Issuu

CSupply ampbell Company READY WHEN YOU ARE.

Newspaper' T h e P ennsylvania E d ition

PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

HOME SUBSCRIPTION - $24/YEAR

FIRETRUCKS.PARTS.SERVICE. MOBILE SERVICE

732 - 287-1500

WWW.CAMPBELLSUPPLY.COM 9 7 LOCATIONS O R WE COME TO YOU!

WWW.1RBN.COM

SCAN HERE

MARCH/APRIL, 2026

IE S ID E N

PARKIN ONLY NO GUEST

ift JSSS'! KEN SNYDER

EASTON, PA - Firefighters were summoned on February 20th to a five-story, century-old Hotel Hampton, located at 462 Northampton St. To the rear of this hotel (now a rooming house with long term residents) were four and three-story add-ons extending back to Pine St. Crews were dispatched to the hotel for a possible electrical fire in the basement at around 10:45 a.m. -

S e e full story on p a g e 9

Join our Team of Dispatchers Paging w ith a Rewards Program! Visit our w ebsite to fill out an application.

www.1rwn.com

W ir e l e s s n e w s B

March/April, 2026

PAGE 2

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

ADVERTISER INDEX

—

A guide to finding great companies

Paae

C om pany

10-8 E m e rg e n c y V e h icle

1st O u t S p e c ia lty

A rm o r T u ff F lo o rin g

BLUE KNOB VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

C a m p b e ll S upply.

1,56

C o m m a n d F ire A pp.

E S I E q u ip m e n t

F ire F lo w S e rv ic e s , Inc.

W oodbury Twp. Fire Draws M utual Aid

KEN SNYDER

Firefighters cover up roof holes.

WOODBURY TWP., PA - On Tuesday, February 5th, Blue Knob Volunteer Fire Department Engine/Tanker 86 re sponded with a crew of six firefighters to assist at a sec ond-alarm fire in Woodbury Township, Bedford County. Crews operated alongside mutual aid departments as part of the extended response. The structure sustained signifi cant damage, and firefighters worked to support suppres sion and overhaul operations.

K im te k C orp.

M id A tla n tic R e scu e

13 KEN SNYDER

The firegrounds at 1558 Livingston St.

T h e F ire S to re

CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Pennsylvania edition - Vol. 30 No. 2 - is published bi-monthly, 6 times a year for $24 per year by Belsito Communica tions, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Re sponder News, 1 Ardmore Street, NY 12553. N o fi nancial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typo graphical errors except o f reprinting that part o f the ad which was om itted or in error.

A division of:

Omissions B t^ r L ^ IT lT O or errors communications, inc. must be brought to the attention o f the newspaper during the same month o f publication. Printed in Canada.

MOCANAQUA VOL. FIRE CO. # 1

Mocanaqua Crews Assist a t Third-Alarm House Fire in Nescopeck Borough

Two Alarm Dwelling Fire in Bethlehem BETHLEHEM, PA - On February 24th at around 11:45 A.M., the Northampton County 911 Center dispatched the BFD to a dwelling fire at 1558 Livingston St. This one-story dwelling had an attic fire going, which went for two alarms and was quickly controlled. There were no reported injuries.

8 45 -5 3 4-7 5 0 0 • (fa x ) 8 45 -5 3 4-0 0 5 5 in fo @ b e ls ito .c o m

PURUCATION CONTENT Notice: The advertisements, articles, and letters contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views o f 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. Ad vertisements are sold pursuant to the "space available" and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertise ments are contained in this publication does not express nor imply that 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communi cations, Inc. vouches for the credibility o f the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or implied in them.

R espon der N ew spa per

NESCOPECK BOROUGH, PA - Shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 was dis patched to a third-alarm structure fire in Nescopeck Borough. Engine 1 responded with a crew of six firefighters, who upon arrival were assigned as the first-due RIT. Crews stood by to ensure firefighter safety while multiple companies worked to contain heavy fire conditions that had extended through the structure. Thick smoke and flames were visible from the upper floors and roof area as operations continued in challenging winter conditions. The incident drew a large multi-agency re sponse, with firefighters working for several hours to bring the fire under control. No further details on injuries or the cause of the fire were immediately available.

Command Fire Apparatus 1-866-238-6688 •Glenn@sellfiretrucks.com

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

* ^ e CIALTY V E H l C ^

r/ A

\ \ V

5PARTAN

LOOKING FOR NEW TURNOUT GEAN? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN VIKING WARRIOR! WE ALSO HAVE THE ONLY DESIGNED FOR WOMEN VALKYRIE GEAR REACH OUT TO US TODAY FOR A DEMO!

LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT

412 - 507 - 3000 WWW.lSTOUTSPECIALTY.COM

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

COMMAND VEHICLES If your Department has photos you would like to see in our "‘ Command Vehicles" feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindseyw! lstResponderNews.com

SWISSVALE FIREFIGHTERS IAFF LOCAL 1680

ALAN HOFFMAN

Chief 3 of the Cetornia Fire Co. on the scene of a commerical structure fire at the south mall on January 16th.

SWISSVALE FIREFIGHTERS IAFF LOCAL 1680

Sw issvale Crews Aid in E arly-M orning House Fire SWISSVALE, PA - An engine from Swissvale Firefighters IAFF Local 1680 was called to help West Mifflin Fire Depart ment Homeville Station 293 at a residential structure fire just before 3:00 a.m. on January 4th. The West Mifflin Police Department reported a completely engaged structure as soon as they arrived on scene. Swissvale Engine 1 helped with suppression efforts and laid around 650-feet of supply line to the Charlie side of the house. Crews operated multi ple attack lines and used both a step gun and the deck gun from Engine 1 to support fire control efforts. Before head ing back to the borough, Swissvale units were on scene for a little more than two hours. Penn Hills VFD #7 sent a standby crew to keep coverage in Swissvale as firefighters worked at the scene.

ALAN HOFFMAN

Chief 7 of the Emmaus Fire Department on the scene of a structure fire at the Emmaus Boruogh public works building on January 9th.

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 5

Your Rescue Resource

J Y D Industries is proud to arm the

emergency response community with simple, portable, lightweight, and proven first-in equipment.

HEALTHS SAFETY

ESI Health and Safety focuses on protecting the first responders by providing products that reduce contaminants they are exposed to regularly.

ESI Equipm ent. Inc, is dedicated to supply the best products to perform the rescue tasks confronted by today’s rescuers.

ESI Apparatus Division offers mission-built Rapid Response Vehicles for first responders that understand today’s challenges. D IV ISIO N

267-803-1440

lnfo(g>esiequipment.com

www.esiequipment.com

PAGE 6

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

- g m a g jfr

Responder Newspaper

In memory of those who gave all

1 ARDMORE STREET - NEW WINDSOR, N Y 12553 845-534-7500 • (fa x) 845-534-0055 • N e w s@ 1 stR e sponderN ew s.com

EXECUTIVE STAFF PUBLISHER JOC BelsitO (Joe@1 stResponderNews.com) GENERAL MANAGER Kathy Ronsini (Kathy@1stResponderNews.com) MANAGING EDITOR Lindsey Palmer (Undsey@1stResponderNews.com) PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Ashley Ramos (Ashley@1 stResponderNews.com)

1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty

OPERATIONAL MANAGER Nicholas BelsitO (Nicholas@1stResponderNews.com) DISPATCHER RECRUITMENT & RETENTION (Rich@ 1stResponder.com)

EDITORIAL STAFF COLUMNISTS Rick Billings (Cartoon) Bob Long (Cartoon) John Malecky (Apparatus, Bookshelf) Didymus McHugh (Chaplain's Corner) Fernando Villicana (Chaplain's Corner)

Pennsylvania: Edward "Chip" Chidester, 55 Rank: Assistant Chief Incident Date: March 11, 2025 Death Date: April 27, 2025 Fire Department: Harford Volunteer Fire Company Initial Summary: Assistant Chief Edward "Chip”

Virginia: Mack G. Mays Jr., 47 Rank: Assistant Chief Incident Date: July 9, 2025 Death Date: July 10,2025 Fire Department: Monelison Volunteer Fire

Chidester passed away on April 27, 2025, due to com pli

Department

cations o f surgeries for an injury he sustained fighting a

Initial Summary: On July 9, 2025, Assistant C h ief

brushfire on March 11, 2025.

M ack G. Mays Jr. responded to a false alarm at a com m ercial building. After returning home, he began

CORRESPONDENTS Jim Alercia •Jason Batz •Dale Feehrer •Ted Hodgins •Alan Hoffman •Roman Isaryk •Ron Jeffers •Regina Jelsfc. •William King •JC Kriesher •Chuck Lowe •John Malecky •Eric Rasmussen •Lucas Richardson •Terry Ritz •Frank Robinson •Don Filippo Scicchitano •Shane Shifflett •Sharon Siegel •Darin Smith •Ken Snyder •Eugene Weber Jr.

Oregon: Ruben Gonzalez Romero, 64 Rank: Firefighter/Sawyer Incident Date: Aug. 24, 2025 Death Date: Aug. 24, 2025 Fire Department: United States Forest Service - Region 6

Initial Summary: Firefighter/Sawyer Ruben Romero was serving as a sawyer on a Type 2 crew with TJ

EDITORIAL INFORMATION Join our team o f correspondents or columnists! 1st Responder Newspaper w elcom es subm issions by our readers. Send stories and photos to us at new s@ lstrespondernew s.com . Or, give us a call or post it directly to www. lrbn.co. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted.

8 4 5 -5 3 4 -7 5 0 0 ext. 2 1 2 • (fax) 8 4 5 -5 3 4 -0 0 5 5 N ew s@ 1 s tR e s p o n d e rN e w s .c o m

ADVERTISING INFORMATION can benefit your com pany call our advertising hotline at:

8 4 5 -5 3 4 -7 5 0 0 ext. 211 • (fax ) 8 4 5 -5 3 4 -0 0 5 5 A d v e rtis in g @ 1 s tR e s p o n d e rN e w s .c o m

CIRCULATION INFORMATION 1st Responder Newspaper is delivered to all fire, rescue, ambulance stations and hospitals. I f you do not receive your papers, please contact our circulation department. Hom e subscriptions are $24 per year.

pronounced deceased due to a cardiovascular event.

West Virginia: Steven Dale Griffith, 66 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: March 1,2025 Death Date: March 3, 2025 Fire Department: Danville Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: On March 1, 2025, Firefighter Steven

Rapid medical assistance was rendered from a line para

Griffith responded with the Danville Volunteer Fire D e

medic. Resuscitation attempts, however, were unsuc

partment to assist EMS with forcible entry into a resi

cessful and Firefighter/Sawyer Romero passed away.

dence. Within 24 hours o f this response, Firefighter

Kentucky: Brian Hatt, 51 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: Aug. 22, 2025 Death Date: Aug. 22,2025 Fire Department: Raywick Fire Department Initial Summary: On August 22, 2025, Lieutenant

local hospital. He was later transferred to a medical cen

C irc u la tio n @ 1 s tR e s p o n d e rN e w s .c o m

GRAPHIC PESIGN/MARKETING a division of:

U sw

co mmunications, inc.

single sheet handouts, full color or black and white, no one else delivers the high quality work at our competitive prices. A s a newspaper in the B elsito Communications Inc. family, 1st Responder News has a state-of-the-art production facility which utilizes the latest scan ning technology available. Materials are processed using Power Macintosh G4s. Output is handled on our HP C olor LaserJet 8500 to produce the highest quality black and white or color prints on the market.

8 4 5 -5 3 4 -7 5 0 0 ext. 2 1 4 • (fax ) 8 4 5 -5 3 4 -0 0 5 5

ter where he passed away on March 3,2025.

was responding to a mutual aid call. During the re

Ohio: Douglas William Thompson, 65 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: Sept. 4, 2025 Death Date: Sept. 5,2025 Fire Department: Warren Township Volunteer Fire

Brian Hatt was driving a fire department pumper as he

8 4 5 -5 3 4 -7 5 0 0 ext. 2 20 • (fax ) 8 4 5 -5 3 4 -0 0 5 5

g ^ s^ a L m a m id J U

suppression o f the Bivens Creek Fire in Montana, Fire fighter/Sawyer Romero suffered a cardiovascular event.

side his house the follow in g day, within 24 hours o f responding to the alarm. Assistant C h ief Mays was

Griffith suffered a cardiac event and was transported to a

If you w ould like information about how advertising in 1st Responder News

1st Responder N ews’ graphics team will work with you on your advertisement free o f charge. Addition ally, w e offer a complete marketing department for all o f your printed needs. Whether they are posters, or

Forestry Contracting LLC. While actively involved in

experiencing chest pain and was found collapsed in

sponse, the vehicle veered out o f control, hit an embank

Department

ment, and overturned. Lieutenant Hatt was ejected from

Initial Summary: On September 4, 2025, Firefighter

the vehicle as it rolled. Lieutenant Hatt was flown by

Douglas Thompson participated in fire department train

helicopter from the scene and transported to a hospital

ing from 7 to 9 p.m. Within 24 hours o f the training,

where he passed away on August 25, 2025, from the in

Firefighter Thompson suffered a cardiac event at home

juries sustained in the accident. Another firefighter who

and passed away.

was a passenger in the vehicle was also flown by heli copter to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

FIRE COMPANY LOGOS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Fire Company L ogos “feature please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.eom or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.

PAGE 7

D esigned Right. Built Right Priced Right.

Over 10,000+ units in service worldwide!

The Nicholson, PA VFD uses the Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct logo on all its apparatus. It features the 1915 railroad bridge, which was the largest one of its kind at that time.

The W idest Range of Off-Road UTV and Brush Truck Skid Units fo r Public Safety!

For UTVs Available for:

• Rural, off-road rescues • Tight urban side street patrols • Beach rescue • Deep woods search & rescues and so much more!

5 M odels to choose from

KEN SNYDER

FIRELITE,

KimtekResearch.com

kimtekcorporation. westmore. Vermont• i-ses-546-8358

TRANSPORTW

For UTVs Available with:

• 55,68,70 & 85 gallon tanks • Hannay Reels • Boostlite hose • Optional foam systems and more!

M odels to choose from

CTWP.300 SPRfPS KEN SNYDER

For Trucks Available in:

• High-Pressure • Ultra-High-Pressure • 125-160-200 &300 Gallon Configurations • 6 .5 .9 ,13HP Pumps

Read more features

13 M odels to choose from

on our website!

VISA

ALL UNITS PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA

www.1rbn.com

FIRELITE & MEDUTE a universal design to fit m ost m ake & m odel UTV Side by Side chassis and Pickup Trucks

HUarletj

KIMTEK

CORPORATION

KIMTEKRESEARCH.COM • sales@kimtekresearch.com • 8 8 8 5 4 6 -8 3 5 8

PAGE 8

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Working Fire in Upper Frederick Township Brings Multi-Company Response UPPER FREDERICK, PA First-due units were dispatched to a reported house fire on Clover Lane in Upper Frederick Township at 11:50 a.m. on January 24th. A neighbor reported that a house be hind her property, believed to be vacant, was on fire, but was unable to confirm the exact address. While en route. Upper Frederick Deputy 87 reported a visible header and immediately requested a working fire dispatch. Units from Lower Frederick 52, Upper Frederick 87, Green Lane 42, and New Hanover 37 were dispatched. Deputy 87 arrived on scene and reported fire showing from the A/D sides o f the residence, estab lishing Clover Lane Command. Ladder 52 and Squad 87 accessed the driveway and attempted to es tablish a water supply. At the 10minute mark, interior crews reported water on the fire, but heavy fire conditions in the attic. Command requested two addi tional engines and a tanker, later upgrading the request to a tanker task force due to the lack o f hy drants in the area. Perkiomen 66, Red Hill 71, Upper Salford 78, Limerick 51, and Gilbertsville 67 responded, along with EMS units

Jump t o f ile #020426133

! &

Freedom Valley 376 and Plymouth 308. Interior crews reported the first floor was compromised, with significant holes making it diffi cult to reach the seat o f the fire. A crew from Limerick Engine 51 de ployed a 400-foot line and oper ated on the A/D side o f the residence to extinguish persistent hotspots that were inaccessible from the interior. Tankers were di rected to Perkiomen Valley Middle School as the fill site for the firstalarm tanker task force. Harleysville Squad 89 was dis patched to stand by at Lower Fred erick 52’ s station for area coverage. The fire was placed under control at 12:44 p.m., and companies were progressively re leased from the scene. The address was later corrected to a house on the 700 block o f Faust Road. Fire marshals immediately began in vestigating the cause o f the fire, with Pennsylvania State Fire Mar shals responding to assist.

REGINA JELSKI

- REGINA JELSKI

REGINA JELSKI

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 9

Firefighters Rescue Residents Amid Fast-Moving Downtown Easton Hotel Blaze EASTON, PA - Firefighters were summoned on February 20th to a five-story, century-old Flotel Flampton, located at 462 Northampton St. To the rear o f this hotel (now a room ing house with long term residents) were four and three-story add ons extending back Jump to fiie# to Pine St. Crews were dis- 030626143 patched to the hotel for a possible elec- iV4 trical fire in the basement at around 10:45 a.m. There they found an active basement fire rapidly spreading throughout the building via inside the walls. As conditions worsened, crews had to get out o f the building and take a defensive position. A sec ond alarm was eventually trans mitted, as there was the need for more aerials and mutual aid from Warren County. The fire was rapidly expand ing to the other add-on buildings and a third alarm would eventu ally be transmitted. Command now concentrated on search and rescue tactics, as nine people had to be rescued hanging out their windows in different localities. The quick-moving fire was now threatening 48 rooms o f which 42 had been occupied. W ilson B orough Firefighter Robert Fewullis was searching for victims on the fourth floor o f the building behind the old hotel under heavy smoke conditions. Fie then ran out o f air and had to issue a "Mayday ". Fie was able to find a w indow to which a 35 ft. ladder was extended to. Fie d e scended down the ladder about half way, lost his footing and fell about 20-feet to the ground. Fie was immediately taken to the St. Fukes Flospital/Anderson Cam pus in serious condition. Also, five other victims had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. As firefighting conditions continued into the afternoon, there were two partial building collapses. Approximately 50 p eo ple were made hom eless due to the fire. After the fire was over, one o f the heavy fire buildings was demolished and cadaver dogs were brought in to find any un known victims, with negative re sults. Assisting Easton were Wilson Borough, Flecktown, Palmer M u nicipal, Nancy Run, Williams Twp., Forks Twp., Pow er Saucon Twp., Bethlehem Twp. and Phillipsburg, NJ.

Pine St. view.

KEN SNYDER

Partial collapse.

KEN SNYDER

- KEN SNYDER

KEN SNYDER

Phillipsburg's ladder tower in operation.

PAGE 10

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

IN SERVICE I f y o u have p h otos y o u w ou ld like to s ee in our In S erv ice feature, please u pload them on our w ebsite www. 1stR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

HUST0NT0WN AREA VOL. FIRE CO.

Pickup fru c k Crashes Down Embankment in Hustontown HUSTONTOWN, PA - Hustontown Area Volunteer Fire Com pany, along with Medic 60, responded to a report of a vehicle off the roadway, February 1st. Upon arrival, Company 57 units located a pickup truck that had left the snow-covered roadway and came to rest down an embankment among trees. No oc cupants were found in or around the vehicle at the time of ar rival. Fire personnel assessed the scene for hazards before clearing, while fire police remained on location to provide traf fic control and scene safety until the vehicle could be re moved. Snow and icy road conditions were present in the area at the time of the incident.

DALE FEEHRER

The Bainbridge Fire Company operates this 2001/2020 Peterbilt/New Lexington (1750/750/40) as Tanker 71.

DALE FEEHRER

The Swatara Township Fire-Rescue operate this 1995 Freightliner/New Lexington as Air 91. Air 91 operates with a 25 CFM air compressor along with an (8) 6,000 psi cylinder cascade system.

ALAN HOFFMAN

Dwelling Fire in Hereford Township HEREFORD TWP., PA - On January 6th at 11:30 a.m., the Hereford, East Greenville, Pennsburg, Upper Milford Western District and Eastern Berks fire companies, along with Bally EMS, were dispatched for a dwelling fire at 950 Gravel Pike in Hereford Township. Chief 58 arrived on scene and had a chimney fire with extension to the wall in the attic and trans mitted a working fire. Tanker 58 arrived on scene and ad vanced a line to the attic to get to the fire in the wall. Ladder 38 and Tower 65 arrived on scene and put their aerials up to the roof to extinguish the chimney fire.

DALE FEEHRER

The Triton Hose Company operates this 2009 Western Star/KME as Tanker 7 (500/3000).

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 11

AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR GROVES READY RACKS, PPE EXTRACTORS AND DRYERS

r )

1)0

ArmorTuffTiles@gmail.com • w w w .arm ortufftile.com • 908-917-7697

PAGE 12

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Occupants Escape Safely as Firefighters Battle Basement Fire in Bendersville BENDERSVILLE, PA - At 9:56 p.m. on February 6th, C om pany 7 was dispatched to the 600 block o f Torway Road for a re ported house fire with possible en trapment. Engine 7-2 responded within minutes, with Chief 7 andE7-2 ar riving to find a working fire in the basement o f a onestory single-family home. Upon arrival, occupants were con firmed to be out o f the residence. Fire fighters advanced an attack line to the basement to extinguish the fire while additional responding units conducted primary and secondary searches on all levels o f the home, which were negative. The fire was successfully knocked down, and crews completed checks for exten sion to ensure the blaze had not spread beyond the point o f origin. The cause o f the fire remains under investigation but is believed to be related to a space heater. O f ficials remind residents to exercise caution when using space heaters during periods o f extreme cold.

-1RN NEWS TEAM

DANIELLE/CUMBERLAND COUNTY STATION 91

I st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 13

Deluxe Package Removable Seats Light bar mount Prop or Jet Dive Platform Fire Pump option Light tow er option K9 W alkway o p tio n

■Double stack tra ile r ■Inflatable or Aluminum ■Spare m otor mount Versatility • Surge Brakes ■Elec. Winch to lower to| Optional Light Tower

Shop online www. MidAtianticRescue. com

Inflatable Series 5 Chambers +keel Aluminum flo or or A ir floor Reinforced Kevlon TM Optional motors makes available All Welded seams

COSTARS

M id -A tla n tic R e s c u e S y s te m s, In c. PH 1-877-622-6277 - Fax 208-460-8648 w w w . M id A t la n t ic R e s c u e . c o m

PAGE 14

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

ANTIQUE APPARATUS If you have photos for Antique Apparatus please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderN ews.com

DALE FEEHRER The R othsville Fire Com pany co n tin u e s to m aintain and show case th e ir 1959 C Model Mack pum per (Engine 2-10) at local and fire departm ent related events. FRANKUN FIRE COMPANY

DALE FEEHRER The A lpha Fire C om pany o f State college, PA once operated th is 1954 Mack L/M axim w ith an 85' m id -m o u n t aerial. P rivately owned now, th is piece is s till kept in e xcellent co n d itio n and s till makes appearances in local parades.

FRANKLIN FIRE COMPANY

Firefighters Contain Mobile Home Fire in Greene Township GREENE TWP., PA - U nits fro m the F ranklin Fire C om pany were dispatched ju s t a fte r 9:00 a.m. on February 25th to a re ported m obile home fire in the M ickey Inn Trailer Park as part of the 44-02 box assignm ent. Upon arrival, Greene 1 reported visib le fire co n d ition s, c o n firm in g an a ctive w o rk in g fire. En gine 45 and Engine 15 fro m W est End Shipp a rrive d s im u lta n e o u sly and im m e d ia te ly in itia te d fire a tta c k o p e ra tio n s . Crews were able to q u ic k ly place w ater on the fire, slo w in g its progression and w o rkin g to bring the blaze under control. F irefighters rem ained on scene fo r a p p ro xim a te ly tw o hours co n d u ctin g suppressio n , overhaul, and e n su rin g no fu rth e r e xtension. No a d d itio n a l d e ta ils re g a rd in g in ju rie s o r th e cause o f the fire w ere im m ediately released.

DALE FEEHRER The Blue Ball Fire C om pany (Now Garden Spot Fire-Rescue) once operated th is 1977 Hahn as Engine 3-2-B. Today, the engine is p riva te ly owned.

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

\ V □

PAGE 15

K e e p in g Y o u r A p p a r a t u s

Em e r g e n c y

V E H IC L E S E R V IC E

“in s e r v i c e & a v a i l a b l /jf

/jt

R E C E N T DELIVERIES • EVT Certified Technicians • P u mp & Aerial T esting

• 24/7 Emergency S ervice

Hazle Tw p S eagrave P umper

ser v ice

• In-house builds • CAAS v4.0 COMPLIANT SQUAD 54

SQUAD

• Fast Turnaround

ambulance

La m p e t e r

REMOUNTS

S eagrave pum per T iMAQUA

• Upgraded or New lighting

R H

3 \

£ M

1 ^ M

Q ^

AMBULANCE

EM ERGENCY MEDICALSERVICE!

• Command & k9 vehicle builds • Custom fabrication

Ta m a q u a Ambulance remount

UPFITTING

SALES • SERVICE • UPFITTING • REMOUNTS LIFE LINE EMERGENCY

VE H I CL ES

WRIGHT LUCE- JSSJ

industries

10-8 E m e r g e n c y V e h i c l e S e r v i c e 717-354-9221 •sales @10-8evs .net •www.10-8evs .net

New Holland 501B E. Main St New Holland, PA 17557

Huntingdon 9492 William Penn Hwy Huntingdon, PA 16652

Wilkes-Barre 1212 S cott St Wilkes-Barre, PA 1870

PAGE 16

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Crews Battle Intense Early-Morning House Fire in Bendersville, Occupant Escapes Safely BENDERSVILLE, PA - Units from the Bendersville Community Fire Department were dispatched at 1:36 a.m. on February 18th to the 600 block o f Peach GlenIdaville Road for a reported house fire. Upon arrival. C h ief 7 co n firmed a working fire in a onestory, single-family home. Deputy C h ief Kime assumed command and directed fire attack operations as Engine 7-2 deployed two handlines on arrival to begin suppression efforts. One occupant self-evacuated

to file #022126114

an 1 ^ prior to crews entering the struc ture and was transported for m ed ical evaluation. Firefighters operated on scene for nearly three hours to bring the blaze under control, working through heavy smoke and active fire conditions to contain the dam age and ensure the area was safe.

- 1RN NEWS TEAM

BENDERSVILLE COMMUNITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 17

EMM Loans Joins Heroes Mortgage Program, Expands Financing Options for Community Heroes The Heroes Mortgage Program has announced

will provide a broader range o f financial solutions

build wealth beyond homeownership.

that EMM Loans has jom ed its platform as a par ticipating lending partner, further expanding fi

beyond traditional home lending. In addition to residential mortgage financing and refinancing,

The Heroes Mortgage Program mamtams a se lective network o f lending partners, choosing in

nancing options available to community heroes

the company will offer down payment assistance

stitutions that demonstrate a commitment to

nationwide.

programs tailored to eligible borrowers within the

service, transparency, and the ability to deliver

hero community.

enhanced benefits to community heroes. EMM

The Heroes Mortgage Program is designed to connect first responders and other essential pro

The partnership also introduces expanded fi

Loans’participation reinforces that mission,

fessionals with lenders offering specialized mort

nancial services, including home equity solutions

bringing additional resources and expertise to the

gage products and financial support. The

such as H ELOCs and cash-out refinancing, as

platform.

platform serves firefighters, police officers,

well as commercial financing options for invest

For eligible borrowers, the partnership provides

EMTs, military personnel, healthcare workers,

ment properties and busmess purposes. In addi

and educators, including both active and retired

tion, EM M Loans will provide access to SBA

access to a wider range o f financing tools from purchasing or refinancing a home to leveraging

members.

lending programs, allowing qualified borrowers

equity or securing funding for busmess ventures

to pursue small business opportunities and long term financial growth.

- through a single, streamlined platform.

commitment to providing meaningful financial

Industry observers note that the inclusion o f commercial and SBA financing within a hero-fo

m ore about available programs can visit w w w .H eroesM ortgageProgram .com /EM M -

solutions aligns with our mission to support those

cused lending platform reflects a growing trend

Loans or call 866-497-8833 for additional in

who serve our communities every day.” With its addition to the platform, EMM Loans

o f lenders offering more comprehensive financial

formation.

“ W e’ re very excited to have EMM Loans come on board as a participating lender o f the Heroes Mortgage Platform,”said Joseph Belsito. “Their

Community members interested in learning

solutions to clients, particularly those seekmg to

Helping get you the home financing you deserve.

Heroes MORTGAGE®

HeroesMortgageProgram.com/EMMLoans

Phone: 866-497-8833 Heroes Mortgage Program® is a marketing initiative and accompanying website owned and operated by Belsito Communications Inc. The Heroes Mortgage Program® is neither a lender nor a broker and does not originate or make loans nor make any credit decisions in connection with loans,but makes visitors to the site aware of licensed lenders that do. The Program is not an agent of either the consumer or any participating bank, lender or mortgage broker. There is never any charge to the consumer to use the Heroes Mortgage Program®. The Heroes Mortgage Program® does not guarantee that submitting requested information to participating lenders will result in the origination of a loan froma Lender, nor does it guarantee that the consumerwill receive a loan with the most advantageous rate or terms.

PAGE 18

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Malfunctioning Furnace Triggers Smoke Investigation in Cumberland Township

F:< s m

CASHTOWN COMMUNITY FIRE DEPT.

CASHTOWN, PA - On Febru ary 22nd, Cashtown Community Fire Dept, and other area fire depart ments were alerted at 2:24 p.m. to 1365 Chambersburg Road in Cum berland Township (Box 1-4) for a report o f smoke inside a residence. Rescue/Engine 4 responded with a crew o f six, while Tanker 4 responded with a crew o f two. Three personnel re mained at the station, and one fire police officer assisted with traffic control at the scene. Engine 1-2 arrived on location and deployed a handline to a Side C entrance, with Deputy Chief 1estab lishing command on Side B. Res cue/Engine 4 and Tanker 4 arrived as the second engine and first tanker, with RE4 stretching a backup line. Investigation determined that a malfunctioning furnace in the base ment had filled the entire house with a strong odor o f smoke. The incident was held to Engine 1-2, Rescue/Engine 4, Tanker 1, and Tower 5. Engine 1-2 isolated power to the furnace and confirmed no ad ditional hazards, while Rescue/En gine 4 coordinated with the truck and tower companies to ventilate all levels o f the home.

- 1RN NEWS TEAM

Put your scanner to good use

FM t m H Join our team of dedicated dispatchers at

1R W N .com

\ ¥a ¥ 7/ a \l 1 h S GN

Speak with our representative for a quick and easy sign-up interview

USING OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART C.A.D. (COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH) YOUR ALERTS WILL BE BROADCASTTO EMAIL AND DEVICES EVERYWHERE!

SEND

Earn points for every alert you send. Our Dispatcher Rewards Program is the best in the industry. Facebook

In cident Entry

Chat Display Region

SPEND

Choose from thousands of items at our online store to redeem your points

ISunType’ imary Ou tgoing In cidents

R esponder

All Tips

Secondary O utgoing In cidents

1RWNSOPS(constantlyupdated) 1RWNSupport Team(Contact List)

W IR E L E S S N EW S Where the News Gets Its News

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 19

“ 911...W h a t’s Your Em ergency?” IN THE FIRE ZONE JOSEPH CEA

Before reading further, take a moment to give some ap plause to an often-overlooked group of people who, without them, would make it impossi ble for firefighters (and other first responders) to do their job. Yes, I am talking about the dispatchers. If ever the phrase “Don’t take it out on the mes senger” is at its most applica ble it would be while interacting with emergency dispatchers. This is simply be cause they are only relaying the information that they re ceive. Sometimes a confirmed outdoor fire turns out to besomeone chillin’ around the fire pit. But that’s how it was called in and that’s just the na ture of the business.

PROVIDED

United Communication Center in Rotterdam is the dispatch center for Schenectady County. There are numerous tasks and trials for dispatchers. Not only in dealing with the public but also the first responders on the other end of the micro phone. A common thread for both groups is that dispatch ers have to remain calm, fo cused and in control at all times, regardless with whom they are communicating. If a dispatcher matches the inten sity of the caller, then the situ ation will only escalate. Overall, caller intensity makes it more difficult to gather accu rate data where incomplete in formation can potentially endanger the caller and first responders. Dispatchers are often dealing with high-risk, quickly-evolv ing situations and in that sense are no different than other first responders where seconds count. Turning a re quest for additional resources into actually mobilizing an extra apparatus off the floor is no easy task. This is especially true when considering other required duties such as enter ing data into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, handling radio traffic, monitor ing multiple incidents and up dating responders with new information. When communicating with the public, one of the biggest chal-

lenges is that everyone’s situa tion is an “emergency”. Whereas that may sound very unsympathetic it is up to the dispatcher to be able to deci pher the true nature of the call. Dispatchers often have to ask multiple questions to make sure the proper resources are called in. Sometimes callers perceive any questions as in action when the reality is that the dispatcher has already started emergency services to them. A second challenge when speaking with the public is that there is a tendency to tell a story while the dispatcher needs to get pertinent informa tion quickly and efficiently and does not necessarily have time to let someone ramble on “just the facts, please”. In some rare circumstances sometimes the system itself can be a challenge. Case in point is the radio systems and frequencies used. Although my experience as a dispatcher is limited, one circumstance that repeatedly surfaced was some first responders using digital radios while others were using an analogue system. Those with digital radios could hear all radio traffic while the ana logue users could only hear themselves which made dis patching resources a chal lenge. Additionally, some first

responders are on a dedicated channel and thus not privy to other radio traffic whereas the dispatcher is handling all radio communications at once. So, what actually happens when an emergency call comes in? A recent visit to the Universal Communications Center (UCC) in Rotterdam, NY yielded some really interesting observations. Each dispatcher has multiple screens in front of them each with different functions. This is the CAD system. When some one calls “911” their approxi mate location is displayed on one screen with data entry on another. The dispatchers listen to the caller and enter informa tion based on the caller re sponses. The CAD then displays a number of potential responses. This process re peats and continues until the true nature of the call is deci phered and the proper emer gency services (if any) are dispatched to the location in question. Because the responses are generated by the CAD system one can draw a conclusion that it takes the human element out. Perhaps that is true but that is exactly what you want because reading pre- determined re sponses allows a dispatcher to remain monotone and not es

calate the situation. Once the correct emergency type is de lineated then the appropriate response is sent. That could be fire, EMS or law enforcement. Keep in mind that the entire transaction from initial call to dispatched resources may only be a minute or at most two. Being a dispatcher is a great stepping stone to employment later on as either law enforce ment, firefighter and EMT. This is simply because having a working knowledge of some of the behind-the- scenes opera tions is invaluable. It’s not going out on a limb to suggest that every firefighter (espe cially officers) should visit and talk to the dispatchers that are sending apparatus and/or addi tional resources. This will cer tainly aid in size-up and decision making on the fireground. As an example, the CAD will also display for the dispatcher all the available resources that are “on the box” and in what order. Officers on the fireground should also know this information. Typically, all nec essary resources (save those that are called for after the ini tial call) are dispatched simul taneously. The dispatcher will highlight each department and the resources needed i.e. en

gine, truck, EMS etc., and then click on “send” once which will alert everyone at the same time. Because the CAD can only send one signal at a time if the dispatcher clicks on and sends each resource one at a time it will obviously take longer and may confuse the system with overlapping sig nals. What does it take to be a dis patcher? From an educational requirement standpoint typi cally only a high school diploma (or equivalent). This is mostly because dispatcher po sitions rely heavily on on-thejob training. Working with a certified dispatcher for several weeks or even months newly hired dispatchers will learn the CAD system, basic radio eti quette, call talking/questioning, agency policies and standard operating procedures. Addi tional requirements may be a first aid/CPR, online coursework, NIMS certifications, background check and possi bly a civil service exam. This article is dedicated to the dispatchers of the City of Saratoga Springs (some of whom contributed to this arti cle) and who not only perform above and beyond but always have my safety in mind.

March/April, 2026

PAGE 20

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Driver Extricated Following Trash Truck Vs. Pickup Crash in Aston Township ASTON TWP., PA - Just prior to 3:00 P.M. on January 30th, the Aston Twp. Fire Department was dispatched to the intersection o f Concord Road and Colonial Drive for a t1' reported accident with entrapment. Chief 17 arrived on Jum p t o fiie # scene to find a colli 021326137 sion involving a trash truck and pickup truck, with one indi vidual trapped inside the pickup. Squad 17 responded and quickly initiated extrication opera tions. Firefighters utilized hydraulic rescue tools to safely remove the trapped patient from the vehicle. The individual was then transferred to awaiting EMS personnel and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. Crews worked efficiently to se cure the scene and clear debris, restoring normal traffic flow.

-1RN NEWS TEAM

Get your personal copy of 1 st Responder

Newspaper

ASTON TWP. FIRE DEPT.

The PA Edition Name:__________________________ Telephone:_____________________ Address:________________________ C i t y : __________________________ State:____ Z i p : ________________ __S24 for one year subscription __S40 for two year subscription

PAYMENT METHOD __Check __M oney Order __Charge card Card # _________________________ Exp:______________ Signature______________________

Send paym ent to: 1s t R esponder Newspaper 1 A rdm ore S treet N ew W indsor , NY 12553

^ A m o u n t enclosed:

For Credit Card Orders: just fax this to (845) 534-0055

or subscribe online at

www.1RBN.com

ASTON TWP. FIRE DEPT.

Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 21

UPGRADE YOUR DEPARTMENT WEBSITE IN 2026 Turn to the Team You A lready Trust 1st R espon der News Web D evelopm ent Benefits:

Regular R a te ^

$895

3 Secure, Reliable Hosting 3 Routine Updates & Maintenance

2026

3 Daily Backups 3 Performance Monitoring 3 24/7 Hosting Support

3 Mobile-Responsive Design 3 SEO Optimization

PROMOTIONAL RATE

S695A

Call: 888-235-7486 ext. 219 Email: Joe@1 stResponderNews.com

•*

A trusted partner of emergency services community for over 30 years

Includes hosting, maintenance, and full support

March/April, 2026

PAGE 22

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Bauerstown VFD Responds to House Fire on W ible Run Road Amid Freezing Conditions PITTSBURGH, PA - At approx imately 4:45 p.m. on February 2nd, imits were dispatched to the 259 box for a reported residential structure fire in Hie 700 block o f Wible Run Road. Upon arrival, 247AST reported smoke emanating from Hie side o f the structure, and 247EN deployed an attack line to initiate fire sup pression efforts. Si multaneously, 260TK and 247TK laddered Hie structure to sup port ventilation and access operations. The 259 crew, along with additional firstalarm companies, assisted with over haul and other firegroimd duties. During the incident, a water main break occurred on a nearby street, prompting the 259 Deputy to manage Hie assignment for 259 units to miti gate potential complications. Only one residence experienced minor water intrusion into a basement, which was adequately handled by the hom e’ s drainage system. Despite challenging cold weather conditions, all responding companies operated effectively. The cause o f the fire remains imder investigation by Hie Allegheny County Fire Marshal.

-1RN NEWS TEAM

BAUERSTOWN VFD

ENTHUSIASTS

Don't missa single incident! >

Stay informed with Up-to-the-Minute 1 RWN. newsi alerts from 1RWN. 1

FITCHBURG, MA (WORCESTER) *1ST ALARM* 461 WIL LIAMS RD. STOVE T O P FIRE THAT HAS EXTENDED T O A WALL IN A 1.5 STY W FM DWG. MA346*MA72 07/10/16 06:41 PM CORTEZ, FL (MANATEE) *PED STRUCK* 10203 CO R T E Z RD W. AU TO VS PED IN FROM OF W M FR STA 2 - CM D ADV TRAUMA ALERT. FL2 07/10/16 08:04 PM BROOKLYN, NY (NYC) *SHOOTIN G* CLASSON AV X LEFFERTS PL. ACTIVE CRIME SCN FOR 1 SH OT IN SERIOUS C O N D NY108 07/10/16 01:56 AM

Customized Alerts by mail or Text M essage

Your 1 RWN Individual Account includes:

Full control of What, When and How you get alerts Email technical support •Daily Digest news

• Fire * Police*Police TH E,TU I

• Rescue • Traffic/Transit •w eather

•Maior News

R espon der

W ir e l e ss n ew s

Subscribe Today at 1RWN.com

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 23

Equipment failure is NOT an option* Be Safe, Feel Confident* Choose FireFlow Services*

CALL TODAY: 877.302.6472 www.FireFlowServices.com

PAGE 24

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Lim erick Township Home Sustains Heavy Damage After Early-Morning Garage Fire LIM ERICK TWP., PA - The initial dispatch came in at 1:32 a.m. on February 7th for a report o f a garage on fire on the 300 block o f Mulberry Drive. Limerick Police arrived within two minutes and reported that the garage was becom ing fully engulfed. Captain 51-1, who lived just down the street, arrived at the scene four minutes after dispatch and im me diately assumed Mulberry Drive command, reporting a two-story, family-style dwelling with heavy fire com ing from the garage. P o lice initially reported a possible en trapment; however, just a minute later, the residents and five o f their six dogs were confirmed to be safe. Units from Limerick 51, Trappe 77, Royersford 98, Perkiomen 66, Sanatoga 58, and Upper Providence 68A responded on the initial. Engine 51 and Lad der 51 were the first due engine and truck companies. Engine 51 immediately laid in on a hydrant on the B side o f the residence, es tablished a positive water supply, made a quick knock on the fire from the exterior, and then made entry into the residence. Ladder 51 crews threw ladders and conducted a primary search. A firefighter on

TO file #021026157

aP I %

Engine 51 located and safely re moved the sixth and final dog from the house. At the ten-minute mark, command reported to County that they had water on the fire. About 20 minutes in. C om mand requested a RIT crew and a standby crew at the Limerick sta tion after heavy fire had quickly extended to the second floor o f the house. Primary search was com pleted on the first and second floors, with all persons and pets accounted for. Three lines were in service. Collegeville Squad 34 was assigned as a standby to the Lim erick Station and remained there until all units were released. Skippack 86 and Lower Providence 53 responded as RIT. At 2:01 a.m.. Command or dered a tactical evacuation o f the house due to heavy fire on the sec ond floor, com prom ising the r oof and the structure's integrity. After it was believed that all crews had exited the building, a PAR check was initiated. All firefighters were accounted for. County gave C om mand the 30-minute mark at 2:07 a.m. Command reported that the

fire attack m oved to exterior oper ations due to fire throughout the building. PA American Water was notified because crews were work ing with a water source from three hydrants. Ladder 51 extended its tip and provided a master stream from above while three lines re mained in service on the ground. After knocking out most o f the fire, Sanatoga crews were able to go interior to the second floor to hit the hotspots that Ladder 51 could not reach. PECO arrived and secured all utilities. A crew from Trappe checked for extension at the residence to the right o f the house o f origin. Public works was contacted to provide salt for the ground, and the Red Cross was also contacted. The fire was brought under control at 2:47 a.m. RFIT began the investigation as soon as they arrived, and units on scene were slowly released. All were made available at 4:40 a.m. Limerick crews headed back to the stations, held a crew debriefing, and feasted on donuts and coffee while they cleaned and washed equipment and tools. The investigation into the cause o f the fire is ongoing.

- REGINA JELSKI

REGINA JELSKI

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 25

LITTLE BIG GUYS I f y o u have p h otos y o u w ou ld like to s e e in our Little B ig G u ys feature, please u pload them on our w eb site w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

HBFC

V e h ic le F ire C ontained in Honey B rook Twp. HONEY BROOK TWP., PA - On February 7th at 9:34 p.m., Sta tion 33 (Honey Brook) was alerted to the 5000 block of Horse shoe Pike in Honey Brook Township for a reported vehicle fire. Chief 33 arrived and confirmed one vehicle with fire in the engine compartment. Engines 33-1 and 33-5 arrived and made quick work of the incident. Honey Brook units were in service for roughly 30 minutes before clearing the scene.

DALE FEEHRER

The Buchannan Valley FD operates this 2023 Ford F-550/Vengeant (250/210) as Brush 27.

TERRY RI1Z

A c c id e n t on M a in S t. in P ennsburg PENNSBURG, PA - On Thursday, February 5th, Pennsburg and East Greenville fire companies were dispatched to an accident on 2nd and Main St. in the borough. The cause of the accident is pending the outcome of the investigation. The condition of the injured were unknown. Assisting the fire companies were fire and borough police, and Upper Perk EMS.

DALE FEEHRER

The Friedensburg Fire Company are now operating this 2025 Chevy 3500/Martin Truck Body/ln House as Brush 34-40 (300/300/15F).

PAGE 26

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

M ocanaqua Firefighters Establish F ill Site to Support Hemlock Springs House Fire SALEM TWP, PA - On Satur day morning, January 3rd, M o canaqua Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Station 118, was dispatched at the request o f Summer Hill Fire Company to establish a water fill site along South Mountain Road at Ridge Runners Pond in Salem Township. The assignment sup ported fire suppres sion operations at a fully involved resi dential structure fire in the Flemlock Springs area. Engine 118 crews set up draft ing operations in freezing condi tions, providing a sustained water supply to assisting companies bat tling heavy fire conditions. Fire fighters operated for several hours to maintain water flow and support on-scene suppression efforts. No injuries were reported among responding crews.

- 1 RN News Team

MOCANAQUA VOL. FIRE CO. #1

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 27

Double Block Home Destroyed by Fire in Wyoming Borough W YOM ING BOROUGH, PA - Around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27th, the W yoming Fire Department 1st alarm structure fire box was dis patched for a re ported structure fire with multiple calls on it. While en route, a large black header could be seen. Crews arrived with heavy fire showing on all sides o f the structure. Crews went interior for a short time before being pulled out due to conditions deteriorating fast. Minutes after pulling crews out, the r o o f c o l lapsed along with the second floor. Crews battled the blaze in fridge temperatures and icy con ditions. The double block struc ture was under renovations and the cause o f the fire is currently unknown, but under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal.

- PA BYSTANDER

PA BYSTANDER

Crews checking the second floor and first floor for any hidden fire along with overhauling.

«wrrg

mraf

features on our website! 1rbn.com PA BYSTANDER

West Wyoming Engine along with Laflin engine, Jenkins ladder, Exeter engine.

PAGE 28

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Three-Alarm Fire Destroys Twin Homes in A llentow n, Injures Two F irefighters ALLENTOWN, PA - On the sub-freezing morning o f January 31st, fire destroyed a three-story twin home at 607 S. 6th St. in A l lentown. On arrival, the FD had heavy fire showing from the second and third floors, which quickly escalated to a third alarm. The adjoining vacant twin also became well-involved. Both homes re ceived a lot o f dam age and had to be demolished, causing the displace ment o f the one resident. As firefighters were battling the fire, two members were in jured: one with a bum, the other with a twisted ankle.

- KEN SNYDER

KEN SNYDER

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 29

DRIIIS/TRAINING T o se e y ou r D rills in the new spaper upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR espon derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m

ALAN HOFFMAN

Working Dwelling Fire in Upper M ilford Township UPPER MILFORD TWP., PA - On January 20th around 3:00 p.m., the Upper Milford Western District, Vera Cruz, Hereford fire companies, Greenwalds fire company for RIT and Macungie EMS were dispatched for a dwelling fire at 5963 Fur nace Hill Rd. in Upper Milford Township. Cheif 19 arrived on the scene to a working dwelling fire and more tankers were requested. Crews went into service with handlines off of Res cue Engine 19 to bring the fire under control. CITIZENS FIRE COMPANY #2 - MAHANOY CITY

DUNBAR VOL FIRE COMPANY

Dunbar Vol. Fire Department Hosts Record-Breaking Fish Fry DUNBAR, PA - February 20, 2026 — Dunbar Volunteer Fire De partment reported its most successful and well-attended Fish Fry to date, drawing an overwhelming show of support from the local community and visitors from surrounding areas. Fire department officials expressed heartfelt gratitude to the hundreds of patrons who filled the parking lot and dining hall throughout the evening, making it the busiest event in the de partment’s history. Volunteers worked continuously to keep fryers operating and meals flowing as guests gathered for food, fellowship, and support of their hometown fire com pany. Department leaders credited the event’s success to the generosity and loyalty of community members, noting that proceeds from the Fish Fry help sustain equipment, training, and operational needs.

CITIZENS FIRE COMPANY #2 - MAHANOY CITY

MAHANOY CITY, PA - In March, members attended a command training session in preparation for the implementation of new department SOPs in the near future. Several members traveled to the Summit Station Fire Company to participate in a training event hosted by several southern Schuylkill fire companies. The training covered handlines, forcible entry, search techniques, and ladder pipe operations. Both events were engaging and educational, providing members with the opportunity to practice essential skills and learn alongside fellow firefighters from neighboring departments.

PAGE 30

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

KEN SNYDER

WEST MIFFLIN #3 VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Volunteer Firefighters Needed as Call Volume Remains High in West Mifflin WEST MIFFLIN, PA - With four local fire companies serving the city. West Mifflin's fire protec tion still relies solely on volunteer labor. Homeville Volunteer Fire Company - West Mifflin #1, Duquesne Annex Volunteer Fire Company - West Mifflin #2, West Mifflin #3 Volunteer Fire Company, and Skyview Volunteer Fire C om pany - West Mifflin #4 protect West Mifflin. Over 1,000 emergency calls are handled annually by all four depart ments, which are fully manned by

volunteers. According to department offi cials, an older membership, addi tional training requirements, and hectic family schedules are all con tributing factors to the overall fall in volunteer numbers. Departments observe that attracting new mem bers is essential to sustaining serv ice levels, even though donations are still necessary.

Free training, county and mu nicipal tax credits, and educational opportunities like the Community C ollege o f Allegheny County's Fire VEST scholarship program are also available to volunteers. Nonoperational members who assist with administration, fundraising, fire safety, and community engage ment can also find opportunities. Residents interested in serving are encouraged to contact their local fire company for more information.

- 1RN NEWS TEAM

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES I f you have photos y ou w ou ld like to see in our “E m ergency M edical Services”feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L ind sey@ lstR espond erN ew s.com .

KEN SNYDER

Two Buildings Damaged in Catasauqua Blaze CATASAUQUA, PA - At around 11:46 a.m. on January 6th, the Lehigh County 911 Center dispatched the CFD and the N. Catasauqua FD to an apartment building fire at 236 Sec ond St. In the rear of this converted two-and-a-half MOR apartment building, they had smoke and fire showing. Also, those firefighters had to contend with outside arching wires on the first and second floors. Command requested a sec ond alarm for more manpower with mutual aid companies responding. Eventually, a total of three lines were advanced into the fire building. During the fire, two firefighters re ceived minor injuries, a resident was treated for minor burns, and a cat was rescued. ALAN HOFFMAN

Medic 1 of Allentown EMS on the scene of a working dwelling fire at 1530 Allen St.

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 31

East Prospect Fire Company Closes its Doors After Over 100 Years in Service YORK COUNTY, PA - At 11:59 p.m. on December 31st, less than a minute left in 2025, the East Prospect Fire Company was placed out o f service and closed its doors. This marked an end to a small community fire station located along the west bank o f the Susque hanna River in York County, PA that had served for 118 years, b e ginning in 1907. The fire company provided service to East Prospect, as well as sharing Lower Windsor Township with the Craley Fire Company, and other neighboring municipalities. The reasoning for the closure is unfortunately the same reasons that have forced many other PA fire sta tions to close; a declining number o f volunteers, funding, and rising costs. As for the current fleet, their Ford F-450 utility was sold to a

Jump to file #011026104

neighboring station, a Pierce rearmount tower w ill possibly be placed up for sale, and their Seagrave rescue-engine will be kept in the current East Prospect fire sta tion and will serve as a backup to the Craley Fire Company that has agreed to take over the fire protec tion for East Prospect Boro and all o f Lower Windsor Township. The members o f the East Prospect Fire Company celebrated their final hours with a party for both past and present members. (Author's note: Special thanks to C hief Fauth and members for the information and hospitality.)

- DALE FEEHRER

DALE FEEHRER S tation 42

DALE FEEHRER Members' gear.

DALE FEEHRER 42 house

PAGE 32

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? I f y o u have p h otos y o u w ou ld like to s ee in ou r W h ere are they N ow ? feature please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com or em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

KEH SNYDER DALE FEEHRER

The Ruscombmanor Fire Company has acquired this 2002 ALF Eagle rescue-pumper to serve as Rescue-Engine 34. This piece is on it's 3rd tour in Berks County, PA after previously serving the Alsace Manor Fire Company which was closed, then operating for a couple of years with the nearby Walnuttown Fire Company.

Two Rescued from Allentown Duplex Fire; 16 Displaced ALLENTOWN, PA - At 10:36 a.m. on 2/22/26, the AFD was dispatched to 227 N. 17 th St. for a fire with possible entrapment in a three-story duplex. On arrival, flames were coming out the side window and a search for victims was started. A second alarm was requested along with addi tional paramedics. One victim was found unconscious on the second floor and carried out of the building by firefighters; a second victim was removed via a ground ladder. A total of 16 peo ple were displaced and the building was placed uninhabitable after the fire. The fire was placed under control in about 20 minutes with no reported injuries to firefighters. The rescued two vic tims were reported to be in serious condition.

EMERGENCY AIRCRAFT I f y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld like to se e in ou r E m ergency A ircraft feature, please u pload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR espon derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

DALE FEEHRER

The Nicholson Fire Company operates this 2002 Spartan/Swab (2000/1000) as Engine 17. This piece formally served with the Ringing Hill Fire Company in Pottstown, PA.

Read more features on our w ebsite! www.1rbn.com

HEMS PHOTOGRAPHY

On Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 Geisinger Health System received their brand new 2025 twin engine EC-135T3 aircraft. This aircraft is a brand new airframe to the Life Flight program. The program mostly flies the ec145 aircraft. This new helicopter replaced the former 1995 BK-117 they previously owned and is now retired from flying forever. This aircraft has the most up to date instruments for pilots to fly and has around 660 horsepower and can fly up to speeds of 136 knots or 155 mph.

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 33

Late-Night Apartm ent Fire in Allegheny County Results in Successful Rescue ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA - On February 24th at approxi mately 10:30 p.m., the 191 box was dispatched for a reported fire in a high-hazard, high-occupancy apartment building in the 100 block o f Grant Av enue. Engine 191’ s lieutenant arrived on scene, estab lished command, and reported smoke showing with initial reports o f an o ccu pant entrapment. As C hief 259 was arriving and the WAR WAGON was en route. County Dispatch confirm ed that one occupant was trapped on the second division. Upon arrival o f 191 Rescue Engine, C hief 259 deployed a ladder to a second-division w indow and successfully rescued a trapped female o ccu pant, extricating her safely down the ladder. Engine 259 established its own water supply and laid into the scene, supplying water to En gine 149, which was operating as the attack engine. The 259 Engine crew then pulled an additional at tack line from 149 Engine and ad vanced it to the third division for fire suppression. The fire was located within the walls and void spaces and ul timately extended to the roof. Truck 247 perform ed multiple r o o f ventilation cuts to aid sup pression and ventilation, as inte rior crews were unable to access certain areas o f fire spread. Firstand second-alarm companies worked extensively to open walls and ceilings to fully extinguish the fire. The incident concluded with the fire brought under control. The cause o f the fire remains under investigation by the ACFM. Outstanding work was performed by all responding com panies.

BAUERSTOWN VFD

- 1RN N E W S T E A M

BAUERSTOWN VFD

PAGE 34

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

If you have photos you w ould like to see in our “On The Liter Side”feature, please upload them on our website, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or email them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

MCCONNELLSBURG VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Fire Officials Remind Residents to Use FuelBurning Heaters Safely HU NTINGDON COUNTY, PA - As the usage o f oil, gas, and kerosene heaters increases in homes due to the lower tempera tures, the M cConnellsburg Volun teer Fire Company is presenting its Fire Safety Tip o f the Month. Residents are reminded by fire authorities that space heaters must be authorized for indoor use and should be maintained at least three-feet away from anything that might catch fire. Heaters should always be placed on a flat, stable surface and turned o ff b e fore goin g to bed or leaving the house. Working smoke alarms and carbon m onoxide detectors are critical when using any fuel-burn ing appliance. Residents are advised by the agency not to keep fuel within liv-

JUMPTO FILE #010226125

ing areas, refill heaters while they are hot, use outside heaters in doors, or leave heaters unat tended. Residents are advised to dial 911 right away if they smell gas or see anything strange. Fire authorities emphasize the signifi cance o f being composed, leaving the area, staying outside, and dial ing 911 in the case o f a fire or heating problem. Throughout the winter, these easy procedures may help keep hom es safe and co m fortable.

DALE FEEHRER T h e C e n t r e C o n c r e t e C o m p a n y o p e r a t e s t h i s O s h k o s h c e m e n t m ix e r th a t d i s p l a y s a p a t c h o f e a c h C e n t r e C o u n t y F ire C o m p a n y o n t h e h o p p e r .

ART FOR HEROES I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Art for H eroes”feature, please upload them on our website, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or email them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

- COU RTESY OF M CCONNELLSBURG V O L U N T E E R F IR E C O M P A N Y

Stay on top of the news that matters to Pennsylvania emergency responders with a daily v isit to www.1RBN.com ALAN HOFFMAN T h i s m u r a l i s p a i n t e d o n t h e s i d e o f a b u i l d i n g a t 245 M a i n St. in t h e b o r o u g h o f P e n A r g y l , a n d w a s p a i n t e d b y a r t i s t T e rri P a l m e r in 2024. T h i s s e c t i o n o f t h e m u r a l f e a t u r e s t h e f i r e f i g h t e r s o f t h e L o o k O u t F i r e C o m p a n y o f P e n A r g y l m a r c h i n g w i t h a p i e c e o f t h e i r a p p a r a t u s in t h e i r a n n u a l L a b o r D a y p a r a d e .

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 35

Bauerstown VFD Assists w ith Early-Morning Commercial Fire at Ross Park M all ROSS TWP, PA - At approxi mately 4:15 a.m. on February 8th, units were dispatched to the 247 box for a reported fire inside Ross Park Mall, located beneath a section o f con crete flooring where contractors had been working. First-arriv ing crews discovered active fire from an un determined source in Hie affected area. The 259 Engine crew assisted with opening the floor and conducting suppres sion efforts alongside multiple interior crews, while DQL secured electrical utilities to the mall to ensure scene safety. As operations progressed and contractors utilized heavy equipment to create larger access points, firefight ers determined the fire had spread lat erally through open void spaces beneath the concrete slab. Crews spent several hours cutting through concrete and rebar while checking adjacent stores near the en trance to prevent further extension. El evated carbon monoxide levels throughout the affected areas required Hie response o f specialized ventilation trucks at the request o f command (247CE1F) to reduce hazardous condi tions. Firefighters worked diligently for more than six hours to contain and ex tinguish the labor-intensive blaze. Command o f the incident was held by 247 Chief. -1RN N EW S TEAM

PATCH OF THE MONTH

Bob Long

“ K id s to d a y d o n ’t k n o w h o w e a s y t h e y h a v e i t

I f y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld like to s e e in our “Patch o f the m onth “feature please u pload them on our website, w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

W hen I w as

EUGENE WEBER JR.

y o u n g , I h a d t o w a lk te n fe e t a c r o s s t h e r o o m t h r o u g h s h a g c a r p e tin g ju s t t o c h a n g e th e T V c h a n n e l! ”

T h i s p a t c h b e l o n g s t o G r e e n w o o d F i r e D e p a r t m e n t S t a t i o n 98, l o c a t e d in L a c k a w a n n a C o u n t y , PA.

PAGE 36

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Vehicle News

DALE FEEHRER

T h e E a s t W h i t e l a n d F ire C o m p a n y h a s t a k e n d e l i v e r y o f t h i s 2024 P i e r c e S a b e r s t o c k

T h e I r o n R i d g e F i r e - R e s c u e ( W e s t H e m p f i e l d S t a t i o n ) h a s p l a c e d t h i s 202 5 E - O n e T y

u n i t . T h i s p i e c e w i l l s e r v e a s C h e s t e r C o u n t y S q u a d 5.

p h o o n p u m p e r (1500/1030) i n t o s e r v i c e a s E n g i n e 7-6.

DALE FEEHRER

T h e F o u n t a i n d a l e V F D h a s t a k e n d e l i v e r y o f t h e i r 2026 K e n w o r t h T - 8 8 0 / M id w est F ire

T h e W r i g h t s v i l l e F ir e D e p a r t m e n t h a s t a k e n d e l i v e r y o f t h e ir 2025 S e a g r a v e A t t a c k e r

(1500/2500) t a n k e r t o b e d e s i g n a t e d a s T a n k e r 3.

( 1 5 0 0 / 5 0 0 / H o lm a t r o ) , w h i c h w i l l b e d e s i g n a t e d a s S q u a d 41-1.

DALE FEEHRER

MIDDLESEX COUNTY FIRE BUFFS

T h e L a w r e n c e T o w n s h i p F D h a s t a k e n d e l i v e r y o f t h e i r 2025 P i e r c e E n f o r c e r P U C

P h i l a d e l p h i a F i r e D e p a r t m e n t L a d d e r 10 i s t h i s 2 0 2 5 S p a r t a n M e t r o S t a r c a b a n d

w a lk a r o u n d r e s c u e e n g i n e (2 0 00 /500/H urst/Cascade). T h i s p i e c e is d e s i g n a t e d a s

c h a s s i s w i t h a n LTI l a d d e r . It i s e q u i p p e d w i t h a S p a r t a n M e t r o - S t a r C h a s s i s , a 500

R e s c u e 5.

H P C u m m i n s X-12 E n g i n e , Q X - 1 0 0 4 - s e c t i o n a e r i a l w i t h 500 lb. t i p l o a d , a n d H a r r i s o n 10KW h y d ra u lic ge n e ra to r.

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

PAGE 37

Two-Alarm Dwelling Fires Hit Bethlehem on Same Morning BETHLEHEM, PA -At around 9:30 a.m. on February 13th, the BFD responded to a fire in a sin gle-family dwelling located at 1426 East 5th St. on the south side. On arrival, heavy flames were seen com ing from the front o f the two-andone-half-story frame, and a second, and then eventually a third alarm were requested. As companies were engaged in this fire, another work ing single-family dwelling fire developed in the 1900 block o f Hart St. in the city's north east section. Due to numerous voids in the dwelling, that fire went for two alarms after 11:20 a.m. The Allentown FD had sent E 13 to the East 5th St. fire, but was freed up for the Hart St. call. As a backfill replacement for E l 3, E4 was also diverted to the working dwelling fire scene on Hart St. The third alarm fire had heavy damage to the dwelling and there were no injuries. At the two alarm dwelling fire, two firefighters were treated by Bethlehem EMS on scene and w ould have follow up check ups. - KEN S N Y D E R

F ir e g r o u n d s c e n e s s h o w i n g t h e fro n t o f th e d w ellin g.

KEN SNYDER

KEN SNYDER F ir e g r o u n d v ie w e d fr o m th e b a c k o f th e d w ellin g.

PAGE 38

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

FUTURE FIRST RESPONDERS If you have photos you would like to see in our "‘ Future First Responders" feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey® lstResponderNews.com.

HARFORD VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Firefighters Overcome D ifficult Terrain to Control Harford House Fire HARDFORD, PA - On Febru ary 28th at approximately 12:30 P.M., Flarford Fire & EM S were dispatched to a reported house fire. Flarford 11 arrived on scene to find a fully involved structure fire. Fortunately, no occupants were home at the time o f the inci dent, and no injuries were re ported. Firefighting operations were com plicated by difficult terrain and limited access to the property. Despite these challenges, crews worked diligently to bring the fire under control.

HUNTINGDON REGIONAL FIRE & RESCUE H U N T I N G D O N , P A - A n e w s e t o f m e m b e r s w h o j o i n e d t h e d e p a r t m e n t w h i l e e n r o l l e d in J u n i a t a C o l l e g e w e r e w e l c o m e d b y H u n t i n g d o n R e g i o n a l F ire & R e s c u e . A c c o r d i n g t o d e p a r t m e n t o ff ic ia ls , t h e in c lu s i o n o f t h e s e p e o p l e f o s t e r s c o n t i n u e d c o m m u n i t y in v o lv e m e n t a n d s t r e n g t h e n s sta ffin g. W h ile j u g g l i n g t h e i r a c a d e m i c o b l i g a t i o n s , t h e s t u d e n t s d e d i c a t e d t h e i r t i m e a n d e n e r g y t o d i s a s t e r re lie f.

Jump to file #030426135

Flarford Fire & EM S extend their sincere appreciation to the follow ing mutual aid partners for their prompt assistance and team work: Flop Bottom Flose C om pany, Clifford Township Volunteer Fire Company, Greenfield Fire Company, Flallstead Fire C om pany, New Milford Fire Company, and Thompson Fire Company.

EMERGENCY WATERRCRAFT I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our E m ergency Watercraft feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L ind sey@ lstR espond erN ew s.com .

- 1RN N E W S T E A M

DALE FEEHRER

HARFORD VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

T h e M a y t o w n - E a s t D o n e g a l T w p . F i r e C o m p a n y r e c e n t l y p l a c e d t h i s 202 5 S e a A r k r e s c u e b o a t i n t o s e r v i c e a s M a r i n e 79.

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 39

March/April, 2026

IN SERVICE I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Still in Service”feature, please upload them on our website, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or email them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

T h e s e t w o u n i t s a r e p a r t o f t h e A c m e H o s e C o m p a n y in E a s t S t r o u d s b u r g , M o n r o e C o u n t y .

CRARY HOSE COMPANY

Garage Fire Quickly Contained in Westfield with Multi-Department Response WESTFIELD, PA - On Febru ary 18th, multiple fire depart ments, including Crary Hose, Chatham Fire, Clym er Fire, K noxville Fire, Elkland (RIT), and Sabinsville Ambulance were dispatched to the scene o f a re ported structure fire involving a garage. Engine 5-3 arrived first on scene and reported heavy fire throughout a two-car garage. Crews immediately stretched a 2 1 //2-inch hose line to begin fire suppression efforts. Tanker 5-5 ar rived shortly after, supplying En gine 5-3 with water while its crew deployed a P/i-inch hose line. Tanker 6-5 then arrived to con tinue water supply operations after Tanker 5-5 was depleted. Assistant C h ief Hyler as sumed Command, with Captain

KEN SNYDER E 21-1, 201 9 P i e r c e E n f o r c e r 1500/500

Jump to file #030426149

Adams overseeing Operations. Firefighters from all responding departments worked together to aggressively attack the fire, bring ing it under control within 15 min utes o f arrival. Assistant C h ief Hyler ex pressed appreciation to all depart ments for their assistance and hard work at the scene. C hief Goltz also extended special thanks to Tioga County Dispatchers, Henry Seeley, Coordinator Brian Daven port, and all mutual aid depart ments for their support and coordination during the incident. - 1RN N E W S T E A M

KEN SNYDER E 21-2, 2016 P i e r c e V e l o c i t y

200/750/40

PAGE 40

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

FIREFIGHTER PROFILES I f your department has photos you would like to see in our “Firefighter Profiles”feature, please upload them on our website, wmv.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com

F ebruary

13,

2026

—

The

B e a v e r F a lls F ire D e p a r t m e n t

ic a l

tra in in g

n ic k n a m e

earned

h im

“D o o g i e , ” a

th e

refer

re co g n ize d

F irefigh ter/P ara-

e n c e to th e te le v isio n c h a r a c

m e d ic

E lle fso n

ter D o o g i e H ou ser.

K urt

th eir

w e e k ly d e p a r tm e n t sp o tlig h t. He w as

h ire d

p a rt- tim e

F ire figh te r E lle f s o n jo in e d th e

f i r e f i g h t e r in 2 0 0 4 a n d w a s a p

d e p a r t m e n t in 1 9 9 0 a s a J u n i o r

p o i n t e d t o a fu ll- tim e p o s i t i o n

F ire figh te r, s e r v i n g a l o n g s i d e

in 2 0 2 0 . P r i o r t o

h is fu ll- tim e

h is fath er, C a p t a in

h irin g,

h eld

B ob

E lle f

E lle fso n

several

s o n , a n d h is b r o th er , K evin . H e

s u p e r v i s o r y r o l e s w ith in E M S

becam e

a g e n c i e s t h r o u g h o u t th e area.

a reg u la r m e m b e r

1 9 9 2 a f t e r t u r n i n g 18 a n d h a s co n tin u ed

h is

serv ice

ever

sin ce .

O u t s id e o f h is sh ift d u ties, h e t e a c h e s C P R , E M R , EMT, a n d P a ra m ed ic

cou rses

and

W h i l e s t i l l in h i g h s c h o o l , E l l e f

a ssiste d

son

s in c e b e c o m in g a P e n n sy lv a

tio n

e a r n e d h is EM T c e r t ific a and

began

p a ra m ed ic

tra in in g , c o m p l e t i n g gram

sh o rtly

ea rly start

the

th ereafter.

in a d v a n c e d

n ia

CLIFFORD TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

has

w ith fir e in s t r u c t io n

State

F ire

In stru ctor

pro

2001. H e a l s o e n j o y s s p e n d i n g

H is

tim e

m ed

duty.

w ith

frien d s

w hen

off

Crawl Space Fire Contained in Herrick Township C L I F F O R D , P A - W i t h t e m p e r a t u r e s h o v e r i n g j u s t b e l o w z e r o o n F e b r u a r y 8th, L a d d e r 18 a n d P u m p e r T a n k e r 18 w e r e d i s p a t c h e d a s p a r t o f a f i r s t - a l a r m a s s i g n m e n t t o H e r r i c k T o w n s h i p in P l e a s a n t M o u n t’ s fir st- d u e a r e a fo r a r e p o r t e d s t r u c t u r e fire b e n e a t h a h o m e . C r e w s a rr iv ed p r o m p t ly t o fin d t h e fire la r g e ly e x t i n g u i s h e d a n d c o n t a i n e d t o t h e c r a w l s p a c e . F ir e fig h te r s c o n d u c t e d o v e r h a u l o p e r a t i o n s t o e n s u r e full e x t i n g u i s h m e n t a n d e l i m i n a t e a n y r e m a i n i n g h o t s p o t s . U n i t s r e m a i n e d o n s c e n e t o a s s i s t t h e h o m e o w n e r in s e c u r i n g t h e u n d e r s i d e o f t h e r e s id e n c e b e f o r e retu rn in g t o ser v ice .

STILL IN SERVICE I f y o u have p h otos y o u w ou ld like to s ee in our Still in Service feature, please upload them on our w ebsite www. 1stR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

BEAVER FAILS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Read more features on our w ebsite! www.1rbn.com FRANK ROBINSON W a r r i o r R u n F i r e D e p a r t m e n t o p e r a t e s a 1991 F o r d F 3 5 0 4 x 4 G e n e r a l M i n i P u m p e r 600/300.

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 41

Vehicle News

FRANK ROBINSON

DALE FEEHRER

D i a m o n d F ire C o m p a n y o f W a l n u t p o r t n o w o p e r a t e s a 2024 I n t e r n a t io n a l/ B u l l d o g

T h e H e r s h e y F ire D ep t, h a s t a k e n d e l i v e r y o f t h e ir 2025 P i e r c e E n f o r c e r p u m p e r

S p e c ia l S e r v i c e Truck.

(1500/750) w h i c h w i l l b e d e s i g n a t e d a s E n g i n e 48-1.

DALE FEEHRER

T h e Y e a g e r t o w n F i r e C o m p a n y h a s p l a c e d t h i s 2 0 2 4 I n t e r n a t i o n a l / E - O n e (1250/1830)

The

i n t o s e r v i c e a s T a n k e r 3.

(1500/3000) a s T a n k e r 55.

N ew

D a n v ille

F ire

Com pany

now

operates

th is

2025

DALE FEEHRER

F reigh tlin er/ A lex is

DALE FEEHRER

T h e B u n k e r H ill F i r e C o m p a n y h a s t a k e n d e l i v e r y o f t h i s 2026 F r e i g h t l i n e r / S p e n c e r

The

p u m p e r - t a n k e r (1250/2500). T h i s p i e c e w i l l s e r v e a s PT-47.

(1750/1000/20A) a s E n g i n e 20.

Mill C r e e k F i r e

Pro. D ist. n o w

operates

t h is 2025 P i e r c e

E n forcer p u m p er

PAGE 42

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

San Francisco Fire Apparatus 1849-2010 ON THE BOOK SHELF by John Malecky

San Francisco Fire Apparatus 1849-2010 Hand drawn-Horse DrawnM orotized By Lt. B ill K oenig, SFFD Historian & M ilton Yuen, SFFD Inspector Available from: FSP B ooks 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, M AO 1749 1-800-522-8528 Email: support@ fire-policeem s.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $49.95 This is a hard covered coffee table b ook measuring 8 % inches by 11 inches, with 300 pages plus a 4 page index. It is a magnificent jo b done by the two gentlemen, one o f w hich is retired from the SFFD and is the historian. The other is a civilian inspector w hose name is familiar to m e because many years ago w e corresponded about San F ra n cisco’ s Fire D e partment. San Francisco has al ways had a special place in my heart. Back in the ‘ 60’ s, when I was a teen, I used to write away

to different fire departments and apparatus manufacturers to ask for photos and brochures and had g o o d results. It was a different tim e back then. When I w rote to San Francisco, they not only sent me photos but also an annual re port. They have been w ell known for building som e o f their own bodies in the shop, but also for re purposing som e apparatus by plac ing different bodies on existing chassis. Through the years, they also had many interesting makes o f apparatus. They even had two C adillac ch ie f cars at different times. .After the dedication and in troduction there are three sections with a total o f five chapters detail ing records o f their apparatus through the years. Many quality black and white as w ell as co lo r photos apparatus are intertwined in the pages. There is also infor mation about the manufacturers. The Appendix covers ch ie f’ s bu g gies from 1893-2007, Patents by SFFD members, 1875-1934,C or poration Yards and Ladder Shop, Horses, St. Francis H ook & Lad der Society-SFFD M uster Team and Fireboats and the Airport Land D ivision. After the A c know ledgem ents and C on clu sion there is a list o f Line o f Duty Deaths fo llow e d by the index. Without saying, I w ould reco m mend this b ook to anyone inter ested in fire department histories and apparatus. It is w ell worth the price.

KEN SNYDER

Stay on top of the news that matters to Pennsylvania emergency responders

KEN SNYDER

Crews Knock Down House Fire in South Whitehall Twp.

w ith a daily v is it to S O U T H W H I T E H A L L T W P., P A - O n F e b r u a r y 9 th a t 1 1 :3 3 a.m ., t h e L e h i g h C o u n t y 911 C e n t e r

www.1RBN.com

d i s p a t c h e d t h e S o u t h W h it e h a ll fire c o m p a n i e s a n d m u t u a l a i d c o m p a n i e s t o a h o u s e fir e w ith e n t r a p m e n t . B l a c k s m o k e w a s s h o w i n g f r o m 473 4 H u c k l e b e r r y R o a d , h o w e v e r t h e r e w e r e n ' t a n y o c c u p a n t s in t h e d w e l l i n g a t t h a t t i m e . A n a c t i v e f i r e w a s s h o w i n g a r o u n d t h e e n t r a n c e w a y , w h i c h w a s q u i c k l y e x t i n g u i s h e d . E l l w a s f i r s t d u e a n d w a t e r w a s s u p p l i e d t o t h e m v i a E 26. N u m e r o u s t a n k e r s w e r e o n t h e s c e n e a s t h e r e w e r e n ' t a n y h y d r a n t s in t h e a r e a .

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 43

March/April, 2026

APPARATUS IN ACTION I f y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld lik e to se e in ou r Apparatus in A ction feature p le a se upload them o n ou r w eb site w w w .lstR esp on d erN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d s e y @ ls tR e s p o n d e rN e m .co m .

DALE FEEHRER

E l i z a b e t h t o w n F D T o w e r 74, a 2010 S u t p h e n S P H 1 0 0 ’ , is s e e n h e r e b r in g in g d o w n a

T h e M a y t o w n F D ' s E n g i n e 79, a 2018 S e a g r a v e M a r a u d e r II (1750/500/30F), i s s e e n

c r e w a f t e r a m u t u a l a i d w o r k i n g h o u s e f i r e in E a s t D o n e g a l T w p ., PA .

h e r e f l o w i n g m u l t i p l e l i n e s d u r i n g a h o u s e f i r e in t h e i r 1 s t d u e .

KEN SNYDER E m m a u s E -7 i n s e r v i c e a t t h e t h i r d a l a r m d w e l l i n g f i r e a t 215 R i d g e S t., 10/11/25.

ALAN HOFFMAN L a d d e r 2 o f th e C a t a s a u q u a F ire D e p a r t m e n t o n th e s c e n e o f an a p a r t m e n t b u ild in g f i r e a t F a i r m o n t P l a c e A p a r t m e n t s o n 1 M a r y l a n d P l a c e in W h i t e h a l l T o w n s h i p .

KEN SNYDER

ALAN HOFFMAN

L o w e r M a c u n g i e T o w e r 81 in s e r v i c e a t t h e t h i r d a l a r m E m m a u s d w e l l i n g f i r e a t 215

S q u i r t 38 o f t h e W h i t e h a l l f i r e D e p a r t m e n t o n t h e s c e n e o f a n a p a r t m e n t b u i l d i n g f i r e

R i d g e S t. 10/11/25.

a t F a i r m o n t P l a c e a p a r t m e n t s a t 1 M a r y l a n d P l a c e in W h i t e h a l l T o w n s h i p .

PAGE 44

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

Busy Day for Allentown Fire Dept, with Multiple Working Fires ALLENTOWN, PA - On Jan uary 8th, the AED experienced a third alarm and a second alarm very close to each other. The third alarm fire had heavy smoke and fire showing from in side a large onestory commercial warehouse located on the city's east side at 913 E. Elighland St. This was fought with numer ous handlines. Shortly there after, police reported a working dwelling fire at 458 Washington St. on the city's north side, which then went to a second alarm. On arrival, heavy smoke and fire were visible on the top third floor o f a M/O/R. Five residents were displaced as the dwelling sustained heavy fire and smoke damage. There was light damage to the adjoining homes. AED E l l was the only available unit to respond to this call along with mutual aid units from Greenawalds, Fullerton, Catasauqua. Western Salisbury and Emmaus. As that fire was darkening down, another fire call was being dispatched for 451 Tilghman St., a block away. That call turned out to be an investigation, a possible fur nace malfunction. It was unusual to see that the Neffs E16 debuted as a running backfill company along with other regular mutual aid companies. KEN SNYDER

- KEN S N Y D E R C a t a s a u q u a T r u c k 2 s e t u p in f r o n t o f t h e 458 W a s h i n g t o n St. s e c o n d a l a r m d w e l l i n g fir e.

KEN SNYDER N e ffs E l 6 d e b u t s a s a ru n n in g ba ck fill co m p a n y .

KEN SNYDER Initially, h e a v y f i r e w a s s h o w i n g f r o m t h e r e a r t h i r d f l o o r u p p e r r o o f a r e a .

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 45

March/April, 2026

MEMORIAL BOARD I f your department has photos you w ould like to see in our “Memorial Board”feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com

F e b r u a r y 9, 2 0 2 6 — G o s h e n F i r e

lice

Com pany

2 0 1 9,

deep

announced

w ith

s a d n e s s th e p a s s in g

C h ie f from gu id in g

2011 the

th rough

un it

w ith

s te a d y le a d er sh ip a n d p r o fe s

P a s t F ir e P o l i c e C h i e f a n d life

sio n a lism .

m em ber

p a ssin g, h e co n tin u e d to se r v e

cated

Jack

S m ith ,

p u b lic

servant

d e d i

At th e t im e

h is

w h ose

a s D e p u ty C h ie f o f A d m in istra

co m m itm e n t

t i o n f o r t h e F ire P o l i c e a n d w a s

left a l a s t i n g i m p a c t o n t h e d e

a n a c t iv e m e m b e r o f t h e R elief

partm en t

co m m u n ity

A s s o c i a t io n B o a r d o f D irectors.

S m it h j o i n e d t h e fire c o m p a n y

fo r h is th o u g h tfu l a p p r o a c h to

le a d er sh ip

and and

the

h e fa ith fu lly s e r v e d . C o llea g u es

rem em ber

in J a n u a r y 2 0 0 3 a n d q u i c k l y b e

le a d ersh ip ,

cam e

d e d ica tio n , a n d h is p a s s i o n for

respected

and

a ctiv e

m e m b e r . H e s e r v e d a s F ire P o

h is

S m ith

u n w a v erin g

c o m m u n ity serv ice.

BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

BTVFC Adds Two ATVs to Improve Off-Road Rescue Response BETH LEHEM TWP., PA - To enhance its off-road emergency re sponse and rescue capabilities, the Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company has expanded its fleet with two new all-terrain vehicles. ATV-1 continues to function as a specialist medical transport vehi cle and replaces a 2000 John Deere Gator. The vehicle makes it possible for teams to access and transport pa tients from places that are inacces-

TO file #010326103

39 I &

sible to regular fire or EM S equip ment, such as fields, construction sites, trails, and forested areas. The ATV-2 will serve as a sup port unit and replace a 2000 Yamaha Grizzly. When conditions render hand-carrying equipment danger ous, it will be utilized to m ove

equipment, transport persons, and support crews during community events and terrain rescues. The department com m ended LM S Designs and Signs for letter ing and vinyl work, Lehigh Valley Fleet Solutions for emergency equipment installation, and its ATV replacement committee for project guidance. - 1RN N E W S T E A M

ANTIQUE APPARATUS If y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld like to se e in our A ntique Apparatus feature, please upload them on our w ebsite www. 1stR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

GOSHEN FIRE COMPANY

re c y c le Q

1st Responder Newspaper

Show it to a Friend! FRANK ROBINSON S o u t h s i d e F i r e C o m p a n y o f R i v e r s i d e s t i l l o w n s t h e i r 1941 C h e v y / H o w e 500/300.

PAGE 46

March/Aprii, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

So how good is Artificial Intelligence Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh

This will be only time that I will use AI to write an article for me. I told it "Write an article in the style o f Didymus McHugh in re gard to the downfall o f using artifi cial intelligence to do your work". Hear it directly from the mouth o f artificial intelligence:

"When the Machine Learns Your Voice” There is a strange comfort in being answered quickly. You ask. It responds. No waiting. N o wrestling. No long walk in the dark. Artificial intelligence is a re markable tool. It gathers fragments o f thought at speeds that would make a scribe weep. It arranges words with alarming competence. It can outline sermons, draft policies, com pose poems, and calculate budgets before your coffee cools. But here is the danger: It can begin to do your wrestling for you. And wrestlmg is where the soul is formed.

The Seduction of Efficiency We live in an age that worships efficiency the way older genera tions worshiped endurance. If something can be done faster, cheaper, smoother— why not? The farmer knows better. You cannot hurry seed into har vest. You cannot command roots to deepen by shouting at the soil. You cannot bypass winter with out destroying spring. Artificial intelligence promises winterless productivity. And that is not always mercy. When a preacher lets a machine craft every sermon, when a student lets it form every thought, when a leader lets it draft every convic tion— something quiet begins to erode: The muscle o f reflection. The ache o f doubt. The discipline o f study. The humility o f not knowing. The machine gives answers. But growth com es from ques tions.

Borrowed rowed Soul

Words,

Unbor

There is a difference between in formation and formation. A firefighter learns procedures in a classroom. But courage is forged in smoke. A chaplain studies theology in books. But com passion is born in hospital corridors at 3 a.m. Artificial intelligence can sum marize tragedy. It cannot sit beside it. When you allow it to speak for you too often, your words may re main accurate— but they may no longer be yours. And people can tell. They may not know why. But they feel the absence o f lived gravity. The soul recognizes authenticity the way a horse senses tension in a rider.

The Illusion of Mastery Another subtle danger is the il lusion that we understand what we have not truly labored to learn. If a system drafts your research paper, your strategic plan, your de votional, your crisis protocol— did you learn it? Or did you simply ap prove it? Knowledge without struggle be comes fragile. The farm teaches this daily. Fence posts set shallowly will not withstand a storm. Faith formed without friction will not withstand doubt. Artificial intelligence can as semble insight. It cannot give you endurance.

The Slow Death of Silence

Perhaps the greatest loss is this: silence. When we grow uncomfortable, we reach for a prompt. When we feel uncertain, we ask for instant clarity. When we feel inadequate, we outsource competence. But silence is not emptiness. Silence is the field where God plows the heart. If we fill every pause with gen erated language, we risk losing the quiet place where conviction is bom. We trade contemplation for con sumption. And eventually, we may forget how to think alone.

A Tool, Not a Shepherd Artificial intelligence is not evil. Neither is a tractor. But a tractor does not decide where to plant. And a machine must never de cide who you are.

Use it to assist, not replace. To refine, not originate your conscience. To support your calling, not be come it. If you are a chaplain— sit with the grief yourself. If you are a father— shape the words in your own voice. If you are a farmer— put your hands in the soil. If you are a student— wrestle with the text. Let the machine carry weight. But do not let it carry your soul.

DRIILS/TRAINING To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com

The Question Beneath the Tool In the end, the danger o f artifi cial intelligence is not technological. It is spiritual. Will we surrender the slow work o f becom ing in exchange for the quick reward o f appearing com pe tent? Will we trade scars for sum maries? Will we allow something that can imitate wisdom to replace the process that forms it? The farm still requires dawn. The fire still requires courage. The hospital room still requires presence. And the human soul still re quires struggle. Do not give that away. Let the machine serve. But let your heart remain un mechanized."

CITY OF CHESTER BUREAU OF FIRE

Ok, you heard from ai. Where is the creativity? Don't give up thought, process and being human. Mistakes happen and you learn from the mistakes. Open books and read things that do not change. The information on the computer and internet does change. The truth that the computer has is changing, this is why I prefer the printed word. People can make fun out o f the World B ook Encyclopedia but you do not see books magically changing the words. When you research something for yourself, you invest your time and energy. You learn and just don't just spit out truth that a machine tells you is the truth. Think for yourself. Stay safe, Didymus McHugh didymus-mchugh.com

CITY OF CHESTER BUREAU OF FIRE F ir e f ig h t e r s f r o m t h e C ity o f C h e s t e r B u r e a u o f F ire f in is h e d an in d u stria l r e s c u e tra in in g c o u r s e k n o w n a s " m a n vs. m a c h in e . " T h e c o u r s e c o n c e n tr a te d o n m e t h o d s fo r s e c u r e ly fre e in g v ictim s w h o a r e e n s n a r e d in a r a n g e o f i n d u s t r i a l d e v i c e s a s w e l l a s o t h e r c o m m o n p l a c e t e c h n o l o g y that m a y p o s e e n t r a p m e n t risk s. D u r in g c o m p l i c a t e d c r is e s , t h e tra in in g f o c u s e d o n c o o r d i n a t e d r e s c u e e fforts, p a tie n t p r o te c t io n , a n d s c e n e sa fety . E r ic k M y e r s a n d M ik e M c M a h o n o f t h e M o n t g o m e r y C o u n t y F ire A c a d e m y g a v e t h e in stru ctio n .

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 47

March/April, 2026

LITTLE BIG GUYS I f y o u have p h otos y o u w ou ld like to s ee in our Little B ig G u ys feature please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

ALAN HOFFMAN

DALE FEEHRER The

G r a n v ille

F ire

Com pany

operates

th is

2022

Jeep

Accident with Entrapment in Upper Milford Twp.

G l a d i a t o r / V e n g e a n t F i r e A p p a r a t u s a s B r u s h 16 (100/80). U P P E R M I L F O R D T W P ., P A - O n J a n u a r y 1 3 th a t 1 0 :2 5 a.m ., t h e U p p e r M i l f o r d W e s t e r n D i s t r i c t fir e c o m p a n y a n d t h e E m m a u s F ire D e p a r t m e n t f o r r e s c u e e n g i n e 7 a n d M a c u n g i e E M S w e r e d i s p a t c h e d f o r a a c c i d e n t w i t h e n t r a p m e n t a t 5 4 1 2 S h i m e r s v i l l e R o a d in U p p e r M i l f o r d T o w n s h i p . C h i e f 19 a r r i v e d o n t h e s c e n e a n d h a d a v a n i n t o a b a r n w i t h h e a v y e n t r a p m e n t . It t o o k t h e c r e w s f r o m U p p e r M ilfo r d a n d E m m a u s 30 m i n u t e s t o e x t r i c a t e t h e driver.

APPARATUS IN ACTION I f y o u have p h otos y o u w ou ld like to s ee in our Apparatus in A ction feature please upload them on our w eb site www. 1stR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

ALAN HOFFMAN A ir 32 o f t h e W o o d l a w n F ir e D e p a r t m e n t is t h e L e h i g h C o u n t y c a s c a d e t r u c k a n d is m a n n e d a n d h o u s e d b y t h e W o o d l a w n F ire D e p a r t m e n t . A i r 32 i s s h o w n h e r e o n t h e s c e n e o f a 2 n d a l a r m f i r e a t H e l f r i c h S p r i n g s a p a r t m e n t c o m p l e x in W h i t e h a l l T o w n s h i p o n M a r c h 1 s t.

Read more features on our w ebsite! 1rbn.com ALAN HOFFMAN T r u c k l o f t h e A l l e n t o w n F i r e D e p a r t m e n t o n t h e s c e n e o f a d w e l l i n g f i r e a t 1530 A l l e n S t . o n N o v e m b e r 30, 2025.

PAGE 48

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

BROTHERS & SISTERS OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES I f y o u have p h o to s y o u w ou ld like to se e in ou r “B rothers &Sisters o f the E m ergen cy S e n d e e s feature, please u pload them on ou r w ebsite, w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d se y @ lstR e sp o n d e rN e w s.co m .

A fter d e c a d e s o f s e r v ic e , C h ie f J a s o n D a v is a n n o u n c e d h is re tire m e n t f r o m W i l k i n s T o w n s h i p V o l u n t e e r F i r e C o m p a n y N o . 1, s i g n a l i n g a c h a n g e in l e a d e r s h i p . A l t h o u g h D a v i s ' s r e l a t i o n s h i p w it h t h e f ir m s t a r t e d m u c h e a rlier, h e f o r m a l l y j o i n e d t h e d e p a r t m e n t i n t h e 1 9 9 0 s.

BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY T w o B e t h l e h e m T w p . V F C m e m b e r s , R o s e a n d R e b e c c a , c o m p l e t e d t h e 2025 G E M EMI P a r a m e d i c Program .

LITITZ FIRE COMPANY NO. 1 L ititz F ir e C o m p a n y No. 1 a n n o u n c e d s e v e r a l o f f i c e r p r o m o t i o n s d u r i n g it s b u s i n e s s m e e t i n g . F ire

WILKINS TOW NSHIP VFC NO. 1.

C h i e f C h i e f M i l l e r c o n f i r m e d t h a t F F Ira K i n g a n d F F D y l a n H a l l h a v e b o t h b e e n p r o m o t e d t o t h e r a n k o f L i e u t e n a n t , w h i l e Lt. M i k e M a d a r a h a s b e e n p r o m o t e d t o C a p t a i n .

COURTESY OF GOODWILL HOSE CO. 5 G o o d w i l l H o s e C o m p a n y No. 5 p r o u d l y a n n o u n c e d t h e r e c e n t p r o m o t i o n o f o n e o f its o w n , S h a n e Lyle, t o t h e r a n k o f C a p t a i n w i t h N o r f o l k F i r e - R e s c u e .

WILKINS TOW NSHIP VFC NO. 1.

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 49

DRILLS FROM AROUND THE STATE To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to LindseyM lstResponderNews.com.

F e b r u a r y 9, 2 0 2 6 — M e m b e r s o f t h e W i l c o x V o l u n t e e r F i r e D e p a r t m e n t j o i n e d f ir e f i g h t e r s f r o m t h e J o h n s o n b u r g F ire D e p a r t m e n t a n d J a y T o w n s h i p V o lu n t e e r F ire C o m p a n y f o r s p e c i a l i z e d c o n f i n e d s p a c e t r a i n i n g a t t h e D o m t a r t r a i n i n g fa c i l i t y . T h e h a n d s - o n s e s s i o n f o c u s e d o n o p e r a t i n g in t i g h t q u a r t e r s a n d l o w - v i s i b i l i t y e n v i r o n m e n ts , r e in fo r c in g critica l r e s c u e t e c h n i q u e s a n d sa fe ty p r o c e d u r e s . F i r e f i g h t e r s p r a c t i c e d n a v i g a t i n g r e s t r i c t e d e n t r y p o i n t s , u t i li z in g air m a n a g e m e n t stra te g ie s, a n d c o o r d in a tin g te a m m o v e m e n t s u n d er s im u la t e d h a z a r d o u s c o n d it io n s . T h e c o lla b o r a t iv e tra in in g p r o v id ed

op p o rtu n ity

for c r e w s

from

m u ltip le

departm en ts to

s t r e n g t h e n in te ro p era b ility a n d refin e th e s k ills n e c e s s a r y t o s a f e ly m a n a g e co n fin e d s p a c e em e rg en cie s.

FIRE DISTRICT 26 RYAN TWP. FIRE/RESCUE S e v e r a l m e m b e r s o f R y a n T w p . f i r e d e p a r t m e n t r e c e n t l y p r a c t i c e d s e t t i n g u p a t a n k e r fill s i t e a n d d u m p s i t e a s p a r t o f a t i m e d t r a i n i n g e x e r c i s e . W o r k i n g in t e a m s o f t h r e e , e a c h g r o u p s u c c e s s f u l l y e s t a b l i s h e d a f u l l y o p e r a t i o n a l t a n k e r fill s i t e in u n d e r f i v e m i n u t e s . T h e e x e r c i s e d e m o n s t r a t e d s t r o n g c o o r d in a t io n , efficie n c y , a n d p r e p a r e d n e s s .

NORTHERN REGIONAL FIRE DEPT "200" M e m b e r s o f t h e W in d b e r fire d e p a r t m e n t , a l o n g w ith p e r s o n n e l f r o m C o n e m a u g h T o w n s h i p E M S, a r e c o m p l e t i n g t h e fir st o f t w o H a z a r d o u s M a t e r ia ls (H azM at) O p e r a t i o n s r e f r e s h e r c o u r s e s b e i n g h e l d at t h e W i n d b e r F ire S ta tio n .

WILCOX VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

PAGE 50

March/Aprii, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

DRILLS FROM AROUND THE STATE To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.

M em b ers of the sh ip

F ire

pated

fo rcib le

V alley T o w n

D epartm ent a n oth er

p a rtici

round

e n tr y tra in in g,

w h ich

f o c u s e d o n b a s i c s k i lls u tilized d u rin g e m e r g e n c y o p e r a tio n s . Id e n tifica tio n o f t o o l s a n d th e v a rio u s

w ays

firem en

en ter

b u i l d i n g s w e r e d i s c u s s e d in t h e tra in in g s e s s i o n . M e m b e r s r e v ie w e d w h e n a n d w h y certain in stru m e n ts are c h o s e n d u rin g a c c id e n t s w h ile p r a c tic in g s a f e a n d efficie n t p r o c e d u r e s .

CAM P H ill FIRE DEPARTMENT T h e C a m p H ill F i r e D e p a r t m e n t h o s t e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m U G I in F e b r u a r y f o r a c o m p r e h e n s i v e s a f e t y t r a i n i n g s e s s i o n f o c u s e d o n th e s a f e h a n d lin g o f n atural g a s a n d e m e r g e n c y r e s p o n s e p r o c e d u r e s . T h e t r a in in g p r o v i d e d f i r e f i g h t e r s w ith u p d a t e d i n f o r m a tio n

id e n tify in g

ga s- re la te d

hazards,

u n d e rsta n d in g

u tility

in f r a s t r u c t u r e , a n d c o o r d i n a t i n g e f f e c t i v e l y w ith g a s c o m p a n y p e r s o n n e l d u rin g in c id e n ts. T h r o u g h c l a s s r o o m c u s s io n , m e m b e r s re v ie w e d

in str u c tio n a n d d i s

b e s t p r a c t ic e s fo r m itiga tin g risk s

a s s o c i a t e d w ith n a tu ra l g a s l e a k s a n d e m e r g e n c i e s , r e i n f o r c i n g

VAIIEY TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT

th eir c o m m it m e n t to p r o te c t in g r e s id e n t s a n d property . D e p a r t m e n t o f f i c i a l s e x p r e s s e d a p p r e c i a t i o n t o UGI f o r p a r t n e r in g w ith l o c a l first r e s p o n d e r s t o e n h a n c e p r e p a r e d n e s s a n d e n s u r e t h e h ig h e s t lev el o f s a f e t y f o r th e c o m m u n ity .

M e m b e r s o f F ra ck v ille tr a v e le d t o B a llie t S t r e e t f o r a h a n d s - o n r o p e s a n d r ig g in g tra in in g s e s s io n a l o n g s i d e th eir c o l l e a g u e s from

G ood

W ill H o s e

C o . #1,

D i s t r i c t 43. D u r i n g t h e t r a i n i n g , p a rticip a n ts

w orked

w ith

p r u s ik s , b e la y lin es, h a u l lin es, anch or

p oin ts,

sen tia l

riggin g

and

oth er

tech n iq u es.

W h ile t h e s e s k ills a r e n o t ty p i ca lly

part o f an

pany’ s d a ily

en gin e

com

op era tion s,

th ey

s e r v e a s v a lu a b le a d d itio n s to th e t o o l b o x — e s p e c ia lly d u rin g o v e r la p p in g

ca lls

w ith

truck

and r e scu e com p a n ies.

JEFFERSON HILLS FIRE-RESCUE O n F e b r u a r y 15th, C r e w s f r o m

Jefferson

H i l l s F i r e R e s c u e , in

p a r t n e r s h i p w ith S o u t h E a s t R e g i o n a l E M S , c o n d u c t e d a C P R a n d S t o p t h e B l e e d c l a s s at S t a t io n 2 f o r m e m b e r s o f t h e F ilip in o A m e r i c a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f P i t t s b u r g h . O v e r s e v e r a l h o u r s , 15 p a r ticip a n ts r e c e iv e d c la s s r o o m

in s t r u c t io n a n d h a n d s - o n tra in in g

c o v e r i n g C P R f o r a d u lts, ch ild re n , a n d in fa n ts; r e c o g n it io n

c a r d i a c a rr est; p r o p e r u s e o f an A E D ; a n d c r itic a l h e m o r r h a g e con trol

te ch n iq u e s,

in c lu d in g

to u rn iq u e t

a p p lica tio n ,

w ound

p a c k in g , a n d d ir e c t p r e s s u r e . T h e s e s s i o n c o n c l u d e d w ith a r e a listic,

sce n a rio - b a se d

ex ercise

that

a llo w ed

p a rticip a n ts to

a p p l y t h e i r s k i l l s in a s i m u l a t e d e m e r g e n c y e n v i r o n m e n t .

FRIENDSHIP FIRE CO. N0.1, ENGLEWOOD

Responder Newspaper - PA

March/April, 2026

R espo n d er

W ireless news

SECURE THE 1st RESPONDER WIRELESS NEW S 2 0 2 6 DEPARTMENT BUNDLE RATE BEFORE ITS T O O LATE!

T a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e s e d is c o u n t e d r a t e s to d a y !

5 PERSON PACKAGE

10 PERSON PACKAGE

$300

$499

R e g u la r ly $ 5 00

R e g u la r ly $1,000

Contact Nick to activate your account or prepare a customized proposal to fit your department’ s specific needs: C a ll: (888) 235-748 6 ex t. 210 Email: N ic h o la s @ 1 s tr e s p o n d e r n e w s. c o m

PAGE 51

PAGE 52

March/Aprii, 2026

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

To see your Memorial Boards in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them toLindsey@ lstResponderN ews.com

If you have photos you would like to see in our Old and New feature please upload them on our website w w w .lstResponderNews.com or email them toLindsey@ lstResponderN ew s.com .

D U SH O R E , PA - T h e c o m m u n ity is m o u r n in g th e l o s s o f fo r m e r S t a t i o n 5 7 F ir e C h i e f F r a n k Y o n kin a n d

h is w ife, B o n n ie , w h o

p a s s e d a w a y a s th e resu lt o f a m o t o r v e h ic le a c c id e n t o n F eb ru a ry 2 4 th in A l b a n y T o w n s h i p . A t 1 5 :4 3 h o u r s o n F e b r u a r y 2 4 th , S t a t i o n 5 7 a n d S t a t i o n 8 w e r e d i s p a t c h e d t o a s e r i o u s c r a s h n e a r t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n o f R o u t e 220 a n d H a r n e y R o a d in A l b a n y T o w n s h i p . S t a t i o n 8, A m b u l a n c e 1-57, R e s c u e 57, S t a t i o n 58, a n d C h i e f 5 7 r e s p o n d e d t o t h e s c e n e . U p o n a r r i v a l , c r e w s f o u n d a p a s s e n g e r v e h i c l e i n v o l v e d in a h e a d - o n c o l l i s i o n w ith a tri-axle d u m p tru c k . T r a g ic a lly , t h e t w o o c c u p a n t s o f t h e p a s s e n g e r v e h i c l e s u c c u m b e d t o th e ir in ju rie s. C h i e f Y o n kin w a s r e m e m b e r e d

a s a d e d ica te d

leader, m en tor,

frien d, a n d v e te r a n w h o d e v o t e d c o u n t l e s s y e a r s o f s e r v i c e t o t h e D u s h o r e F ire C o m p a n y a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y h e c a r e d s o d e e p l y about. B on n ie w a s k n ow n a s a stea d fa st su p p o r te r of th e d ep a rt m e n t a n d a v a l u e d m e m b e r o f t h e f ir e fam ily . T h eir p a s s i n g m a r k s a t r e m e n d o u s l o s s fo r t h e d e p a r t m e n t a n d t h e w i d e r c o m m u n i t y . T h e Y o n kin fa m i ly , d e p a r t m e n t m e m b e r s , a n d a l l t h o s e a f f e c t e d r e m a i n in t h e t h o u g h t s a n d p r a y e r s o f m a n y d u r i n g t h i s i n c r e d i b l y d iffic u lt tim e.

DALE FEEIftER T h e L a m p e t e r F i r e C o m p a n y ' s f o r m e r 1969 M a c k C F ( n o w p r i v a t e l y o w n e d ) p o s e d w i t h t h e c o m p a n y ' s n e w 2025 S e a g r a v e s q u a d th a t j u s t e n t e r e d s e r v i c e .

A golf brand inspired by surf culture. Offering clothes and accessories meant to stand out from the rest.

PAGE 53

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

DRILLS/TRAINING

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? I f y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld like to se e in our W h ere are they N ow ? feature please upload them

T o s ee y ou r D rills in the new spaper upload them on ou r w ebsite w w w .lstR espon d erN ew s.com o r em ail them to

on ou r w ebsite w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

L in d s e y @ l stR espon d erN ew s.com

T h e L i n g l e s t o w n F ire C o . o p e r

n ic k n a m e d th e

J a n u a r y 5, 2 0 2 6 — M o u n t J o y

The

ated

pum per

"o d d b a ll" o p e ra te d a s a reserv e

m em bers

th eir

m a n d a t o r y m a s k f it t e s t i n g , f o l

tio n s.

(1250/1000) a s E n g i n e 35 u n t i l it

f o r m o s t o f it' s t i m e in N e w J e r

w e e k ly tra in in g n ig h t t o c o m

low ed by h an ds-on d e m o n stra

co n fid e n ce

w a s r e p l a c e d in 2 0 0 0 a n d t h e n

s e y b u t , it d i d r e c e i v e s o m e f r o n t

p le te re q u ire d a n n u a l s e lf - c o n

tio n s o f p ro p erly d o n n in g an d

o r i e n t a t i o n a n d c o m p o s u r e in

m o v e d t o a r e s e r v e u n it f o r t h e

lin e s t a t u s w h e n

ta in ed

o p era tin g

z e ro - v isib ility

t h r e e s t a t i o n s t h a t o p e r a t e d in

G ardner's e n g in e s w a s se n t out

(SC B A ) c e rtifica tio n , a critica l

L o w e r P a x t o n T w p. A s a t o w n

f o r r e f u r b . In 2 0 2 4 t h e " o d d b a l l

s h i p r e s e r v e ( E n g i n e 82) s e r v e d

w a s p la c e d b a c k u p fo r sale.

1982 S u t p h e n

"o d d b a ll". T h e

one

G len

u n t i l it w a s s o l d t o t h e N e w t o w n F i r e C o . ( P e n n s y l v a n i a ) in 2010.

A fter s e e i n g

th e

listin g , a

gath ered

b rea th in g

for

apparatu s

e v e n in g

the

began

air

pack.

w ith

F ire

sim u la te

rea l-w orld

Crew s

co n d i

co m p leted

m aze to

th e

rein fo rce

e n v iron m en ts,

f i g h t e r s w e r e e v a l u a t e d o n a ir

p r a ctice d c o n tr o lle d b rea th in g

c o m p o n e n t o f firefig h te r s a fe ty

m an agem en t, e m e r g e n c y p ro

tech n iq u es,

and

a n d o p era tion a l rea d in ess. T he

c e d u r e s , a n d o v e r a ll fa m ilia rity

R IT /D ow n ed

F irefigh ter

tra in in g e n s u r e d

w ith

th eir

eq u ip m en t.

T h ese

focu sed

self- re scu e

and

are

e sse n tia l

m a in

fir e fig h t e r su rv iv a l. T h e

n ig h t

a ll m e m b e r s

life

m e t n a tio n a l a n d d e p a r t m e n t a l

sk ills

for

p erform ed d rills

S e r v i n g a s E n g i n e 24-16, t h e '82

m e m b e r , M. K r a s k a , o f t h e L i n

s t a n d a r d s f o r o p e r a t i n g in i m

ta in in g c o n f id e n c e a n d sa fe ty

c o n c l u d e d w ith t h e fr o n t p o r c h

c o n t i n u e d t o s e r v e f o r 10 m o r e

g lesto w n

m e d ia te ly

d u r in g in terior fire o p e r a t io n s .

d r i ll , e m p h a s i z i n g c o o r d i n a t e d

years

m o v e t o b r i n g it b a c k h o m e . T h e

and

In ter io r- q u a lifie d

en try, c o m m u n i c a t i o n , a n d air

w h e r e it w a s p l a c e d u p f o r s a l e .

K raska

m en ts.

T h e G l e n G a r d n e r F ire C o . ( N e w

o w n s t h e w e l l t r a v e l e d '82 a n d

J e r s e y ) w a s in n e e d o f a r e s e r v e

h a s w o r k e d t o r e s t o r e it b a c k t o

u n til

th e

end

2020

F ire fa m ily

Co.

m ade

now

the

p riv a te ly

p u m p e r a n d a c q u i r e d t h e 1982

it' s d a y s a s

P ierce. T h e w h ite c a b a n d b o d y

g lesto w n . T h is p a st su m m er, th e

w i t h a s i n g l e b l u e s t r i p e m a d e it

K ra sk a fa m ily

e a s y t o s t i c k o u t w ith G l e n G a r d

l o c a l e v e n t s t o s h o w c a s e t h e '82

dangerous

h e a lth

(IDLH )

life

en v iron

fir efig h te rs

a d v a n ce d th rou gh a se r ie s of

m an agem en t under stress.

p ra ctica l e v o lu t io n s d e s i g n e d

E n g i n e 35 in L i n atten ded

a few

n er's tra d itio n a l r e d & w h ite a p

P ie rce a n d p la n s to c o n tin u e to

p a r a tu s , t h e e n g i n e w a s fittin gly

s h o w it o f f l o c a l l y .

DALE FEEHRER A s L i n g l e s t o w n E n g i n e 35

A s N e w t o w n E n g i n e 24-15

DALE FEEHRER

DALE FEEHRER A s G l e n G a r d n e r E n g i n e 12-2

FIRE DEPARTMEHT MOUNT JOY

PAGE 54

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

EMERGENCY AIRCRAFT If you have photos you w ould like to see in our E m ergency Aircraft feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w ww .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L in d sey@ lstR esp on d erN ew s.com .

HONORS & PROMOTIONS If you have photos you w ould like to see in our “H onors & Prom otions”feature, please upload them on our website, www .lstR esponderN ew s.com or email them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

REGINA JELSKI A t t h e L i m e r i c k T o w n s h i p m e e t i n g o n S e p t e m b e r 2, 2025, p h o t o g r a p h e r R e g i n a J e l s k i w a s a p p o i n t e d a s t h e n e w e s t m e m b e r o f t h e L i m e r ic k F ire D e p a r t m e n t F ire P o li c e . R e g i n a h a s b e e n s e r v i n g w ith t h e d e p a r t m e n t f o r s e v e r a l y e a r s , c a p t u r i n g m o m e n t s b e h i n d t h e l e n s at c o m m u n i t y e v e n t s , tra in in g e x e r c i s e s , a n d e m e r g e n c y s c e n e s . H er c o m m i t m e n t t o s u p p o r t i n g t h e fire d e p a r t m e n t t h r o u g h p h o t o g r a p h y h a s m a d e a m e a n i n g f u l i m p a c t , a n d n o w s h e h a s t a k e n o n a n e v e n g r e a t e r r o l e in p u b l i c s a fe t y . A s a

CARSONVILLE VOL FIRE COMPANY

m e m b e r o f t h e F i r e P o l i c e , R e g i n a w il l a s s i s t w i t h t r a f f i c a n d c r o w d c o n t r o l a t e m e r g e n c y s c e n e s , h e l p i n g t o e n s u r e t h e s a f e t y o f b o t h r e s p o n d e r s a n d t h e p u b l i c . T h i s p o s i t i o n p l a y s a c r u c i a l r o l e in t h e s m o o t h a n d s e c u r e o p e r a t i o n o f f i r e d e p a r t m e n t r e s p o n s e s . P l e a s e j o i n u s in w e l c o m i n g R e g i n a t o h e r n e w r o l e a n d t h a n k i n g h e r f o r c o n t i n u i n g t o s e r v e t h e L i m e r i c k c o m m u n i t y in t h i s n e w c a p a c i t y .

TORYHANNA TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

CARSONVILLE VOL. FIRE COMPANY O n F e b r u a r y 8, 2026, a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1700 h o u r s , C a r s o n v i l l e V o l u n t e e r F ire C o m p a n y w a s d i s p a t c h e d t o a s s i s t E M S w it h a m e d i c a l e m e r g e n c y r e q u i r i n g a ir t r a n s p o r t . A n e n g i n e r e s p o n d e d d i r e c t l y t o th e s c e n e w h ile th e co m p a n y ’ s b r u s h un it a n d a n e n g i n e f r o m S t a t i o n 29 (H alifa x) e s t a b l i s h e d a s e c u r e l a n d i n g z o n e a t t h e W a y n e T o w n s h i p b u i l d i n g . F ire c r e w s c o o r d i n a t e d w it h E M S t o e n s u r e a s a f e a n d e ffic ie n t tr a n sfe r o f th e p a tien t t o th e a w a itin g m e d ic a l h e lic o p te r . A fter t h e a m b u l a n c e a n d e n g i n e m e t t h e aircraft a n d t h e p a tien t w a s tra n sferred , u n its c le a r e d th e s c e n e . C r e w s r e m a in e d c o m m i t t e d f o r a p p r o x im a t e ly o n e hour, d e m o n s t r a t in g s e a m l e s s in te r- a g e n cy c o o p e r a t i o n to p r o v id e ra p id a d v a n c e d m e d ic a l care.

Tobyhanna Twp. Vol. Fire Co. Celebrates 95th Anniversary POCON O PINES, PA - April 18, 2025 commemorated the Toby hanna Township Volunteer Fire Company's return to active service and its 95th anniversary. Station 41 since handled 220 service requests around the area. In addition to par ticipating in community education and outreach initiatives for locals o f all ages, members devoted sev-

JUMPTO FILE #010726120

eral hours to training in fire, rescue, and medical operations. Tobyhanna Township residents were recognized by department representatives for their unwaver ing support throughout the course

o f the year. The agency is encour aging community members to think about volunteering. There are opportunities for firemen, junior firefighters, fire police, EMS/QRS, and support jobs; no prior experi ence is necessary and training is of fered. - 1RN N E W S T E A M

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 55

March/April, 2026

___________ WHERE ABE THEY HOW?___________ If jrou have photos jrou would like to see in our Where are they now? feature please upload them on our website www. 1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lind»y@l stResponderNews.com.

The Morris Township VFC operates this 2001 KME Excel quint (1500/500/75') as Quint 17. This piece is on it's 3rd tour of duty in Pennsylvania, having previously served in Duryea and Pittston Township.

The Buchannan Valley FD has acquired this 1998 Seagrave pumper (2000/750/50/150/CAFS) to serve as Engine 27 until their new Pierce Engine-Rescue is delivered in a few years. This piece is on it's 3rd tour with a Pennsylvania station after originally being purchased by the Lower Swatara Township FD, and later sold to the Liberty Hose Co. in Williamstown, PA, where it ran for a short time before being sold to Buchannan Valley.

H U E

B A L E I

The Liberty Hose Co. #2 of Lykens has taken delivery of this 2010 Pierce Velocity pumper (2000/1000/20A/20/B) to serve as Engine 22. This piece formally served in Troy, PA.

The Huntingdon Regional Fire-Rescue now operates this 2017 E-One Cyclone (1500/750/Genesis) as Squad 65. This piece formally served as Squad 31 in Silver Spring Twp., PA.

The East Whiteland Fire Company recently donated their 1986 Ford F-350 brush unit that served for decades as Brush 5 to a station in Whitwell, TN.

The Shade Gap Area Fire Company operates this 2014 International/Pierce as Rescue 14 (1250/480/2OF). This piece formally served in St. Pete Beach, FL.

PAGE 56

March/April, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - PA

SPARTAN S-180 PUMPER KME K-180 PUMPER

Supply Company

ROAD READY N HALF THE TIME, wm PERFORMANCE STATS

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• C u s t o m c h a s s is • S ide or top-m ou n ted con figu rations • 750 a nd 1000-gallon tank c a p a c it y • Available in 9 c u s t o m con figu rations • Full height co m p a r tm en ta tio n • M axim ized c o m p a r tm e n t s p a c e • Hale a n d W a te rou s p u m p s

Enhanced M aneuverability Engineered for tight s p a c e s , this c h a s s is delivers o n e o f the sm allest turn ra d iu ses in its class. With c r a m p a n g l e s reach in g up t o 53 d e g r e e s a n d an a p p r o a c h a n g l e o f up to 19 d e g r e e s , it co m fo r ta b ly s u r p a s s e s NFPA1901 requirements.

M axim ized C om partm en t S p a ce D e sig n e d for real-world utility, the b o d y featu res both full-depth a n d split-depth c o m p a r t m e n t s with versatile slide-out trays— giving c r e w s m o re o r g a n iz e d s t o r a g e a n d e a sie r a c c e s s to equipment.

M ost S pa ciou s C a b The c a b layout prioritizes c o m fo r t a n d function, offering g e n e r o u s interior room, im proved sightlines, sm art s t o r a g e solutions, a n d e r g o n o m i c d e s ig n e le m e n ts that su p p ort c r e w safety.

Independent Front Suspen sion The available 20k an d 24k in d e p e n d e n t front s u s p e n sio n s y s t e m s deliver excellen t c r a m p a n g le s an d full air-ride perform an ce. Multiple tire size o p tio n s allow for e a sie r serviceability a n d s m o o t h operation.

O @ 0 O ©

M ore Info On C am pbellSu pply.com