2009 News

December 2008: Spaghetti Dinner, February 8, 2009
The Junior Fire Brigade of the Bower Hill VFD will sponsor a Spaghetti Dinner at the Memorial Hall on Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Come and support our juniors, and have a good time.

December 2008: In Memory of Donald Diebold, retired Scott Township Treasurer
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department extends its sincere condolences to the family of retired Scott Township Treasurer Donald A. Diebold, who died on December 1, 2008. Don served as a Scott Township Commissioner representing the Bower Hill area for 22 years and was Scott Township Real Estate Tax Collector and Treasurer for 15 years. He was a member of the department prior to his election as commissioner, and remained a strong supporter of Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department thoughout his tenure as commissioner and Treasurer. We will remember him as one who devoted his life to the service of the residents of Scott Township. May he rest in peace.

December 2008: Congratulations to New Member
Member Dan Bosi has successfully completed his probationary membership period, and was moved to regular voting membership at the December 2008 meeting of the department. Congratulations and continued best wishes.

December 2008: Get-well wishes
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department offers get-well wishes to Life Member George Flood following his recent hospitalization, to former member John Mekonis, husband of Life Member Barb Mekonis, following his recent hospitalization, and continued get-well wishes to Life Member Joe Besso during his continued treatment.

December 2008: Congratulations to Our Neighbors
Congratulations to our neighbors at Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department, who have taken delivery of a new 2008 American LaFrance Metropolitan, 2000 gallon-per-minute Triple Combination Pumper. This engine replaces a 1977 American LaFrance pumper that was built side-by-side with the pumper that Bower Hill just retired.

November 2008: Breakfast with Santa 
Santa Claus will be stopping at the fire station on Sunday, December 14th. We'll be having breakfast with Santa that day from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. There's no admission charge, there are no reservations needed, and Santa's Workshop will be open with crafts for the kids. Stop by and see Santa. If you have any questions, call the station at 412-221-3497.

November 2008: New Ambulance for Scott Township EMS
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department and Glendale Hose Co. No. 1 have purchased an additional back-up ambulance for Scott Township EMS. With the occupancy of Providence Point in November and a continuing increase in call volume, another unit was needed to keep up the level of service. The vehicle is a 2001 Braun "Type III mini-mod" of a similar design to the new (2006) ambulances already in service. The new vehicle was delivered on Septemebr 13, 2008 and entered service on November 10, 2008 after passing state licensure inspection. Scott Township EMS once again passed its licesnsure inspection for all ambulances and all service requirements.
 
October 2008: Annual Fund Drive
The 2009 Bower Hill VFD Fund Drive is now underway. Information was mailed to all known occupied residences in the service area during the week of October 13, 2008. If you have not received a fund drive mailing yet, call the station at 412-221-3497 and leave a message, and we will get one to you immediately. Thanks to everyone who supported Bower Hill VFD in 2008. Your fund drive donation includes your subscription to Scott Township EMS.

October 2008: Thanks for making the Open House a success
Thanks to everyone who participated in our Open House. Your support of the fire department enables us to be there for you when you need us. 

October 2008: Night at the Derby, October 11, 2008 to Benefit Neighboring Fire Departments
Join our fellow firefighters from Kirwan Heights VFD and Heidelberg VFD at a Night at the Derby at the Heidelberg Fire Hall on October 11, 2008 starting at 7:00 PM. For details and ticket sales, call 412-221-8382. This events benefits Kirwan Heights VFD and Heidelberg VFD. Support our fellow firefighters.

September 2008: Fire Prevention Week Open House, October 12, 2008
The 2008 Annual Open House will be held Sunday, October 12, 2008 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM at the fire station. This year, we will feature:
Because the Open House is so close to the beginning of the annual fund drive, will will not have a door-to-door raffle this year. A 50/50 raffle will be held at the Open House.

Come and visit us, see what we do for you, and have a good time.

September 2008: Scott Township Octoberfest, October 11, 2008
Join Bower Hill VFD and the rest of the Scott Township community at the annual Octoberfest, Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Scott Township Park. This year, there will be live entertainment, a craft show, chinese auction, a petting zoo, hayrides, pumpkin painting, and train rides and pony rides from1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Find out more here.

August 2008: Bower Hill VFD Sponsors Cash Bash, September 27, 2008
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department will host a Cash Bash fund raiser for the three Scott Township fire departments in the BHVFD Memorial Hall on Saturday, September 27th beginning at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $25 each, and are available from department members. Drawings for $500 will be held every 15 minutes, with a final drawing for $5000 held at 11:00 PM. (Winners need not be present). The sound system in the hall has been updated for this event. For more information, call the fire station at 412-221-3497 on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

July 2008: Help Our Brother Firefighters
Library Volunteer Fire Company is hosting a Battle of the Barrel on August 9, 2008 starting at 10:00 a.m. to beneift Library Firefighter Louis Grey in his treatment for cancer. The event will be held at the Port Authority's Library LRT station lot on Brownsville Road, across the street from Library's fire station. Donations can be made with a check payable to:

Library VFC
Attn: Louis Grey Cancer Fund

sent to:

Library Vol Fire Company
PO Box 225
South Park PA 15129

Please help our brother firefighters.

July 2008: New Fire Engine Arrives
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department has taken delivery of a new 2008 Triple Combination Pumper. The engine was delivered on May 7, 2008, and entered service on July 5th after the department's operators completed the necessary training. It is a fully custom-built unit, built by Sutphen Corporation of Columbus, Ohio, who also built Bower Hill's 1992 Triple Combination Pumper. The new engine replaces a 1977 American LaFrance pumper that was delivered new on August 13, 1977 and served well for over 30 years.

The new engine has the call sign, "255 Engine 3" and has a few new features, most obviously the elevated side mount pump panel, that allows operators to stay out of traffic, away from the fire hoses connected to the engine, and have a good view of the fire scene, while at the same time keeping the overall length of the vehicle and the vehicle wheelbase to a reasonable length. This engine is configured for first-arriving fire attack on structure fires. It has a pumping capacity of 2000 gallons per minute, and carries 500 gallons of water and 40 gallons of Class A foam for use in ordinary structure fire fighting. It carries 1600 feet of supply hose and has six pre-connected attack lines, each from 150 to 200 feet long, of varying diameters.

The 1977 engine was sold to department Life Member Keith Heckler, who currently lives in Maryland and intends to restore the engine to its original appearance. It has already won an award for antique fire apparatus.  

July 2008: Get-well wishes
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department offers continued get-well wishes to Life Member Joe Besso following his recent surgery and during his ongoing treatment.

July 2008: Congratulations to New Member
Member Tom Doyle has successfully completed his probationary membership period, and was moved to regular voting membership at the July 2008 meeting of the department. Congratulations and continued best wishes.

June 2008: Congratulations to new EMT
Bower Hill Firefighter Adam Palmer has successfully completed EMT-Basic training and is a state certified Emergency Medical Technician. Congratulations, Adam.

June 2008: Best wishes to Deparment Members
Best wishes to Lieutenant Bryan Pritchard and his wife, Mindy, on their recent wedding.

May 2008: Help Our Brother Firefighters
A fund has been established to assist Upper St. Clair Fire Chief Steve Moore, his son, USC Firefighter Michael Moore and their family recover from a fire that destroyed their house on April 10th.

Donations may be made at any PNC Bank Office to:

The Moore Family Fund
c/o Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department

or by sending the donation to:

The Moore Family Fund
c/o Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department
2001 Washington Road
Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

April 2008: Carnegie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Bureau  - 5K Run/Walk
Carnegie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Bureau is sponsoring a 5K Run / Walk on April 26, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. starting at the Carnegie Borough Building. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and costs $12.00 for preregistration, or $15.00 on race day. The race benefits the Carnegie VFRB. Please support our brother and sister firefighters.

March 2008: Thanks for Attending the Fish Fry
The 2008 Fish Fry was a great success, and we thank all who attended. Special thanks to all of the department members who worked so hard to make the event a success. And thanks to everyone who attended. We hope you enjoyed everything. Your support of this important fund-raiser helps us provide emergency service all year long. We hope to see you next year. In case you're wondering, that'll be Friday, April 10, 2009.

March 2008: In Memory of Bradley P. Holmes, Pine Township Engine Company, Mercer County
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department extends its sincere condolences to our brothers and sisters in the Pine Township Engine Company and to the family of Pine Township firefighter Bradley P. Holmes, who died on March 5, 2008 from injuries received in the line of duty at a fire in Grove City Borough on Friday, February 29th. Firefighter Holmes was searching for an entrapped victim in a residence fire when the fire worsened, and he sustained fatal burns. We will remember him as we remember all our brothers and sisters who give their lives in the service of others, as one who exemplifies the very best in humanity, and our cherished brother. May he rest in peace.

February 2008:  Fish Fry!
Bower Hill VFD once again presents the annual Good Friday Fish Fry. Advance phone orders will be taken Thursday, March 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday, March 21st from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 412-221-3497. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21st, and close at 7:00 p.m. or whenever we run out of food, whichever comes first. See the Fish Fry page for the menu and prices. The Junior Fire Brigade will have a bake sale at the fish fry for your dessert. This event is an important fund-raiser for the department, and even more, it's a great community-building event. Come and meet your friends and neighbors for good food and good company.

February 2008: Spaghetti Dinner: Thanks for Attending, and Thanks to Our Sponsors
Thanks to all who attended the Junior Fire Brigade's Spaghetti Dinner at the Memorial Hall on Sunday, February 10, 2008. Though the weather was bad, the attendance (and the food) was good. Thanks to all department members who helped the Juniors with this event.
Thanks to:
for donating money, food and prizes. Look for the date of next year's spaghetti dinner soon.

February 2008: Get-well wishes
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department offers get-well wishes to Life Member Joe Besso and Deputy Chief Pete Yohe.

January, 2008: Condolences to a Department Officer
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department extends its condolences to Deputy Chief Pete Yohe, his wife Colleen, and and his family on the death of his mother-in-law, Frances Gaughan, who died January 24, 2008. May she rest in peace.

January, 2008:  In Memory of Blaine Woodhall, Glendale Hose Co. No. 1
Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department extends its condolences to our brothers and sisters of Glendale Hose Company No. 1 and to the family of Glendale life member Blaine Woodhall, who died January 27, 2008. Blaine served Scott Township with pride and dedication. He will be missed, and he will be remembered. May he rest in peace.

January 2008: Spaghetti Dinner, February 10, 2008
The Junior Fire Brigade of the Bower Hill VFD will sponsor a Spaghetti Dinner at the Memorial Hall on Sunday, February 10, 2008. More details here . Come and support our juniors, and have a good time. Call 412-969-5456 for discount advance tickets.

January 2008: Congratulations to New Officers
The Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department has elected its new officers for the 2008 - 2009 term. The new officers are:

President: Rob Losekamp
Vice President: Jerry Butts
Secretary: Ceil Kitchen
Treasurer: Ed Meyer
Trustees: Ed Zombeck, George Fichter, Pat Walther

Chief: John Levi
Deputy Chief: Pete Yohe
Assistant Chief: Joe Seaman

The Chief has appointed the Company Officers and Task Officers for 2008. They are:
Co-Chief Engineer: Ed Meyer
Co-Chief Engineer: Dave Teti
Engineer: Dave Berkman
Engineer: Rob Losekamp
Thanks to the outgoing officers from the 2006-2007 term: Vice President Brad Lynch, Trustee Don Ziegler, Chief Gary Sawicki, Lieutenant John Vaccarello, and Lieutenant Dave Martz for your service to the citizens of Scott Township.

2007 News

2006 News

2005 News

2004 News

Media Coverage and Press Releases