Rescuers Honored During Fire Prevention Month

Photos by Evan Brandt

From left, Norco Fire Chief Joel McMillan, Capt. Matthew Burfete, Battalion Commander Mark Gibson, driver Russell Layre and Battalion Chief Chad Quinter, were recognized Wednesday night for the rescue of a PennDOT bridge inspector who was trapped in mud under the South Hanover Street bridge over the Schuylkill River in June.

October is, among other things, fire prevention month, so it was appropriate for Pottstown to honor some of their own for firefighting and rescue efforts in the past year.

Ironically, the first award went to someone who is not a firefighter.

As recounted by Pottstown Fire Chief Richard Lengel, in the late evening of May 20, a fire was discovered in the attic and roof of a group home for physically handicapped residents in the 1000 block of Logan Street.

Billy Wayne Hill was the supervising caretaker and was recognized for his successful evacuation of all residents and staff before firefighters event arrived.

"As a result, we did not have to expend any resources on search and rescue and we were able to attack the fire immediately," said Lengel.

Next to be recognized were four Pottstown firefighters, a North Coventry fire chief and a paramedic for the June 9 rescue of a PennDOT bridge inspector who became trapped in the mud along the Schuylkill River at the South Hanover Street bridge.

Lengel explained that the situation was more dire than it might seem, both because like quicksand, the more you struggle, the most you can sucked in to the mud. Rescuers also stand a risk of being caught.

And there is even a risk of hypothermia "even in the middle of summer time," Lengel said.

Paramedic Richard Sweeney was in the hospital and could not attend the ceremony, Lengel said. His award is pictured above.

Lengel then offered up some intimidating statistics about the danger of fires, including a disturbing rise in the number of arsons.

Here is some video of his comments, along with video of Mayor Sharon Thomas reading proclamations thanking all four fire companies -- Empire, Goodwill, North End and Phillies -- for their efforts all year long.


Thomas added to Lengel's warnings that there is a danger of fire when charging cell phones in bed and that, like smoking in bed, should be avoided.

"We applaud your diligence, professionalism and courage in assuming your posts and responding to local and regional fire emergencies," Thomas read from the proclamation.

From left, Pottstown Chief Richard Lengel, Empire Chief Brian
Sierocinski, North End Chief Dave Ondik, Goodwill Chief Kevin
Yerger and Phillies Chief Joe Groff.

The mayor also talked about the importance of being aware of domestic violence, and ways to prevent and deal with it, October also being Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

This was followed by a presentation on re-financing the more than $3 million remaining on the bank loan taken out to pay for the new public works facility, and converting it to a bond to save between $175,000 and $200,000.

That money would welcome in helping to close the looming $300,000 gap between projected revenues and expenses in the draft 2017 budget. But you can read all about that on the front page of The Mercury today.

Finally, Assistant Borough Manager Justin Keller updated council on the fact that nine firms have applied for the job of writing a new master plan for Pollock Park on Pottstown's south side.

And if that dandy little summary wasn't enough for you, here are the Tweets and live video. It will be like you were really there ....

Hope Can Rock Their World Saturday

Jake and Ryan Fritz

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the family of Jake and Ryan Fritz.

Jake and Ryan Fritz are two bright and fun-loving boys, ages 7 and 11, who live in Pottstown.

These two brothers, ages 11 and 7, have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a progressive muscle-wasting disease with little treatment and no cure. 

Of the many forms of muscular dystrophy DMD is the most common, vicious and aggressive. 

Progression includes the loss of one’s ability to walk, usually by age 12, with continued weakness resulting in the need for total assistance with all daily activities (eventually including breathing) and an abbreviated life expectancy.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy can be either genetic or occur spontaneously in any generation. In Jake and Ryan’s case, there was no family history. 

DMD knows no discrimination – it can strike boys of any race and location.

Recently, the Fritz family has been faced with more than $100,000 of disease-related expenses due to the boys’ weakening muscles including interior and exterior home modifications, assistive medical equipment and a wheelchair adaptive van.

To offset these expenses, the Fritz family has initiated the Hope Rocks Benefit held in conjunction with Happy 2 be Home, a non-profit organization working with families in the local area who have children with physical challenges. 

This upbeat event will be held be at the Norco Fire Department on Satuday, Oct. 18,  from 7 to 11 p.m. and will feature a live band, dancing, a delicious BBQ supper and a silent auction with many choice items. 

For more information about the Hope Rocks Benefit, visit www.hoperocks.info or call 610-310-6746. 

For those who may not be able to attend the benefit there is an option to donate to Jake & Ryan's Special Needs Fund (see form) to help with the purchase of a handicapped accessible van and to widen the driveway so that the van ramp can extend to admit Jake’s wheelchair.

Jake and Ryan Fritz enjoy building legos, creating art, computer games and playing with their three cats, Millie, Mac and Lucky.

With all our hearts, thank you for reading this, spreading the word and helping to give Jake, Ryan and other such children a quality lifetime with as much comfort and mobility as possible!

333 Years of Fighting Fires

Photos courtesy of Erin Galamba, Norco Fire Company

Back row from left; John Fisher, Joel McMillan, Pennya Comtois, Barry Boettlin, Randy Richter, Douglass Keim, Chuck Schukraft, North Coventry Township Supervisor Rebecca Elliot and state Sen. John Rafferty.

Front row from left:  North Coventry Township Supervisors Chairman Jim Marks, Terry Baker and state Rep. Tim Hennessey.

It's not every day that more than 300 years of dedicated service fighting fires gets recognized all at the same time, but that's what happened at the Norco Firehouse Saturday during the fire company's annual holiday party.

That is when eight long-time members of the company were recognized and presented with awards by officials from the Pennsylvania General Assembly and North Coventry Township.

On hand to do the honors were state Sen. John Rafferty, R-44th Dist.; state Rep. Tim Hennesey,

R-26th Dist. and Jim Marks, chairman of the North Coventry Board of Supervisors.

The awards came as a surprise to the eight volunteers who together, have given a combined 333 years of service to fighting fires in North Coventry Township and beyond.

The recipients and their histories are as follows:

Doug Keim, 73, who joined the fire company in 1959 was honored for 54 years of service.
He was fire chief from 1973 to 1986 and again in 1990. He is a past fire marshal and was directly involved with rescue efforts during the 1972 disaster of Hurricane Agnes.
He is currently the fire company's oldest (and longest active) firefighter, and his father was also an active member of the company until his passing.

Randy Richter, 67, joined the fire company in 1965 and was honored for his 48 years of service.
From 1995 to 2003, he served as fire chief.
Currently captain of the Norco Fire Police, he served as chief engineer for the fire company for more than 25 years and he too was directly involved with the rescue efforts during Hurricane Agnes.

John Fisher, 52, joined the fire company in 1980 and was honored for 33 years of service with the fire company.
A member of the board of directors for many years, he has served as an assistant engineer for many years and is currently the assistant chief.

Barry Boettlin, 65, joined the fire company in 1972 and was honored for 41 years of service to the fire company.
He was Fire Company President in 1996, 1997 and is currently vice-president elect.
Additionally, Boettlin served for many years in the fire police and is a past fire police lieutenant.
He has also served as the company's delegate to the Pennsylvania State Fire Convention for many years.

Terry Baker, 65, was also involved in the rescue efforts during Hurricane Agnes and joined the fire company in 1966.
Honored for 47 years of service with the fire company Saturday, he is currently a fire police lieutenant, past financial secretary and handles all fire hall rentals.
Baker also served for many years on the fire company's board of directors.

Pennya Comtois, 56, was the company's first female Fire Company President and still holds the post today.
She joined in 1970 and was honored Saturday for 43 years of service.
A former president of the Ladies auxiliary, Comtois has served on many fire company committees and her mother, Ellie Ellis, was also an active member until her passing.

Joel McMillan, 55, joined the fire company in 1980 and was honored Saturday for 33 years of service.
McMillan has served for many years as an assistant fire chief, was the fire chief in 1994 and holds that post today.

Charles Schukraft, 52, joined the fire company in 1979 and was honored for 34 years of service with the fire company.
A member of the board of directors for many years, Schukraft is a past chief engineer and is currently an assistant engineer and fire lieutenant.

Helping A Home Be Muscular Dystrophy Friendly

A family trying to pay for modifications to their home in order to accommodate two sons with muscular dystrophy will benefit from a barbecue dinner planned for the Norco Fire Hall on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 7 to 11 p.m.

The boys are Jake and Ryan Fritz, ages 6 and 10, and they are students in the Pottsgrove School District, according to their grandmother, Gail McVicker.

According to a web site set up to support fundraising efforts, both boys have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive muscle-wasting disease with little treatment and no cure.

Progression of this disease includes the loss of one’s ability to walk around age 12 (a power wheelchair for Jake has just been ordered).

For the past five years, the Fritz family has been raising funds for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (www.endduchenne.org) , a non-profit organization that supports advocacy and research efforts related to Duchenne MD. 

More recently, the family has been faced with more than $100,000 in expenses related to the boys’ disease progression, including the need for home modifications, assistive medical equipment and a wheelchair adaptive van.

The family has set a goal of raising $50,000 and so far has raised $7,450.

To further that figure, the barbecue dinner has been planned.

The dinner costs $30 (children under 5 are free) and includes wine, beer and other beverages in addition to a barbecue dinner catered by Moyer’s Catering.

The event will also feature “Upbeat Music” by Andy and Company, dancing, a silent auction and raffle drawings.

Specifically, the proceeds of the benefit will go to Happy 2 be Home, a non-profit organization that is helping the Fritz family meet costs for the home modifications.

Click here to access a mail-in form to sign up for the dinner. You can print it out and mail it to Hope Rocks for Jake & Ryan, P.O. Box 1331, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Or you can click here to order tickets on-line.

A Fair Deal

As the Fourth of July approaches, quick what do you think of?

Yes, Pottstown's annual celebration, of course, but what else?

The Annual Norco Fire Company Fair of course!

This year's even runs from Monday, July 2 through Saturday, July 7 at the Norco Fire Company fairgrounds on Route 724, east of Route 100 and the Coventry Mall.

The ride specials for this year will start off Monday with a $1 discount day with specials throughout the fair on rides, food and games from 6 to 10 p.m.

This will include $1 hot dog, $1 soda and $1 for small french fries at the fire company food stand.

Family nights will be on Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. to close, with "Pay One Price All You Can Ride and on Saturday, from 3 p.m. to close.

Tuesday and Friday nights, Radio B101 will be on hand with the B-Crew at 6 and 8 p.m.

Norco's fireworks will be on
Saturday, July 7 at 10:30 p.m.

The Miller-Keystone Blood Mobile will be on hand Saturday, from 6 to 9 p.m. to take blood donations.

The Turkey Hill Road Show will be on hand with Turkey Hilda (whatever, or whoever that is) Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m.

The fireworks display will be on Saturday, July 7 at 10:30 p.m.

Business exhibitors will be in the engine room each day and Bingo will be held each night in the Air Conditioned social room.

This will be the 47th year that S & S Amusement will provide more than 20 rides and many concessions. Rides will include the Love Bug cars, Vertigo Swing Ride, Spin Out, Tweety Bounce, 60-foot Ferris wheel, Wipe Out, Gravitron, Go Gater, Musik Express, Zipper and more.

The food menu will include hot dogs, hamburgers, keilbasa, pork barbecue, soft pretzels, steamed clams, breaded shrimp, breaded scallops, crab cakes, French fries, fish sandwiches and more.

All proceeds of the fair go towards support of the Norco Fire Company.