5K Run Raises Money for Upper Gwynedd Fire Dept.

A little bit of health goes a long way.

Upper Gwynedd Fire Department held its inaugural 5K Run Saturday at Parkside Place as a way to raise money for equipment its firefighters need on a daily basis.

“This was a new way to raise money,” said Joe Bifolco, president of Upper Gwynedd Fire Department. “Most people are trying to stay healthy these days, so we figured the 5K is the way to go.”

About 65 people registered for the event, Bifolco said.

“We went out and got about 25 sponsors. Some of the bigger sponsors gave $500 to not only be on our T-shirts, but also to be a vendor here,” Bifolco said. “We have a chiropractor on our staff here, physical therapists are here, the Volunteer Medical Service Corps came out with an ATV to follow runners … we covered all the bases.”

It costs about $3,000 to $4,000 for gear for one firefighter, Bifolco said.

“We continually keep up with what is new and to stay safe,” he said. “We just had a safe firefighting experience recently with Brandon Hertzog. He went into the fire and thank God his gear was updated. We have some older gear and we are replacing that.”

The 5K also kicked off Fire Prevention Week, featured in October. Numerous local fire departments came out in support of Upper Gwynedd on Saturday.

North Penn Volunteer Fire Company brought its smoke house.  had a fire hose demonstration. JeffStat landed its MedEvac copter in the field and offered tours of the copter to visitors.

was at the event with its pink cancer awareness fire truck, Engine 33. It is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania.

The truck has been wrapped for a month-and-a-half in pink. In that time, cancer survivors and friends and family of survivors have signed the truck.

One side of the truck has an emblem dedicated to the memory of Rebecca Boucher, who died of pediatric cancer at the age of 11.

The other side is dedicated to Jonathan Shapiro, aka Little John, who died of pediatric cancer at the age of seven. Shapiro is a nephew of a Centre Square member.

“We wanted to dedicate the truck to them,” said Centre Square Fire Co. Lieutenant Billy Messerschmidt. “While pink may be associated with breast cancer, our truck is in honor of all cancers. We’re trying to get the word out about all types of cancer.”

Centre Square firefighter Chris O’Brien said Engine 33 was taken up to the Poconos last weekend for a state fire convention.

“Anyone who knows someone with, who conquered or who is fighting cancer themselves get to sign the truck,” he said.

The truck has so far been involved in four car fires, three structural fires and it was used to rescue 30 people during a flood in Ambler a week after Hurricane Irene.

“This is the first engine out,” said Messerschmidt.

Messerschmidt said the idea was inspired by Tulsa Fire Department in Oklahoma.

“They did one of their trucks and a cop car in pink. We thought it was cool to do,” he said. “We are keeping people we know who have been affected by cancer in mind. It’s a great way to show tribute to them.”

Bifolco said the success this year has proven that the 5K should be an annual event.

“Hopefully, it turns into something much larger than this,” he said.