News Notes

7/18/08 - Special Honor

The Phoenixville Fire Department has been recognized at the Silver Level by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner for having at least 75% of our members and career staff certified at least one of the various certification levels in accordance with nationally recognized and sanctioned professional qualifications standards.

A special thanks to Brian Zimmerman, for all his hard work in researching and preparing for the application process.

The Participating Department Recognition Program was established in November 1999 to recognize those emergency service organizations that support, promote, and encourage their emergency response personnel to voluntarily certify within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's voluntary certification program.
 

7/17/08

Replacement Ambulance To Be Delivered Soon

The West End Fire Company will soon take delivery of a new 2008 Ford Leader van ambulance. The unit will replace the current MICU 67-4, a
2004 Leader. The ambulance was purchased for $72,000.00 from VCI Ambulances in Berlin, NJ.

The new van will have all LED lighting, a full compliment of Advanced Life Support equipment, as well as being Knox Box equipped.

Delivery is expected in the next two weeks and the ambulance will be placed in service once it is inspected by Chester County Department of Emergency Services.

06/10/08

Construction Underway on New Engine 65 and Ladder 65

Two new pieces of fire apparatus are currently under construction and are set to replace Engine 65 and Ladder 65, both of which are housed at Phoenix No. 1 on Church St. Engine 65 is being built by KME in Nesquehoning, PA and should be completed around Labor Day while Ladder 65 is being built by E-one in Ocala, FL and should be completed mid-summer. Pictures have been provided by the sales representatives for each and show the progress of construction to date.
 

4/19/08

On April 3rd the Gay Street Bridge officially closed to traffic for replacement.

The closure of the 84-year-old Gay Street/Route 113 Bridge was contingent on PennDOT’s contractor completing work to raise the elevation of the railroad bridge over Main Street so the fire department vehicles can safely travel under to the North Side of Phoenixville during construction.

Under the $17,537,681 project, PennDOT’s contractor, Nyleve Bridge Corporation of Emmaus, Pa., will demolish the 12-span bridge and replace it with a new nine-span structure.

The new Gay Street/Route 113 Bridge will span 972 feet from end-to-end. The bridge’s concrete deck will be supported by steel beams on the three southern and two northern approach spans, and by steel arches on the four central spans. The bridge’s new substructure will consist of two reinforced concrete abutments at each end and eight reinforced concrete piers between the abutments.

Construction crews will build the new bridge on the same alignment as the existing structure. The new bridge will have two 12-foot wide travel lanes; two six-foot wide shoulders; two six-foot wide sidewalks; and ornamental street lights.

Completion is scheduled for February 2010.

3/22/08

Phoenix #1 Introduces New Apparatus

Upon completion of lettering and striping, the Phoenix Hose, Hook, and Ladder Co., No. 1 has placed a 2008 Ford F-350 "Super Duty" 4x4 pick-up truck into service as Utility 65. This unit will serve primarily as a personnel carrier with seating for 5 but will also be used in various capacities to support the day to day operations of the fire department. This vehicle is also the first to display the new colors that will be featured on the new Engine and Ladder that are presently being built to replace existing apparatus, both of which should be completed later this year.
 

10/30/07

Phoenixville Borough Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm Giveaway

     This important, life safety initiative, funded by New Century Bank and implemented through the Phoenixville Fire Department, has been established to provide Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms free of charge to Phoenixville Borough homeowners who are low-income, seniors, or persons with disabilities.
     The Phoenixville Fire Department will install these units without charge to those persons who have filled out the application and meet the requirements set forth.
     Applications can be obtained from any one of the Phoenixville Fire Companies, New Century Bank, Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Advocacy, Phoenixville Senior Center, Phoenixville Library, The Clinic, PACS, The Phoenix, Bethel Baptist Church, Grimes A.M.E. Church, New Beginnings Church, and the Latin American Church. All completed applications must be returned to Phoenix No. 1 Fire Co. at 177 Church St. Questions, please call 610-933-9717.