Merged VFD marks 1st year
BUTLER TWP — On Jan. 1, Butler Township Volunteer Fire District Station 3 celebrated its first anniversary. However, the three companies that merged to create it each had been in existence for more than 60 years.
The Lyndora Volunteer Fire Company was created in 1922, the Meridian Volunteer Fire Company in 1931, and the Greenwood Village Volunteer Fire Company formed in 1948.
In 2013, the merger was planned and operations began as a unified company in July, even though the actual merger wasn’t completed until Jan. 1, 2014.
Mike Blessel is the treasurer for Fire District 3. He said that Lyndora, Meridan, and Greenwood all had similar historical backgrounds.
“Each of these companies was created by active citizens in those communities who saw the need for this service and pursued the activities required to get the money, volunteers, training, and equipment to create them from scratch,” Blessel said.
He also said that the new company is much larger than any of the three individual companies, and now there is a wider pool of experience.
“We are cross-learning the areas and responsibilities which were previously covered separately by the companies. We have a good mix of all ages and levels of experience so that we can get the advantages that each generation brings to the table,” he added.
The merged company has eight vehicles to cover a broad range of calls. In addition to the engine and rescue-pumper, the company has a tanker, a brush truck, and three squad vehicles.
Fire District 3 is equipped and trained to specialize in rope and high-angle rescue situations. The firefighters also can support rural fires with water shuttles with the tanker or assist with city fires with the ladder. Members must be trained for all these potential events.
The company also has a number of EMTs and runs medical calls to assist ambulance responses in the area.
Volunteers are as follows: Danielle Albright, Frank Angeloni, Debbi Bell, David Bestwick, Brian Birckbichler, Nathan Blackwood, Michael Blessel, Jenny Brown, Craig Buck, George Burr.
Also, Jeffrey Celendar, Bradley Cordray, Robert Cordray, Robert Craig, Debbi Crevar, Chris Curry, Greta Curry, Jacob Curry, Rodney Doutt, John Doutt, Matthew Dowdy, Steve Erkman, Jack Eury, James Fiel, James Fields.
Also, Brad Fleming, Bridget Foran, Danielle Freedline, Donald Gaiser, Michael Graham Jr., Mindy Harruff, Diane Hanchosky, Joe Hanchosky, John Hanchosky, Kristen Hanchosky, Ryan Hanchosky, Gregory Haughey, Douglas Heltzell, Ron Henderson, John Herold, Andrew Hill, Scott Hoffman, Joe Huba.
Also, Michael Huey, Stephen Huey, James Huey, Kevin Hunt, Larry Hutchinson, Steve Iman, Tim Iman, Justin Karam, Dalton Keibler, Dexter Keibler, Tim Kisner, Robert Klaes, Eric Klopfer, Joseph Koerner, Joe LaDue, Jennifer LaDue, Nick Leslie, John Maire, Scott Marshall, Robert Mikita, Frank Mincer, John Morgan, Wayne Myers, Nicholas Nickleach.
Also, Dawn Nickleach, James Osche, Joshua Osche, Nathan Osche, Cole Patterson, Gordon Payung, Bryan Powell, Laura Powell, Adam Rearick, Brad Ringeisen, Steve Royce, Adam Rozic, David Sanderson, Joshua Sanderson, Esther Senopole, James Senopole, Jamie Senopole, Justin Shuler.
Also, Josh Slagel, Nathan Smith, Shawn Smith, Phillip Snyder, John Stokes, Frederick Tack, Scott Thomas, Tyler Thomas, Ashley Veith, Deanna Vensel, Rena Vensel, Tim Vensel, Lorraine Vincent, John Vincent, Casey Wagner, Jessica Wagner, Kenneth Wagner, Matt Wagner, Mike Wagner.
And, Toby Wehr, Kenneth Wehr, Cheryll Wehr, Robert Wells, Bryan Worsley, Dakota Wood, Dustin Wood, Curtis Yockey, Ron Yockey, Zach Zediker.
Fire District 3 needs more volunteer firefighters, auxiliary personnel and help with equipment, facilities maintenance, and fundraising activities.
For informationVisit or write:121 Sparks Ave.Butler, PA 16001; or contact:President: Tim VenselChief: Toby WehrTreasurer: Mike Blessel; phone: 724-482-2000.
