L to R- Matt Grogan, Victor Sarantschin, Nate Coia, Jeff Anlauf, Chris Hagstrom, Molly Bailey-Goag, Jacob Goerner, and Lt. Jeff Kennedy.

Doylestown Fire Company held it’s monthly probie/junior drill night on Monday, Feb. 20, at Station 79. Lt. Jeff Kennedy and Chief Engineer 79 Matt Grogan lead the group in the use of power saws on wood and metal. The sparks flew when the metal saw was placed in service.

Lt. 79 Jeff Kennedy makes sparks with the metal saw.

Firefighters from Doylestown and Chalfont open up the soffet to get to the fire.

Doylestown firefighters responded with Chalfont Station 34 for Direct Salvage on County Line Road on Feb. 15. The 3-alarm fire consumed the office and warehouse areas of the expansive compound. Engine 19 dropped 1400′ of 5′, as water supply was at a distance. Ladder 79 and Engine 19′s crews were engaged during the fire, and Rescue 19 and Engine 79 also responded.

Chief Ed Truman thanks past Chief Denny Loux, Jr. for his 7 years of service as Chief.

As is the tradition at Doylestown Fire Company No. 1, the first Wednesday night of the month means the installation of officers for the new year at the fire company. This year though, for the first time in seven years, there was a change at the top. Denny Loux, Jr., a life member and Chief for the past 7 years, was not at the front for the room being sworn in as Chief. Loux, who has been a line officer for most of his time spent volunteering at the fire company, stepped down as chief. After new chief Ed Truman was sworn in by Senior Judge Ollie Groman, Sr., Loux was honored by the fire company by his officers and firefighters with the traditional red helmet of a past chief. During his time as Chief, many safety reforms were instituted, and the company purchased and placed a new ladder in service. Over his time as chief, Loux gave thousands of hours of service to the community and the fire service, and lead the officers and firefighters of the fire company with honor and distinction. He will continue to be active, assisting fire company fire marshal Steve Walther, who is also a past Chief of the company, with investigative duties.

In addition to Truman, who becomes the 22nd member of the fire company to be chief, Michael Wood was installed as Deputy Chief, Paul Kreuter and first time Battalion Chief Bret Morris, returning Captian Lori Westover, and returning lieutenants Jeff Kennedy and Jim Shepard. Communications officer Ed Loux and assistant communications officer George Erb were also swoarn in.

Truman is also a life member of the fire company, has held every elected line officer position, and comes from a family rich in fire service participation. He has numerous relatives who have served in the fire service in the region, including past Doylestown chiefs Sam Cramer, Sr. and Sam Cramer, Jr., his uncle and cousin. He is also a firefighter for Merck in Montgomery County.

President Bill Cope was sworn in for his 7th year as president with Jay Fetterolf in his first year as 1st Vice President, Mark Hamilton as 2nd Vice President, Bob McCrillis treasurer, Victor Sarantschin assistant treasurer, Peter Mills recording secretary, Annie Baughman asst. recording secretary, Jack Connard financial secretary, trustees Bill Price, Dan Kline, B. J. Loughnane, Jim Hampton, Kyle Downs and Larry Browne.

As part of his first Chief’s report, Truman reported that the fire company responded to calls for services 665 times in 2011. Of those calls, 163 were for structure fires and 51 for rescues. Members have recorded over 15,000 hours of volunteer service to the Doylestown community in each of the past 3 years.

Firefighters stretch a hose into the dwelling.

As the Halloween snowstorm of 2011 raged along the east coast, the members of Doylestown Fire Company were busy keeping the area safe. Firefighters and fire police responded to dozens of calls for downed trees and wires starting mid-day Saturday. At 9:26 PM Saturday night, the fire company was dispatched to 13 Maple Lane in Doylestown Borough for a chimney fire. Battalion 19, Paul Kreuter, was first on scene and found that the fire from a fireplace had spread to the wall of the home directly above the fireplace. Engine 19 arrived and with the help of Ladder 79 opened the wall above the fireplace and quickly extinguished it. Warrington and Plumsteadville firefighters assisted, along with Central Bucks Ambulance. The scene was cleared by 11 PM. There were no injuries, and minor smoke and structural damage to the residence.

During the course of the storm and it’s aftermath, the all volunteer members of the fire company responded to 35 emergency calls. They have now responded to over 550 calls for the year.

Doylestown Fire Company reminds everyone with the cold weather upon us, don’t take the safety of your heat sources for granted. Have your heaters and fireplace/chimney checked, cleaned and maintained every season.

Race winner Megan D'Arcangelo crosses the finish line.

The first annual George Casey Memorial 5K run through the streets of Doylestown Borough on October 8, 2011, was a race in memory of a man who left a legacy of community service. Casey, who passed away in late December of 2010, was a retired police officer who served in both Doylestown Borough and Plumstead Township. He was also a volunteer firefighter with both Doylestown and Plumsteadville Fire Companies. Because of this, his youngest daughter Megan decided that she wanted to undertake an event in the memory of her father that would benefit the two fire companies he gave so much to over the years.

Over 100 runners and walkers traversed the course that wound through the neighborhoods of Doylestown Borough on a beautiful fall Saturday morning. Fire trucks and firefighters from both companies lined the course, cheering on the participants. Scouts manned the water station at Linden Elelmentary School. The winner was Megan D’Arcangelo in a time of 20:19. The second place winner and top male finisher was David Boelker, with a time of 21:22.

After the race, participants and fans gathered at the Doylestown Fire Company firehouse on Shewell Ave. for refreshments and an award ceremony. In addition to the 2 top finishers, awards were given to third place overall runner Andy Jarin, fourth place overall Ryan Bennett, second overall femaile Erin Burker and Aubrie Fennecken, who was awarded third place overall female after Lauren Casey, a family member, was disqualified for being related to Megan and George Casey.

Results are available at www.pretzelcitysport.com

For more information on the George Casey 5k, go to www.georgecasey5k.org

Overall race winner Megan D'Arcangelo (2nd from left) and mens overall and 2nd place finisher David Boelker with Janet (l) and Megan (r) Casey at the awards ceremony.

Doylestown Fire Company’s annual Fire Prevention Open House kicks off Fire Prevention week every October First Friday. This year’s event featured the fire company’s fire safety house, where kids and parents got to learn about fire prevention and safety issues. Kids were also able to try on fire gear, put out a “house fire” with a real fire hose, and tour fire trucks. Doyle the Dalmatian was giving and receiving hugs, and the Doylestown Fire Company Auxiliary served free food and beverages.

Also, Megan Browne, daughter of Fire Prevention Officer Larry Browne, assembled 2 baskets for a raffle she held at the event. Megan donated the proceeds to fire company president Bill Cope at the end of the evening. The winning baskets were won by Doylestown Borough resident Janet Casey and Caleb Rufe of Doylestown Township. The raffle raised $32.

Doylestown’s Fire Prevention Unit reminds everyone that every day is fire prevention day. Make sure you check your smoke detectors monthly, change the batteries when you change your clock, and practice a home safety drill at least once a year.

Engine 19 in front of the fire building on State St.

Firefighters from Doylestown and Warrington made quick work of a small fire in a dryer in the basement of the Vine and Fig Tree Bistro on E. State St. in Doylestown Borough Monday afternoon, October 3. Battalion 19, Paul Kreuter, arrived on scene and found an active fire in the dryer. Engine 19′s crew arrived and quickly extinguished the small fire. Ladders 79 and 29 ventilated and did overhaul, and all companies were picked up in a short time. There were no injuries and damage only to the dryer.

Ed Loux brings out the truckie bucket.

Molly Bailey-Goga helps with the hoseline.

Poco’s Restaurant owner Wayne Cauble presents Doylestown Fire Company president Bill Cope and Deputy Chief Ed Truman with a check for $4226, the proceeds of a fund raiser held at the restaurant on 9/11/11, in honor of the work of Doylestown firefighters on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Cauble said that $1356 of the donation was from cash donations by customers that evening at the Doylestown landmark, and $2870 was the net profit for the night from sales at the restaurant and bar.

The members of Doylestown Fire Company No. 1 are very appreciative of the generosity and efforts of Wayne Cauble, his staff and the customers that evening.

Members of Doylestown Fire Company No. 1 have responded to over 400 emergency calls in 2011 and in 2010 recorded over 15,000 hours of volunteer service to the Doylestown and Central Bucks area. The company has been an all-volunteer organization since 1879.