The Pleasant Gap Fire Company Family would like to congratulate Hillary and Clint Ripka on their marriage! Mr. and Mrs. Ripka tied the knot on Saturday, April 30 in the company of their family and friends. We with them a very happy future together!
A special thanks to Scott Meyers for chauffeuring Engine 810 for the couple’s wedding!
At approximately 15:00, fire and EMS crews were dispatched to Stover Road for a motor vehicle accident: one vehicle into a tree with one injury. Crews operated on scene for approximately 30 minutes.?
On Saturday, April 16, Engine 810 and Ambulance 852, along with various apparatus from area fire and EMS companies, lined West Branch Road to support the Firefighter 5K Run/Walk event. Several PGFD members and their families also participated in the run/walk event. The event was held to support local emergency personnel in their time of need, with this year’s beneficiary being Company 8 firefighter and Safety Officer Gregg Heny. Visit the Firefighter 5K (Firefighter Combat Challenge) page to learn more about the event.
At approximately 3:39 AM, a number of fire companies, including Pleasant Gap Fire Co., were dispatched to I-99 southbound (just before MM76/Shiloh Road) for a truck fire. Upon arrival, crews found a two-truck accident, including a tanker carrying 8,000 gallons of ethanol (on fire). After determining that the trailer was indeed carrying ethanol, crews cooled the tanker with massive amounts of water, then attacked the fire with foam to smother it out. Crews remained on scene until 2:30 PM (the following afternoon). (Read more about the accident on the Centre Daily Times: <First Story> <Second Story>)
On Monday, April 11, a special crew transferred to Clinton County Station 5 (Dunnstown) for a standby assignment while Clinton County crews attended a memorial service for Dunnstown’s past chief Chuck Rine. The crew ran a single call for a tree into the power lines. The Pleasant Gap Fire Company family extends thoughts and prayers to Chief Rine’s family during this difficult time.
On Saturday, April 9, a special crew transferred to Alpha Fire Company to standby at their station while the Alpha members attended their annual banquet. While on standby, crews covered three calls: At 21:34 units were dispatched for fire box 543 for a report of a smoke detector activation in Patton Township, with nothing found upon arriving on scene. At 22:33 units were dispatched for fire box 521 for a report of a smoke detector activation in College Township. 814 manned the fire station while other standby crews responded. At 23:40 units were dispatched for fire box 521 for a building fire in State College Borough for a report of smoke on the second and third floors with a smoke alarm sounding. After arriving there was a light smoke condition inside the building due to burnt food. Units used fans to ventilate. FF/EMT Rob Bressler contributed to this article.
On Friday, April 8, a special ambulance crew transferred to Station 25 (Centre Lifelink EMS) to cover first due calls while their crews attended their annual banquet. The crew would like to extend their thanks for the hospitality of the officers and staff at Centre Lifelink EMS while they were at their station.
The members and their families joined on Saturday, April 2nd for the annual Company banquet, which was held at the Nittany Valley Country Club. A special congratulations is in order for this year’s service award recipients:
Thanks to all who attended, and a special thanks to the Banquet Committee, Gary Royer and Brian Shade, and their spouses, Paula Royer and Jeanine Shade, for putting together this special event!
The officers and members would like to extend a special “thanks” to Bellefonte Fire Companies 1 (Logans) and 2 (Undines) and to Centre Lifelink EMS for their help with a standby assignment. These companies provided coverage for the Pleasant Gap areas while the PGFD members attended their annual banquet on 2-April. Thank you again for allowing us to share the evening with our families and fellow brothers and sisters while keeping our communities safe!