A new organization to assist needy fire departments is already in the pipeline. And, the man behind the effort is no stranger to lending a hand.
Mark Warnick is in the process of launching Fire Aid USA, and hopes to have it operational by the end of the year.
Warnick, who founded Helping Our Own, was ousted recently by a group -- headed by H.R. Wilkinson -- brought in to conduct fundraising.
"I'm committed to helping departments -- that's the bottom line," he said, adding that he will do whatever it takes not to let down those who need him.
"I will only be involved in a consultant capacity. As before, we are looking to turn it over to fire service people," Warnick said, adding that his boss, Kim Holman of Dalmatian Fire is helping to get things rolling.
"I know there's a lot of stuff out there. All I ask is that people hold onto those donations until we get started," he said.
Just what will happen with all the donations sitting in Michigan also is up in the air. When he left a few weeks ago, there were at least 20 fire trucks, hundreds of sets of turnout gear, tools, hoses, air bottles and other items waiting to go out.
He was in the process of refurbishing a tanker when HOO officials told him to stop because they were out of money.
HOO has ceased operation. A person who answered the phone earlier this week said if funds become available, they hope to reopen by summer.
Warnick, who took out personal loans to get HOO started, said he's been moved by the response he's had since news about his situation was made public earlier this week. "I've received more than 200 e-mails. It's been incredible."
Jason Brooks, of JB Rescue in Ohio, said he'll hold onto items donated for needy fire departments. "We had a lot more but HOO never came to get it. We gave it to the Bahamas."
Brooks said he knows he isn't the only one with equipment waiting for new owners.
When HOO failed to make a pick up in Arkansas, one collection coordinator struck out on his own to help needy stations.
Tyler Sitzer said he didn't have to look far to find a new home for the equipment. "We had departments right here that needed things."
Sitzer, a former HOO board member, said he doesn't think people understand just how strapped some companies are for the basics such as turnout gear and tools. Some are responding in pickup trucks with portable pumps in the back.
He's confident that Warnick's new foundation will be successful in its mission. "There are a lot of people out there who support Mark and what he's done."
Sitzer said he hopes departments will hold onto the surplus equipment. "It's nice that some things are going overseas. But, we need to take care of the ones here first."
Lou Jordan, who helped Warnick's effort by collecting items in and around Maryland, said he's excited about the new venture, Fire Aid USA. "I'm ready to help rebuild it."
It's important for people to hold onto the donations until the new group is up and running. Instead of having one collection location, there may be several spread around the country. "Maybe the stuff can go right from one company to another," Jordan said.
He said it's important that people realize that those behind HOO right now have no connection to the fire service.
Jordan said the current HOO board is now learning just how tight the fire and rescue community is.
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