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IRT

September 9, 2025

Operation Healthy Ellwood: A Community Forever Changed by Care, Compassion, and Service

She walked out of the Ellwood City clinic with tears streaming down her face. For the first time in years, she had received life-changing care — care she admitted she could never have afforded otherwise. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she told local volunteer Rhiannon Schnell what it meant to her. Schnell could only reply through her own tears: “She has no idea what that meant to me.” Moments like this defined Operation Healthy Ellwood, a 10-day Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission that transformed Ellwood City into a hub of compassion and service in August 2025. For nearly two weeks,…

August 26, 2025

Ellwood City Council Recognizes Borough Employees for Contributions to Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Initiative

Ellwood City Borough Council President, Brad Ovial, presented commendations to two borough employees for their work on the recent Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) initiative during Council’s recent regular meeting. Ovial handed over certificates of appreciation to Borough Manager Kevin Swogger and Rhiannon Schnell, secretary for public works and code enforcement. Schnell served as the community partner for the initiative and along with Swogger was an integral part of the application and planning process as well as seeing the program through to the end. Swogger said that more than $2.5 million worth of NO COST services were provided to the community….

August 4, 2025

Mayor Court Recognizes Col. Nicole Ewing Hurley With Proclamation

Mayor Anthony J. Court offered a special recognition to Col. Nicole Ewing Hurley of Operation Healthy Ellwood IRT 2025. “Her guidance and wavering dedication were pivotal in Operation Healthy Ellwood. Her leadership in public health has left an indelible mark on our town and its people,” said Mayor Court in a statement. “May we carry forward the spirit of Operation Healthy Ellwood, and continue to build a thriving, healthier future for our city.” Mayor Anthony J. Court, along with the community of Ellwood City, do hereby express our heartfelt recognition and deepest appreciation to Colonel Nicole Ewing Hurley for her…

July 31, 2025

Ellwood City Moose & Word Alive Church Host Breakfast For IRT Operation Healthy Ellwood

Volunteers from the Loyal Order of the Moose #93, Word Alive Church and Divine Grace Church, who also provided the space, provided a warm breakfast Sunday morning July 27th at the local Catholic Center for all service members. “Our administration Bill Balin came up with the idea to do something for the staff of the IRT event,” said Conny Gallenz of the Moose Club. “We expected and hosted over 100 military personnel.” The Moose contacted various local businesses and reached out to the community via social media and its website for donations. “We were very lucky to receive donations from…

July 30, 2025

PHOTOS: Mass Casualty Incident Exercise On Lawrence Avenue

As part of the ongoing efforts of Operation Healthy Ellwood, military and local emergency responders went through a mass casualty incident (MCI) exercise Tuesday evening on Lawrence Avenue in Ellwood City. The scenario simulated a vehicle striking multiple pedestrians, requiring a rapid and coordinated emergency response. Operation Healthy Ellwood is a Department of Defense initiative bringing no-cost health services to the community. Nearly 200 military medical professionals from the Air Force, Army, and Navy are staffing the no-cost health clinic at Lincoln High School that concludes this week.

July 29, 2025

Military and Civilian Responders to Conduct Mass Casualty Incident Exercise On Lawrence Avenue

Military and local emergency responders will conduct a mass casualty incident (MCI) exercise Tuesday evening on Lawrence Avenue in Ellwood City, simulating a vehicle striking multiple pedestrians. The drill is part of Operation Healthy Ellwood, a Department of Defense initiative bringing no-cost health services to the community. The scenario will simulate a vehicle striking multiple pedestrians, requiring a rapid and coordinated emergency response. The exercise is scheduled to take place Tuesday, July 29, 2025 beginning at 6:00 p.m. and lasting thru 8:00 p.m.  Lawrence Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets will be closed to public traffic starting at 1:00 p.m….

July 9, 2025

Borough of Ellwood City Continuing To Seek Supplies To Support IRT Mission

Ellwood City has been selected for an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission through the U.S. Department of Defense. The mission’s name is Operation Healthy Ellwood and from July 23rd to August 1st the borough will have approximately 200 reservists from all branches of the military present in our town. This is a NO COST opportunity for anyone in any community to get access to medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and veterinary services. The Borough is seeking donations of the items listed below: TOILET PAPER PAPER TOWELS HAND SOAP FACIAL TISSUE CLEANING SUPPLIES GENERAL PURPOSE CLEANER (E.G. MR CLEAN) DISINFECTING WIPES…

June 25, 2025

Borough of Ellwood City Seeking Donations For Its Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Mission

Ellwood City has been selected for an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission through the Department of Defense. The mission’s name is Operation Healthy Ellwood. From July 23 to August 1, 2025, the borough will have approximately 200 reservists from all branches of the military present in our town. The reservists visiting us have everyday jobs in the medical field. Some are doctors, surgeons, and nurses. They will be providing NO COST HEALTH CARE to all of the members of our communities. There are no income, residency, or insurance restrictions. An ID is not necessary to utilize the services offered. Available…

March 17, 2025

“Operation Healthy Ellwood” Coming In July

The Ellwood City Area School District, in partnership with the Ellwood City Borough, will be hosting Operation Healthy Ellwood IRT July 23-26 and July 28-August 1 at Lincoln Jr/Sr. High School, 501 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. This is a NO COST opportunity for anyone in any community to get access to medical, dental, vision (including eyeglass fabrication), behavioral health, and veterinary services. The clinics will run 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and no appointment is needed! Operation Healthy Ellwood is made possible by 200 military medical professionals from all branches of the US Military. “Innovative Readiness Training, or…

December 5, 2024

ECASD Board of Directors Elect Officers, Learn about Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held its election of officers for 2025 during Thursday’s combined meeting. Jennifer Tomon will again serve as board president for 2025. She was nominated by Director Jean Biehls and had unanimous support from the board. She was the only candidate nominated. Jean Biehls will again serve as board vice president for 2025. She was nominated by Director Kevin Boariu and like Tomon received unanimous support. The board also announced and approved meeting dates for 2025. Air Force Col. Nicole S. Hurley and U.S. Air Force Capt. Heather Edsall spoke about the…