Whether it’s a car accident or a fire, first responders save lives, “They get the call at 3 a.m.  They get the call at 2 p.m., or 1 a.m. and respond,” says president commissioner Tom Chernisky.  “Sometimes they just worked a shift.  They just worked all day, and they get up in the middle of the night no matter what.”

 

For the second year Chernisky is helping to organize a 5K walk and 10K run to help those who are always helping others.  The race benefits the Cambria County Fire School.

 

“They need money to update their fire building, update other buildings, and the fire pond so that they can learn,” Chernisky says.

 

“We have approximately 10 buildings up there that need maintained,” says fire school site chairman John Hawksworth.  “In the winter we have to keep heat in the one building so that the walls don’t mold.  We have three fire trucks up there of our own to maintain.”

 

The fire school covers 25 acres.  They are currently in the process getting money for a $60,000 upgrade for a burn building.  For Chernisky, it’s a cause that hits close to home.

 

“About 13 or 14 years ago I was in an accident at the pileup on the turnpike out near Breezewood.  It was very foggy that day.  It was a  60-something car pileup, 35 of the cars were actually in the pileup on top of each other.”

 

He hopes that this contribution will help the 1,000 firefighters that have used the facility so far this year continue their training, “It was not a good day that day.  People died, but first responders got there and state police got there.  They saved a lot of lives that day.  It could’ve been a lot worse.”

 

All of the proceeds will benefit the fire school.  You can register for the race through Saturday morning.  It will be held on the trail next to the Young People’s Community Center in Ebensburg.