Bracelets on sale to support Chelsea firefighter, family

The Chelsea community and fire organizations around the state have rallied around a Chelsea firefighter in the last three weeks.

Lt. Ben Hostetter had a heart attack on June 29 while responding to a house fire in the Chelsea Ridge subdivision. He was taken to Grandview Medical Center, where he was listed as in critical condition.

"That was a tough night," Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley said during a July 18 Chelsea City Council meeting.

Hostetter, 39, has been a firefighter with Chelsea for 15 years and has a wife and three children. Shirley gave an update on Hostetter's condition during the July 18 council meeting, and said he has started to come off pain medication. 

"Ben has made amazing progress in the three short weeks, for someone who went through what he went through that particular night," Shirley said. "He survived a tough ordeal."

Chelsea Fire Station 31 on Chesser Drive is collecting donations for Hostetter and his family, and they are also selling bracelets that say, "Pray Strong. Pray Healing. Pray for Ben. We Fight as One Family." All proceeds from the $5 bracelets will go to helping the Hostetter family.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up at gofundme.com/help-support-the-hostetter-family. Chelsea Fire and Rescue is also providing updates on the department's Facebook page.