What's New

Our new tanker has arrived when members of our tanker committee made the trip to Meyersdale PA on Friday January 22nd 2010, made final inspection, received training on, and took possession of our new tanker which will replace our existing tanker which will be retired and sold.  With dual rear axles the new tanker will now be legally loaded to transport water to any scene upon which we are called upon to respond.  Based on a 2009 International "Workstar" chassis the new tanker will haul 3,022 gallons vs the 1,825 gallons of our soon to be retired 1983 tanker.

I will add that ' as delivered' the tanker cost was zero dollars to the fire company and the community.  Our Fire Company President Dan Ake with assistance from a assistant grant writer had completed a grant application for last year's Assistance to Fire Fighters' Grant program to wit we were awarded a grant of $237,073.00 for the purchase of a new tanker.  That along with a $48,080.85 bequeath of Margaret Rote allowed us the "relative luxury" of having to hold zero fund raising events to enable us to bring this new piece of fire fighting apparatus to the community.  While there will still be some additional expense for installation of communications equipment, graphics and an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) as well as a portable pump, the total cost to fire company and the community to put this new truck into service  will be an estimated cost of less than $20,000????  So thank you Dan and his assistant for getting us the majority of the funds required to purchase this much needed piece of equipment.
Follow this link to the picture page of the new tanker.

and what is Now Old

2009 Guinness World Record attempt falls short

   As part of our Centennial celebration on Saturday June 20th 2009 we attempted to set the Guinness World Record for the Longest Bucket Brigade line.  The line ended with approximately 325 rain soaked wet participants covering 1,232 lineal feet.  We would like to take this opportunity to Thank the many individuals and businesses that helped either monetarily or with in-kind services!  But as one local government official asked if we are planning on doing anything this large anytime soon, we answer, YES, in another 100 years.

The Millheim Fire Company is now a participant in the “Knox Box” building access system.  This system allows the fire company to access participating building owner’s properties only in emergencies by unlocking doors instead of breaking down doors or windows.  With this system, keys or important building floor plans, hazard sheets are secured on the exterior of your building in a “safe” type, weather proof enclosure.  Only the local fire company which serves your structure has a master key to allow them to access the contents of the enclosure.  When your system is initially installed the fire company must unlock the enclosure so that you can put your items in. The master key is controlled within the fire company by a secondary locked enclosure within the fire company’s responding apparatus which requires a special code to access, and that code is specially controlled and data logged with date, time and person accessing.   Additional information can be found on the internet at www.knoxbox.com or by contacting any Millheim Fire Company chief or calling the engine room at 349-8164 and leaving a message.