Phila. Foundation Equips Paoli Firefighters with New Flashlights

Paoli, PA….Paoli Fire Company firefighters can respond more effectively and safely thanks to a recent $5,000 gift from the Gerry Lenfest Legacy Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation.

The grant was used to purchase special flashlights that increase firefighters’ ability to see and be seen while fighting fires or responding to accidents and other emergencies.

“Firefighters often work in complete darkness, so the right flashlight is crucial,” said Paoli Fire Chief Andrea Testa. The flashlights Paoli Fire has purchased emit light in two directions simultaneously. “The tight, directional beam is perfect for cutting through the smoke inside a burning structure and is also great for illuminating an object that is far away,” she said. “The second beam is a floodlight that points downward at a 45-degree angle. This light can help us find any person or animal lying on the floor, and illuminates where we are walking, which helps us stay safe. This gift from the Philadelphia Foundation will help us protect the community and each
other.”

Paoli Fire Company is a volunteer-run company. In addition to fighting fires and responding to other emergencies, volunteers are responsible for raising much of the money that pays for gear, equipment, operating costs, and more. This grant, made following a recommendation by Joy H. Tartar, Chief Financial Officer for the Lenfest Group and a Paoli resident, helps those efforts go further.

“We are so grateful to Ms. Tartar and the Philadelphia Foundation for making this tangible difference,” said Testa.

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About Paoli Fire: Paoli Fire Company’s volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and fire police are your neighbors. They donate their time and hearts to train, fight fires, respond to
accidents and other emergencies, and provide emergency medical care and transport. Paoli Fire Company also employs a cadre of career firefighters/paramedics. Together, we respond to about 1,950 calls per year, protecting 5,200 households and more than 250 commercial
properties across 14 square miles. Learn more, donate, or volunteer at www.paolifire.org