Parrish, Ala.-- A firefighter in Connecticut heard about two fire departments -- one in Alabama and one in Texas -- that needed some help so he decided to see what he could do to lend a helping hand.
George Steiner, a member of the Washington Volunteer Fire Department in Washington, Conn., and an advisory board member for the Gear Up Foundation, said he learned about the struggles of Hay Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the Stillhouse Volunteer Fire Department in Belton, Texas, and decided to see what he could do to help his fellow firefighters put their fire stations back together.
"I read an article about the fire that destroyed the Hay Valley Fire Department in Walker County on a Web site called Firehouse.com and learned about the Stillhouse Fire Department struggle to get equipment on the Gear Up Foundation Web site, and I wanted to help," Steiner said. "So I went around to a fire departments in my area and asked the guys if they would like to help out by donating some money, and they really stepped up to the plate.
We raised enough money to buy some brand new fire helmets and gloves for the Hay Valley Fire Department as well as collected firefighting and medical equipment for the Stillhouse Fire Department. One group even donated several pair of new firefighter boots, enough for both departments to share."
In fact, Steiner's fundraising efforts for the firefighters in Hay Valley and for those in Belton, Texas, was so contagious that several fire departments and businesses in and around Steiner's hometown pitched in to help out, including the Water Witch Hose Co. No. 2 in New Milford; the Roxbury Fire Department in Roxbury; Hamner Auto in New Milford; Koritko Insurance Agency in Monroe; Brownies Towing Company in New Milford; and the Firematic Supply Company in Rocky Hill.
The members of the Stillhouse Volunteer Fire Department from Belton, Texas received some much need firefighting and medical equipment on Friday as well, and three members from the department drove all the way from Texas, to Parrish to collect it.
Steiner said the Gear Up Foundation is a non-profit organization that was started following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by a volunteer firefighter from South Salem, N.Y., in an effort to help fire departments all around the world.
"Vinny established the Gear Up Foundation and the Gear Up Foundation Adopt a Fire Department HERO Program in memory of all those we lost on 9/11," Steiner said. "Gear Up also allows the firefighters who served during the 9/11 events a chance to heal by helping others in need. We raise funds to help provide firefighters and first responders all around the world with the proper firefighting equipment in an effort to save lives in the future, because we are all part of a brotherhood, which transcends not only politics, race, religion or ethic background, it also transcends nationalities. So whether you're from the United States, England, Ecuador, Thailand or the Philippines, if you're a firefighter you're a part of the brotherhood."
Jeff Carr, chief of the Hay Valley Volunteer Fire Department, said his department was overwhelmed by the generosity from all the fire departments that have sent money and equipment to help them rebuild their fire station, which was destroyed by fire in May of this year.
"The fire that destroyed our station was a disaster, which turned out to be a blessing for us," Carr said. "Everyone has been so wonderful and we've made a lot of new friends.
The department has received lots of donations from various fire departments around the country, including what George and his group brought us Friday, which included the helmets, gloves, boots, fire hoses, hand tools and foam.
We've also received two fire engines and numerous other pieces of firefighting equipment - a lot more than we could use, so we've been sharing it with other fire departments that need stuff as well. And we hope to be in our new fire station in the near future."
Carr said the new station will be about a mile down the road from the old one on Hay Valley Road.
The vice president of the Stillhouse Volunteer Fire Department, Cindy Rogers, said the members of her department were also grateful for the kindness they were shown by everyone.
"Our fire department is very small. We only have about 13 members, and we're struggling to get back on our feet after some pretty hard times," Rogers said. "We're very grateful for all the equipment everyone has given us, because the guys and girls with our department have worked hard to get the department up and running again."
For more information on how you can help the Gear Up Foundation help struggling fire departments all over the world, visit the Gear Up Foundation Web site at www.gearupfoundation.org.
Republished with permission of The Daily Mountain Eagle.
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