When West Mifflin #3 Fire Chief Joe Hlasnick received a donation of more than $7,000 worth of personal protective equipment, he knew the community was behind first responders.
“It opened my eyes to a lot of things,” he said. “The idea this is a severe situation and the fact there are other people looking out for us as first responders. It’s a huge help, it continues to be a huge help to where we are in this crisis.”
The donation was made by Nick Dankovich, head instructor at GE Power and Water Pittsburgh Learning Center in West Mifflin.
Dankovich, 71, of North Huntingdon, said the facility had lots of personal protective equipment used to train people to work with different chemicals. Now that the training site has been sitting quiet since all non-life-sustaining businesses were ordered to close, Dankovich decided to donate the equipment to first responders.
After asking for permission from his boss, he donated N95 masks and hazard suits to the department located just down the street from the facility.
“They’re my people,” Dankovich said. “I eat at their restaurants. I go to the hospital. I take my students if they get hurt. We play a large part in that area of the community. And for me to help those people, that’s what life’s all about.”
According to Hlasnick, the equipment was distributed to all four fire departments in the borough. Any equipment that was leftover was sent to Munhall Area Prehospital Services.
“ It’s nice to know the local businesses are behind us in a time like this,” Hlasnick said.
For Dankovich, donating the supplies was just a small step in helping members of the community.
“There are people dying every day of that stuff, so if you could save one person’s life, then it’s all worth it,” Dankovich said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
