Feb. 2012: Sorry for such another long overdue update! Back in April of 2011, the city hired 2 more firemen. Christopher Hughes and Michael Deems have been on the job since and are doing well. It is also with sadness that we report the loss of another retiree. J. William Carr (Billy) passed away in 2011. He leaves behind many fond memories and amusing stories. He is missed by all! Please check out this website, and support Reverand Peter Malik in his efforts to establish a national day of recognition for emergency service first responders:
NEWS AND UPDATES, FEBRUARY 2011:
Welcomes and congratulations are in order!
First, we would like to welcome our newly hired city fireman, Michael Smithburger. Mike formerly was a career member of the Montgomery County, MD Fire Department and also serves as a member and officer of a local fire company. We're glad to have you with us!
Also, we would like to welcome the newest PA I.A.F.F. locals, Phoenixville F.D. - Local L-4839, and Harrisburg International Airport - Local L-4838. In addition, we would like to congratulate Boeing Helicopter I.A.F.F. Local I-17 for joining the state association. Additionally, we would like to welcome recent locals that were added in PA in the past couple years: Professional Emergency Service Providers of Berks L-4803, Berks Firefighters L-4755, East Goshen L-4752, Peters Township L-4750, Washington County EMS Professionals L-4792, and Wyomissing L-4791. We plan to post a complete list of all PA locals on this site soon.
Speaking of the state association, we would like to congratulate P.P.F.F.A. President Art Martynuska on his retirement from the City of Johnstown F.D. He continues to serve as the state association president. Good luck Art, and thanks for all the help you and your staff gave us when we needed it!
Also, in regard to retirees, we would like to congratulate two recent retirees form the "other big city" here in Fayette County.... Congratualtions to Connellsville F.D. members Dennis Petrowski and Bill Mickey on their retirements.
Best of luck and best wishes to our friends at the Wilkinsburg Fire Department and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire in regard to their planned merger.
And last, but certainly not least, a long over due congratulations is in order to one of our own... Congratulations to Francis Squires on his retirement this past year, and thanks for your years of service! We must also sadly note that we lost a retiree this past year... Paul "Scooter" Richardson passed away and will be missed by the entire membership of the Uniontown F.D.
OCTOBER 2, 2010 UPDATE:
AS OF THIS FRIDAY, ALL CAREER FIRE PERSONNEL ARE BACK TO WORK. NO LAYOFFS TOOK PLACE AND OUR ARBITRATION CASE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING OUR OTHER LAID OFF MEMBERS BACK TO WORK. ON TOP OF THAT, OUR MEMBERS WOUND UP WITH A PRETTY GOOD CONTRACT FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS.
We would like to thank those who helped us through this. All of our family, friends, supporters, volunteer members of the fire bureau, fellow area fire departments, our attorney Joshua Bloom, the officers and members of the PA Professional Firefighters Association, the members and officers of the I.A.F.F., and countless others. We would also like to thank the city of Uniontown and it's elected officials and hope this can be a new start, so that we both can work together to provide the best possible fire protection for this city!
PREVIOUS ARTICLES:
Older article: AS OF AUGUST 25, 2010 - THE CITY OF UNIONTOWN PLANS TO LAY OFF IT'S ENTIRE CAREER FIRE DEPARTMENT!
Please see the section "Our Situation" for more details
Older article: Uniontown to lay off 7 firefighters
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Associated Press (link below)
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A Must See Video Of The Crafton Volunteer Fire Chief concerning manpower.
This video (click on link at bottom to view) of the Crafton, PA fire chief reporting that the lack of volunteers hampered and endangered both the public and the safety of his men pretty much sums it up the situation in the City of Uniontown! While we give our volunteer counterparts everywhere credit for their service, the decline in volunteer membership is a rapidly growing trend everywhere. And now, struggling communities looking to save money are looking at paid fire department cuts more and more. So if the number of BOTH paid and volunteer firemen are declining, just who is going to put out the fires and provide service to the taxpayers? Fire service is the last thing that should be cut! Loss of property means loss of tax base and even more budget woes! Some more progressive communities once served by 100% volunteer companies are turning to combination paid/volunteer systems, which is a great step, but not enough are doing this. The average turnout on a reported structural fire is three volunteer firemen and four paid firemen here in Uniontown. Any cuts would reduce the already minimal manpower situation to something very dangerous. This applies for any community served by paid or combination fire departments, not just Uniontown. Please read the article and watch the video. Once the manpower cut are in place it will be TOO LATE.
http://kdka.com/local/Crafton.fire.Afton.2.1306454.html
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Homepage > Pittsburgh News
Clairton Fire Traps, Kills Kids While Mom Yells For Help
Teenage Survivor Taken To Pittsburgh Hospital After Row House Blaze
POSTED: 3:51 am EDT October 23, 2009
UPDATED: 7:38 pm EDT October 23, 2009
CLAIRTON, Pa. -- Three young children were trapped in an early-morning fire on Soltis Drive in Clairton, while a mother screamed for someone to rescue them from an upstairs bedroom.
Deausha Faulk, age 6, and Rachel Finn, age 9
| | "It was just, um, I don't think there's a word for it. I really don't," said Firefighter John Williams, who responded to the call shortly after 1 a.m. Friday.
Video - Channel 4's Marcie Cipriani Talks With Firefighters Who Responded To Call
Firefighters struggled to reach the victims -- Michael Zigler, 2, Deausha Faulk, 6, and Rachel Finn, 9 -- inside a rowhouse in the 2800 block of Soltis. All three children were pronounced dead at Jefferson Regional Medical Center by 2:15 a.m.
Video - Watch Ashlie Hardway's Report From Clairton
Markel Finn-Faulk, the mother of Deausha and Rachel, was able to escape her burning home by the time help arrived. Three visitors also got out alive -- Tiarra Williams, 17, Essence Finn, 14, Daishawn Smith, 11. "It's just so hard. I don't know what to say. My sister -- she's going through it," said Finn-Faulk's sister, Shawna Zigler, the mother of the 2-year-old who died.
Slideshow: Images From The Scene
Firefighters and police officers tried to save the trapped children, but the fire was too intense. | |
Firefighters and police officers tried to get the three young children out of the home but were not successful. Police said they went through the front door but could only get as far as the top of the stairs before the fire became too hot for them to advance.
"One of the guys partially went through the floor, and they continued on because they knew the kids were definitely up there, so it's tough. It really is," Williams said.
Michael was visiting the home, while the girls, Deausha and Rachel, lived in the house with their mother.
"It's like my heart just stopped. It's like I lost myself for a minute," said Shawna Zigler. "It's like things is going slow and we're stuck in time, you know?"
"They were loved and they're beautiful. We're going to miss them," said the girls' aunt, Serena Cosby.
The 17-year-old was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh to be treated for smoke inhalation and burns, Allegheny County police said. A firefighter also suffered minor burns.
Three young children are dead after an early-morning fire on Soltis Drive in Clairton Friday, after they were apparently trapped in an upstairs bedroom. | |
The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation, but it's believed that the fire started in the kitchen in the back of the apartment on the first floor. Fire investigators told Hardway there were working smoke detectors in the home and the case is not considered to be suspicious.
County Fire Marshal Bob Full said officers and firefighters are devastated they weren't able to reach the kids in time.
"Everything that was humanly possible to save these young children was done. The fire was extraordinarily dangerous and in this particular case, it's taken its toll," Full said.
"The first thing I did whenever I got home this morning was pull my daughter up out of the crib -- she's 14 months old -- gave her a big hug and a kiss, and just pray that you never have to deal with it again," Williams said.
The Red Cross told Channel 4 Action News it's assisting both of the families with food and shelter. I don't know what I'm going to do," said Shawna Zigler, who said she didn't have any insurance. "I just need the community to come together and help my sister with this tragedy."
Note from our web staff here at IAFF Local 955: We give the Clairton Fire Department a lot of credit in their brave attempt to save the children and fight the fire. This video and story is posted here to remind the public of how precious life is and show how fast a tragedy can occur. Regardless of the type of fire department that protects your community; paid, volunteer, or combination; please always give them your total support!
The Clairton City School District released the following statement regarding the loss of the 3 children:
We are extremely saddened by the news of the fire that occurred in Clairton and took the lives of 3 children. The district mourns their loss and we will have counselors available at the school today for any student or staff member who would need assistance.
We understand that the older children are in area hospitals and we will do all that we can to support them during this difficult time. When school resumes on Monday, the crisis team will be available to speak to all students.
Donations can be sent to the school district office at 501 Waddell Ave., Clairton, Pa., 15025.
Include a notation that says your donation is for the fire victims.
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A Firefighter's Life Video- CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW
Posted by Rene Monteson September 27, 2009
A video that show the day in and day out duties of a firefighter that people might not be aware of. Your worst nightmare is just another day at the office for a firefighter.
http://media.causes.com/598856?
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DISCLAIMER:
Pictures, graphics and content that are used on the website(unless other wise stated, ie: Herald Standard) are property of Uniontown Fire Department and the webmaster. Photographers from the Herald Standard are given credit for thier work. Other photos from other sources have been used as well. I, in NO WAY, claim those pictures and the photographers name, if known, is always given as well as the source.
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Last updated, February 24, 2011
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Uniontown Fire Department Web Team
F.F./Engineer (Ret) Francis M Squires - Webservent
F.F./Engineer/Inspector Scott A Conn, B.A.- Editor/Writer
Donna Martin - UFD Photographer
The Officers and Members of the I.A.F.F. Local 955
and
The Members of the
Keystone Fire Company
Union Hose Company No. 1
Chief Williams Hook and Ladder Company
and
The Uniontown Firemen's Ambulance Corps
Any Questions, Comments or Suggestions?
Please Email Us.
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