Roscoe thanks first responders

By ERIC SEIVERLING
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Don’t tell front line personnel and first responders in the borough of Roscoe that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Roscoe’s borough council held its first-ever appreciation cookout for EMS, fire, public works and other frontline responders on Wednesday afternoon, complete with burgers, hot dogs, barbecued chicken, macaroni salad and watermelon.
The cookout took place at the Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services’ Roscoe station on Route 88 in Washington County, and was the borough’s way of saying “thank you” to frontline personnel.
“They put their lives in jeopardy everyday,” said Roscoe council President Sandy Davis. “This is our little thank you to them.”
Davis said the cookout was the brainchild of Councilman Larry Pollock, and was also held at the Brownsville Ambulance Service.
“We just want to make people aware of what the ambulance service does and that we appreciate them coming out when they’re called,” She said.
Councilman Dave Martini, a 34-year-veteran of local EMS, said there was no hesitation from council when the idea for the cookout was introduced.
“There were no ifs, ands or buts about it,” he said while mingling at the Roscoe EMS station. “Everybody talks about the frontline, but this is a big part of it right here.”
George Orbin, the station’s manager and primary paramedic, said the cookout was a nice gesture.
“I can’t thank them enough,” he said while manning the grill behind the station. “Anytime someone does something like this, it’s very welcomed. It lets the crews know they’re very appreciated.”
The station was originally known as Five Town Ambulance before becoming a station for Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services 18 years ago.
Michael Stangroom, director of operations for Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services, said 10 to 12 members of the EMS work out of the Roscoe station, and that the cookout was a fun event for all involved.
“It shows they really appreciate what we do for them,” he said. “This is a nice little get-together between council and EMS members.”