Press Release
Publish Date: 8/22/2018County Receives Bus For First Responders To Use At Emergency Scenes
Rehabilitation "Rehab" Bus Donated by Area Businesses Provides Safe, Climate-Controlled Environment
FONDA - Montgomery County's Emergency Services Office has a new Rehabilitation "Rehab" Bus for first responders to escape from the elements or recover during emergency scenes.
Brown Coach and Eastern Med funded the project for Emergency Services. Brown Coach donated the mini-coach bus and Eastern Med donated supplies to revamp the interior of the bus and outfitted the vehicle with emergency lights, sirens, radio, lettering, inverter and equipment.
From left, Chief Deputy of Emergency Services Jeff Kaczor, Brown Coach Emergency Preparedness Officer Matt Keeham, Eastern Med, LLC President Sean J. Piasecki, Brown Coach Charter Manager Judy Russell and Emergency Services Director Jeffery T. Smith pictured with the new Rehab Bus.
"I'm not only grateful for this donation, I'm proud of the countless support and desire from our community to assist our first responders," Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort said.
"The businesses and people of this county really step up, especially in time of need," Director of Emergency Services Jeffery T. Smith said. "The bus has already been invaluable to us and the county and we wouldn't have been able to do it without these donations."
The bus is a safe, climate-controlled area for first responders to rehydrate as well as have their vital signs and general health checked before returning to an emergency scene. First responders can enter the bus when needing relief from high heat, extreme cold, or heavy physical activity.
"Brown Coach is pleased to partner with Montgomery County Emergency Services with the donation of a mini-coach," President of Brown Coach Bob Brown said. "We appreciate the opportunity to support the valuable services that they provide to the community."
Adam Schwabrow, of the Town of Mohawk Volunteer Fire Department and Ray Tylutki, of the Tribes Hill Volunteer Fire Department, initiated the idea of having a county Rehab Bus and worked alongside Smith and Emergency Services staff Jeffery Kaczor and Rick Sager on the project. Smith said the county's Department of Public Works assisted by removing and re-bolting the bus seats, building a cabinet and installing indoor lighting and stripping on the bus. First on Scene out of Johnstown installed emergency lights and a siren free of charge.
From left, Brown Coach Charter Manager Judy Russell, Emergency Services Director Jeffery T. Smith and Eastern Med, LLC President Sean J. Piasecki pictured touring the Rehab Bus.
Smith said previously, pop-up tents would be set up at emergency scenes for first responders and now the Rehab Bus can be driven to the scene carrying all supplies inside. Smith said the vehicle has been used six times since April at multiple fires, a homicide, during a missing person case and large-scale training drill. Smith also offered appreciation to Sager, Kaczor, Schwabrow and Tylutki for their hard work and dedication completing this project.
"Working with the county on this project was a perfect match," President of Eastern Med LLC Sean J. Piasecki said. "The first responders are going to be the ones who benefit from this."
From left, Brown Coach Emergency Preparedness Officer Matt Keeham, Brown Coach Charter Manager Judy Russell, Emergency Services Director Jeffery T. Smith, Chief Deputy of Emergency Services Jeff Kaczor, Eastern Med, LLC President Sean J. Piasecki, pictured with the new Rehab Bus.