For the second time in as many attempts, local departments will be the recipient of a regional grant award from the Assistance
to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). This year's project included the Avoca and Duryea fire depts (Germania & Excelsior), with
the project's goal to more closely align the departments communications infastructure.
For more than 18 months, the department's leadership have been meeting and looking at ways to have the three departments work more
closely together. This project will supply all new mobile and portable radios as well as new pagers. The mobile and portable
radios will be setup in an identical manner for all departments. In addition to these items, the grant also secured a new
repeater system for our shared local fireground frequency. In agreement with Luzerne County 911, the new repeater will be
added to 911's tower located on Duryea Mountain.
The total amount of this year's award is $203,000, which includes a 5% cost share from the local departments.
Last year, local departments received the area's first regional grant that standardized apparatus fittings and hose couplings
for seven departments in the Greater Pittston area.
Earlier this year, the department received an award to purchase new breathing apparatus as well as a Thermal Imaging Camera. To
date, Station 112 has received several awards through the AFG grant program. More than $554,000 was awarded either directly to
Station 112 or to area departments through regional grants. The department received awards in 2003, 2006, 2008 and two awards in
2009.
Another Weekend of Training
Last weekend was confined space and rope drills. This weekend found local rescuers tackling a trench rescue
scenario. Members from Avoca, Duryea and Plains Rescue got together to sharpen their trench rescue skills.
Working together, crews discussed scene size up and trench rescue hazards. Crews then placed ground pads
around the trench and moved necessary parts of the spoil pile. Once done, crews reviewed the setup for trench
panels and pneumatic shores. The rescuers then began placing panels and completing the shoring process.
In all, four trench panels would be put into place.
We'd like to extend our gratitude to Lake Construction for allowing us to use their property for this training
excercise. We'd also like to thank Plains Rescue for use of Collapse 211.
Plans are in the works to build upon this training and complete a more extensive drill later in the summer.
Crews from Avoca, Duryea, Greenwood, Old Forge and Taylor came together Sunday morning to complete several
technical rescue excercises. With the weather cooperating, crews would be tasked with completing some rope work as well
as two confined space entries.
Based on the department's recent grant award, members attended a special meeting Monday night and approved
the purchase of 15 Scott NxG7 airpacks as well as a new thermal imaging camera. The new airpacks will meet the current NFPA
standards and comes equipped with several options including pak tracker and buddy breathing capabilities.
The bulk of the funding will be coming from the grant funds, with the department handling the local cost share.
In addition to those items, the department will also be receiving a new Protege 4 gas meter. The department expects to have
all items in service sometime in the Spring 2010.
Dept. Recieves AFG Grant Award
Department officials received notification that our 2009 Assistance to Firefighters grant application has been approved
for an award. The scope of the project is to replace the department's current SCBA inventory as well as purchase a new
thermal imaging camera.
The federal funding will cover 95% of the expenses for this project. The federal share is $78,375, with the department's local
share being $4,125. Our current SCBAs are more than 12 years old and nearing the end of their life cycle. Department officials
expect to begin work on this important project as early as next week. Additional details will be made available as the
project develops.
This award marks the fourth time department officials have been successful in obtaining federal grant awards. The department
received awards in 2003 and 2006 to replace personal protective equipment and upgrade portable radios. In 2008, the
department hosted and managed a regional grant award that benefited seven local departments. In all, the department has secured
more than $244,000 in federal funding for the various projects.
Dept. Secures Another Grant
The Department recently received a $500 check from Pa American Water Co. for an application submitted to their Firefighting
Grant Program. The program allows local departments in the Pa American Water Co service area to apply for awards up
to $1,000 maximum to complete various projects.
Station 112 applied for a piercing nozzle, which will compliment the equipment inventory on Engine 112. While used primarily
on vehicle fires to extinguish fires in the engine compartment, the nozzle can also be used to access fire in other difficult locations.
The overall cost of the project will be less than $800, with the grant award covering 63% of the funding. The members of Station 112
are thankful for the opportunity to seek funding under this grant program. We hope to have the nozzle in service within 3-4
weeks.
Pierciing nozzle pictured above
Congrats Jimmy "Little B" Butler
New Year's Eve meant more than just ringing in the new year for one of our own. It meant finally achieving a lifelong dream.
Jimmy Butler grew up around the fire house. He became a junior firefighter at age fourteen. Once a member, he soaked up as much
knowledge he could.
After high school, Jimmy moved a little ways south to attend college in Maryland and take part in the Hyattsville FD live in program.
When not attending classes, Jimmy took in many jobs as part of the Hyattsville gang. Over the course of the past year, Jimmy
was accepted, attended and completed the Recruit Class for the Washington DC Fie Dept. On New Year's Eve, Recruit Class 360
graduated.
Jimmy's parents, along with several members of the 112 gang were on hand to witness the graduation ceremony. Jimmy has been
assigned to Engine Co. 33, the eigth busiest engine in the district.
The 112 gang wishes "Little B" the best of luck in his new career.
The Boys Make Us Proud
(6/22/2009)
We're proud to announce that two of our own have done well for themselves. Lt. Mike VanLuvender (right) was recently hired as a full
time firefighter with the Plains Fire Dept. Lt. VanLuvender is scheduled to start his new career at the end of June.
Jim Butler, Jr. (left) was hired by the Washington D.C. Fire Department. Jim started their fire academy in April and is scheduled
to graduate later this year.
We wish both Mike & Jimmy the best of luck in their new careers. Both departments will be benefited by these fine, talented
individuals.
Firefighters Honored by Duryea Borough Council
(3/1/2009) Nine firefighters from Avoca and Duryea FDs were recently honored by Duryea Council for their response to a recent
fire at the Frank Crossin Towers building on Brown St. The fire would gut one apartment, while sending smoke billowing throughout the
hallways and adjacent apartments.
The firefighters were honored for their efforts in escorting several of the building's residents to safety.
Lt. Mike Lampman, FF Brian Leffler and FF Jim McMahon from Avoca received honors. Asst Chief Jim Brody, Capt. Joe Korea, Lt. Bernie Golublewski,
FF Joe Demich, FF Jim Thomas, and FF Shawn Viadock from the Duryea FD received honors as well.
These accomplishments just remind us of all the hard work and dedication our local responders have and their committment to a job well
done. So to these fine men and all of their counterparts who bravely respond each and every day, we say "Bravo" for a job well done.
Congressman Kanjorski Praises Grant Project
Congressman Kanjorski with Fire Department Representatives
(12/21/2008) Area fire departments received some special recognition for their successful Regional Grant Project.
Congressman Paul Kanjorski met with fire department representatives last week at the Pittston City FD to congratulate them for their
creative project and hard work.
Kanjorski called this a major regional breakthrough as the fire departments are working cooperatively together. He said it is the
first time in Northeastern Pennsylvania that fire companies combined efforts to apply for a grant to benefit more than one
department.
Kanjorski encouraged other fire departments across the region to apply for federal grants and join forces with their
neighboring communities to install more universal fittings.
Avoca Lt. Mike Lampman, author of the grant application said "For too long our fire companies have not been able to collaborate
as easily as we would have liked. We will have the chance to work together if one of the fire companies needs assistance, and
ensure the safety of the residents we protect."
Depts. Receive Federal Grant Dollars
(12/12/2008) Several area fire departments received notice that their Regional Grant Project was awarded $231,000 as part
of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The depts. will team up to cover the required 5% cost share to complete the project.
Departments participating include: Avoca, Excelsior, Germania, Hughestown, Jenkins Twp, Pittston City and West Pittston.
The scope of the project focuses on eliminating barriers to our daily operations, including converting all hose, appliances and couplings to
use National Standard Thread instead of each dept's custom thread. This will eliminate the need of having different adapters to allow
department's to utilize each other's hose and equipment. Additionally, all fire hydrants in each community will be retrofitted to
use 5" storz adapaters on the steamer connections.
Representatives from each department will be meeting in the near future to begin defining how the grant award will be managed.
Congratulations to each of the participating departments. Your efforts in making this project successful have been rewarded.
Avoca Fire Department
Station 112
