Rotary donates to fire department

Emporium Volunteer Fire Department Chief Butch Housler, right, accepts a check from Emporium Rotary Club President Ron Luckenbill. The money, donated by Rotary, will be used to purchase 'hose ramps' which are used to protect water hoses and enable cars to pass over them when they are stretched across the roadway.

Rotarians have taken the first step towards amending the traffic flow problems encountered when fires occur within the Emporium Borough.

On Tuesday, the organization donated $1,200 to the Emporium Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD) for the purchase of hose ramps. These ramps will be available for use anytime there is a fire in Emporium that necessitates sprawling hoses over roadways.

Hose ramps are placed over hoses to protect them from the weight of vehicles passing over them. They are typically constructed of heavy duty aluminum alloys or plastics in order to be easily movable, yet stable.

Using the ramps during emergencies will traffic to continue flowing, when prudent, during a fire or other emergency.

Rotary president Ron Luckenbill said that he hopes other community groups participate in assisting the EVFD.

"Emporium Rotary challenges other businesses and organizations in the community to get involved," he said. "We've set the pace, now it's our hope that others will follow."