1st Annual Volunteer Firefighters Sportsman's Raffle

The Perdix, West Enola, Duncannon and Union Fire Companies are hosting our 1st Sportsman's Raffle on Saturday, September 19 2009. Click here to view the upcoming prizes or click here for a printable version.

6/18  The Duncannon Fire Company regrets to announce the passing of a life time member of the Fire Company.  Gerald B. Leonhard passed away on June 18, 2009 at the age of 73. Gerald's son's, Bryan and Doug Leonhard, are still active members of the company. Please see the obituary from Pennlive.com on the left for further information.

Gerald  B. Leonhard, 73, of 214 Faculty Road, Duncannon, died Thursday, June 18, 2009 at his Penn Twp. home. 

Born December 13, 1935 in Reading Pa, he was the son of the late Richard Leonhard and Dorothy Hardin and step son of Schuyler Hardin. 

Jerry retired from Taylor Warton -Harsco Division after 32 years of service.  He was a Duncannon High School graduate and a United States Marine Corp veteran.  He was an assistant little league baseball coach and a trainer for Susquenita Midget Football Association for many years.  He was life member of Duncannon Fire Co. # 1,  a member of The National Rifle Association,  Pennsylvania Sheriff's Association.  He was also a member of the Duncannon American Legion National Committee to preserve Social Security and medicine, and  the Duncannon Alumni Association. 

Surviving are his wife Phyllis (Mutzabaugh) Leonhard.  Two sons, Bryan and wife Deidre and
Douglas and wife Lisa all of Duncannon.  A brother Ronald of Duncannon and a sister Alice Faye
Reinhart of Temple, PA.  Four granddaughters, Brittany of Harrisburg, Sierra, Azalyn and Jaylene all of Duncannon, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Monday, June 22, 2009 at noon in the Boyer Funeral Home, 230 N. High Street, Duncannon.  Rev. Donald E. Harbaugh and Rev. David Schreffler will officiate.  Burial, with full military honors, will be in Union Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 10 AM til the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 1200 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA. 17013 or Christ Lutheran Church, 115 Church Street, Duncannon, Pa. 17020
www.pennlive.com/obits

Route 849

7/1 @ 0131 Company 2 alerted to Route 849 @ railroad underpass for an accident with entrapment.  Chief 2 (Worner) arrived to find a vehicle up the embankment overturned.  Squad 2 crew checked the vehicle for occupants and found none.  With a report of an individual fleeing the scene crews searched for victims.  Squad crew found an unconscious victim in the high brush about 25 feet from the vehicle.  Medic 81 (West Shore) requested Life Lion to fly.  Engine 11 (Perdix) was requested to set up LZ at Penn Twp. Municipal building.  Engine 2 crew searched the area for the victim that fled.  Crews cleared the scene and searched south of the scene.  No victim found.  Cleared @ 0250. 

Dorothy "Dot" Hostetler, 92, daughter of the late Alex and Margaret (Percy) Taylor, passed away June 8th at her beloved home of 62 years in Duncannon. 

Dot was an RN, and had worked at the Duncannon Dress Factory.  She was a 60 year member of Otterbein United Methodist Church and a member of the Duncannon Ambulance Association. 

She was the widow of Charles W. Hostetler and was preceded in death by a son Charles T. Hostetler, a brother Alex Taylor, a sister Estelle Haracy and her dear friend Jeannette Stoops.

Surviving are her son Barry L. Hostetler and his wife Sandy, a daughter-in-law Sandra Hostetler, 5 grandchildren; Barry Lynn, Daryl (Gloria), Pam Bieler (Eric), Tara Karleen (Dan), Jill Gorner (Matt) , 6 great grandchildern and many dear friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held at 12pm (Noon) on Friday, June 12, 2009 in the Ronald C.L. Smith Funeral Home, 325 N. High St, Duncannon, with Rev. Donald L. Harbaugh officiating.  Burial will be private at the convenience of the family in Union Cemetery, Duncannon,

Viewing will be from 10am until 12pm (Noon) on Friday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Dot's honor may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN  38105 or to The Smile Train 28th Floor 41 Madison Ave. New York, New York  10010.  Smith

www.pennlive.com/obits

Passing of a long time member

6/08  The Duncannon Fire Company regrets to announce the passing of a long time member of the Ladies Auxiliary.  Dorothy "Dot" Hostetler passed away on June 8, 2009 at the age of 92.  Please see the obituary from Pennlive.com on the left for further information.

Amity Hall Inn

5/19 At 0242 Box 9-02 was dispatched for a working structure fire.  Engines 9, 2, 5, CC20, DC29-1, Rescues 9, 2, 8, 5, 11, Trucks DC32, DC34, Tankers 9, 5, 6, 10, DC29, DC38, DC216, Utility 2, Brush 2, Traffic 2, and DC Canteen 29 were all called to the scene.  Multiple transfers were also completed.  Units arrived to find heavy fire showing from the main building, with extension into the south wing.  An initial interior attack on the south wing was called off due to concerns about building stability.  A partial collapse of side A of the main building occured shortly thereafter.  Two water supplies were secured, one at the Amity Hall Boat Launch for LDH and one at the Lions Club Park for filling tankers.  Control was marked at 0537, with units remaining on scene for another 5 hours for extensive overhaul.  Following overhaul, crews spent another two and a half hours putting the rigs back in service.  There were no injuries reported, and ABC27 reports that state police have 5 suspects in custody for suspected arson.  The Inn had been abandoned for approximately 20 years due partially to disrepair, but was still listed as a Historic Building. 

22/322 Pin Job

5/07  At 0125 while on standby at Marysville firehouse, Company 2 was alerted for an accident with unknown injuries on 22/322 in front of the Clarks Ferry Truck Stop.  The Rescue was on the street immediately with 10, and the Engine was out the door shortly after with 3.  Engine 2 arrived and advised they had a car vs tractor trailer with heavy entrapment.  Crews split up and set up scene lighting while the second crew began extrication.  The roof was removed, the dash rolled and the drivers seat cut in order to remove the patient. 

Hose Testing

5/7  Members tested some more of the fire hose. 

W Routes 22&322

5/4 @ 1536 Squad 2 dispatched to Rts 22&322 westbound west of Mountain Rd for an auto accident.  Squad arrived to find the accident was in Middle Paxton Twp.  Co.38 (Dauphin) had already been alerted.  A Tractor Trailer hauling road paint had struck the median and overturned into the berm spilling its contents on both east and westbound lanes.  Tanker 2 was requested for decon.  Traffic and Utility 2 were requested for traffic control.  This was an extremely difficult time for evening rush hour commuters as Routes 11&15 was also closed due to a previous fatal accident.  Squad crew provided hazard containment and also flowed approximately 11,000 gallons of water to clean up spill.

Units cleared and the road was opened @ 2252. 

Dellville Rd Car Fire

4/30 @ 1728 Squad and Tanker 2 alerted to 166 Dellville Rd. for a car fire.  Tanker 2 arrived to find a well off passenger vehicle.  Tanker crew stretched a 150' attack line and extinguished the fire.  Squad 2 crew assisted with overhaul.  Cleared @ 1812.

Paradise Rd Woods Fire

4/26 @ 1206 Company 2 dispatched to 80 Paradise Rd for a woods fire.  Engine, Tanker, Brush and Utility 2 with assistance from Tanker and Brush 9 (New Buffalo) and Tanker and Utility 8 (New Bloomfield) contained and extinguished the fire.  Cleared @1422.

Fisherville Worker

4/9 @ 1757  Squad 2 was requested to assist Co.216 (Fisherville) with a working house fire.  Squad crew assisted with extinguishment and overhaul.  Cleared @ 2147.

Route 274 pin

4/2  @1748 Company 2 was alerted to Route 274 and Locust St. for an auto accident involving a motorcycle.  Squad 2 crew stabilized the vehicle, removed the drivers side door for patient removal and applied absorbent to leaking fluids.  Fire Police controlled traffic.  Cleared @ 1830. 

Clarks Ferry Bridge pin

3/27 @ 2008 Company 2 was dispatched to the Clarks Ferry Bridge, westbound, for an auto accident involving a motorcycle.  Chief 2 (Worner) arrived to find a motorcycle on its side with the driver entangled.  Medic 81 requested Life Lion.  Engine 2 was dispatched to handle landing zone.  Squad 2 crew stabilized the motorcycle, extricated the driver and controlled leaking gasoline.  Fire Police controlled traffic.  Cleared @ 2122.

Lower Bailey Rd Job

03/11 @ 0330.  Company 2 was alerted to a structure fire in the 300 Block of Towpath Road.  Rescue, Engine and Tanker 2 went enroute and were advise by county that the calls were being recieved from 322 and put the fire in that area.  Additional calls to Perry County Communications gave the correct location of the fire to be on Lower Bailey Road, making this a Company 10 (Newport) Box.  Duncannon units arrived to find a fully envolved structure that had already began to collapse.  Crews pulled 2 lines of of Rescue 2 and began to work on extinguishment.  Company 2 remained on the scene to assist with overhaul and was released just after 7am.

Field Fire

03/07 @ 1022 Company 2 was alerted to a field fire on Fritz Drive.  Engine, Tanker and     Brush 2 responded to find aproximately 5 acres involved.  Tanker 2 supplied the Engine       which had 2 lines off, while the Brush took the far side of the field.  Tanker and Brush 9       (New Buffalo) were called to assist at the scene, and Engine 11-1 (Perdix) set up a fill site        on Hass Dr.

February

Stats

Perdix Job

02/23 @ 1947  County dispatched the box for a house fire on Firehouse Road in Perdix.    Engine 2 was out the door in about a minute, followed by Tanker 2, Utility 2 and Traffic 2.  Engine 11 went responding and advised county of a working fire.  Upon arrival, Engine 11 (Perdix)  then advised of possible entrapment, however the occupant was found outside the building a short time later.  Engine 2 established water supply and a tanker dump site on 11/15 at  Firehouse Road, and supplied Engine 6 (Marysville), while the crew went inside and      assisted with the attack.  Crews were on the scene about three hours.

Rescue Out of Service

02/20 While enroute to the accident on 322, Rescue 2 experienced a mechanical failure that put it out of service.  We would like to send a special thank you to Kellers for assisting us with the tow, as well as the many members of the community that offered their assistance with diagnosing the problem

RTS 22&322

2/20 @ 1413  Company 2 dispatched to Rts. 22&322 at the Red Rabbit Drive In for an accident with unknown injuries.  Chief 2 (Worner) arrived to find no injuries with an oil spill from the truck.  Rescue 2 experienced mechanical failure on the way to the call.  Engine 2 and Engine 29-1 (Halifax) were dispatched to replace.  Engine 2 crew applied absorbent to contain the spill.  Fire Police controlled traffic.  Cleared @ 1511.

Operation Save a Life

The Duncannon Fire Company has teamed up with ABC 27 and Kidde to offer free smoke detectors to residents of Duncannon Borough and the surrounding area.  The best way to save lives is through prevention.  By installing a smoke detector on each floor of your residence, your chances of surviving a fire are greatly increased.  Simply stop by the firehouse or call 834-3234 to set up an appointment for your FREE smoke detector. 

Cove Road Farming Accident with Flyout

02/07 @ 1553  Rescue 2 was dispatched to assist Rescue 11 with a farming accident with flyout.  Crews arrived to find a patient injured by a P.T.O. shaft from a farm tractor.  Crews assisted with patient care and set up a landing zone for Life Lion.

Glutz Hole Rd MVA

02/06 @ 1813  Rescue 2 was dispatched to Glutz Hole Rd in the area of Dellville Rd for a motor vehicle accident.  The vehicle was found off the road and partially in a creek bed with the occupant still inside.  Crews used the Nightmare Struts to stabalize the lower end of the vehicle, while the up hill end was secured to the Resuce using chains and come a longs.  The patient was then extricated and handed over to EMS for evaluation.

January

Recap

Route 849 Rollover

02/03 @ 0721  Rescue 2 was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident with rollover on Route 849 in the area of Pennells Church Road.  While enroute, crews encountered very icy conditions.  The Rescue arrived to find a single vehicle on its roof with the patient self extricated.  The fluid spills were contained, and the rescue remained on scene awaiting Penn Dot and a tow truck.

Routes 11/15 Rollover

01/30 @ 0534.  Company 2 was alerted to a motor vehicle accident with rollover on Route 11/15 Southbound in the area of Duncannon Mountain.  Crews arrived to find a single       vehicle overturned with the patient self extricated.  Crews then provided lighting and assisted    with traffic control.

Cub Scout Tour

1/24  The Cub Scouts of Duncannon were given a tour of both stations along with a ride on Squad 2.

Halifax Worker

1/18 @ 1231 Squad 2 was alerted to assist Co.29 (Halifax) at 34 N 2nd St in the Borough of Halifax for a house fire.  Personnel assisted with overhaul.  Cleared @ 1322.

Newport Worker

1/16 @ 1216 Squad and Tanker 2 were requested to assist Co. 10 (Newport) at 166 Meadow Grove Rd. for a house fire.  The Squad was redirected to Green Valley Campground on Juniata Parkway East to set up a fill site at the river.  Tanker 2 supplied Truck 10 at the scene.  Tankers were filled 4 times using approx. 10,000 gallons of water.  Cleared @1457. 

Rts 11&15 mva

1/12 @ 0759 Squad 2 alerted to assist Co.11(Perdix) for an auto accident with injuries.  A pick up towing a trailer ran off the road into the trees.  Patient released by BLS after evaluation and signoff.  FD controlled traffic until PSP arrived.  Cleared @0822.

1/5 Tonight at the Penn Township Board of Supervisors meeting, a compromise was reached between the Duncannon Fire Company and the Township.  THE DUNCANNON FIRE COMPANY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF PENN TOWNSHIP IN 2009!!  The township commissioners passed a motion that they will enter into talks with the fire company for the purpose of securing future funding through the use of a fire tax, and the fire company agreed to accept the previous contract that they had rejected.  Talks will begin between both parties in the near future.  THE DUNCANNON AND PERDIX FIRE COMPANIES WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE DUNCANNON FIRE COMPANY SUBSTATION LOCATED AT 423 NEW BLOOMFIELD RD ON SATURDAY THE 24TH OF JANUARY AT 3PM.  The purpose of this meeting will be for the fire companies to explain to the public our stance in the funding battle as well as answer any questions that the residents may have.  We encourage everyone to attend, and have any questions or concerns you may have ready, so we may provide an answer to you.  Although a compromise has been reached, the support of the public is still needed to help secure our future.

Penn Township Update

2008

Recap

DECEMBER

RECAP

Passing of a Fire Fighter's Father

Lester T. Dormida, Jr., 72, of Harrisburg, died Saturday in Hershey Medical Center.
He and his wife, the former Carol Hixon, celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on February 22, 2008.
Lester was currently employed by US Security, Harrisburg having worked in security for 30 years.
Lester served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.
In addition to his wife, Carol, he is survived by a son, Andrew T. of Duncannon, Pa; daughters, Kim Lander, Karen Sibley and Brenda; brothers, Thomas and Paul, sister, Gladys Stettler; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Dormida family and their friends.

12/25  This morning, members of the Duncannon Fire Company and Tubby's Nightclub management delivered Christmas gifts to a Watts Township family.  We were approached by Tubby's and asked to assist them in this program, and were glad to assist.  Next year, we hope to expand to at least three families.  Donations can be made at Tubby's Night Club

from the members of the Duncannon Fire Company!

Accident with Rollover

12/21 At 0426, Rescue 2 was alerted to a vehicle accident with rollover in the 600 block of Dellville Rd.  The rescue arrived to find a pickup truck that had rolled repeatedly and was now resting on its wheels.  EMS arrived just prior to fire, and the patient was already out of the vehicle and in their care when we arrived.  The crew secured the vehicle and cleared debris from the roadway.

Duncannon Fire Company NEEDS the support of Penn Township Residents

Fire protection to the township may end on January 1st

At the December monthly meeting, members of the Duncannon Fire Company voted against signing a contract with Penn Township for fire protection in 2009. In a funding battle that has gone on with Penn Township for over five years, the Township has refused to provide a significant funding increase that is necessary to secure the future of the Duncannon Fire Company. While multiple attempts have been made to educate the Penn Township Board of Supervisors and the public why this increase is necessary, it has fallen on deaf ears. The officers and members of the Duncannon Fire Company regret having to come to this decision, and cite their reasoning as the acceptance of the fact that they can not continue to provide the current level of service that the township residents expect and deserve with the current level of funding that is available to them. While we appreciate the donations that residents have made to the fire company, not everyone donates and not enough revenue is generated by these donations to offset the high cost of operation. While we understand the financial burden this funding increase will place on residents, we see it as the only feasible and economic option. Without the services of the Duncannon Fire Company, Township residents will most likely see a significant increase in their home owners insurance, and many areas of the township will no longer be eligible for renters insurance. We believe this increase will cost residents far more than the proposed funding increase. As stated in Pennsylvania law, local municipalities are required to ensure the proper level of funding to the emergency services that protect their area. To this point, Penn Township has been grossly negligent in fulfilling this duty. We request the residents of Penn Township be present at the next meeting of the Penn Township Board of Supervisors on December 30^th at 7pm in order to voice their opinions an concerns in this matter. Members of the Duncannon Fire Company will be present to answer questions regarding this decision.

We would again like to offer our sincerest apologies to the residents of Penn Township, and hope you will attend the meeting to show your support for the only fire company in Perry County that has received recognition by the state for the level of training that its members have obtained.

TRAFFIC 2

It’s finally here! Traffic 2 is complete and has made history as the first traffic unit in Perry County. It was placed in service in May of 2008 and decaled in November of 2008.

Traffic 2 was started by Fire Police Captain/Vice President Gary W. Hilbish Sr. in 2000. When Gary went home to be with the Lord in 2001, the traffic unit was put on hold. It was then started again in 2007 by newly appointed Fire Police Captain Kevin Trevenen and Lieutenant Gary W. Hilbish Jr., who is the son of Gary Sr. Both have put countless hours into it until completed. This could not have been accomplished without the help and support of other Fire Police members and the Fire Company with fundraisers and donations. Also thanks to local organizations and municipalities for their contributions.

Traffic 2 has been dedicated to the memory and honor of Captain/VP Gary W. Hilbish Sr. for his loyalty and services to the Fire Company, Fire Police and the community.

Accident with Confinement on 11/15

12/11/08  @0945, Squad 2 was alerted for a single vehicle mva on 11/15 Northbound just north of 322.  The Squad arrived to find a single vehicle up on the median wall with the driver still inside.  Crews broke out the chains and binders for the second time in a week, and secured the vehicle to a PennDot plow truck that was in the southbound lanes.  The driver was extricated and turned over to ems for evaluation.  Crews were out just under an hour.

2009 Line and Eboard Officers

State Participating Program

11/24  Co. 2 is now recognized as a Participating Department of the Pennsylvania Fire Service Certification Program according to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.