###District hands out awards at the February 18th meeting###
1. Departmental Distinguished Community Service Award presented to Worcester Volunteer Fire Department for their work with helping abused children, collecting food and water for a huge State police manhunt, collecting Toys for Tots for Children's Hospital, and helping storm ravaged New Jersey shore areas.
2. Jesse Hayden of Wissahicken Vol. Fire Company was given the Distinguished Fire Service Award for Dedication for his more than 60-years of active service .
3. Retired Chief Dave Samuel Cornish of Worcester Vol. Fire Department was recognized for his more than 30-years of service was honored with the 5th District Outstanding Leadership Achievement award.
4. Richard Baruffi of Towamencin Vol. Fire Company was recognized for his work with helping raising awareness about Cancer and Cancer Research with the "Outstanding Firefighter Public Service " award.
5. Telford Fire Chief Robert Wiszneski was presented the Firefighter of the Year award for saving the life of a small child he rescued at the scene of a car crash.
6. Barry Lederach of the Telford Volunteer Fire Company was honored with the Districts' Earl Mayers Award for lifelong exemplary dedication and service in all facets of his organization.
7. Richard Williams --a Retired Chief from Norristown, a current County instructor, a former advisory board member, and 5th Fire District watchdog is this years recipient of the President award.
8. Four distinguished Special Merit Awards were handed out for outstanding accomplishments and and contributions to their fire companies. Benjamin Shearer and James "Porky" Gallagher both from Perseverance Volunteer Fire Company of Souderton were honored. Steve Hudson of Upper Gwynedd Fire Department and George Slater of North Penn Volunteer Fire Company also received Distinguished Special Merit awards.
Some 120- of Montgomery County's Top volunteer firefighters representing 14-fire companies, fire police, the Station 41 canteen, the Telford Dive unit, and 3-ambulance squads were in attendance .
###NEWLY ELECTED BOARD TAKES OFFICE###
The 2015 5th Fire District Board
1. Al Novack President
2. Gary McClure Vice President
3. Richard Longcoy treasurer
4. Diane Heiler secretary
5. Rev. Tom Byron Chaplain
###FIRE DISTRICT LAUNCHES BULK PURCHASE PROGRAM AVAILABILITY###
Rich Longcoy has been put in charge of any bulk purchases that may arise in the next year. Fire Companies will be able to contact Rich about a bulk purchase. for example if a company is seeking to buy 5-inch hose, or air tanks, Rich can find out if any other company in the district is seeking the same item and then work out a deal to buy in bulk . Hopefully bulk purchases can cut costs.
### WEBMASTER NAMED AT FIRST QUARTER MEETING###
5th Fire district names Perseverance Firefighter Adam Kaelin as the District's first-ever webmaster and Facebook -master. Kaelin who is considered a very aggressive and knowledgeable member of Perseverance has been assigned the task of bringing the district into a new age. He will be working directly with the President, Vice-President, and many of the district fire stations who have news items or photo's to share.
### BY YEARS' END , IF NOT SOONER DISTRICT MEMBERS WILL HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE AND A WEB-PAGE###
In line with the naming of a webmaster, the 5th Fire District is in the process of constructing a web page and a Facebook page. President Al Novack says we are moving into a new frontier. The web page and Facebook page should be available later this year. We'll have progress reports as the year moves along.
###CONTACT AND DELEGATE LISTS ARE BEING REQUESTED FOR DISTRICT FILES###
District board members requested all member departments and organizations to submit their 2015 contact list of all officers . The contact list should include the rank of each officer, their home mailing address, their cell phone number, their landline phone number, and their current personal email address. In addition, as required by our by-laws, each department and organization in the district should submit a list of at least 5-delegates , their mailing addresses, and their personal email addresses. All information will kept private and not shared with anyone.
### 2015 WATER BATTLE HOST CHOSEN###
The host for this years water battle will be North Penn Volunteer Fire Company. Station 62 last hosted the annual event during the early and mid -1990's. North Penn spokesman Mathew Traynor made the motion and it was unanimously approved by the board. He says the "nuthouse" 62 crew is ready to tackle all the district competitors. The site and date have yet to be chosen and publicly announced. Traynor indicated this years water battle would probably be held later in the summer. He also hinted that many district companies have asked for at least one , possibly 2-competitive events that older, and less agile but still active members could participate in. Any one with ideas can bring them forward at the May 20th -2nd quarter meeting.
###LOCATION CHANGE FOR MAY 20TH MEETING###
Rich Roberts, the delegate for the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale has invited the District to hold it's 2nd quarter meeting to it's main headquarters in an effort to re-acquaint newer and younger members with the 5th Fire District. The motion was put before the board and approved with the blessing of Perseverance Vol. Fire Company which would've normally hosted the second quarter meeting. Again...this is a one - time relocation for both the dinner and the meeting. All members are looking forward to joining the medical corps at home base located on medical campus drive near Lansdale Hospital. We all thank Rich Roberts and the officers of the corps for extending this invitation to everyone.
###TRAINING EXERCISE MIGHT BE ON DRAWING BOARD###
Following a recent conversation with Hatfield Volunteer Fire Co. Fire Chief Andrew Lersch, President Al Novack suggested that the board look into the possibility of conducting some type of district -wide training exercise again. In the past , the district has conducted exercises involving septa, and national foam. At the moment , the board will conduct a feasibility study and entertain ideas.
1. Departmental Distinguished Community Service Award presented to Worcester Volunteer Fire Department for their work with helping abused children, collecting food and water for a huge State police manhunt, collecting Toys for Tots for Children's Hospital, and helping storm ravaged New Jersey shore areas.
2. Jesse Hayden of Wissahicken Vol. Fire Company was given the Distinguished Fire Service Award for Dedication for his more than 60-years of active service .
3. Retired Chief Dave Samuel Cornish of Worcester Vol. Fire Department was recognized for his more than 30-years of service was honored with the 5th District Outstanding Leadership Achievement award.
4. Richard Baruffi of Towamencin Vol. Fire Company was recognized for his work with helping raising awareness about Cancer and Cancer Research with the "Outstanding Firefighter Public Service " award.
5. Telford Fire Chief Robert Wiszneski was presented the Firefighter of the Year award for saving the life of a small child he rescued at the scene of a car crash.
6. Barry Lederach of the Telford Volunteer Fire Company was honored with the Districts' Earl Mayers Award for lifelong exemplary dedication and service in all facets of his organization.
7. Richard Williams --a Retired Chief from Norristown, a current County instructor, a former advisory board member, and 5th Fire District watchdog is this years recipient of the President award.
8. Four distinguished Special Merit Awards were handed out for outstanding accomplishments and and contributions to their fire companies. Benjamin Shearer and James "Porky" Gallagher both from Perseverance Volunteer Fire Company of Souderton were honored. Steve Hudson of Upper Gwynedd Fire Department and George Slater of North Penn Volunteer Fire Company also received Distinguished Special Merit awards.
Some 120- of Montgomery County's Top volunteer firefighters representing 14-fire companies, fire police, the Station 41 canteen, the Telford Dive unit, and 3-ambulance squads were in attendance .
###NEWLY ELECTED BOARD TAKES OFFICE###
The 2015 5th Fire District Board
1. Al Novack President
2. Gary McClure Vice President
3. Richard Longcoy treasurer
4. Diane Heiler secretary
5. Rev. Tom Byron Chaplain
###FIRE DISTRICT LAUNCHES BULK PURCHASE PROGRAM AVAILABILITY###
Rich Longcoy has been put in charge of any bulk purchases that may arise in the next year. Fire Companies will be able to contact Rich about a bulk purchase. for example if a company is seeking to buy 5-inch hose, or air tanks, Rich can find out if any other company in the district is seeking the same item and then work out a deal to buy in bulk . Hopefully bulk purchases can cut costs.
### WEBMASTER NAMED AT FIRST QUARTER MEETING###
5th Fire district names Perseverance Firefighter Adam Kaelin as the District's first-ever webmaster and Facebook -master. Kaelin who is considered a very aggressive and knowledgeable member of Perseverance has been assigned the task of bringing the district into a new age. He will be working directly with the President, Vice-President, and many of the district fire stations who have news items or photo's to share.
### BY YEARS' END , IF NOT SOONER DISTRICT MEMBERS WILL HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE AND A WEB-PAGE###
In line with the naming of a webmaster, the 5th Fire District is in the process of constructing a web page and a Facebook page. President Al Novack says we are moving into a new frontier. The web page and Facebook page should be available later this year. We'll have progress reports as the year moves along.
###CONTACT AND DELEGATE LISTS ARE BEING REQUESTED FOR DISTRICT FILES###
District board members requested all member departments and organizations to submit their 2015 contact list of all officers . The contact list should include the rank of each officer, their home mailing address, their cell phone number, their landline phone number, and their current personal email address. In addition, as required by our by-laws, each department and organization in the district should submit a list of at least 5-delegates , their mailing addresses, and their personal email addresses. All information will kept private and not shared with anyone.
### 2015 WATER BATTLE HOST CHOSEN###
The host for this years water battle will be North Penn Volunteer Fire Company. Station 62 last hosted the annual event during the early and mid -1990's. North Penn spokesman Mathew Traynor made the motion and it was unanimously approved by the board. He says the "nuthouse" 62 crew is ready to tackle all the district competitors. The site and date have yet to be chosen and publicly announced. Traynor indicated this years water battle would probably be held later in the summer. He also hinted that many district companies have asked for at least one , possibly 2-competitive events that older, and less agile but still active members could participate in. Any one with ideas can bring them forward at the May 20th -2nd quarter meeting.
###LOCATION CHANGE FOR MAY 20TH MEETING###
Rich Roberts, the delegate for the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale has invited the District to hold it's 2nd quarter meeting to it's main headquarters in an effort to re-acquaint newer and younger members with the 5th Fire District. The motion was put before the board and approved with the blessing of Perseverance Vol. Fire Company which would've normally hosted the second quarter meeting. Again...this is a one - time relocation for both the dinner and the meeting. All members are looking forward to joining the medical corps at home base located on medical campus drive near Lansdale Hospital. We all thank Rich Roberts and the officers of the corps for extending this invitation to everyone.
###TRAINING EXERCISE MIGHT BE ON DRAWING BOARD###
Following a recent conversation with Hatfield Volunteer Fire Co. Fire Chief Andrew Lersch, President Al Novack suggested that the board look into the possibility of conducting some type of district -wide training exercise again. In the past , the district has conducted exercises involving septa, and national foam. At the moment , the board will conduct a feasibility study and entertain ideas.