Gary Sinise Foundation grant allows Chalfont Fire to add new equipment

When you hear the name Gary Sinise, chances are you picture a double amputee in a wheelchair, following around Forrest Gump. Or maybe you think of a quick-thinking member of the Houston ground control team that saved the Apollo 13? No matter which Hollywood role you can remember the actor by, perhaps it is his work as a humanitarian and philanthropist you should take note of more.

The crew at Chalfont Fire Company won’t likely soon forget the helping hand the star has leant its team. Thanks to The Gary Sinise Foundation, the team has been granted new equipment to add to its rescue capabilities. The equipment, which is created by FAST Rescue Solutions and Anderson Rescue Solutions LLC, will help to save local lives.

“The FAST Boards are primarily used for rapid intervention in firefighter rescue,” explained a Facebook post from the fire company. “These systems are quite versatile so you will see our personnel also using them for confined space, water rescue, and all other areas of patient packaging and extrication.”

The equipment was made possible thanks to a grant from The Gary Sinise Foundation, which focuses efforts on giving back to veterans, first responders, and their families. The foundation has reached out to those in need with free meals for the hungry, adapted smart homes for wounded heroes, and transportation of the country’s heroes to needed healthcare and treatments.

In addition to the FAST Boards, the firefighting team was also able to receive Anderson’s Multi-Use Rescue Straps (MLRS).

“The MLRS is another very innovative rescue system that will allow a rescuer to quickly harness a victim so that they can extricate the individual(s) from potentially life-threatening situations,” said CFC’s post.

The firefighters were incredibly thankful for the grant and equipment.

“Many thanks again to FAST and Anderson, and of course to the Foundation,” said the company’s Facebook post. “We couldn’t do it without your help.”

Chalfont Fire Company includes coverage for Chalfont Borough, New Britain Borough, New Britain Township, and a small portion of Doylestown Township. Handling an average of 300 calls per year, the station is able to handle a multitude of calls, such as fire alarms, auto extrications, water rescues, hazardous materials, brush fires, and building fires.

The station has been all-volunteer since it was founded in 1904. Station 34 is located at 301 N. Main St., where it moved in June of 2011. Those 16 and over who are interested in learning more about the volunteer efforts can visit the station on Thursdays at 7 p.m. For more information on how to donate to the station, visit https://chalfontfirecompany.com/donate/.