Addison Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bill Barlow said thieves broke into the station over the weekend and stole battery-powered extrication tools, lighting and hand tools purchased through years of community fundraising

By David Hurst
The Tribune-Democrat

ADDISON, Pa. — More than $80,000 in batteries and life-saving equipment was stolen from Addison Volunteer Fire Department’s station over the weekend, fire officials said.

The heist included Genesis-brand battery-powered extrication tools used to rescue people from damaged vehicles, portable lighting and powered hand tools, Fire Chief Bill Barlow said.

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It is equipment the fire department purchased through years of fundraising by volunteers and community supporters, he said.

“It’s like a slap in the face,” Barlow said.

The incident allegedly occurred late Saturday or early Sunday, fire officials said.

According to Barlow, a fire department member stopped into the office early Sunday and discovered that someone forced their way into the station.

Company officials were still documenting information for police and the insurance company.

The intent is to file a claim to help cover the cost to replace the items, Barlow said.

But state police are also investigating the case, he said.

“If anyone happened to be in the area of our station during that time and saw something out of the ordinary, please contact us or the Pennsylvania State Police in Somerset,” Addison fire officials wrote on Facebook.

Fire department supporters expressed dismay about the alleged theft in posts on the volunteer company’s Facebook page.

“Disgusting,” one Addison resident wrote. “Those tools are there to save our lives, if needed.”

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