Fairfield firefighters returned to a boarded-up house on Alma Drive on Friday—this time, not because of a 911 call but to show support for a fellow firefighter and his family, who lost everything in a fire there just days after Christmas.

The crews were joined by members of the Bridgeport Fire Department, where Mike Mentes has worked for 17 years, and several state legislators. They gathered in front of the now-uninhabitable home to get the word out about two fundraising efforts for Mike Mentes, his wife Jess and their three daughters.

“This is a way for the public to help someone that provides service to you. They definitely need your help today,” said Bridgeport Fire Chief Lance Edwards.

“It’s all about us making a difference and helping others that have made a difference in our lives,” explained state Sen. Tony Hwang.

“That's what community is about—coming together, not only in times of celebration, but also coming together in times of tragedy to support each other,” state Rep. Sarah Keitt added.

Friends and neighbors previously told News 12 the Menteses are the ones always giving back to others and were hesitant to have the focus on them.

On Friday, the couple said they were overwhelmed by how people have rallied around them.

“We're very fortunate to live in the community that we do and have the neighbors that we do. They have been absolutely amazing—a blessing to us really, every single one of them. I’m wearing half the neighborhood's clothing right now. I can't tell you how blessed we really are,” Jess Mentes said.

The couple also stressed the importance of having working smoke detectors where they live. They credit those and their cat for saving Jess Mentes’ life when the fire broke out around 3 a.m. Sunday. Mike Mentes was at work at the time, and their daughters were at a relative’s house.

Jess Mentes spoke with News 12 the following day and described what happened, explaining she was home with the family's two pets and fast asleep until the cat jumped on her chest.

“She was on top of me, clawing me, and I could hear the smoke alarm going off,” Jess Mentes recalled. “I just knew something wasn’t right. I turned on the light, and there was black smoke rolling over my head.”

Jess Mentes knew she had to leave quickly, so she kicked out the screen of her bedroom window, then hoisted the family’s 75-pound dog through it. She followed, carrying the cat in a pillowcase.

“Please check your smoke detectors and have a plan. I think that's the most important thing. We had that, and I'm here today because of it,” she stressed Friday to reporters.

“Every fire department generally has a program to help people that can't afford them or can't put them up themselves. Please, call your local fire department and get in touch with someone because it's not OK to not have them,” Mike Mentes added.

He also said the family plans to give a portion of the money that’s donated to them to area fire departments for their free smoke detector programs.

To donate to the GoFundMe effort for the Mentes family, click here. There is also a Give In Kind page for gift card donations.