South Lebanon Fire Department

06/23/2026

🚒 **Squad 48 Update!** 🚒

We finally have an update on Squad 48!

When we purchased our new Engine-Rescue from Glick Fire Equipment, it was a demo unit that had already entered production at Pierce. Because of its production status, Pierce was unable to accept a change order to paint it in our department's colors.

The good news? Glick Fire Equipment professionally repainted the apparatus to match the South Lebanon Fire Department fleet at no additional cost to our department.

We greatly appreciate their commitment to customer service and helping us maintain a consistent appearance across our apparatus.

While we're still waiting on an official delivery date, this is a major milestone and means we're one step closer to welcoming Squad 48 home to our Central Station.

Stay tuned—we can't wait to share more updates as they become available! 🚒🔥

06/22/2026

Per the Mayors Office, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Sherry L. Capello, Mayor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 21, 2026
To: All Media
From: Mayor Sherry Capello

Re: City of Lebanon Provides Update on June 16 Downtown Fire

On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 9:11 a.m., the Lebanon Fire Department was dispatched to the 700 block of Cumberland Street following reports of flames visible through the roof of a downtown building. Lebanon City firefighters arrived on scene within two minutes and encountered heavy smoke and fire conditions emanating from the third-floor rear roof area of the former Downtown Lounge property located at 734 Cumberland Street.
Upon arrival, Fire Chief A.J. Sweitzer conducted a comprehensive 360-degree assessment of the incident to evaluate fire conditions, identify access points, ensure firefighter safety, and determine the extent of fire spread. Due to the location and complexity of the fire, a second alarm was immediately requested to provide additional manpower and resources.
Firefighters deployed approximately 1,450 feet of 1¾-inch hose line and initiated fire suppression operations from the front and the rear of the structure utilizing a fire escape for access. As crews advanced, it became evident that the fire was extending horizontally through the length of the building. Fire ground operations made a decision to employ trench ventilation techniques to halt the progression of the fire and protect adjoining structures. This decisive action played a critical role in preventing further destruction and preserving a significant portion of this historic downtown block.
At 9:21 a.m., a third alarm was requested to provide additional personnel for sustained firefighting operations. After several hours of coordinated efforts, firefighters successfully brought the blaze under control.
The City extends special thanks to Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services for providing drone technology that assisted incident command. Appreciation is also extended to the City's Emergency Management Coordinator, for his support and coordination throughout the incident.
The fire was ultimately determined to have originated at 736 Cumberland Street. Firefighters performed exceptionally well in containing the blaze and protecting neighboring structures, preventing what could have been a far more devastating loss to the downtown business district.
As a result of the fire, 15 individuals and 3 businesses were displaced. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit responded to the scene and has assumed responsibility for the fire investigation, which remains ongoing.
I commend the firefighters involved for their swift, skilled, and professional response under challenging conditions. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the Lebanon City Police Department, Lebanon City and County Fire Police, the Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services, the City's Emergency Management Coordinator, and Lebanon City Public Safety Inspectors for their dedicated assistance throughout the incident.
The following mutual aid agencies responded and provided invaluable support:
• South Lebanon Fire Department
• Neptune Fire Company
• Neversink Fire Company
• Annville-Cleona Fire Department
• Keystone Hook & Ladder Company
• Rural Security Fire Company
• Glenn Lebanon Fire Company
• Weavertown Fire Company
• Bunker Hill Fire Company
• Citizen Fire Company
• Fort Indiantown Gap Fire Department
• Mount Zion Fire Company
• Campbelltown Fire Company
• Newmanstown Fire Company
• Hershey Fire Department
• Hummelstown Fire Department
• Pine Grove North End Fire Company
• Womelsdorf Fire Department
• City and County Fire Police
• Salvation Army
• First Aid & Safety Patrol
• Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services
• Lebanon Police Department
• Pennsylvania State Police
The City of Lebanon is fortunate to be served by a highly trained, courageous, and unified network of first responders who answer the call without hesitation to protect lives, property, and our community.
This fire marks the second significant downtown fire in six months, underscoring both the vulnerability of our historic building stock and the importance of maintaining a strong, well-equipped fire service. Once again, our firefighters and emergency responders demonstrated extraordinary professionalism, teamwork, and dedication in protecting our community.
As recovery efforts begin, the City stands firmly with the residents and business owners affected by this incident. We remain committed to assisting those who have been displaced and to supporting the restoration and continued revitalization of our downtown.
# # # # # # # # # #

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day from the SLFD.

06/20/2026

🚒 YOUR GEAR IS WAITING. ARE YOU READY TO ANSWER THE CALL? 🚒

Look closely at this photo. See the empty lockers? That isn't just open space—it’s a missing piece of our team. It’s an opportunity for you to step up and serve your community.

At the South Lebanon Fire Department, our volunteers come from all walks of life—tradesmen, retirees, office workers and neighbors just like you. We provide all the training and the gear. All you need to bring is the drive to make a difference.

Why Join the SLFD?

Gain High-Value, Transferable Skills: Master emergency tactics, heavy rescue operations, and incident command structures that build real-world leadership and resilience.

Protect Your Own Backyard: When an emergency happens in South Lebanon, you aren't watching from the sidelines. You are actively solving the problem and protecting your neighbors.

An Elite Physical & Mental Challenge: Firefighting demands sharp critical thinking under intense pressure. It’s an avenue to push your limits and see exactly what you are capable of.

Serve Your Community: Be the help your neighbors need on their worst days.

🫵 How to Claim Your Spot:
Ready to fill the locker? Don't wait for "someday."

Stop by the Station: Meet the crew, tour the trucks, and grab an application.

Send us a Message: Drop a DM right here on Facebook, and we’ll get you the details on how to get started today!

Tag a friend who has what it takes to wear the 48! 👇

06/19/2026

🚒 Our biggest fundraiser of the year is just around the corner! 🥎

Join us on Saturday, September 12 at South Hills Park for the South Lebanon Fire Department's Annual Softball Tournament! The first pitch is scheduled for 8:00 AM, and it's shaping up to be a great day of friendly competition and community fun.

Team registration is still open, but only a few spots remain in both the First Responder Division and the Open Tournament Division. Gather your team and register soon before registration closes!

Even if you're not playing, we invite everyone to come out and enjoy the day.

There will be:
🚒 Fire apparatus on display
🌮 Food trucks throughout the day
🎟️ 50/50 drawings
🎁 Raffle prizes
👨‍🚒 Opportunities to meet your South Lebanon volunteer firefighters, ask questions, and explore the apparatus that events like this help us purchase and maintain.

Your support directly benefits the South Lebanon Fire Department and helps ensure we have the equipment, training, and resources needed to continue serving our community and our neighboring mutual aid partners.

We hope to see you at the ballfield on September 12—whether you're playing, cheering on a team, or simply stopping by to support your volunteers. Thank you for helping us continue to serve South Lebanon Township!

06/18/2026

The South Lebanon Fire Department would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Frank Dixon Foundation for providing the funding necessary to purchase this equipment.

Our new Heavy Duty Spreader and Cutter, manufactured by AMKUS, will significantly enhance our rescue abilities.

Their generous support helps us enhance the level of service we provide to our community and the surrounding areas we serve.

This project would not have been possible without their commitment to supporting local emergency services. We are truly grateful for their partnership and investment in the safety of our residents.

06/17/2026

Good Wednesday Morning everyone! Just a quick update on our spring donation drive.

We are 10 weeks into our 2026 Fund Drive, and we are grateful for the incredible community that stands behind the SLFD.

Thank you to everyone who has already returned your mailer — your generosity directly funds the tools, fuel, and gear that keep our volunteers safe and ready when you need us most. 15.4% of the newsletters mailed have been returned with donations. We are sitting at just over 51% of our goal for 2026.

If your spring letter has been sitting on the counter, now is a great time to send it back! And if you haven't received one but would still like to contribute, we'd be honored to have your support — just use the link in the comments.

Every dollar makes a difference. Your donation doesn't just support a fire department — it invests in the neighbors who show up for you.

We are also actively looking for volunteers! Whether you want to respond on the front lines or support us behind the scenes, there is a place for you here. Stop by the station to pick up an application, or send us a message on this page and we'll be in touch.

Thank you for being part of what makes this community great. We appreciate you! 🚒

The link in the comments will provide the opportunity to donate via PayPay, Venmo or Apple Pay. Thank you again for your continued support of the SLFD!

06/16/2026

The SLFD is currently providing mutual aid assistance to the Lebanon Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1952 on a 3rd alarm working structure fire in the 700 block of Cumberland St. Please avoid the area. Cumberland St / Route 422 westbound will be closed while firefighting operations are occurring.

Photo Credit: Gill Earl

06/07/2026

On Friday evening one of our members, Moira McMullen, graduated from Cedar Crest High School. Moira will be attending West Virginia University this fall to study Agricultural Education and Extensions. We will miss you around the firehouse, but we wish you the best of luck in college and your future career. We know you’ll do great things!

06/01/2026

🚒 MAY RECAP: Dedication Behind the Numbers 🚒

While you were enjoying the spring weather this past month, your local volunteer firefighters were hard at work. May was a busy month, and we want to share a look behind the sirens at what it takes to keep our community safe.

Here is a breakdown of our May call volume:

* 51 Emergency Calls answered.

* 101 Hours & 53 Minutes of total manpower dedicated to incidents.

* 280 Personnel Responses across those calls.

* 12 Personnel spent an additional 18 Hours in training to keep their skills sharp.

The Reality Behind the Numbers

When you see "280 personnel responses," it’s easy to picture a massive army of firefighters. But here is the reality: those 280 responses came from the exact same 10 to 20 dedicated neighbors.

Every single siren means these few individuals are dropping what they are doing—leaving the dinner table, waking up at 2 AM, or missing their kids' ballgames—to rush to your aid. They gladly give up time with their own families to protect yours.

🤝 We Need Your Help!
To put it simply: We are always in need of volunteers.

Answering 51 calls with a handful of people strains our dedicated crew. We need more hands on deck. You don't need prior experience to join—we provide all the training and gear. Whether you want to fight fires or help with scene support, there is a place for you.

Help us lighten the load for our current crew and step up for your community.

👉 Are you ready to answer the call? Message us directly on Facebook or visit the station to grab an application today!