227 & BFC-PGH Team Up

Recently Penn Hills Station 227 was contacted by Bears for Comfort – Pittsburgh, PA. and wanted to start a partnership for local children that have been involved in traumatic situations (house fires, auto accidents, medical emergencies).

Sunday afternoon Bears For Comfort-Pittsburgh dropped off SIXTY (60) teddy bears at St.227. Each Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Station will get ten (10) teddy bears each to keep on their vehicles. These teddy bears will be given to children at emergency incidents.

The Bears For Comfort organization was founded on September 11th, 2018. This group provides Police, Fire, and EMS agencies in Allegheny County, Pa with stuffed animals and teddy bears who then give them to children in a traumatic situation. House fires, auto accidents, emergency medical and other situations.

This organization is funded by community donations. Please follow the link to their page and give them a “LIKE”. Help get this great groups name out into the Facebook community!!!

THANK YOU BEARS FOR COMFORT – PITTSBURGH!!!!

Rescue 227 Gets New Hurst Cutters

On Thursday afternoon Station 227 & Station 223 took delivery of our new HURST Jaws of Life eDraulic S799E2 cutters. These cutters are battery powered and no longer have to be corded to the rescue trucks. Station 223 & 227 provide Penn Hills and surrounding communities with all aspects of rescue services. Both companies train and work hand in hand, and together we are both committed to providing residents and guests of Penn Hills with the most modern and up to date equipment and rescues services. The new cutters will go in service this weekend, and members will continue to train on them.

Rescue 227 Gets New Hurst Spreader

On Thursday afternoon Station 227 & Penn Hills VFD Station 223 took delivery of our new HURST Jaws of Life eDraulic SP777E2 32” Spreaders. These spreaders are battery powered and no longer have to be corded to the rescue trucks. Station 223 & 227 provide Penn Hills and surrounding communities with all aspects of rescue services. Both companies train and work hand in hand, and together we are both committed to providing residents and guests of Penn Hills with the most modern and up to date equipment and rescues services. The new spreaders will go in service this weekend, and members will continue to train on them.

Even with averaging 79 fire & rescue calls per month, members still took time Monday evening for our regular bi-weekly company training for 227. Members kept their technical rescue skills sharp by reviewing patient care and packaging, safety systems, rope systems 3:1/4:1/5:1 just to name a few. Thank you to all the members who are always eager to learn more and put the extra effort in.

Station 227 Receives Two (2) Rope Rescue Dog Harnesses

On Friday July 13th, Station 227 was one (1) of seven (7) fire departments called to the scene of a vehicle over a 150’ hillside at the intersection of Grove Rd at Lincoln Rd. A PHPD Officer slid down the hill prior to rescuers arriving on scene in an attempt to check on the status of the driver. Once responders arrived on scene, two (2) rescuers from St.227 proceeded over the hillside to make contact with the victim and the PHPD Officer. When rescuers made it down the hillside they found that everyone was in good condition. They also discovered the operator of the vehicle had his 100+ lb. pit bull “BOSS” with him.

With about fifty (50) firefighters on scene, they set up multiple complex rope rescue systems. All equipment was utilized from 227RQ. While this was taking place, rescuers were faced with an added degree of difficulty. How to safely bring up “BOSS”. With all of the training the PHVFD goes through, rescuing a canine was over looked. Crews were able to adapt equipment on scene in order to safely secure the canine and the rest is history.

After the incident was over, administration officers from 227 saw the need for a K-9 rescue harness. St.227 turned to social media for assistance, and almost immediately Cindy Lippert and the Lifesavers Animal Rescue Inc answered the call. They started a “Go Fund Me” event for two (2) canine rescue harnesses (Small & Large). 11 Hours later, we reached our goal of $400.

The amazing thing is that people kept donating after we reached our goal. That extra money allowed us to expand on our own version of a “K-9 Rope Rescue Kit”.

•Rock N’ Rescue K-9 Rescue Harness (Small)
•Rock N’ Rescue K-9 Rescue Harness (Large)
•Rock N’ Rescue Large Storage Bag
•K9 Muzzle (Small)
•K9 Muzzle (Medium)
•K9 Muzzle (Large)
•Nylon Chewy Bone
•Adjustable Collar
•8ft Leash
•Collapsible Water Bowl
•Blanket

These specialized harnesses will be available to ANY agency that would need them. In the coming weeks, members of St.227 will undergo training with all this new equipment.

Thank you to everyone that donated, and a special thank you to CINDY LIPPERT and the Lifesavers Animal Rescue Inc. for spearheading everything.

Please go over to Lifesavers Animal Rescue Inc. page and give it a “LIKE” & “FOLLOW”. If you are looking for a dog or cat, think about adopting. Their page has all kind of information on dogs that are looking for a forever home. Here are a few links to all the stories.

https://www.lifesaversanimalrescue.net/

https://www.facebook.com/LifeSaversAnimalRescueInc/

‘Everyone Has A Soft Spot For Animals’: 2 Dog Rescue Harnesses Donated To Penn Hills Fire Dept.

https://triblive.com/local/pennhills/13930982-74/group-raises-nearly-500-to-buy-dog-rescue-harnesses

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Now Accepting Applications For Live-In Firefighter Program

Penn Hills No.7 VFC is now accepting applications for Live-In Firefighter (FT-Student & FT-Employed).  There are two goals of the Penn Hills No.7 Live-In program.  First is to provide a fully staffed 100 % volunteer fire station for quick response for service 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week.  The second is to give you the firefighter the necessary education needed to procure employment within a career department.  Living at the fire department is a unique experience that can be as rewarding and educational as you choose to make it.  The program is both demanding and time consuming, but it is our hope that it creates the discipline and respect that is expected in a career fire department. Motivation, dedication and professionalism are qualities that successful Live-In’s must possess.  Primarily, our focus is to recruit personnel with previous Fire and Rescue experience, although none is required to file an application.

We also allow Live-In members to be employed full time and live at the station. The Live-In is required to maintain employment, not less than 32 hours per week, no time limit is imposed, and all other applicable rules as a member apply. Both types of membership encourage participation in all fire company activities as regulated by the Fire Company By-Laws.

Applicants for live-in membership must be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma or GED. A Pennsylvania mailing address and drivers licenses is also required within State required time-frame. Openings in the program will be filled as per the Membership Committee and Fire Chief. First consideration to new applicants will be given to persons with previous Fire Department and/or Rescue experience or certification. Applicants will be required to complete an official application after meeting with the Fire Chief and sign a release for a background investigation to verify requested information. An interview will then be conducted for suitability of membership after completion of the background checks.  If you are interested in gaining a VALUABLE experience as a Live-In Firefighter, Then the Penn Hills No.7 VFC wants you! Click HERE for an application for membership!!!

HIGHLIGHTS

  • NO QRS/First Responder Calls
  • Free room & board
  • Modern apparatus & equipment
  • New TWP fire training complex (.5 miles from No.7,Fall-18 Completion)
  • Close to Schools, Colleges & Universities
  • Use of company vehicle for transportation to fire school/grocery,shopping
  • Full paid scholarship to CCAC through FireVest* (we will help you apply)
  • High-speed wireless internet
  • Entertainment including: HD Cable, X-Box One, Netflix, Hulu
  • Quiet study areas available at all times
  • Living quarters & storage
  • Free laundry utilities
  • Fully-equipped kitchen with appliances
  • Reimbursed Gym Membership Fees
  • Extensive Fire & Rescue experiences
  • ALL personal protective equipment supplied
  • Close to shopping, activities & restaurants
  • Build a friendship that will last forever

2 Members Receive Life Memberships

Saturday evening, Station 227 went out of service for a few hours to celebrate our annual banquet. Members received recognition for top calls runners, and two members received recognition of service awards. FF William Gentile and FF Moe Rayan received their “Life Memberships”. This membership status is given to members that have completed 25 (twenty-five) years of service with 227. Thank you to both of these gentlemen for years of hard work and dedication.

Top 10 Fire Call Response Awards:

  • John King
  • James Davis
  • Austin Pipes
  • Larry Zamora
  • Ken Lander
  • Tom Kutcher
  • Bill Jeffcoat
  • Don Long
  • O.M.
  • Isaiah Wilson