Sassamansville Fire Company participated in Hatfield Fire Company's 100th Anniversary Parade and Celebration on Saturday June 12, 2010. Tanker 68 took 1st Place for Best Appearing & Equipped Tanker Unit, and Field 68 took 2nd Place for Best Appearing & Equipped Field Piece. We here at station 68 are very proud of our new apparatus.

Asbestos has been identified as a human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ; any degree of contact will involve some risk. Because it was used for decades, asbestos is found in millions of homes and commercial buildings built before 1980. It’s in the walls, part of the insulation, embedded in concrete.

Normally the risk of exposure is small as long as the fibers are not stirred up and released into the air. During a fire or when building materials are crushed or broken, the risk of human exposure rises. This why firefighters run a higher risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Studies have found that the most dangerous period for asbestos exposure is during the overhaul stage when firefighters have the blaze under control. Often the firefighters remove respiratory protection during this period and the seemingly harmless asbestos fibers can then be inhaled along with many other dangerous chemicals. Asbestos fibers released during the fire and the overhaul stage can settle on equipment and pose a threat weeks later, too.

Remember to stay aware of the silent threat of asbestos exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a persistent cough. Be sure to mention any lifetime exposure to asbestos when seeing a doctor for these symptoms.

On behalf of all of us here at Sassamansville Fire Company, Thank You to eveyone who took time out of their busy lives to join us at our Open House. Special Thanks goes out to Caesars Pocono Resorts, Kistler O'Brien Fire Protection, Liberty Fire Company of New Berlinville, and all of our brethren firefighters from the visiting stations whom came out to support us in our inaugural Fire Prevention Awareness event.

All Inclusive 3-Day 2-Night Getaway Vacation in a Garden of Eden Apple suite at the winner's choice of Caesar's Pocono Resorts (Cove Haven, Paradise Stream, or Pocono Palace).

If You Thought Inter-Agency Cooperation Was Bad...Then This Headline Is Absurdly Unbelievable!

Mayor fires Arkansas fire chief whom was shot by a law enforcement officer in court...

As a result all fire department personnel resign effective 09/21/09...

Every year the Boyertown Citizen of the Year Selection Committee recognizes Boyertown's best and brightest. This year is no exception. The annual awards honor individuals for their accomplishments in 2008.

Four individuals (Kevin Zimmers, Dr. Harry Morgan, Ray Strickland, and Alexandria Hrasok) will be recognized this spring for their contributions to the community.

2009 Recipients

Citizen of the Year: Kevin Zimmers, Zimmers Pets

Educator of the Year: Dr. Harry Morgan, Boyertown Area School District Superintendent

Firefighter/E.M.S. Person of the Year: Chief Ray Strickland, Sassamansville Fire Company

High School Senior of the Year: Alexandria Hrasok, Boyertown Area High School

"Members of the Boyertown Citizen of the Year Selection Committee include Berks-Mont people, Jaycees and former Jaycees and community folks," said Jim Davidheiser, a member of the selection committee.

"The committee looked thoroughly at every nomination letter and narrative and votes via a secret ballot to decide final award recipients. The final decisions for the awards were made on February 17," added Davidheiser.

The ceremony will be held at Friendship Hook & Ladder Fire Co. No. 1 on Saturday, April 25. The ticket deadline is April 10.

NEW Field 68

A new Field truck has been approved and ordered, it will be built on a 2008 Ford F-550 Quad-Cab chassis. Reading Works will mount a custom utility body to the chassis, and then the skid unit (pump & tank) will be installed. Reading will then do the LED lighting package & electrical wiring, before the final paint job. The paint scheme selected for this truck will match our Special Service 68. Delivery is now estimated to be in either June or July 2009 from Faulkner Ford in Quakertown, PA.

LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $200,000 THROUGH FEMA’S

FY 2008 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM

On January 16, 2009 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a $200,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Sassamansville Volunteer Fire Co.

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $560 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program has been instrumental in building capacity and providing needed resources for our nation’s firefighters,” said FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison. “From the purchase of equipment to First Responder training, the AFG program has helped improve response capabilities and saved lives and property in communities throughout the United States.”

Since 2002, AFG has provided over $3.6 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the Grants Program Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.

According to Sassamansville Fire Chief Ray Strickland the money will be used to replace the company’s aging 1983 Tanker which as been in need of repairs and lacks modern safety features. By having a new Tanker we can better do our job in the community and be more firefighter safety oriented. The Tanker will be able to carry approximately 2300 gallons of water. We are presently in discussions with several manufacturers, and are optimistic that we can have it in station by the end of the year.

Mayor fires Arkansas fire chief whom was shot by a law enforcement officer in court...

As a result all fire department personnel resign effective 09/21/09...

RETREAT DORMITORY DESTROYED