News
Texas Volunteer Firefighter Receives an Extreme Home Makeover
Published Date: 01.09.2012
Family lost home in Bastrop wildfire
When the Bastrop wildfire slammed Texas in September, volunteer firefighter Mizzy Zdroj was there battling the blaze. But while she was trying to save the homes of her fellow Texans, her own home was destroyed by the fire. Yet tragedy turned to joy in December when the Zdroj family received a new home courtesy of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and builder EFC Custom Homes of Bastrop.
 |
| Fire Corps Texas State Advocate Jeanie Fossati (right) with volunteer firefighter and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition recipient Mizzy Zdroj. Photo courtesy of Jeanie Fossati. |
The build was accomplished thanks to the power of more than 3,000 volunteers, including volunteer firefighters and Fire Corps members. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Fire Corps Texas State Advocate Jeanie Fossati helped put out the call for volunteers.
In addition to getting a new home, Zdroj’s fire department – the Heart of Pines Volunteer Fire Department – also received a makeover. The department was hit hard by the wildfire, so the ABC show decided to remodel the station. Corporate supporters donated much-needed gear and equipment to the department, including a 2001 Ford brush truck from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, turnout gear from NVFC partner Globe Manufacturing, two-way radios from Motorola, and more. Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) donated scholarships to the entire department to attend the annual fire school.
The community also raised more than $12,000 to present to the Zdroj family, and Concordia University donated scholarships for all three Zdroj children.
The episode will air as an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition holiday special in December 2012.
Stay tuned for the January issue of the Fire Corps E-update for more about the build event.
Find photos on the Globe Manufacturing page on Facebook and on the Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus page on Facebook.
See more about this story and get a behind the scenes look from the build site courtesy of KVUE.com:
Search
Kimberly Quiros
Director of Communications
202-887-5700 ext. 119
David Finger
Director of Government Relations
202-887-5700 ext. 112