By Clyde Noel

Christina Quattrone and five of her Bullis-Purissima schoolmates decided to do something special for the fire department after 9/11. Their ingenuity and creativeness in making commemorative pins and stamps for 9/11 and asking for donations recently resulted in a significant gesture.

Last Monday they made an appointment with Fire Chief Ben Lopes in the Foothill College Fire Station and gave him a check for $32,071.

“We thank the girls, because this is an excellent representation of the community,” Lopes said. “We also have a plaque for each of your efforts and a certificate of commendation from County Supervisor Liz Kniss.”

The fire department is returning the money to the community by purchasing state-of-the-art equipment for the department.

“We are purchasing a Zolo Monitor defibrillator, which will put us on a level of sophistication used in a hospital emergency room,” Lopes said. “We are also purchasing a thermal imaging camera with the money.”

Firefighter paramedic Anthony Cecola said the defibrillator is a lifesaving machine used when there is no pulse, there is no breathing and the patient is not conscious. The earlier this treatment is delivered, the more likely it is that the victim’s life may be saved.

The thermal imaging camera is an innovative technology that enhances visibility during fire activity. It provides the firefighter with the sight to locate victims in smoke- or fire-infested areas.

The camera also provides size-up and fire attack capabilities in order to pinpoint the fire and assist with the management of water application.

The students who made pins and collected donations for the fire department are Keyana Adger, Mia Kirsten, Fiona Maguire, Quattrone, Blakely Strand and Lali Szumoski.