The Pheasant Run Resort played host to the inaugural Chicago meeting of the Gear Up Foundation last weekend.

The foundation, a product of the calamity the nation faced on 9/11, was welcomed at the St. Charles resort with waving flags of red, white and blue. The names of those lost on 9/11 graced the banners as a memorial to their sacrifice.

The Gear Up Foundation was established by Vincent “Vinny” Forras, a businessman and a veteran volunteer firefighter from Westchester County, N.Y., who responded after the attacks.

Shortly after, Forras was assigned to employ search and rescue operations in the hopes of finding victims trapped within the rubble. While searching deep within the twisted metal and broken glass, a void space where Forras was working suddenly collapsed, trapping and separating him from fellow rescue workers.

“I was scarred to death. My legs were pinned,” Forras said. “I had no idea how far I was or what lay between me and fellow rescue workers.”

Alone in the darkness, panic set in.

“I prayed,” Forras said. “I promised God that if I made it out alive I would do all I can to serve humanity.”

His prayers were answered. After several hours, shifting of the ruins above created a pathway back to the surface where his teammates were working to find him.

Then, while visiting his in-laws in Ecuador, a fire ripped through Monte Cristi, a small community with limited assets. The news spread that three children lost their lives in the blaze. Forras trekked out to the Ecuadorian backwoods to see if he could help and was appalled by what he discovered. The small town fire department was lacking in equipment and training. It was easy to see why these local firefighters couldn’t make the rescue.

“The homes were of bamboo construction, very dry, quick burning in the extreme temperatures,” he said. “They didn’t have the equipment or the training to combat” the fire properly.

The town had a fire engine — 44 years old. Firefighters did their job in sandals, shorts and T-shirts. A handkerchief over the mouth and nose was all they had to combat smoke.  

Forras found his calling.

“I pledged to get these small departments the equipment and training they needed,” Forras said.

Every year, old or out-of-service gear and equipment is sent to the scrap bin. The equipment may be inferior by American standards but many times it’s better than what firefighters in small countries have.

“Acquiring the equipment is only part of the deal,” said Donna Foley, one of the foundation’s training instructors. “These people are basically fighting fires in street clothes so they are not familiar with how, where and when to wear their new gear.”

“If they are over confident even while decked out in the gear they can find themselves in a heap of trouble,” said Mario Fiallo, another trainer with the foundation.

The St. Charles event is one piece of an entire expansion program eventually touring the entire country, Joe Cantafio said. Cantafio was the key ingredient in getting the St. Charles event moving. Pheasant Run and its parent company, Oak Brook Hotels, donated the space and services needed for the entire function.

“Hey, its a great cause,” said Rhonda Lasee, director of convention services for the resort.

Cantafio is a member of a band, the 101st Rock Division. The band has been playing a circuit entertaining troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When Cantafio got word of the Gear Up Foundation, he approached Forras and asked if he could help.

Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, Cantafio attempted to enlist in the military in order to serve his country.

“They didn’t want me. I’m too old.” Cantafio laughed. “The recruiter said the enemy would have to be right on our border before they scooped me up.”

The convention as a whole brought together several different activities. Tools used by firefighters were on display, demonstrations were held and author Fabrizio Bivona signed his book, “Gone But Not Forgotten.” Bivona was working in the second tower just prior to the attack.

“I was one of the lucky ones.” He said. “I managed to find a safe haven beneath a fire engine. I survived, others were not as lucky.”

Representatives from several departments received some of the donated equipment, and training was offered as well.

“Running this foundation is like on-the-job training,” Forras said. “I learn something new every day.”