Fords Boy Scout Builds Drying Rack For Avenel Fire House

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — A young man trying to earn the rank of Eagle Scout presented the Avenel fire house with a drying rack for their firefighter (turnout) gear.

The drying rack was built by Matteo Pittenger 15, a member of Boy Scout Troop #53 from Fords. This was Pittenger's Eagle Scout project.

Pittenger built the drying rack to be used by the Avenel Fire Department and presented it to them Tuesday.

A drying rack such as the one Pittenger built would have cost the department $5,000 or more, and that is just in supplies alone, said Avenel Fire Commissioner John Mitch.

"The Avenel Board of Fire Commissioners is appreciative of this donation, which saves the taxpayers the expense of such a unit," said Mitch, who is also the Woodbridge town clerk.

On Tuesday, the teen presented the drying rack he made to Fire Commissioners Mitch, Dean Manente, Bruce Mizak, Greg Czoch and Keith Addie. Avenel Fire Chief James Boelhower, Fire Official Cory Spillar, firefighters and staff were also on hand.

Other Fords Boy Scouts and Pittenger's family and friends were also there.

The fire commissioners thanked the teen.

“It is extremely important to keep firefighters gear in top condition given the exposures they face every day," said Commissioner Manente.

“Keeping gear clean is important as firefighters are exposed to fireground contaminants and other hazardous substances," said Commissioner Boelhower.

Pittenger is a student at Edison High School.