Fire company holds Community Safety Day

SPRING MILLS — Community Safety Day was held Aug. 6 at the carnival grounds in Gregg Township. The Gregg Township Fire Company sponsored the event, which was held to acquaint the community with the services offered by the fire company, public safety officials and law enforcement officers.

Besides Gregg Township Fire Company personnel, attendees at the event included U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard Township, Penns Valley EMS personnel, Centre County Sheriff Bryan Sampsel, and state police community service officer Jeff Petucci. The Geisinger Life Flight helicopter was also on hand for spectators to tour and to talk to its operators.

Fire company members gave a demonstration of their new extraction tools for rescuing accident victims trapped in cars. The tools were recently purchased from the Centre Hall Fire Company, which upgraded its equipment.

The hydraulic-powered cutters and spreaders were chewing their way through a vehicle supplied by Richard Auman, from Auman’s Auto Wrecking, demonstrating how to remove trapped occupants. “This is all new to us, and we’re still learning how to use the new equipment,” said Chief Doug Young. He said the company responds to about 15 to 20 serious accidents a year.

“In a case like this, we would call another fire company for help, but with these tools, we can get started on the rescue before they arrive,” said Young. The company works mostly with Centre Hall, Millheim and Miles Township fire companies. Young said that 10 Gregg Township Fire Company members are tech-level certified, which means they have passed a 45-hour course on basic vehicle rescue techniques.

Young said the tools were purchased with money raised by the fire company during its annual carnival, and sandwich sales and other fundraisers held throughout the year. He noted that the company is looking into acquiring grant money from the state through programs designed to help small volunteer firefighters’ organizations.

Fire company president Charles Stover was a prime mover in organizing the Safety Day event, motivated by news stories of recent attacks on police and other public servants. He felt it was important for community members to know what services are available to them in a time of crisis. The fire company board agreed, and gave their approval to organize the event about a month ago.

Fire company member Don Grenoble, in his mid-80s, has been a member since his freshman year in high school in 1949. He was an ambulance driver for the company for 28 years, served as chief for 19 years and has held administrative jobs in the company. He has witnessed great improvements in firefighting equipment and techniques over his tenure.

“It’s getting hard to get good people (to volunteer),” Grenoble said. “Everyone’s so busy these days.” Schenley Johnson, a fire company member since 1956, agreed with Grenoble’s assessment.