Anniversary inspires new logo
By Carla Charter
Journal Correspondent
Community Journal
September 30, 2005

Thanks to the efforts of an artistic Oakmont Regional student, the Ashburnham Fire Department is now sporting a new patch.

According to Fire Chief Paul Zbikowski, the department decided to have a new patch designed “to commemorate the 150 years we have been in service and something that depicts fire, EMS and rescue.”

When the Oakmont Art Department was asked if they had a student who would be interested in the project, junior Lauren Lenart was selected. Lauren, who designed the patch last year, said the project took her several months, first drawing it on paper and then converting it to the computer.

Lenart said the patch has the Maltese Cross, which is the basic symbol of firefighters. Inside that, is a silhouette of a firefighter with a hose. On the left side is a scramble emblem, which includes a firefighter helmet and ax, on the right, a Star of Life to symbolize Emergency Medical Technicians.

Around the center are the words “Always Ready to Protect and Serve”, which is the motto of the Ashburnham Fire Department. On top are the words “Ashburnham, Ma.” On the bottom “Fire, Rescue EMT” with the founding year of the department, 1855.

Lenart, who lives with her parents Laurie and Bruno Lenart, is not new to art. She has placed second and third in the Leominster Art Association competitions for the last two years. Lenart also received a Silver Key award in the Boston Globe Art Competition last year and has won two contests sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League.

“She did a fantastic job, Zbikowski said. “She designed the patch. She was the only one interested in doing it so we let her run with it.”

Lenart met with Battalion Chief Robert Salo who guided her in incorporating items on the patch. The patch sports both the Star of Life as well as the firefighter, Zbikowski said.

[This article has been reproduced with the permission of Community Journal editor Kevin J. MacLean]