History
Information updated February 12, 2006
The East Allen Township Fire Department was formed
in 1976 by a small group of township residents who saw a need for improved
fire protection for this growing community.
Among this group were a former industrial firefighter and several
members of neighboring fire departments who lived in East Allen Township.
In 1977 the organization was chartered. Soon after this, the fire department embarked on
developing Master Plan for Fire Protection for the community. This
was the result of seeking assistance from an organization called PennTAP,
or Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program out of Penn State.
William Arble, P.E., a fire protection engineer, of PennTAP provided us
with assistance in developing this Master Plan. The Master Plan
helped us identify the fire protection needs of the community.
1978 training and equipping the fledgling department began.
At the same time we embarked on a major fund raising effort and
succeeding in raising approximately $180,000 to build a station and
purchase equipment. After about 8 months of rigorous training the
department officially went into service on January 1, 1979 with a
membership of about 25. During
our first year we responded to 42 calls.
The number has grown almost every year.
Today in an average year we do 200 to 250 runs.
In a busy year we may break 300 calls.
We began fighting fire
with only two pieces of apparatus – a 1964 International 750 GPM Engine
and a 1955 Dodge 2400 gallon used oil truck for a tanker.
During our first year of operation we acquired a utility truck as a
Light Rescue Truck. It soon
became apparent that most of our calls were motor vehicle accident and
thus there was a growing demand for us to expand and improve our rescue
capabilities. We purchased a
Hurst Tool, better known as the ‘Jaws of Life’.
As time went on the need
for more equipment and the steady increase in the number of calls
necessitated the replacement of apparatus.
The 64 International was replaced with a 67 Hahn Custom. The 55 Dodge was replace with a 71 International Tanker.
Eventually this brings us up to today.
At present the department operates 6 modern pieces of equipment.
The department has had a
busy history with manpower as well. We
have attempted to set training standards for members. All members are expected to complete Fundamentals of Fire
Fighting, Basic Vehicle Rescue, Haz-Mat Technician and CPR.
Recently all members of the department completed training in the
use of an Automated External Defibrillator or AED.
While we are not a primary EMS provider we provide support to East
Allen Ambulance Corps, and we often provide first aid and patient care if
we arrive on the scene prior to EMS.
Today
we provide many services to the community both emergency and
non-emergency. These include:
|
EMERGENCY
Fire Suppression
Vehicle Rescue
Confined Space Rescue
High Angle Rescue
Agricultural Rescue
|
NON-EMERGENCY
Industrial Fire Safety
Training
Fire Safety Training
for Day care Staff
Fire Safety for School
Age Children
Residential &
Commercial Fire Inspections
|
East Allen Township Fire Chiefs
1979 - Richard Wolfel
1980 - 1985 - John McDevitt
1986 - 2000 - Ron Check
2001 - 2002 - Michael Reinhart
2003 to 2005- Scott Uhnak
2006 to present - Barry Frantz
