Hegins Valley Fire Rescue adjusts to merger, new house

May 02--HEGINS -- Their marriage is just over a year old, and like any newly joined couple, they're already planning for the future.

In this case, the future looks like a stronger, well-trained volunteer base providing fire protection as the new Hegins Valley Fire Rescue. When volunteers from the former Hegins Fire Company joined with those from the Valley View Fire Company last year, they formed HVFR. They've built their new "house" -- a modernized truck room -- and have plans to bring back a Hegins family tradition in June, their firefighters' carnival. They're grateful for the gifts they've received from businesses and contributors.

"With the consolidation, we're a whole lot stronger as one and it's boosted our experience level," Tyler Starr, HVFR president, said.

Fire Chief Doug Williams agreed, "We have better quality training and have more people being trained. We're able to give the community a better product."

New facility

The consolidation was officially finalized Jan. 1, 2015, although talks began in May 2014. The former Valley View Fire Company building, at 1001 Maple St. in Valley View, is owned and up for sale by HVFR.

Starr said construction of the new, $250,000 truck room started in June 2015. The old truck room was torn down by July 10, 2015, and construction began shortly after. Trusses came in August and the shell of the new building was completed by the end of that month. Electrical work was conducted by mid-October.

Custom Valley Builders, Lykens, erected the shell and donated $10,000 off the bill for its work. Frank Krammes Excavating, Sacramento, did all the excavation work, donating $21,000 in man hours and equipment hours, and Residential Services, Herndon, completed the electrical work, donating $10,000 off the company's bill.

There was no federal grant funding used for the building project, according to HVFR Vice President Chad Richards, because the fire department wanted to have input as to which contractors were used. If federal grant funds were used, the fire department wouldn't have had as much of a choice about who did the work, he said.

Before the new truck room was erected, Williams said the rescue, brush squad and engine vehicles were kept at the Hegins site, at first, while the tanker was still kept at the Valley View firehouse. Most of HVFR's calls are to the east of Valley View, making the Hegins truck room site closer to respond to the scene, members said.

"We're centralized here, with most of our runs up to I-81. We're right here at Route 25 and Route 125," Richards said.

Valley View was known to have the pumper and Hegins was known for having the rescue, according to Richards.

"We're stronger now and can train each other and learn," he said.

The new truck room, just off Route 125 on Chestnut Street, is a four-bay, 80-by-80-foot building, housing utility rooms, an office, rest rooms and a training room. It sits beside the existing fire hall, which continues to operate as a community meeting area and facility for banquets and community events.

There was a $10,000 grant from Williams Pipeline used for the training room. This year, HVFR is also expected to receive $7,500 from Williams Pipeline for a back-up generator for the truck building.

Advantages

Advantages of the combined fire protection also extended to other resources, not only the fire vehicles and fire hall. With the merger, HVFR got the allotment of federal grant funds for both the Valley View and Hegins fire departments, enabling it to have upgraded, digital mobile radios and digital portable radios. The turnout gear is also fairly new, with the Valley View department having received a grant for that about four years ago.

Other advantages of being one company and not two -- there's one set of bills and one set of buildings. Previously, it took $40,000 annually to run the Valley View building, including the costs of insurance and utilities. Now, there's one set of items to be insured.

At 81, Harold Updegrave is HVFR's oldest active member. He's please with the jointure.

"I think it's for the better," Updegrave said. "The trucks are all here and it's easier to get out."

The company has 61 total members, including about 15 to 20 active fire line members -- those who actually fight the fires on-scene -- and four junior members.

In addition to Starr and Richards, other office holders are Secretary Jody Richards and trustees Troy Harner, Phil Scheuren and Ryan Herring. The Gratz Band & Trust with Jim O'Brien oversees the company's deposits.

Other members of the fire line crew include Ty Leitzel, first assistant chief; Chad Richards, engine chief; Brandon Bressler, rescue chief; Chris Morgan, engine captain; Starr, rescue captain; and Chris Howells, rescue lieutenant.

On average, the HVFR handles about 110 to 120 calls per calendar year, according to Williams.

Vehicles

The Hegins engine No. 310 was sold to a company in Saskatchewan, Canada, Starr said, with funds from that sale put toward the HVFR rescue truck.

Currently, the HVFR has brush truck No. 13-45, squad truck No. 13-70, engine No. 13-15, rescue No. 13-50, tanker No. 13-35 and fire police vehicle No. 13-80.

"All of our apparatus is paid off," Williams said. "Our only debt now is this building. Any state grant money can go into debt reduction for the building and once the Valley View building is sold, that money will also go toward our debt reduction."

Carnival

The Hegins Fire Company was the one that traditionally ran a summertime carnival at Hegins Park as a fundraiser. Last year, HVFR did not host a carnival and parade, but this year is planning to bring them back. The 2016 event will be held June 16, 17 and 18. It was normally a four-day event, but it has been pared down to a three-day celebration. The parade will step off at 7 p.m. June 16, forming at Farm Lane and Industrial Road, and travel down Route 25 (Main Street) to Chestnut Street and back to Hegins Park.

Ottos Amusements, Reading, will provide the carnival rides. There will also be a variety of games and food available. Any clubs or organizations wishing to set up a booth at the carnival can do so, with HVFR receiving a percentage of sales. Vendors will be set up throughout the park.

Thursday will be "Wristband Night" and "Mug Night" with music by DJ Dan Poletti, and Friday's entertainment will be provided by Schuylkill County's Matty Fresh and "Dutchmaster" Kai Morgan.

On Saturday, a Power Wheels Demo Derby will be held at noon for children ages 4 to 9, with registration at 10 a.m. At noon, chicken barbecue meal platters will be available. Saturday's entertainment will be Brad Crum, Elvis tribute artist, from 2 to 4 p.m. A Sportsman's Bingo will be held at 4 p.m., with bingo tickets at $20 each. The band Duece will provide live music from 6 to 10 p.m., playing music from the '70s and '80s. The evening will conclude with fireworks at 10 p.m., provided by Mike Bixler of Bixler Pyrotechnic, Ashland.

"We wanted to try to have something for everyone," Williams said of the entertainment.

Chad Richards said the reason for the cancelation last year was due to the time involved with the jointure.

"The big factor was we consolidated two companies and that took a lot of time. In the end, it was worth it," he said. "Now that the building's done, we can go back to doing what we were doing. It's great to bring it back."

Jody Richards said, "Hopefully, we can get more people interested to come and help out."

Throughout the year, the fire department hosts breakfasts, dinners and Paint & Enjoy events to raise funds. The company also receives money through pool fills and hall rentals. In 2018, HVFR is partnering with North End Fire Company, Pine Grove, for a gun calendar based off the Big 4 daily drawing. Tickets for the gun calendar cost $25 each and enable someone a whole year's worth of opportunities to win.

More information can be found on the HVFR Facebook page. Anyone interested in volunteering can email HVFR@outlook.com or call 570-985-3295 or 570-653-1261 and leave a message.

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