Coal Township Rescue Squad

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Our Story

The History of the Coal Township Rescue Squad The history of the Coal Township Rescue Squad Inc. dates back to June of 1984 when the need for a rescue vehicle and services was brought to light by series of severe accidents and fires. A group of firefighters headed by Vincent Purcell, C.T. Fire Commissioner, met to organize a rescue squad. The first vehicle was a 1978 Chevy modular Ambulance which was leased from Fairview Fire Co/ by the C.T. Commissioners and converted to carry the necessary rescue equipment by the firefighters. This unit remained in service as a backup ambulance for Fairview, even though it now carried a wide variety of equipment. Some of the equipment included small and large hand tools, a complete set of Amkus Hydraulic rescue tools, a K-12 ventilation saw, rope and repelling gear, stokes basket, safety gear, and a three bottle cascade system for refilling self-contained breathing apparatus bottles at the scene of a fire. The Rescue unit quickly became well known and was frequently called upon for mutual aid due to its ability to refill SCBA bottles and the availability for its specialized rescue equipment. With the continued support of civic groups such as Shamokin Rotary Club, individual businesses, public donations, the continued support of the Commissioners and thousands of hours of fund raising, the Rescue continued to update and acquire additional equipment. “Rescue 143” as it was known then remained in service until October 1987. At that time the rescue volunteers felt they could better serve the public by forming a Corporation and separating from Fairview Fire Co. On December 7, 1987 they officially became known as “The Coal Township Rescue Squad.” They then purchased a used rescue vehicle from Shamokin Dam Fire Co., and said vehicle was a 1961 Ford/American La France Rescue and after extensive work the vehicle was officially placed in service on March 4, 1988 and was renumbered and known as Rescue 193. The vehicle at that time was being housed in a Fire Department Maintenance garage on West Wood St., at the C.T. Street Departments complex. On Sept 9, 1988 the C.T Commissioners approved a lease for property at 1120-1130 W Pine St on which the Rescue Squad members could erect a large modern two-bay station to house their until and equipment. After lots of fund raising and securing a loan, the members were finally able to break ground for the station on November 20, 1991. In April of 1992 the members were able to finally move their vehicle to the new station and begin operations from this location. The Coal Township Rescue Squad officially became the Seventh Company of the Coal Township Fire Department in 1993. A 1969 Bruco/Seagrave Heavy Duty Rescue Vehicle was purchased from Verona Rescue Squad in 1993 to replace the La France, and was in use until 2007 when a Hackney Emergency Spartan was purchased as the new rescue and is in use. The company also received a 1993 Oldsmobile Bravada in 2009 from The Binns Bonito Hotel in Wildwood NJ as a man power vehicle that has been since retired from service and in 2010 they purchased a 1999 Ford F150 Heavy Duty Light Rescue and also in 2010 purchased a 2010 Polaris Quad to serve as a Wild land and Rescue vehicle. The present officers of the C.T. Rescue are President Tracy Leiby, V-President is Kayla Hoffman, Secretary is Cheryl Hoffman, Treasurer John Campbell, and the line officers for the C.T.Rescue Squad are Jim Hoffman, Jr Rescue Chief, Captain Andrew Hauer, 1st Lt. Kayla Hoffman. There are currently20 members belonging to the squad. We are always looking for new members so if you are interested contact any rescue squad member or stop by the station.