Self Help project Red Hot at the Fire Dept.

  • Published
  • By J.C. Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  In today's world of reduced operating budgets, lower manning and an all out effort to conserve resources, people are reviving the once popular "self help" philosophy to make improvements and get things done.

Hanscom's firefighters, a team of professionals who are normally helping others, recently helped themselves by taking paint brushes and tools in hand to add a little "down home" decorating to their day room.

Taking the lead on the project was Firefighter Matt Bernier, who came up with the idea, and Acting Chief for Training Tim Moore. The idea? Take a once drab, ordinary looking break room and transform it into something a little different and a little special to those who serve the community 24/7.

The team began by repairing the walls, then applying a coat of "fire engine red" paint, accented on the bottom quarter with shiny silver diamond plating, the same type you see on their trucks. Salvaged and repaired emergency lights now hang from the ceiling, and will soon act as an additional alert signal to the firefighters when they become operational.

Working during the evening and on weekends, with some donating their own off-duty time, the firefighters not only helped improve the break room, but personalized it, ensuring that anyone entering the room will know they are in firefighter country.

According to Hanscom Fire Chief Bob Hildreth, they did a wonderful job.

"The teamwork and support demonstrated in this project is indicative of what we can expect of these professionals on a daily basis," said Chief Hildreth. "They take great pride in what they do and I believe this project shows the concern and desire they have to be firefighters here at Hanscom," he said.

Still a work in progress, the firefighters hope to add some scenic murals to the walls along with other memorabilia that will reflect that sense of pride each member has in being a Firefighter.