As many young people in the 1970's I was hooked on Emergency 51. I guess my goal was to someday be a firefighter. My dad joined our neighborhood fire department and I thought that was the greatest thing. I can remember riding my bike to the station when the alarms blew just to watch the truck respond, thinking someday I would be on it.
In 1981 that came true when he joined the Union Fire Co. in Coal Township as a junior member. Back then (" it doesn't seem like 20 + years" ) we still rode the tailboard, an older member had to stand outside me ( "I guess so I didn't fall off" ) In 1986 he was elected as 2nd Lieutenant, then he made rank of 1st Lieutenant.
In 1989, after getting married and moving to Elysburg, he joined the company. He was appointed Lieutenant in 1992, where he stayed until 1994 when he was elected as Assistant Chief. In 1997, he was elected as Chief, then in 1998 he served as Captain for 2 years before going back in as Assistant Chief in 2000. He currently is theChief.
Since 1999, he has been employed at Merck & Co. in Riverside PA, in the Emergency Services Department. He is
an Assistant Chief in the fire department and is also a Haz Mat Technician and Department Of Health certified First Responder. Merck operates 1 engine, 1 ladder, a Haz Mat and rescue.
In October of 2001, he achieved the certification of Fire Fighter 1. In November of 2002', he received his Fire Fighter II certification, along with Fire Instructor 1. He is currently a non-suppression instructor and is working
toward becoming a suppression instructor.
Closing Thoughts;
Anyone can ride a fire engine, blow the siren and even "dress up" in some
bunker gear.....But it is TRAINING that helps turn that "anyone" into a
FIREFIGHTER who actually HAS a clue, on what to actually DO, for the
civilians, themselves and for their Brothers and Sisters.....Billy Goldfeder
Remember when your pager goes off, someone needs our help !!
Lead by example !
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