Saturday January, 14 2012

Nature: IR Donates to Brother Firefighters in Need

On Saturday, January 14th, Indian River’s Fire Chief Steven C. Deery, Jr., authorized the evaluation and realignment our fire suppression equipment in order to ascertain potential surplus property and equipment for other communities and residents that may not be as fortunate.

Many of Indian River’s members, past officers and volunteers have hailed from suburbs of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in a region known as Lewisberry Borough in York County.

The residents of the Lewisberry Fire District recently encountered significant issues which has negatively impacted the vulnerability of their fire suppression entity.

The Lewisberry Fire Company recently disbanded due to a series of managerial malfeasance, inadequate fire suppression apparatus and inferior personnel & equipment levels for fire suppression tasks and responsibilities.

The Borough of Lewisberry was founded in 1763 by Eli Lewis and the started the Lewisberry Fire Company in 1840. The intent of the fire company was to provide fire protection services to the residents of Lewisberry Borough and surrounding townships of Newberry, Warrington, and Fairview.

The Borough Council recently met with officials of the Fairview Township Fire Department to facilitate arrangements for their fire suppression assistance.

The Fairview Township Fire Department acquired some used apparatus from the Hershey Fire Department (Hershey, Pennsylvania) and related fire suppression equipment from other companies throughout the region.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was solicited for donations of any available hand tools, fire hose, and any relevant equipment. Chief Deery authorized the donation of 3" fire hose, hand tools, a hydrant valve, and a positive pressure ventilation fan.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has a long and proud history of assisting other fire departments throughout the United States with donations of firefighter personal protective gear, (jackets, bunker pants, & boots), and other firefighting equipment that has become surplus.

Congratulations to our brothers and sisters of the Fairview Township Fire Department for coming to the aid of nearby residents during these times of need.