State showers praise on area firefighters

By Gina Morton
The Daily Item

February 03, 2008 08:39 am

— MIFFLINBURG — After three years of training, 38 volunteer firefighters have been acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to the community.
The Mifflinburg Fire Company received the state Department of Health and Bureau of Medical Services’ highest level of recognition for its voluntary rescue project.
The state considered the fire company’s efforts, manpower, equipment and crew.
The station has added a heavy rescue truck, the only one in Union County, and one of only three in the area, said Jean Rice, of Susquehanna Emergency Health Services Council Inc.
The truck cost $500,000, Fire Chief John Heiges said.
Tod Steese, president of the Mifflinburg Fire Company, said a large amount of money was needed to get the equipment where it is today.
“It’s an unbelievable amount of money,” he said. “We had support from six political subdivisions and the community for help.”
The truck includes safety lights lining the doors, extra pulleys, ropes, entry tools with attachments, an inflatable boat and much more.
“The rescue truck has way more equipment than required,” Ms. Rice said.
In addition to the advanced rescue truck, members of the fire company spent “thousands of hours of training,” Ms. Rice said, to reach the advanced level of training.
Volunteers were training in areas such as an emergency vehicle operating course, rope rescue, basic vehicle rescue, HAZMAT training, water rescue, mountain training and ice rescue.
“Each requires hours of training,” Mr. Heiges said. “The minimum is 16 hours, and the maximum is 40.”
Dick Wenner, rescue testing and certification coordinator, said this is a three-year program. After that time, the company will have to be recertified and reinspected again.
“We make sure everything is on the unit,” he said, “that all the t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted. They will be able to apply again in three years and be recertified.”
Ms. Rice said the decision to train was voluntary.
“It was important to do because there are no other vehicles like it,” Mr. Heiges said. “It’s also a pride issue. We can be proud.”
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