Artist donates firefighter works
Pittsburg artist Frank Smardo, left, Joey Adams, center, and Dustin Johnson, Girard Fire Department assistant chiefs, all holding Smardo's artwork which is bound for the National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, Md. Smardo said "It his way of giving a little something back to firefighters. Adams and Johnson will be carry the works to the Academy
"The Morning Sun"
November 21, 2001
By Nikki Patrick
Morning Sun Family Living Editor
GIRARD -- Pittsburg artist Frank Smardo, who frequently focuses on firefighters
in his paintings, is donating several framed prints of his work to the National
Fire Academy, Emmittsburg, Md.
The gift is being made in tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives
in the World Trade Center attack on Sept. 11. "I thought that this would
be a way that I could give something back to these people who have given so
much," Smardo said.
He hopes that the prints can be hand-carried to the academy by Joey Adams
and Dustin Johnson, Girard Fire Department assistant chiefs, who have been
accepted for a week of training at the academy. They will leave on Saturday
and return home Dec. 1.
"It's such a great honor for them to be selected for the academy, and
I'd be proud to have them carry the prints," Smardo said. "But if
there is any problem about taking them on the airplane, I can ship the prints
instead."
The two will be taking a one-week command class, according to Pete Scales,
Girard fire chief. "This course gives them an opportunity to upgrade
their skills in fire incident management."
To attend training at the academy, a firefighter must apply, then go through
an approval process. "It's kind of unusual to send two men from the same
state to the same class," Scales said.
The men will be participating as part of the VIP (Volunteer Incentive Program)
program for volunteer fire departments. "This program covers all the
costs except for meals," Scales said. "Basically, we're able to
send them at a cost to us of $97. It's a wonderful program."
"Just being chosen to go is a real honor," Johnson said.
"The academy offers the best training you can get," Adams said.
"This will be a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience." Both said
that they are looking forward to the opportunity to get acquainted with fellow
firefighters from across the nation. "I took a community development
course at the academy, and had the chance to meet firefighters from around
the world," Scales said. "I met one from Australia, and do you know
what they call a fire engine down there? They call it a 'BRT' which stands
for 'big red truck'."
The academy has a wall where artistic tributes are displayed, and this
is where Smardo's gifts will be hung. One of the prints is of an American
flag. The artist used the giant flag at the Girard American Legion as
his model for this. The other prints he plans to send are "An American
Tradition" and "Firefighters Love," which includes the
"greater love hath no man" passage from John 15:13.
"As the people were escaping from the World Trade Center after the attacks,
the firemen were going up, trying to do their jobs," Smardo said. "You
have to admire that courage."