Punxsutawney, PA

Thursday, October 16, 2008

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Fire Prevention Week in Punxsutawney

For more than 85 years, Fire Prevention Week has been observed by fire departments in the U.S. and Canada to mark the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The President of the Unites States has issued a proclamation designating a national observance during Fire Prevention Week every year since 1925. Punxsutanwey is no exception.

The Punxsutawney Fire Department is made up of three volunteer stations. Presently Doug McAfoos serves as president of the Punxsutawney Fire Department with Paul Hense as the Fire Department Chief. The fire department responds to fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and rescue situations in the borough of Punxsutawney, Bell Township, and Young Township. The three volunteer stations; Central Fire Department, Station 20, Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company, Station 30, and Lindsey Fire Company, Station 40. Each station elects officers. Scott Depp is the chief of Central Fire Dept., Bryan Smith the chief of Elk Run VFC, and Joe Defelice the chief of Lindsey Fire Co.

In the late 1800's Punxsutawney's fire-fighting equipment consisted of a number of grapple-hooks, buckets, and ladders. This equipment served the borough until the Big Fire of June 3, 1879. It originated in the St. Elmo Hotel, A three-story frame structure, and spread in all directions. This fire substantiated a need for better equipment. A Babcock Chemical Extinguisher was purchased for the borough. At that time all citizens were a part of the company. In the fall of 1888, the Punxsutawney Water Company completed the lying of its lines and the town had fifteen fire plugs. It was now necessary to purchase a hose cart and a reel of hose. A new company was then organized and served until March 17, 1907, at this time the name of Central Fire Department was adopted.

Other catastrophic fires occurred over the next few decades. The years of 1886, 1900 and 1903 were all marred by fires that reduced vast portions of the downtown area to ashes. Over the next several years the Lindsey Fire Department and The Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company were organized.

Today's Fire Department is made up of approximately 120 volunteers in the three companies. Central Fire Chief tells us that membership is an ongoing trepidation. "Ideally we like to have 50 members in each company. It takes about 18 firemen per company to man a response, because we are all of volunteer status and not just standing by – the more the merrier" The Punxsutawney Fire Department is always looking for volunteers to enter into the fire service.

To qualify, you must be at least 18 years of age and be in good health. Lindsey firefighter, Denise Williams, tells us, "You have to have a 'want to volunteer' persona. I love doing this, the whole concept of being a first responder appeals to me" Williams who wed volunteer fireman, Bill Williams tells of the special bond she enjoys with her husband & other members of the company. "Bill & I spend a lot of quality time in many company related activities" Membership also has residency requirements. The Fire Department arranges for local level training through the state by means of community colleges. Information on membership can be found at www.PunxsutawneyFireDepartment.com .

An active member of the fire company can spend up to 5 hours per week with meetings alone. Various committees, such as parade, department, Old Home Week…meet on a regular basis. These committees are formed to handle the busy fireman's activities. When one combines the time spent with committee work, the many fundraisers the fire department hosts and adds time spent on 130 plus calls per year – it is a busy life of giving. A response call can take from 30 minutes to 24 hours! Marlene Depp (wife of a volunteer fireman) recalls, "There was a Big, big fire in downtown Punxsy one Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My husband, Cookie, comes home Christmas morning at 5am and says. 'Get the kids up we are going to open gifts as I have to go back to the fire'. Needless to say, it was a very long Christmas Day"

Yet more is involved than just running the department & manning the activities. Here is witnessed the true spirit of volunteering. A firefighter engages in many fundraisers during the year. Some of the more prominent ones are Old Home Week, featuring the carnival, Pizza and Prevention and Chicken Barbeques. These selfless volunteers participate in these fundraisers to purchase crucial equipment. Susan Glessner, President of the Punxsutawney borough council tells us, ".9 mils of our tax dollars goes towards the Punxsutawney Fire Department, this money covers the cost of major equipment like a fire truck" Even used fire equipment can cost upwards of several hundred thousand dollars. Glessner adds, "Punxsy is very lucky to have the means to support the fire department, many municipalities that do not have a fire department and have to depend on neighboring fire departments, pay for services. This is not just a matter of money but response time too, when you weigh in the time factor of getting assistance for an emergency our fire department is a community treasure"

What does money raised at seemingly countless fundraisers go for? D. Matthew Powell, President of the Central Fire Department, states "The funds that are raised by these events are essential in our day to day operations. We rely on this money since the normal budget can only provide so much and is normally already set aside to pay fuel costs, utilities, insurance payments, vehicle maintenance and things of that nature. Consider the cost to equip a new firefighter, one set of complete protective equipment costs approximately $2,000. If the department accepts just 5 new members we can expect to spend $10,000"

As economic woes loom many concerns are raised as to our personal fire protection. The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released survey results showing the majority of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes (79%), and that 48% of households will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter. Alternative heating sources include portable space heaters, stoves, ovens and fireplaces. A third of people with fireplaces reported they never cleaned or inspected their chimneys. The survey identified additional behaviors related to appliance maintenance and cooking that could also present home fire hazards this winter. "As we head into, what by all accounts is likely to be a very costly heating season, these survey results and Fire Prevention Week provide a critical opportunity for us to remind people about the things they can do to prevent home fires and keep their families safe and warm this winter," said NFPA President James. M. Shannon. "If people use alternative heat sources to reduce energy costs, it is critical they use devices that are new or in good working order, and they turn off units when they go to bed or leave the room"

Many non-profit organizations are stepping up to the plate to help struggling families safely heat their homes this winter. Federal energy assistance offers financial assistance towards a household's energy bill, emergency assistance if a household's home energy service is shut off or about to be shut off, and a range of other energy-related services. Locally, Community Action, Inc. has established a HEAT fund for elderly, disabled & low-income individuals.

"Over the decades, U.S. giving has risen except when the economy takes a nose dive. Contributions typically fall by 2% - 5% during a recession", said Patrick Rooney, research director for the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Fact is times are tough and forecasted to get tougher before things turn around. Times such as the present force us to prioritize our contributions. The fire department is one organization that rightly deserves our whole-hearted support. When we buy a chicken dinner, a pizza, when we enjoy an evening at the carnival with our family, we are doing so much more than pleasing ourselves – we are ensuring the safety of our community and our hometown heroes.

Volunteers sacrifice valuable time, energy, resources, life and limb to help others. What's in it for them? According to Chief Depp, "It is sort of in your blood, my Dad was in it, I joined. You learn to love it, as much grief as you put up with, that you would in any organization, the satisfaction of helping others makes it worth the cost. Firemen are like a family" Depp's wife Ann Marie agrees, "Knowing that a large part of who my father-in-law was "Cookie Depp" was what made him the person he was. He had one of the biggest hearts that I know and cared tremendously about the people in his town - to try and keep them safe. That's what it's about—family, friends, and the people who make this and every other town worth working for"

No law protects a volunteer firemen's employment. No schooling can protect a volunteer from 'time and unforeseen occurrence'. No words can express our gratitude for YOUR gift to us.

Line of Duty Deaths

Herman A. Nale 1937 Elk Run

Joseph Eliermeyer 1974 Elk Run

Robert B.Bowser 1974 Lindsey

Russel G. Long 1977 Elk Run

In a sense, the Punxsutawney Fire Department has come full circle. Its' grass roots, days when all members of the community belonged the Fire Department to present when we can all help to protect & serve our community by supporting our volunteer Fire Department's efforts.

How can we help to make a fireman's job easier? Chief Depp urges residents to religiously follow a yearly checklist – the home you save could be your own.

My Fire Inspection Checklist:

• Electrical cords are in good condition (not damaged).

• The clothes dryer has a clean vent and filter (no lint build-up).

• Appliances and lights are plugged into separate electrical outlets.

• A grown-up always stays in the kitchen whenever food is cooking on the stovetop.

• All smoke alarms work when tested by a grown-up.

• All extension cords are used safely (not under carpets or across walking areas).

• Portable space heaters are 3 feet away from anything that can burn.

• All escape routes are clear of clutter and easily accessible.

• Curtains and other things that can burn are away from the stovetop.

• The furnace has been inspected in the past year.

• Portable space heaters are off whenever a grown-up leaves the room and goes to sleep.

• The chimney has been inspected and cleaned in the past year

For more information, visit www.firepreventionweek.org , www.PunxsutawneyFireDepartment.com , www.nfpa.org

Scott Anthony

Fox's Pizza Den

Punxsutawney, PA

814-591-1489

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