News
VVFC Awarded State Fire Grant - 2024
Verona Volunteer Fire Company is proud to announce that we have once again been awarded the annual Pennsylvania state fire grant. The funds from this years grant were used for fire suppression equipment and thermal imaging equipment. We are excited to put this new equipment into service and begin training with it to become proficient to be better protect Verona and all surrounding communities.
VVFC was able to purchase multiple pieces of equipment regarding fire suppression. With the 2024 grant we were able to purchase 600 feet of 2-1/2" hose along with two smooth bore nozzles, two master intakes, two gated-Y valves, and two straight gate valves.
We also purchased six thermal imaging cameras (TICs). Thermal imaging helps firefighters for a variety of reasons, two being reading heat and temperatures inside of a structure or even finding potential victims. We purchased two Seek AttackPro+ TICs and four Seek FirePro 300 TICs.
This equipment will be put into service as soon as possible and will be ready to protect the community.
Seek AttackPro+
Seek FirePro 300
2-1/2" hose with smooth bore nozzle
Master intake, gated-Y valve, straight gated valve
Christmas In July 2024 Concludes
Verona Volunteer Fire Company is incredibly thankful for our community and anyone else who donated to The Christmas In July Toy Drive benefitting Allegheny Valley Toys For Tots MCL 827. We had an incredible turn out this year all the way through our final week being the Spaghetti Dinner and Open House. We thank everyone who continues to support us and helps us bring some joy to the children that will benefit on Christmas morning. We can't wait to see you next year!
Members Complete EMR Course
On January 22, 2024, three of our members from the Verona Volunteer Fire Department: Chief Dan Tihey, Lieutenant Kyle Tomnay, and Lieutenant Ben Blacksmith, registered to start an 8-week, 88 hour Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course. Throughout the course, which was hosted by the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department, the students learned the following skills: medical and trauma assessment and management, bleeding control, bag valve mask ventilation, shock management, cardiac arrest management, oxygen administration, and other relevant skills.
In order to pass this course, students had to take a series of exams to become a fully certified Emergency Medical Responder. Our three Verona VFC members successfully passed the exams and are now able to provide additional services to the residents of Verona and surrounding communities. This includes providing assistance to our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and offering additional support to patients on a variety of emergency scenes such as: fire grounds, accident scenes, carbon monoxide emergencies, and any other emergency calls we may respond to.
We are thrilled by the accomplishments of our department members in completing this course and are excited to start this medical journey! The next step for us now is to work on certifying an apparatus through EMS West so that we can acquire the necessary equipment to best help our community.
Eiler's Hardware Devastated By Fire
On October 25, 2023 at 1809 hours (6:09 PM) station 285 was dispatched to a possible commercial structure fire in the 300 block of Center Avenue in Verona. Allegheny County Dispatch started to receive multiple calls for smoke coming from the basement with reports of occupants on the second and third divisions. Upon arrival, 285-Chief determined that there was a working fire and called for 216-Engine to hit the hydrant and lay a line into 285-Engine 1. 285-Engine 2 was able to secure a secondary water supply and go to the rear of the structure. Primary and secondary searches were performed and came up negative. The fire was called under control at 1951 (7:51 PM) and all crews were back in service by 2225 (10:25 PM) with no injuries reported.
We want to thank all of our mutual aid departments for their excellent work and dedication and everyone who donated food, water and drinks. We appreciate everyone that was involved that evening.
We also want to extend our deepest sympathies to the owners of Eiler's Hardware. Over the years we have developed an excellent relationship with them and we are devastated to see this event take place in our community.
VVFC Awarded State Fire Grant - 2023
Verona Volunteer Fire Company was awarded the annual Pennsylvania state fire grant. With this grant we were able to purchase more equipment to ensure that we are able to assist the residents of Verona and surrounding communities. This year we decided to purchase Makita power tools for each of our apparatus, two new gas meters for each of the engines, and two high voltage detectors.
VVFC purchased multiple sets of 18 volt Makita power tools including: drill, impact driver, reciprocating saw, portable band saw, angle grinder, tower work light and 4 bank battery charger. These tool sets will outfit Engine-1, Engine-2 and the Service Truck. Most importantly, they will assist the department greatly with any stabilization, rescue and fire suppression operations.
We also purchased two MSA Altair Multigas Detectors. These units detect LEL, oxygen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. We rely on these units on emergency calls mainly to detect carbon monoxide which is odorless, colorless and has the possibility to be very harmful (for more information, click here to view our Fire Prevention and Safety information page.) The detector that is currently on Engine-1 will be moved to the Service Truck and Engine-1 and Engine-2 will receive the two new detectors.
Lastly, the two high voltage detectors will primarily be used while on emergency calls for wires down, structure fires or even motor vehicle accidents. They will be on Engine-1 and Engine-2 for members to check any wires that may down on the ground to further protect ourselves and any bystanders that may be in the area.
We are excited to train with this new equipment, get it mounted and placed into service on our two engines and pick-up truck to better serve the community.
285 Squad Has Sold!
VVFC had a successful and smooth bidding process on Municibid. 285 Squad is off to its new home in Maryland where it will be owned by a fire apparatus collector. The officers and members are sad to see it go but are glad that it will remain as original as possible and receive the recognition and care that it deserves to preserve the history and tradition of our department.
285 Squad permanently out of service.
Chistmas In July 2023 Kicks Off
July 8th marked our first toy collection week for this years Christmas In July Toys For Tots toy drive. We will be at the station the following Saturday's from July 15th and July 29th from 10 AM until 2 PM and August 5th 4 PM until 7 PM. We will once again be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Open House event this year as well as collecting toys the evening of August 5th. We hope to see big crowds this year!!
It is important to note that we WILL NOT be collecting toys the Saturday of July 22nd.
VVFC Lists 285 Squad For Sale
After a lot of consideration, Verona Volunteer Fire Company and VVFC Relief Association have decided to sell our 1989 GMC. The vehicle was purchased brand new in 1989 and has served the community continuously since. If purchased by another fire agency, all equipment (lightbar, siren, radio equipment) will go with the sale, if purchased privately it will be removed. 285 Squad will be posted on Municibid.com.
Click here to view the listing on Municibid for more information and place an offer.
UPDATE: Vehicle has sold! See above for further information.
