Fayette company donates light to fire department in memory of fallen paramedic

A Fayette County business recently donated a portable industrial lighting stand to a local fire department in memory of a Rostraver-West Newton Emergency Medical Services paramedic killed in the line of duty last month.

Black Diamond Equipment Rental of Uniontown gave the mobile street light that can illuminate an emergency scene to the Dunbar Volunteer Fire Department, according to a news release.

Officials said the donation was in response to the death of paramedic Matthew Smelser, 44, who was hit and killed by a tractor-trailer on Jan. 5 along Interstate 70 in South Huntingdon after he got out of an ambulance to help motorists at the scene of a crash.

Dave Mahokey, co-owner of Black Diamond, said in a release that increasing safety for firefighters in the community where he lives was important to him and his business partners.

“It’s really tough in Fayette County right now, and these fire departments hustle to raise the money to serve their communities, so it’s nice to do something for them in return,” Mahokey said in the statement.

The mobile light can help at scenes in rural areas and during community events where lighting is lacking.