06/03/2026
Please help us to congratulate Firefighter/Engineer Keith Baum on passing the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy's Firefighter I ProBoard Certification.
Keith is an integral part of our company and is appreciated for the behind the scenes work he does to keep our apparatus in good working order. He was recently recognized for his service by being awarded the Chief's Award for 2025.
For those of you that aren't familiar, the ProBoard represents the national and international gold standard for professional qualifications. Managed through accredited agencies like the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, it ensures that a firefighter's training meets the strict benchmarks set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Earning this credential requires answering a demanding call to service, including:
Academic Mastery: Passing a comprehensive written examination covering fire science, building construction, hazardous materials, and incident command structures.
Practical Competency: Being rigorously tested on critical hands-on skills—known as Job Performance Requirements (JPRs)—under the strict observation of independent evaluators. There is no margin for error when it comes to structural search, ventilation, and life safety.
Why this standard matters to our community:
Uncompromising Safety: It guarantees that the personnel responding to your worst day possess the exact skills and baseline knowledge required to mitigate emergencies safely and efficiently.
National Portability: It signifies that our local responders train to the same exacting standards as the premier fire departments across the country.
Professional Accountability: It marks the foundational stepping stone for senior positions, ensuring future fire officers are built on a bedrock of proven capability.
Pictured below is Keith and Chief Rittenhouse.
