Two Venango County fire departments stepped into action this weekend to make sure that a western Pennsylvania community doesn't go without fire fighting equipment.
When news broke that fire destroyed the New Galilee fire department's fire hall, fire fighting and ambulance equipment Thursday in Beaver County, President Township volunteer firemen were quick to react.
Before flames at the New Galilee fire were extinguished, President Chief Frank A. Machokas, Capt. Scott E. Goodman and President James D. Young were busy making contacts to arrange for the donation of a fire engine.
"We did this so that department could continue to provide emergency services to their community as soon as possible while they recover from the devastating loss," Machokas said.
President Township VFD had the 1979 Ford engine advertised for sale for more than a year and recently only discussed the possibility of donating the truck to a needy department.
"When news of the New Galilee fire broke, there was no question that offering the donation of the truck to the department was the right thing to do," Machokas said.
The chief said the truck should serve the New Galilee department for a while.
In addition, firefighters from President and coordinated with Oakland Township VFD Chief Jeff Horn to donate hose to the Beaver County department.
Chief Jim Mitchell of the New Galilee VFD, along with members of his department, arrived at President Township fire hall along Route 62 Saturday to receive the truck and associated equipment.
Other area departments interested in making donations to the New Galilee department may call Machokas at 677-0541.
Meanwhile, investigators have determined that the New Galilee fire was intentionally set.
The fire started about 4:30 a.m. Thursday at the department, located about 35 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
A state police fire marshal ruled the fire was intentionally set after someone broke into the building, but didn't say exactly how the fire was started.
The blaze had nearly engulfed the building in the short time it took firefighters to arrive at the scene.
Nobody has been charged with the fire that caused about $1.2 million in damage.
Fire department officials have said the building was insured.
The newly donated equipment from President and Oakland will be stored in fire halls that neighbor New Galilee, Machokas said.
