Chartiers Valley Fire Departments

Pennsylvania's 2,425 volunteer fire departments are a priceless, yet often underappreciated, resource to their communities. They take on one of the world's most dangerous professions, but their members ask for no compensation in return.

The men and women who step up for this duty make a major commitment. They must complete 160 hours of essentials training before they can even set foot in a burning house, and continue to train on at least a weekly basis with their home departments. They devote their free time to fundraisers, equipment maintenance, and administrative duties, on top of responding to calls. And they're always in need of more helping hands.

Their work reaches far beyond fighting fires as well. They respond to car accidents, chemical spills and a host of other incidents. They visit elementary schools, nursing homes and other community institutions to educate the public on fire prevention. 

In the Chartiers Valley area, the following departments provide these valuable services to their neighbors in a time of need:

BRIDGEVILLE

Name: Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department

Location: 370 Commercial Street, Bridgeville

Phone: 412.221.1711

Web site: www.bridgevillevfd.com

Line Officers: Chief Bill Chilleo; First Assistant Chief Dave Rauch; Second Assistant Chief Doug McMillan; Captain Jim Corrins; First Lieutenant Greg Johnston; Second Lieutenant Pat Corrins

Executive Officers: President Vevette McCaskey; Vice President Fred Ayres; Secretary Bill Davis; Treasurer Debbie Dolence

Membership: 50 active and lifetime, 3 junior

Equipment:Two heavy pumpers, one heavy rescue 100-foot ladder truck, pick-up truck, foam unit

Fundraiser events: Monday bingo, Annual Fish Fry, Cash Bash

In Their Own Words: "How you feel after a Kennywood ride, that's how we feel when the call comes in." -- Chief Bill Chilleo

COLLIER TOWNSHIP

Name: Kirwan Heights Volunteer Fire Department

Location: 1200 Washington Pike, Bridgeville

Phone: 412.221.8382

Web site: N/A

Line Officers: Chief Mark Lewis; Assistant Erick Podurgiel; Captain Jordan Fascetti; First Lieutenant Earle Allender; Second Lieutenant Troy Riddell

Executive Officers: President Joel Donovic; Vice President Jonathan Morris; Treasurer William Lacey; Secretary Richard Ward.

Membership: 35 active, 9 career

Equipment: Two medic trucks/ambulances, one squad van, one wheelchair van

Fundraiser events: Hall of Flame Golf Classic (along with the two other Collier departments), Night at the Races (with Heidelberg)

In Their Own Words: "If it comes to the point where they have to close a department because there's nobody to answer any calls, it would be heartbreaking." -- Chief Mark Lewis

Name: Presto Volunteer Fire Department

Location: 5228 Thoms Run Road, Presto

Phone: 412.221.5677

Web site: www.prestovfd.org

Line Officers: Chief Dan Wauthier; First Assistant Chief Mike Magdich; Second Assistant Chief Glen Eger; Captain Frank Gardner; First Lieutenant Jason Magdich; Second Lieutenant Charlie Wright; Safety Officers Shawn Hardiman and Joe Klein

Executive Officers: President Glen Eger; Vice President Frank Gardner; Treasurer John Stavish; Secretary Joe Klein; Sargeant-At-Arms Calvin Berty

Membership: 30 active

Equipment: Two fire engines, rescue truck, squad van

Fundraiser events: Thursday Bingo, Annual Chili Cook-Off, Hall of Flame Golf Classic

In Their Own Words: "Once [firefighting] gets into your blood, you can't get rid of it." -- Chief Dan Wauthier 

Name: Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department

Location: 30 Suburban Avenue, Carnegie

Phone: 412.276.9652

Web site: N/A

Line Officers: Chief Ralph Shipley; Assistant Chief Joe Yurchak; Second Assistant Chief Matt Zeman; Captain Frank Trosky; First Lieutenant Tony Santavicca; Second Lieutenant Bobby Brown

Executive Officers: President Bud Bunecicky; Vice President John Kripp; Secretary Dawn Shipley; Treasurer Matt Zeman

Members: 48 active

Equipment: Heavy Pumper, Rescue Truck, Ambulance

Fundraiser events: Annual fish fries, Hall of Flame golf outing, Poker run

In Their Own Words: "Get the best training you can. The more you know, the safer you're going to be." -- Captain Frank Trosky

HEIDELBERG

Name: Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department

Location: 456 First Street, Heidelberg

Phone: 412-276-5955

Web site: www.heidelbergfire.com

Line Officers: Chief Joe Wissel, Sr.; Assistant Chief Joe Wissel, Jr.; Captain Troy Riddle; First Lieutenant Michael Wissel; Second Lieutenant Jake Wissel

Executive Officers: President Stanley Karpinski; Vice President James McIntyre; Secretary Nancy Wissel; Treasurer Charles Bacu

Members: 32 active, 22 lifetime

Equipment: Two fire engines, utility truck, ambulance, chief vehicle

Special Events: Wednesday Night Bingo, Annual Fish Fry/Homemade Pierogie Sale

In Their Own Words: "In our 100 years, there have been a lot of ups and downs, but the same principal goal--neighbors helping neighbors." -- Assistant Fire Chief Joe Wissel, Jr.

SCOTT TOWNSHIP

Name: Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department

Location: 161 Vanadium Road, Scott Township

Phone: 412.221.3497

Web site: www.bowerhillfire.com

Line Officers: Chief John Levi; Deputy Chief Pete Yohe; Assistant Chief Joe Seaman; Captain Jason Dolence; First Lieutenant Bryan Pritchard; Second Lieutenant Jerry Butts;Third Lieutenant Brad Lynch; Chief Engineer Ed Meyer; Chief Engineer Dave Teti; Engineer Dave Berkman; Engineer Rob Losekamp; Safety Officer Ceil Kitchen; Safety Officer George Fichter; Safety Officer Ed Zombeck

Executive Officers: President Jerry Butts; Vice President Rob Losekamp; Secretary Ceil Kitchen; Treasurer Ed Meyer

Membership: 14 active, 7 associate, 36 life, 7 reserve, 12 friends of the department, 8 junior, 2 on active military duty

Equipment: Three fire engines, squad truck, command SUV, four medic trucks/ambulances

Fundraiser events: Good Friday Fish Fry, Cash Bash (with other Scott Township departments), Breakfast with Santa, Spaghetti Dinner (for junior firefighters)

In Their Own Words: "It's a sacrifice, but it's a very good reward." --Chief John Levi 

Name: East Carnegie Fire Department

Location: 305 Duncan Way, Scott Township

Phone: 412.276.7050

Web site: www.eastcarnegiefire.org

Line Officers: Chief Jim Mykita; Deputy Chief Chuck Bach, Sr.; Captain Adam Kauer; Lieutenant 1 Jason Neczypir 

Executive Officers: President Adam Kauer; Vice President Bill Danley; Treasurer Mark Groll; Secretary Jim Brickley; Seargant-At-Arms Jeff Porter; Chaplain Rev. John Yohe

Membership: 20 active, 1 junior

Equipment: Fire truck, rescue truck, engine, chief's vehicle

Fundraiser events: Night at the Races, Cash Bash (with other Scott Township Departments), Christmas Raffle

In Their Own Words: "There's a role for everybody in the volunteer fire service," Captain and President Adam Kauer

Name: Glendale Hose Company #1

Location: 541 Carothers Avenue, Scott Township

Phone: 412.276.4611

Web site: www.glendale257.com

Line Officers: Chief Tom Salerno, Jr.; Assistant Chief Frank Salerno, Jr.; Captain Scott Cavey; First Lieutenant Dan LaGamba; Second Lieutenant Dan Williams; Third Lieutenant Jeremy Cherosky Safety Officers Pat Mulligan and Dennis Godzinski

Executive Officers: President Pat Mulligan; Vice President Tom Salerno Jr.; Secretary Scott Cavey; Treasurer Doug Williams

Membership: 21 firefighters, 2 junior firefighters

Equipment: Engine, Rescue truck, Fire truck, Squad truck, Utility truck, two medic trucks/ambulances

Fundraiser events: Month-long daily number raffles in July and December, Cash Bash (with other Scott Township Fire Departments)

In Their Own Words: "Every fire station in Allegheny County is in need of members. We're always welcoming of anyone who wants to join." -- Chief Tom Salerno, Jr.