Letters (Westmoreland)

Letter to the editor: Thanking unsung heroes who save lives

Tribune-Review
By Tribune-Review
1 Min Read March 25, 2026 | 4 hours ago
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I would be remiss if I did not thank our “unsung heroes” — North Huntingdon Township EMS/Rescue 8, on behalf of my brother, Tom Arendas, who passed away Jan. 30.

Tom was one of the first two people to receive his EMS certification for the service in 1974. He was chief of Rescue 8 for 25 years and remained an active member until his passing.

People call for an ambulance no matter what time of the day or night for emergencies, in all types of weather. You will find Rescue 8 responding to car accidents, house fires, gas leaks in homes — and the list goes on.

Hats off to the Rescue 8 crew of men and women who provide outstanding medical services. When the EMTs are dispatched on a call, they never know what they might encounter.

My heartfelt sympathies to all members of Rescue 8, past and present. Tom called Rescue 8 his home, being with friends who were his family. Tom’s Rescue 8 family took him to his final resting place with a procession of the Rescue 8 ambulances, with Tom in the first ambulance, along with a Life Flight flyover at the cemetery.

The love and respect Rescue 8’s staff showed Tom was truly an honor.

Barb Arendas

North Huntingdon

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