HANEYVILLE – Drive up “The Pike” north of Lock Haven and you’ll be minutes from nowhere. Meaning it is a mountainous, sparsely populated but stunning area of Clinton County. Route 664, known as the Coudersport Pike, winds over the mountains and through Sproul State Forest, the largest state forest in Pennsylvania.

And with that rural, rugged beauty comes intense search and rescue when emergency first responders are called. The Haneyville Volunteer Fire Co. needs to be prepared for emergencies that, at times, can be challenging to get to.

That’s why the fire company applied for and received a nearly $4,500 Clinton County Community Foundation grant to buy equipment for its four-wheel-drive UTV side-by-side.

A backboard-split litter. A backpack trauma kit. A stainless-steel litter for patient transport, and a backup camera for its mini-pumper. A foam nozzle. A water hose. These were the devices funded by the Foundation grant.

“Lost people, medical incidents, wildfires … you name it and the UTV has been used. I never realized how much we needed it,” said Bill McCoy, a fire company member who has been an EMT since 1975.

He noted the backup camera allows the mini-pumper driver to see the trailer and UTV being hauled, otherwise, the driver can’t see the trailer or UTV due to the truck’s wider width vs. the trailer.  “And boy is that important,” he said.

The Foundation in 2024 approved thousands of dollars in grant funds to multiple fire companies in Clinton County.

To support the Foundation, visit www.clintoncountyfoundation.org or call 570.220.1038.