Former Patient Organizes Fairmount Fire Parade

It was nearly 90 degrees in Ephrata on Aug. 20, but at least 100 Fairmount residents and dozens of members of the surrounding community waited patiently for a number of fire trucks and rescue vehicles to arrive and hold a parade around the campus at 333 Wheat Ridge Drive, Ephrata.

At 1:30 p.m., the sirens could be heard as the emergency vehicles came up the hill and paraded first around the Farm Crest campus. They then proceeded to Wheat Ridge, where the trucks parked along the scenic ridge on the south side of the campus. First responders exited the trucks, pulled out equipment, and prepared to meet with those who had gathered. Fire safety packets were given to the children present.

Luke Nolt, who arrived on the Bowmansville Fire Company truck, organized the event. "A few years ago, I was a resident (at Fairmount) after a serious motorcycle accident," explained Nolt, who spent nearly a year recovering and undergoing therapy at the rehabilitation center. "Now I am doing better than I could ever imagine, and it's thanks to Fairmount and their great people," he continued. "I met a bunch of amazing people along the way."

"This is my way of saying thank you to Fairmount," Nolt pointed out, adding that he specifically remembered what it was like to live there when COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. "I know what it was like being on the inside looking out," he said. "It's not fun." Nolt hoped the parade was an enjoyable experience for residents who had lived through those restrictions.

Local fire companies that took part, in addition to Bowmansville, which brought a tanker and a rescue vehicle, were Farmersville Fire Company, which brought an engine and an ambulance, and Fivepointville Fire Company, which brought a tanker.

Fairmount is a nonprofit retirement community offering a variety of services, including living options, skilled nursing, and short-term and outpatient rehabilitation. Readers who would like to know more about the organization may visit https://fairmounthomes.org.