IN Peters Township April/May 2018 | Page 16

ANSWERING THE NEXT ALARM The Peters Township Fire Department (PTFD) is comprised of a combination of career and volunteer firefighters, which enables the department to provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to Peters Township residents 24/7. In recent decades, many volunteer departments across the commonwealth have faced a steady decline in the number of volunteers. In an effort to combat this trend, PTFD embarked on a new recruiting campaign in the fall of 2015, aimed at township residents looking to give back to their community – the slogan: “Step Up and Answer the Next Alarm!” Over the past three years, PTFD has been fortunate to recruit an average of four firefighters per year. These men and women have completed hundreds of hours of training on topics such as firefighting, hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, and emergency medicine. Much of the training has benefits that extend further than the fire service. “Fire training has opened my eyes to a different way of problem solving in high stress situations,” said Nick Nye, one of PTFD’s new recruits. The firefighters come from a variety of backgrounds including law, insurance, and technology. Their responsibilities 14 PETERS TOWNSHIP include duty shifts, call response, and training. Sean Walters, recipient of PTFD’s Firefighter of the Year Award for a second time in 2017 said it “offers me a sense of pride in my community and an opportunity to serve and protect my neighbors”. PTFD also operates a “Junior” firefighter program for those interested in the fire service who are 16 or older. Approximately 75% of PTFD junior firefighters remain with the department after they turn 18, and already have received valuable training and education. PTFD maintains a roster of approximately 15 career and 30 volunteer firefighters that operate out of two stations located in McMurray and Venetia. It is through the dedication of these individuals that we are able to provide exceptional emergency response to the residents of Peters Township. Are You Ready to Answer the Next Alarm? Contact us at 724.941.4176, or [email protected] for more information.