Barre firefighters have new air bags in memory of Joe Grabowski

Equipment can be used to carefully lift vehicles if someone trapped

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – The Barre Fire Company on Tuesday evening unveiled new air bags in memory of Joe Grabowski, who passed away on April 12 at age 84. Grabowski, a retired Barre highway superintendent, was a 48-year member of the Barre Volunteer Fire Company. He also worked for Keeler Construction.

Josh Jurs, the Barre fire chief, said the new air bags will replace ones from 1991. They were initially purchased from donations by Grabowski. When he was highway superinent, a loader tipped over on Mix Road and Grabowski was trapped.

Barre firefighters didn’t have air bags at the time, and the Albion Fire Department came to the scene with the equipment.

Fire Chief Josh Jurs and Lt. Marty Zwifka show the new air bags that cost $6,000. They replace ones that were 34 years old. The air bags are made of a very thick rubber that can be inflated up to about eight inches. As they are inflated, firefighters can put in cribbing to stabilize vehicles, tractors or structures that have been slightly lifted. The four air bags can be set on top of each other to allow for a lift of about 32 inches altogether.

After Grabowski passed away, 37 donors gave in his memory to the Barre Volunteer Fire Company, which used those donations to buy the new air bags, an air cylinder and controllers. The Barre Fire District also chipped in some money to replace the equipment from 1991.

A plaque listing the donors will be placed inside the fire hall.

Grabowski’s family attended a presentation at the fire hall on Tuesday when the new equipment was dedicated in memory of Grabowski. From left include Grabowski’s daughter, Julie Kornow; daughter, Christine Maas; sister, Diane Riley; granddaughter, Miranda Merton; wife, Janice Grabowski; and brother, Don Grabowski.