First Posted: 9/19/2014

Members of the Wyoming Hose Company No. 1 are all too familiar with the need to raise money for necessities for their fire house, but this season, the organization is directing its energy and fundraising efforts on Candy’s Place, a non-profit cancer wellness and resource center, providing support to cancer patients and their loved ones.

The organization, which calls its quarters on Eighth Street “home,” is selling T-shirts bearing the words, “Wyoming Fire Rescue – Raising Awareness.” Bright purple and green lettering on gray T-shirts make them really “pop” and are colors that refer to general cancer awareness.

The fundraiser is the brainchild of Rescue Chief Paul Dezinski and volunteer Joe Campbell, with Campbell designing the logo and Dezinski “making it happen,” tasked with getting T-shirts printed and planning sales.

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Members of the company were touched with the reality of cancer this year, losing one of their own volunteers John Bolin, who passed away from the disease in June.

“Even when he was undergoing chemotherapy, you would see John responding to an alarm at 2:00 in the morning,” said Fire Chief Joe Kopcza. “That takes a real commitment to the community.”

The company prides itself on supporting residents of the community, going beyond its official mission of “providing fire protection and ambulance services to borough residents and neighboring communities,” by holding several fundraisers throughout the years for such causes as autism and several types of cancer.

Lieutenant Sue Dezinski said the company balances fundraising both for concerns of the company itself and other worthy community efforts.

Trish Jones, director of operations, said members of the department look forward to selling the T-shirts at Wyoming borough’s upcoming Oktoberfest, to be held Oct. 3-5 on the grounds of the Midway Shopping Center.

“We will also be selling candles, having a bake sale, and offering free blood pressure screenings,” said Jones.

Mayor Bob Boyer credits the fire department and its members with excellent training, commitment to their volunteer positions and willingness to serve in a variety of areas.

Boyer recently announced he had been notified by the Insurance Service Office (ISO) that the public protection classification of the borough is now a 4. Reflecting a 2-point improvement from its prior rating and favorably influencing the ability of residents to obtain fire insurance at reasonable rates, Boyer credited the improvement to the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of volunteer firefighters of Engine Companies No. 1 and No. 2.

“Members of the fire department are always willing to step in and help their neighbors at a moment’s notice,” said Boyer. “This reflects a spirit of cooperation and participation that defines our borough.”

More than 20 members of the company look forward to the coming year which will include Oktoberfest and November’s pasta dinner and “boot drive” coin collection this autumn, followed by the donning of parkas and Christmas spirit for the annual Christmas tree sale. March will again bring an opportunity to sell T-shirts, this year specifically for colon cancer in memory of Bolin. An autism walk is planned for April.

“We want to be a real helpful presence within the community throughout the year,” said Jones.

Dezinski said the company is always looking for new volunteer firefighters. Those as young as 14 can become junior firefighters, using the opportunity to learn as they work alongside fellow firefighters with a great deal of experience and commitment to the safety of the community.