Lansford, Pa., firehouse holds celebration; dedicates new truck, awards firefighters

By Terry Ahner
Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)
Copyright 2006 The Morning Call, Inc.

The sound of sirens blaring Sunday afternoon in Lansford had nothing to do with a fire.

The American Fire Company No. 1 was holding a parade and housing ceremony to dedicate its new firetruck pumper.

The 2005 KME 1500 pumper, which cost $195,000, was purchased from Kovatch Mobile Equipment of Nesquehoning.

The fire department used a $158,000 federal Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement grant, as well as fundraisers and the sale of its old pumper to pay for the truck.

After the parade, an awards ceremony was held at the fire company and was attended by Carbon County Commissioners Wayne Nothstein and Bill O'Gurek, as well as Lansford Councilman Joe Genits.

Fire Chief Joe Cannon said the pumper, which replaces the company's 25-year-old one, is a safer piece of equipment and one that was sorely needed.

"To be honest, I never thought we'd be able to afford a new piece of fire apparatus," he said. "I'm ecstatic that it's here."

Assistant Fire Chief Joe Greco, who was honored with a plaque for writing the grant, said receiving the pumper was a "team effort."

"Without everyone doing their specific part, things wouldn't get done," Greco said.

Cannon said the fire department now has two engines, a rescue truck, an aerial ladder with a pump, a brush unit, and an engine in reserve.