Ambridge, PA, Fire Department Bolsters Cancer Reduction Efforts

Ambridge Borough Fire Department is now 1 of 14 departments in the state of PA and the first Department in Beaver County to invest in a Solo Rescue, and they are extremely excited to put a new piece of equipment into service. The SOLO Rescue Decon Washer was placed into service by the firefighters on March 6th, and this new piece of equipment thoroughly cleans various items within an eight-minute cycle. The Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) that are worn by firefighters at various calls are constantly exposed to carcinogens that result from a fire. This new SOLO Rescue Decon Washer quickly cleans SCBAs, gloves, helmets, and boots which reduces the exposure of cancer to our firefighters. This was made available through County ARPA funding with the support of the Borough of Ambridge Council Members and Borough Manager.

"We are thrilled to know that Ambridge Fire Department has made a significant step in the right direction when it comes to limiting their members’ exposure to carcinogenic contamination," states the Director of Market Development, Jamie Little. "Every year we lose hundreds of Volunteer and Career firefighters to occupational Cancers. Thankfully, we have departments like AFD that are taking action to protect their members."

The Ambridge Fire Chief Donald Larrick wants to thank the Council Members and Borough Manager for continuing to invest in the fire department and firefighters by providing the best equipment to continue our exceptional service to the Borough residents. “The exposure of cancer does not stop when you leave a scene. We must continue to educate our firefighters in Cancer awareness and reduction. This new piece of equipment will significantly reduce the cancer exposure to our firefighters daily,” says Chief Larrick.

Assistant Fire Chief Dave Gorecki is very adamant when it comes to cancer awareness and reduction. “My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 17 years old. She is a survivor and has been in remission for nearly 20 years. The Borough investing in the Solo Rescue will reduce the cancer exposure for myself and all Ambridge Firefighters. With Cancer now being the number one cause of firefighter deaths, anything that can help us live a longer healthier life is much appreciated and needed. Thank you to the Borough Council Members and Borough Manager for this investment.”

The Solo Rescue decon washer is currently the only NFPA 1851 & NFPA 1852 compliant SCBA washing machine currently on the market in the USA. The machine is easy to operate and maintain, making it an ideal solution for fire departments of all sizes. The ability to decontaminate not just SCBAs but also facepieces, boots, gloves, and helmets also makes the Solo Rescue the most versatile decon washer on the market.

“I think it’s important to recognize 3 Rivers Fire Equipment for bridging the gap between us and AFD making this all possible,” adds Little.

Over the last several years with the assistance of additional ARPA funding the Borough has been able to update and purchase additional new safety equipment in support and appreciation for all that the Fire Department does for the community. Borough Manager Mario N. Leone Jr. stated “on behalf of the Borough we would like to thank the Beaver County Commissioners for providing the ARPA funding to purchase this important life safety equipment for our Firefighters. We greatly appreciate our Fire Department members for all that they do, and protecting their lives is our highest priority. It is great to see that Ambridge Borough is leading the way with this safety equipment purchase, and we are hoping that many more will follow in helping to reduce the exposure to cancer for our Firefighters.

To learn more about RESCUE Intellitech and its revolutionary Solo Rescue Decon Washer, visit their website at https://www.rescueintellitech.com/en-us/