Forged over generations

By Melissa Lewis

February 11, 2015 Last Updated: February 11, 2015 09:06 AM Local News

Adam Wright, left, assistant chief of the Harmony Volunteer Fire Company, and Lt. Dale Wright review the use of an Automatic External Defibulator (AED) at the fire station.

Harmony VFC relies on families

HARMONY — “We have always been about family,” said Neal Nanna, chief of the Harmony Volunteer Fire Company, pointing out that family tradition is a major part of the company.

His wife is a county dispatcher, while his son Michael is captain of the company.

Before Nanna was elected chief, Tim Sapienza held the position 32 years, following his father Lou, who had it for 19 years.

There are many other father-and-son combinations who volunteer. Nanna said that it's families that have kept the department as strong as it is.

“Twenty years ago, most of our volunteers worked shift work. Now many of the volunteers work 9-to-5 jobs, have families, and busy lives outside of the station,” Nanna says. “It takes an extra-special person to put in the time and effort to volunteer.”

The Harmony company is one of the three busiest in Butler County. It also is the home for Butler Water Rescue since it is close to Moraine State Park, where many water-related incidents happen.

The fire company was established in 1874, and has two stations which serve Harmony and Jackson and Lancaster townships.

The Harmony Volunteer Fire Company is in need of 60 to 70 volunteers.

On average, it receives 500 calls per year. It has seven vehicles: four engines, a brush truck, asquad vehicle, and a1 rescue vehicle.

Volunteers are:

James Aiken, Brandon Andrews, Nicholas Barnes, Rachel Beck, Tyler Beck, Gary Campbell, Harry Charlier, Ken Chiacchia, Daniel Curtis, Kelly Davidson, Nicholas Donatelli, Jeremy Eichenauer, Brian Farber.

Also, Chris Fessides, Melanie Fessides, Schott Frederick, Andrew Gerwig, Matthew Gerwig, Jared Glenz, Paul Goehring, Dale Hall, William Harper, Travis Heinz, Gary Himmelwright, Alan Householder, Jim John.

Also, Rodney Kniess, John Kovacic, Jeffrey Lynn, Jill Madaffari, President Steven Madaffari, Zachery Madaffari, Edward Majors, Eric Marburger, Mike Mashuda, Andrew Measel, Jason Miller, Casey Moyer, Ed Moyer, Jeff Moyer, Ryan Moyer.

Also, Joe Musher, Mike Nanna, Neal Nanna, Ashley Parks, Cody Pickett, DJ Pickett, Douglas Pickett, Sue Pickett, Steve Polack, Joseph Ray, Paul Reynolds, Debra Sue Rice, Richard Rice, John Ruby, Timothy Sapienza, Wayne Seibel, Christopher Spratley.

Also, Brian Thomas, Kory Warner, Krystal Warner, Robert Watson, Ben White, Fred White, Judy Wolfe, Wesley Woodward, Adam Wright, Carla Wright, Dale Wright, and Barry Ziegler.