Appreciate your emergency services by helping them
While Butler City Council figures out the best way to fund the $1,329,763 ladder truck the fire department needs to ensure the safety of city residents, county residents should join together to support all the fire departments and EMS services protecting people and property.
The effects of the pandemic have hit an already struggling group. While many organizations, like the city fire department, are receiving COVID-19 Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants from the State Fire Commissioner’s office to help pay for personal protective equipment and other pandemic-related expenses, the financial burden is even heavier with the loss of fundraising opportunities because of crowd restrictions.
The Butler city department has 20 full-time firefighters and staffs a minimum of four per shift. There are more than 30 fire departments and EMS stations in the county with volunteers who offer their time and talents responding to everything from safety checks and medical transports to car accidents and fires.
We all can do our part by responding to the annual requests for a donation to our local fire department and EMS service and by supporting their local fundraising efforts. Many citizens go beyond that by showing their appreciation with donations of food and bottled water.
Other ways to support these essential workers include making their jobs easier by ensuring your house number is clearly marked. If an emergency vehicle is approaching, move out of its way — emergency workers can’t help if they can’t get to the scene. And if you are driving, it’s the law: move to the right and stop.
The Western Pennsylvania Fire News website also requests that anyone calling in an emergency stay at the scene, if it is safe, to provide first responders with important information.
These efforts, combined with the work of local municipalities and the county government to assist firefighters and EMS workers, will help make our community safer. They also show respect and appreciation for the first responders who will be there in times of crisis.
— DJS
