Local Fire Department Helping Others In NYC
By: Aaron Cheslock
Updated: November 4, 2012
WTAJ went to find out how a Somerset County fire department isn't wasting and time to help them get back to work.
By Sunday night, this fire truck that sits in Hooversville, Pennsylvania, will be up north to New York, to help victims from Hurricane Sandy.
Richard Lohr's the President of the Hooversville Volunteer Fire Department. He thinks, since the brunt of Sandy missed them, they should help out those that got hit hardest, like the West Hamilton Beach Fire Department in Queens.
"Disasters happen, and luckily we were spared by the wrath of Sandy here in this area, but another storm and we could be the ones who get damaged, and maybe we could get some help from someone else later."
Even though it's a little over six hours to Queens, Lohr says that they've been helped by fire departments from out of the area in the past, and he's happy to return the favor.
"Back in 1996, we had a flood here at this fire station... We lost all our equipment and all our portable equipment and we had a lot of fire departments come to our aid, so we know what it feels like..."
Hooversville will send the truck, stocked with food, drinks and supplies for West Hamilton beach. Only a piece of what Hamilton Beach lost in the storm, but Lohr says every little bit helps, and a fire fighter's duty runs beyond state lines.
"Its firemen helping firemen, were all one big group, we're all volunteers, we're all there to protect and serve, and its just so0methign that we do."
As if donating food, supplies, and a fire truck wasn't enough, the entire community of Hooversville, is getting into the act. The Hooversville Community Club is donating 500 dollars to that same fire department in Queens. A small town in Pennsylvania, making a big difference in New York.
