Patagonia Vol. Fire Dept.

05/27/2026

We extend our gratitude to Joe's Greenhouse for their ongoing support and generous donation of beautiful flowers. Appreciation is also expressed to our volunteers for their tireless efforts in maintaining the station's appearance.

05/12/2026

Congratulations Captain, enjoy your well earned retirement!

🚒 Congratulations on Your Retirement, Captain Brian Scarmack! 🚒

Today, the Sharon Fire Department recognizes Captain Brian Scarmack as he retires after more than 30 years of service to the City of Sharon and the members of this department. Captain Scarmack’s retirement became effective on May 5, 2026, closing the chapter on a long and impactful career that began on September 21, 1995.

The fire service has long been a part of Brian’s life. As the son of retired Sharon Fire Chief Art Scarmack, he grew up around this profession and carried on a proud family tradition of service to the Sharon community.

Throughout his career, Brian was known for his strong leadership presence and his ability to rally people around the things he cared about. He was intelligent, outspoken, and carried a level of confidence that naturally drew attention when he spoke. Whether in the station or around the kitchen table, Brian had a way of generating conversation and getting people invested in the discussion.

Brian was also exceptionally well-liked throughout the department. Whether operating on an emergency scene or spending time around the station, he built strong relationships with those around him and was someone people genuinely enjoyed working alongside. He also had a unique sense of humor and a dry wit that became a memorable part of everyday life around the firehouse.

Where Brian truly excelled was in his interaction with the public. He had an outstanding ability to connect with people — especially children — during station tours, public outreach events, and community interactions. His communication skills, sense of humor, and approachable personality made him a tremendous ambassador for the Sharon Fire Department.

Around the station, Brian will also be remembered for the meals he prepared for his crew over the years. He took tremendous pride in cooking, and many members would tell you he made some of the best meals ever served at the firehouse — just as long as nobody tried to sneak cheese into the recipe.

Above all else, Brian was a devoted family man whose love for his family was evident in everything he did.

Please join us in thanking Captain Brian Scarmack for more than three decades of service and wishing him health, happiness, and fulfillment in retirement.

👏 Congratulations, Captain Scarmack — thank you for 30 years of service. Enjoy your well-earned retirement.

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

A new option is now available in Mercer County for parents facing a desperate situation. A Safe Haven Baby Box gives parents in crisis a safe, legal and completely anonymous way to surrender a newborn. Read more here: https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/hermitage-news/new-safe-haven-baby-box-active-in-hermitage/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WKBN_27_Youngstown_OH

03/15/2026

So excited to be joining this great event this year! Can’t wait to see everyone there!!

03/07/2026

The Hermitage Fire Department is proud to announce the Unveiling and Blessing Ceremony for the community’s first Safe Haven Baby Box.

📅 Tuesday, April 7, 2026

🕛 12:00 PM

📍 Hermitage Fire Department – Station 1 - 2511 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA

The Safe Haven Baby Box provides a safe, secure, and anonymous option for a parent in crisis to legally surrender a newborn in accordance with Pennsylvania’s Safe Haven Law.

Community members, local officials, and partner agencies are invited to attend as we officially place this life-saving resource into service.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes
UPMC
City of Hermitage, PA

02/27/2026

Thank you to Sharon Herald for this great story! Highly encourage the reading of this to understand more on how your local fire departments use state grant funds.

HERMITAGE — Firefighters protecting the City of Hermitage and its Patagonia neighborhood will have some state dollars to put toward their equipment.

02/26/2026

🚒 Another Retirement for the Sharon Fire Department — Congratulations, Captain Matt Grove! 🚒

The Sharon Fire Department is proud to recognize Captain Matt Grove, who officially completed his final shift this morning at 7:00 AM, retiring after nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Sharon and the members of this department.

Over the course of his career, Matt earned the respect of everyone around him through his professionalism, steady leadership, and deep pride in the job. He was known for his thoughtful approach and attention to detail — someone who understood the responsibility that comes with being a firefighter and carried it with quiet confidence every day.

Whether on the fireground or in the station, Matt brought a calm and measured presence that people relied on. In challenging moments, he was clear in his thinking and steady under pressure — the kind of officer others trusted when the job demanded sound judgment.

Matt also devoted many years to union leadership, serving as a fair and principled advocate for his fellow firefighters and representing the membership with professionalism and respect.

Around the firehouse, Matt was often found with a book in hand during quieter moments between calls — a small but familiar part of daily life at the station that many will remember. His steady presence and loyalty to his crew will be missed throughout the department, especially by the members of his turn who worked alongside him every day.

Following another recent retirement within the department, today marks the closing of yet another important chapter for the Sharon Fire Department. Please join us in thanking Captain Grove for nearly three decades of honorable service to the Sharon community and wishing him health, happiness, and fulfillment in retirement.

👏 Congratulations, Captain Grove — thank you for 30 years of service. Enjoy your well-earned retirement.

02/17/2026

Greetings everyone, I wanted to take a moment to share the history of Patagonia Fire. Founded in 1947 by a group of citizens living in the Patagonia district of Hickory Twp., during the steel boom era, the district was located across the tracks of all the mills in Sharon. At that time, the heavy traffic through the area could cut the district off for hours, significantly hindering emergency services. Recognizing this issue, the citizens formed the Patagonia Volunteer Fire Department. Back then, these community members used their skills to build the fire engines they used, with help from local manufacturers. Almost all of this was funded by their own contributions.

Fast forward 78 years, and we are still here. Things have changed since then. In 1980, we ordered our first custom fire engine, followed by another in 1993. Recently, with the help of a federal grant, we ordered our third in 2021. Our membership takes pride in our ability to respond to various emergencies, including fires, vehicle accidents, rescues, water emergencies, and community events. We currently operate two rescue engines, a brush truck, a squad, a UTV, and even a boat. This diverse fleet allows us to respond to a wide range of emergencies.

Now, you may wonder who these people are who volunteer their time for training and emergencies to protect others. They are your neighbors, friends, and coworkers. The members of PVFD come from diverse backgrounds, including medical professionals, education professionals, mechanics, military veterans, and active-duty servicemen. We have a long tradition of community members giving up their time to help others, and we express our deepest gratitude for your continued support over the past 7 decades. If you are interested in being part of this rich history and becoming a part of a family that truly supports one another, please reach out to us.

02/15/2026

🚒 Happy Retirement, Captain Kevin McMahon! 🚒

Today, the Sharon Fire Department proudly recognizes Captain Kevin McMahon as he retires after 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Sharon, our neighboring communities, and the fire service as a whole. Captain McMahon officially ended his final shift this morning at 7:00 AM, closing the chapter on a remarkable career defined by leadership, integrity, and selfless commitment to others.

Kevin was the kind of firefighter every department hopes to have — dependable on every call, steady in the face of challenges, and deeply committed to both his crew and the citizens he served. His impact on this department will be felt for years to come.

Beyond his professionalism, Kevin will also be remembered for the humor he brought to the firehouse each day. His quick wit, perfectly timed one-liners, and ability to lift spirits — even during the toughest shifts — strengthened the bond among our members and made the long hours a little easier. The station will not be quite the same without his firehouse comedy keeping everyone on their toes.

Please join us in thanking Captain McMahon for his extraordinary service and wishing him nothing but health, happiness, and fulfillment in this well-earned retirement.

👏 Congratulations, Captain McMahon — you have truly earned it. Thank you for 25 years of service.