IN Murrysville Fall 2019 | Page 10

WHAT’S NEWS IN MURRYSVILLE (L to R) Mike Recklein; State Representative Bob Brooks; John Dougherty, Treasurer; Mayor Regis Synan; Matt Stromberg, President of the Board of Directors; Jim Olszewski, board member; and Medic One staffers Jerry Chellman, Matt Humphreys and Cameron Ploth. Photo credit: Lane Neff. MEDIC ONE DEDICATES NEW FACILITY On Saturday, June 15, Murrysville Medic One dedicated the new garage constructed on its property on Sardis Road. Previously, Medic One had to store most of its special operations equipment and some newer ambulances and wheelchair vans offsite. Now, with the construction of the 8,000-square- foot building, all equipment is stored at the same location, which allows for a quicker response to major incidents. The equipment stored in the new building includes seven trailers and a light tower used for nighttime emergency scenes. The seven trailers of equipment can be deployed for any type of emergency. This specialized equipment includes a dive trailer with two watercrafts for dive rescue, search and recovery and a command trailer with computers, radios, mapping and a Polaris UTV. Other trailers contain a Gator UTV, a heat trailer for heating and cooling portable rooms for mass event rehab and firefighter rehab. Medic One also stores a Department of Health mass-casualty trailer, which can serve as a mobile hospital. In addition, there is a portable light trailer for nighttime events. 8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com THE 2019 MARCH FOR PARKS Enthusiasm for the Westmoreland Heritage Trail (WHT) and a generous community have made the March for Parks (MFP) a great success! In a tremendous show of community support, Murrysville-area businesses, community organizations, organizers, dozens of volunteers, 30 teams and 450 committed and enthusiastic residents all came together at the Murrysville Community Center on March 30 to support the WHT. Another march held in Twin Lakes on the same day focused on raising funds for a new Giant Slide at Mammoth Park, and together the two events raised approximately $95,000—bringing the total funds raised since MFP began to over $1 million! It is worthwhile to note that this figure represents only donations from the public and local businesses and serves as a powerful and important demonstration of community support to the government and private foundations as they consider future funding of county park and trail projects. The Murrysville Trail Alliance contributed a great deal to MFP once again this year: the MTA team raised $3,985, the third highest team total in the county. Thanks were given to Buzz Wichmann, Tony Formato and Dave Puskarich who organized, promoted and manned the popular Pop-up Bike Sale. The MTA and other local organizations provided information booths so marchers could learn about their good work in our community. Area restaurants and grocery stores donated volumes of food, which was all thoroughly enjoyed. Gift certificates for activities, meals and memberships, popular silent auction items, and 36 raffle baskets were all generously donated to make for an exciting raffle table. Three area historical societies sent re-enactors to share stories of our rich heritage, and loads of fun activities entertained everyone both inside and outside until the Town Crier called for the March for Parks to begin and a bagpiper and drumline announced the start. Weather is always unpredictable in late March, but fortunately there was great weather—a good thing since turnout was robust and the Community Center is not a large venue. Organizers are already looking at alternative locations for next year. Plan to join the fun on March 28, 2020! GRAND OPENING OF PHASE FOUR OF THE WESTMORELAND HERITAGE TRAIL The fourth phase of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail expansion is now complete! This 3.4-mile extension continues east from Murrysville to Export. A progressive grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, starting at 10:30 a.m. The first ceremony will be held at the Roberts Trail Access in Murrysville. You can then ride the trail to Lincoln Avenue in Export for ceremonies starting at 12:00 p.m., in conjunction with the Export Ethnic Food and Music Festival. For more information, visit the Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation website: co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks.