by: Amy Haller

" Have you ever contemplated joining the fire services? Are you in your 30's or 40's and think it's too late? Is this something you have always wanted to do but just didn't know how? John Vaccarello, Bower Hill Firefighter, once felt the same way.

"If I had known it was this easy to join, I would have done it 10 or 15 years ago. I always wanted to sign up, but never knew how," stated Vaccarello. "If it wasn't for my step-son, I wouldn't become a member." He is referring to Jordan Fascetti, junior firefighter with Station 255. "Every Wednesday night, I was dropping him off and picking him up for drills; and I started talking to my wife about it. Anyhow, Jordon was volunteering at the Open House event. and we stopped by to see him. I was looking at the air tanks when I began talking to Officer Dave Martz. I admitted to him that I was always interested in firefighting, but I never knew how to become a member. Before I knew it, I had an application!"

It's been over a year since John has joined the department. Now forty-one, Vaccarello remembers what it was like when he took his firefighting training course,

"When I took Essentials, I was surprised to see that there were a lot of guys there my age. I realized if this is something you have always wanted to do, there is no reason not to. You're never too old to begin! Just stop down at the station and let someone know you want to join.

 "Look, I have been doing this for a little over one year, and I can't help myself now! I knew I was hooked when there was a water main break, and we helped this little old lady. She seemed so scared, and the desperate look in her eyes said it all when she declared, "I don't know what I would have done without you boys."

The fire Service industry is in need of volunteers. Membership is dwindling in size, and response time is increasing as a result. The Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department is always looking for a men and women who would like to join. As members of this community it is our responsibility to take care of our community. We are your neighbors, and we have made that choice; we hope you will too. If you want more information, please contact us at 412-221-3497 and we'll help get you started!