Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENDS LUNCH AT ABINGTON SENIOR
HIGH SCHOOLTO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO VOLUNTEER

ABINGTON – Hoping to spark the interest of future firefighters, the Abington Township Fire Department (ATFD) spent lunchtime with Abington Senior High School students on December
10, 2010.

Members of the ATFD’s five fire companies and students from the high school’s Volunteer Firefighters Club were on hand during school lunch periods to talk with teens about joining the fire service. The firefighters engaged students with demonstrations showing how quickly they have to suit up when called to a fire and invited them to climb aboard fire engines and other apparatus in the school parking lot.

“Events like these are important because they show students what goes on in a firehouse,” said Chris Platz, an ATFD firefighter.

They also play a critical role in the recruitment of new members. Students have the opportunity to ask questions about how old they have to be to join, the training that’s involved and what they can expect to do as junior firefighters.

Being able to ask questions and find out about volunteering was important to Abington Senior High School student Josh Brooks, who ended up joining the Roslyn Fire Company after talking with firefighters at last year’s event. He said the experience so far has been exciting, and that he has learned how to become more responsible and courageous as a result of volunteering. At the Dec. 10 event, he wore his firefighting gear and was available to talk to peers about the qualities needed to become a firefighter.

“This shows people what we do. They think all we do is fight fires, but it’s also about community. We help out at events,” he said, mentioning the various community appearances and fundraisers that firefighters are involved in.

Marty Moskat, an Abington Senior High School student who belongs to the Rockledge Fire Company, did demonstrations with fellow student and firefighter Christian Petermichl during the Dec. 10 visit. Marty also said he joined the fire company as a result of talking with firefighters at last year’s event.

“I didn’t know you could join when you’re 16,” he said. “It shows kids what we do and lets them know what we are all about.”

The ATFD is an all‐volunteer force made up of five fire companies all operating within Abington Township. The five companies that form the ATFD are Abington, McKinley, Weldon, Edge Hill, and Roslyn. The service area is made up of approximately 15 square miles of Abington Township and is comprised of residential, commercial, educational, medical, light industrial, and other suburban properties. The ATFD serves approximately 56,000 residents.

The ATFD headquarters is located at 1176 Old York Road in Abington, Pennsylvania. For more information, call (267) 536-1055 or visit AbingtonFD.org.