Pine recognizes volunteer efforts

Pine supervisors recognized resident John Lombardo for his many years of volunteer service to the township at their meeting on Jan. 16.

He is president of the Wexford Volunteer Fire Company and has been serving for 11 years.

“John’s been a key member of the Pine community for many years. He’s a valuable member of our planning commission and obviously with our volunteer fire company. It’s people like John that make a community strong. We’re very proud and blessed to have him as part of our family,” township manager Jason Kratsas said.

Lombardo has served on the planning commission for 30 years.

Supervisors presented Lombardo with the Pine Volunteer Service Award.

Pine township also recognized the Wexford Volunteer Fire Company as a whole for the success of its Quick Response System. The system was implemented in 2021 to help keep the stations better staffed for both emergency service and fire calls.

Chief Christopher Ausefski led a presentation at the meeting to show how the system was instrumental in saving a local man’s life.

“Without the quick response of his family and our public safety providers, this gentleman wouldn’t be here with us today,” Kratsas said.

Ausefski walked the board through the process of the QRS call that saved Alan Traugott’s life.

On April 21, Traugott suffered a heart attack. The Allegheny County 911 call taker, Deanne Moore, instructed Traugott’s wife, Barbara, to deliver CPR to her husband. She provided CPR for approximately six minutes before the first responder arrived on scene.

Units from the Wexford Volunteer Fire Company QRS and McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority were dispatched to the scene. An additional ambulance and the AHN paramedic response unit were called. Wexford VFC’s 228 Squad 1 arrived first on scene. Firefighter EMT Nathan Nicklas entered the home and immediately applied the automatic electronic defibrillator carried by the squad.

Nicklas continued to provide CPR, including a second shock from the AED, until the McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority arrived and initiated advanced life support care two minutes later. Traugott’s heart began to beat on its own again 30 minutes after the 911 call was placed.

Traugott was transported to AHN Wexford Hospital and underwent heart catheterization, receiving a stent to reopen his fully obstructed left anterior descending coronary artery. He was then transported by helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for further care, and was discharged home eight days later.

“These folks are so incredibly dedicated,” Traugott said about the fire company. “They have so much knowledge, so much expertise that they use to save lives every day. I get to enjoy life with my wife, my kids and my grandkids. I’m happy to do anything to support them.”

Pine supervisors presented the quick response team with a certificate of appreciation.