ARCHBALD, Pa. — Emergency crews in the Dominican Republic will receive firefighting equipment from fire and ambulance companies in northeastern Pennsylvania.
It all started with a conversation between a father and his son, who are first responders.
"There's air packs, helmets, there's 40 sets of gear, there's some ambulance supplies, and I think there's 40 sets of boots back there," said Jerry Casey, president of the Archbald Ambulance and Rescue Company.
Casey is happy to show the items that will be sent to firefighters and emergency workers in the Dominican Republic.
The company was clearing out its building and needed to do something with the extra equipment.
"We were trying to figure out what to do with it. I contacted my son, who is an NYPD officer, and through his captain and connections, we found a way to donate it to the Dominican Republic."
That's what brought the NYPD to Archbald to pick up the items that will be sent to the island country in the Caribbean.
The donations aren't just from Archbald. Other companies in northeastern Pennsylvania also contributed.
"With the equipment we had, we sent the word out to the rest of the fire companies in town and in Jessup, and we collected a significant amount of surplus gear."
Casey says it feels good to know the company's extras will be sent to firefighters and first responders who need it.
"From what we understand, they have minimal equipment, and to them, this would be like brand-new equipment coming for their services," Casey said.