CONNEAUT, Ohio–Conneaut firefighters are trading their boots and gear and sporting an unusual look.
“I mean, when we go out usually we’re all in blue and everything,” said firefighter Tona Bernato. “People are stopping us in the street, telling it what a good idea it was.”
Station No. 1 is decking it out in pink garb in honor of breast cancer awareness.
“We’ve got the pink t-shirts the firefighters are wearing throughout the month, with the chief’s approval,”Bernato said. “The ribbons have been placed on the trucks. Enjoying every minute of it. It’s really made a big difference in the community. ”
Large pink decals are on firetrucks and ambulances–with a bit of station flair. The new emblem is a fire hose in the shape of a ribbon.
“I think it’s great that guys are doing that,” said Conneaut resident Barbara Bates. “Wearing pink is supporting a good cause.”
In addition to the change in uniform, the firefighters are collecting donations at the station, located at 294 Main St.
Fire Capt. Steve Sanford said the station will collect donations until the end of the month. They hope to raise $500 to donate to Susan G. Koman for the Cure.
“We got the idea from MDA, another cause we support,” Sanford said. “We took one of our old fire boots and painted it pink. I think it’s just a really important cause. Not a lot of people are really aware of it.”