VIDEO: A longtime local firefighter is now in the fight of his life after being diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer. Now, his firehouse and his family are stepping in to help. Robert Cornelius is the kind of firefighter every department wishes to have. For the last 28 years, he hasnโt just worn the badge for the Frontier Volunteer Fire Company โ heโs lived it. โRob has been a huge, huge player,โ said Rich Silvaroli, former chief of the Frontier Volunteer Fire Company. โHe was on many calls among this neighborhood helping our neighbors here at Frontier.โ Now, the man who has answered thousands of calls for help is facing something he canโt battle on his own. In March, Cornelius was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer. Itโs a disease thatโs tragically common among the very heroes who run toward danger. โWhen you hear it from one of your own members, it hurts,โ said Alan Perry, chief of the Frontier Volunteer Fire Company.
