WCU donates $50K to Fame Fire Company

WEST CHESTER >> West Chester University representatives presented a $50,000 donation to the Fame Fire Company Thursday toward its capital project.

University President Chris Fiorentino presented the check to Fame President Don Powers and campaign co-chair Bill Ronayne on behalf of the 52 active-duty volunteer firefighters.

“The university’s donation toward the ladder truck is our way of helping the men and women of Fame Fire Company who volunteer tirelessly day and night to ensure the safety of all area citizens, including WCU students,” Fioren-

tino said.

This donation, made to Fame’s $2.5-million capital campaign, will be used to construct a specialized storage facility for Fame’s 137foot aerial truck. Currently the station at 200 East Rosedale Avenue houses four pieces of apparatus plus a water rescue boat. Two trailers with trench rescue equipment and the utility truck remain parked outside under a canopy because there is not enough space in the station. Sylvia Bastani, Fame campaign manager, said there are concerns of damage during inclement weather or vandalism.

Powers said that the limited spacing for the apparatus also leaves little room for the firefighters to put on their protective gear to respond to an incident. The gear racks are positioned closely to the apparatus. He added that it is a safety concern that the firefighters are so close to the moving apparatus.

“It’s just so tight,” Powers said.

Bastani said they have raised about $1.75 million so far from individuals, businesses, foundations, municipalities and others.

Donations will go toward expanding the engine bay as part of the new 40-foot by 100-foot two-story expansion to Fame firehouse. The proposed addition includes new restroom facilities with showers, a fitness room, lounge areas, a training room, sleeping areas and more. It will include three bunk rooms and up to five single rooms for West Chester University students as part of the live-in program. Currently, when members spend the night during snow emergencies, for example, they sleep on cots or air mattresses that are on the ground in the banquet hall.

There are 12 students who are Fame firefighters.

“West Chester University is pleased to be able to assist our community’s volunteer firefighters in the purchase of specialized equipment that will assist in saving numerous lives,” Fiorentino said.

University officials said the aerial truck is a vital piece of firefighting equipment that is employed when responding to incidents in high-rise buildings including some of the university’s residence halls. When fully extended, the ladder is 127feet long. Most aerial ladders are 110-feet, according to the firefighters.

The aerial truck was provided to Fame because of its close proximity to the West Chester University campus. West Chester Borough owns the apparatus that serves the borough as well as the five townships. Fame Fire Company owns its station and maintains it, while the borough maintains the apparatus.

“The volunteer firefighters of Fame Fire Company join me in extending our sincere appreciation to President Fiorentino and the West Chester University community for their generous support of Fame’s capital campaign,” Powers said.

Fame Lt. Martin Helmke, who is a West Chester University professor, also expressed his gratitude.

“I’m really proud to be a part of the West Chester University community and see that,” Helmke said as he pointed at the check.

Helmke said he is also proud that his fire company holds a high level of training. Fame received honors for having more than 12,000 hours of training each year since 2012.

Fame Fire Company No. 3 is one of three 100 percent volunteer fire companies – which include First West Chester and Good Will - that comprise West Chester Fire Department. The department requires that firefighters obtain “firefighter one” national certification. Fame is the ladder/truck company. Fame also serves as the heavy rescue Company for the West Chester Fire Department and serves in the Regional Rescue Task force for Southeastern Pennsylvania and on the Chester County Rescue Task Force. Fame is also a part of the water rescue task force for the Commonwealth.

For more information, or to donate, visit www.famefireco.org.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Fame firefighter Tom Stosser shakes hands with West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino after Fiorentino presented Fame Fire Company with a check for $50,000 as part of the company’s $2.5 million capital campaign Stosser is a senior at West...