MISSION STATEMENT:
It is the mission of the George G. McMurtry Volunteer Fire Department, Vandergrift No. # 1 to provide the best protection of life and property to the citizens of the boroughs of Vandergrift and East Vandergrift. We shall also help to protect the lives and the property of the citizens of the surrounding communities to which we provide mutual aid. We shall, by being both prompt and proactive in our training and services, provide the highest quality of fire suppression and rescue services. We will continue to seek new opportunities to serve our communities and neighbors and strive to never stop improving the quality of service we provide.
About Us:
The George G. McMurtry Volunteer Fire Department, Vandergrift # 1 is located in Vandergrift Borough, Westmoreland County Pennsylvania. We are a 100% volunteer agency comprised of 39 personnel. Vandergrift is nestled in river valleys 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh along active State Routes 56, 356, and 66. Under automatic aid, we protect over 100 sqaure miles consisting of 1600+ road miles, and a population near 30,000.
Our coverage area spans the counties of Westmoreland and Armstrong which includes Vandergrift Boro, East Vandergrift Boro, Allegheny Twp., Hyde Park Boro, West Leechburg Boro, Oklahoma Boro, Bell Twp., Apollo Boro, North Apollo Boro, and Parks Township.
We provide Fire Suppresion, Vehicle Rescue, Technical Rescue, Water Rescue, and Air Support to these areas as well as outlying communities. We currently staff 1 Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Engine, 1 Squad, and 1 Rescue Boat.
Who we are:
Vandergrift Fire Rescue is woven from three agencies. Vandergrift # 1 and East Vandergrift VFD (formerly Station 72) merged in 1987 and Kiski Valley Special Services (formerly Station 151) merged in 2004. In August of 2008 the membership passed a motion to designate our department under one station number, 51.
Training for the future:
Since the 2004 Merger our department has taken a proactive stance in training our members.
We currently have numerous personnel certified to proffesional qualifications in Firefighter II, Firefighter I, General Rescue Requirements, Vehicle Machinery, Hazardous Materials Operations, and Fire Service Instructor I. All of these certifications are sponsored through the PA State Fire Academy.
We also have numerous personnel certified to the emergency rescue standards of Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician, Special Vehicle Rescue Technician, Basic Rescue Practices Technician, Emergency Medical Technician Basic, Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic, CPR/ AED Health Care Provider, and Basic First Aid. All of these certifications are sponsored through the PA Department of Health.
Numerous personnel are also versed in Water Rescue due to the immediate dangers of the Kiski River and surrounding streams. Our personnel have Operations level training sponsored through the PA Fish And Boat Commision Water Rescue Program.
Accomplishments, Accrediditations, and Certifications:
Our Department is well recognized for it's outstanding accomplisments from numerous agencies.
They include:
- Participating Agency of the State Fire Academy Certification Program
- Level I Accrediditation from the PA Water Rescue Instructors Association
- Advanced certification from the PA Department of Health Voluntary Rescue Service Program
Rescue 51 is only the second rescue to recieve the Advanced Level Certification in Westmoreland County, Adamsburg and Community VFD in Hempfield Twp. was the first. It the only one covering Armstrong County.
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