West Thurston Firefighters Donate $2,000 to Rochester Robotics and Drone Team After Theft

May 22—The West Thurston Regional Fire Authority's firefighters union has donated $2,000 to the Rochester High School Robotics Team after much of the team's equipment was stolen last month.

Competing in the SkillsUSA Washington robotics urban search and rescue competition in April, the team swept the podium, taking first, second and third place in the state competition. The drone team took first place as well.

But as the team prepared to receive their medals the day after the competition, they discovered the truck they traveled to the competition in — along with an estimated $10,000 worth of robotics equipment, including the champion robot, Vladimir, and three drones — had all been stolen.

The truck was later recovered, but it was empty.

Despite having to spend money the team raised to travel to Georgia on building a new Vladimir, public support and donations for the team quickly poured in after news of the theft was made public, according to previous Chronicle reporting.

"With the recent news of the theft of their equipment, your firefighters knew they needed to put together a donation for the Rochester High School Robotics team," Thurston County Professional Firefighters Local 3825 said in a Facebook post announcing the $2,000 donation. "We wish them the best of luck to continue their championship run!"

"Your generosity and support mean so much!" said the Rochester School District in a Facebook post thanking the firefighter's union for the donation.

The robotics and drone teams will compete at the national level next month.