. tonight.