The West Hazleton Fire Department was founded on August 18th, 1888 and has, for the last 120 years, provided stellar service by trained, dedicated firefighters to the residents, visitors, and travelers to the Borough of West Hazleton and the surrounding communities. To celebrate the milestone we are planning a 120 year celebration. This celebration will coincide with the dedication of our new KME Engine that will replace the 1975 Seagrave, Engine 241. The department was fortunate enough to receive a Federal Fire Act Grant that is allowing them to replace the 1975 engine that has been deteriorating over the past few years. In order to bid a fond farewell to our old faithful engine and welcome our new KME Predator Panther / Challenger Pumper we are hosting a celebration and ceremony on Saturday, September 20th 2008 at Genetti’s Best Western in Hazleton. The dedication committee is currently putting together a program for the evening. If you are interested in placing an advertisement or sponsorship in the book please see the attached form. Replys will be due before April 15th, 2008. Any support will allow you to showcase your dedication to the Borough of West Hazleton Fire Department and also the other area career and volunteer fire departments. The committee and the West Hazleton Fire Department thank you in advance for your support.

West Hazleton will be hosting a the 1st Annual Sleep like a Champion Bowling
9 Pin No Tap Tournament with Red Pin Shootout. The event will be held on Saturday July 19th 2008 @ Bowl Arena, Route 93 West Hazleton with the 1st Tournament starting at 10:00 am and the second at 1:00 pm

1st Place Prize Top Finish Score
Simmons Beauty Rest Queen Mattress Set
(No Cash Substitution for Bed)

2nd Place Prize
$ 100.00 Gas Card

Red Pin Shootout Prize
$50.00 Gas Card

This is a Non Sanctioned event

This is a Singles event. Entrance fee is $ 25.00 for 1 tournament time and registration form must be returned to the West Hazleton Fire Company No Later than July 16th 2008 Note -- If competing in both tournaments separate forms and fees must be turned in .

Participants may register with Fire Company Personnel at Bowl Arena on Friday Evenings between the hours of 7 pm and 9 pm or complete form and mail it back .
Prior to July 16th Deadline.

See below for the form to sign-up.

The West Hazleton Fire Department is proud to announce the addition of our newest family member! "Arson" is an 8 week old pure bread, AKC registered female Dalmation Puppie. She follow’s in the foot step’s of our past mascot’s Siren and Flame. Arson is proudly owned by the Ward Family!

Keep an eye out around the station and other events for "Arson"... If you see her, please come and say HELLO!

Truck 244 and Engine 242 were dispatched to 33 Centre St in Kline Twp, Schuylkill County for a House Fire. Truck 244 arrived as 1st due Truck Company and was given a ventilation assignment. Truck crew ladder the house in preparation of possible verticle ventilation, but upon further investigation of Chief 241 it was not needed. West Hazleton Firefighters removed the smoke from the residence using ventilation fans without causing any further damage.

Pictures are courtosey of Bill Bar, Vinnie Chitswarra, and Steve Barret

West Hazleton Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team was dispatched to Schuylkill County to assist the McAdoo Fire Department with a Hazardous Materials Incident. Occupants of 51 N. Sheridan St attempted to mix Chlorox Bleach with a Industrial Coil Cleaner, when a chemical reaction occured. One male occupant was overcome by fumes, and was later flown to Hershey Medical Center in Critical Condition.

West Hazleton Hazardous Material Technicians donned Level A Chemical Protective Suits and entered the residence to locate the compound and use it’s advanced Atmospheric Monitors to anylize the air quality. Firefighters then went through a Decontamination coridor established by other West Hazleton Firefighters, and after ventialation, all units were released.

West Hazleton Fire Department along with Hazle Twp Fire Department dispatched to a reported House Fire at 13 E. Branch Ct in West Hazleton for the House Fire. Upon arrival, units found smaoke showing from the 1st and 2nd floor, and as per the Police Department on scene the occupant would not allow personel to enter. After a breif struggle, a male occupant was taken into custody by the West Hazleton Police Department.

Once inside, West Hazleton Firefighters found a chair, carpeting, and appliances on fire inside the residence. Fire was extinguished and Firefighters utilized a Thermal Imaging Camera to check for extension. After ventilating the residence of smoke, all units were released.

West Hazleton Rescue as part of the Technical Rescue Team of Luzerne County was requested to respond to Rickets Glenn State Park for a High Angle Rescue. While enroute, Rescue 245 was re-directed to move up to Plains Twp Rescue Station to cover the Wyoming Valley. During the Stand By, no calls were recieved.

A man was attempting to cross East Broad Street this evening when he was struck by a Black Cadillac traveling Northbound in the Borough. The man hit the windshield and broke through the glass on the drivers side of the vehicle. The victim was transported to Hazleton General Hospital after 3 attempts to get a helicopter were unsuccessful due to the weather. PSP was on scene with 3 troopers and the investigation is ongoing.

On January 5th Captain James Robeson of the Scranton (PA) Fire Department was killed in the line of duty while operating on a residential structure fire. In memory of Capt. Robeson the Scranton IAFF Local 60 is selling memorial T-shirts. The cost is $15 and all proceeds benefit the James Robeson Memorial Fund. Click on the article heading to get to the web address for the Scranton FD site.

At 10:54 on March 4th, West Hazleton Fire Department was dispatched to Schuylkill County to assist the McAdoo Fire Company with a structure fire. Engine 242 arrived on scene to find a duplex with flames coming out of the windows and lapping the roof. Crews got to work on ventilation and fire attack and were able to keep the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings. No civilians or fire personnel were injured and no one was home during the blaze. Crews departed the scene at 13:03. The building suffered extensive damage.