Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company member returns from service in Air Force

When Jimmy Hartz became a volunteer firefighter with the Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company last year, he couldn’t have imagined how much his fellow firefighters would impact his life in the future.

Hartz is an Air Force Reservist with the 911th Pittsburgh Air Wing and was deployed on June 25, 2021. His first stop was Langley Air Force Base, and on July 8 he was sent overseas to Kuwait.

The night before leaving, Hartz and his family stopped at the Undercliff station to say goodbye to his friends and coworkers.

“Jimmy mentioned that he wished he had a shirt from Undercliff that he could take with him,” fellow firefighter Melissa Walker said “So I figured since he is sacrificing his time, family and life, the least I could do is give him the shirt off my back.”

Hartz had an idea of having the shirt flown on one of the missions being performed in the area.

“I handed my shirt off and said ‘Here, take it,’” said Hartz.

Usually, flags are the only items flown. But, the T-shirt was flown during one of the secret missions. Because the missions are classified, Hartz isn’t sure what mission the T-shirt was flown on.

Having had the T-shirt flown meant that a certificate would be issued regarding the event. Hartz had the shirt framed to be displayed at the firehall, along with the certificate.

While he was gone, Hartz’s Air Force flag was flown on one of Underdcliff’s engines.

“We are all extremely proud and grateful for Jimmy’s dedication to serving our great country,” said Undercliff VFC chief John Ganter. “Whether it be in the Air Force or here at the fire station, Jimmy exemplifies what it means to serve and is always putting others first. People like Jimmy are making the world a better place, and we are extremely proud to have him in our Undercliff family.”

When he returned from duty, in February Hartz presented two plaques and the framed shirt to Undercliff, thanking them for their support. He also gave Walker an Air Force shirt to replace her framed Undercliff shirt.

“The amount of support [my family and I received] from this fire department is unfounded,” Hartz said. “I knew that if something was badly needed at the house [during my absence,] they would have all piled in together and jumped up and taken care of it.”

“My wife held my son’s birthday party here, on her own without me, and she was running late and worried that my son would be late for his own party. The guys went and picked him up and brought him here so he would be on time,” Hartz said.

“Station 264 was a lifeline to me during Jimmy’s absence,” said his wife, Jen Hartz. “I always felt supported and welcomed during his absence. If I needed anything, they were always willing to help and just a phone call away.”

Hartz joined the Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company in May of 2021 and said he wishes he would have done it sooner.

“It’s crazy, when you do it, you don’t want to get paid. It’s rewarding in itself to know you’re doing something greater and better for somebody else who is in need,” said Hartz.