Gary Sinise Foundation Gives $40K to Pa. Fire Department

West Hazleton firefighters can now respond to car accidents with rescue equipment strong enough to lift a railroad car but light enough to carry with ease.

The volunteer department in Pennsylvania received a $40,000 grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation to replace extrication tools that had been in service since 1994. At a demonstration on Friday, crews showed how the new pneumatic pumps and struts lifted an overturned car high enough to free a trapped victim.

"Tons of stuff," said Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Milore when asked what the equipment can do. The gear works for rope rescues, stabilizing vehicles, and even supporting damaged structures.

Fire Department President Joseph Zajac makes it his mission to identify needs and hunt down funding sources. The Gary Sinise Foundation, named for the actor famous for playing Lieutenant Dan in "Forrest Gump," supports veterans and emergency responders nationwide through competitive grants.

West Hazleton submitted the strongest application they could craft. U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan sent an endorsement letter that Zajac believes made the difference.

Bresnahan toured the department's 1888 firehouse, which volunteers have been renovating themselves. He stayed for lunch with firefighters, the mayor, and borough council members as conversation turned to the department's next big need: a $1.2 million fire engine to replace their 26-year-old workhorse that cost $25,000 in repairs last year alone.

The Ripple Effect

Fire Chief Brandon Cressman runs the department with part-time drivers and 30 registered volunteers, though only 12 to 15 respond on a good day. Every equipment upgrade means these volunteers can work faster and safer when someone's worst day happens.

The entire borough government operates on a $4 million annual budget, making a new fire engine nearly impossible to afford without grants. Manufacturing and delivery takes up to four years, so the search for funding continues.

Zajac already applied to FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program but didn't advance past the first round. Bresnahan's office received 111 applications for just 15 Congressional Community Project grants in the last cycle, showing how many departments compete for limited resources.

Small victories like the rescue equipment grant keep volunteer firefighters motivated while they work toward bigger goals. When emergencies strike in West Hazleton, responders now have tools that match their dedication.