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ABINGTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTRIBUTES TO UNITY DAY CELEBRATION SEPT. 12

ABINGTON – In an effort to recruit more volunteers to its ranks, the Abington Township Fire Department (ATFD) participated in Unity Day on Sept. 12, an event held at Crestmont Park and sponsored by the Willow Grove Branch of the NAACP.

Members of the ATFD’s Roslyn Fire Company attended the event to present community members with information about becoming a volunteer firefighter, as well as allow them a chance to get to know their local firefighters and look at the various firefighting equipment and apparatus used by the ATFD.

“Events like this draw an interest in what we do and allow us to meet and greet the community we serve,” said David Schramm, Fire Services Administrator for the ATFD. “We are always glad to talk with residents about our department and offer opportunities for them to get involved.”

Valerie Ward, who coordinated Unity Day, said volunteers are an important part of the annual event.

“The ATFD always comes – you can count on them even at 3:30 a.m. in the morning. They are excellent and we appreciate them,” she said.

Abington Township brothers Anthony and Josh Woods learned about fire engines from ATFD member Jerry Martin of Roslyn. Even though he is 12 now, Josh said he is looking forward to joining the fire department once he turns 14.

“The truck is cool, and I like to help people,” he said.

Ben Walker, an ATFD member for two months, noted that the equipment is interesting to both young and old alike, and promotes the department’s visibility.

“It’s good to come to events like this so the community knows we are out there and available,” he said.

The ATFD has been serving the community for more than 100 years and is made up of five separately chartered fire companies: Abington, McKinley, Weldon, Edge Hill and Roslyn. Approximately 235 volunteers belong to the department and dedicate their time and energy to keeping the community safe.

Firefighting is one of many services that the ATFD provides to its 15-square-mile community. ATFD volunteers are trained in vehicle rescue, hazardous materials response, structural collapse rescue, confined space rescue, and trench rescue. Community outreach is another focus of the organization. Volunteer firefighters can regularly be found in the schools, at senior centers and at community events educating others about fire safety and responsible decision-making.

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

PHOTOS:

From left to right are James Vanbeverhoudt, holding son James, Anthony Dennis, Josh Woods and Jerry Martin. Mr. Martin talked with the group about being an Abington Township Fire Department volunteer.

 

From left to right are Abington Township Fire Department members Dale Jonas Sr., Jeff Glynn, Monica Hobgood, Elantra Bell, Steve Hartman, Jerry Martin and Ben Walker. All the members participated in the Sept. 12 Unity Day event in Willow Grove.

 

Seen here is Abington Township Fire Department member Ben Walker,
who participated in Unity Day on Sept. 12 in Willow Grove.