Forgotten
Hero Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Forgotten Hero Memorial Scholarship Fund was
established to recognize and honor the memory of those who have
committed a lifetime of Volunteered service as Firefighters for
Douglass Township, Montgomery County; to preserve the spirit of
unselfish giving to our community in times of need.
This fund will support, on a yearly basis, one $500.00 scholarship
for a graduating Senior Classman from the Boyertown Area School
District, who plans to continue their education after high school
with a preference of continuing a career in the Emergency Services
field.
The recipient will be good citizens in school and the community.
Along with their application, applicants are required to write
and submit an essay; which includes their aspirations for the
Emergency Services field at what it means to them.
Basement
Flood Conditions
The Douglass Township Board of Supervisors directed
the Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue Company to discontinue their
“Basement Pumping Operations” at residential and commercial
sites throughout Douglass Township. The reasons for this decision
are the safety concerns for our volunteer firefighters, and, the
increasing environmentally sensitive issues of discharging floodwaters
from private basements.
There have been recent instances where volunteers, while assisting
flooded homeowners, were walking in water near electrical circuit
boxes creating an extremely hazardous condition.
There have also been instances were the water in flooded basements
is contaminated with volatile fluids that are commonly stored
in cellars such as oil, gas, and paint. In addition, during severe
storms the public sewage lines may back flow through improperly
designed basement drains creating a health risk for the fire company
personnel. There is also the possibility that the discharged water
could cause flooding problems and environmental concerns to additional
neighbors and properties downstream.
The potential liabilities associated with Township volunteers
pumping private basements overshadow this community service. It
should also be mentioned that while equipment and personnel are
assisting in flooded basement calls, the reaction times for emergency
operations at accidents, fires, or vehicle rescues could be delayed.
This is a risk the Township cannot take.
With this in mind, all residents who are prone to flooded basements,
should take the necessary precautions of adding sump pumps, replacing
pumps that are inoperable or undersized, and in some cases connecting
a battery backup system or a gas powered generator if the electric
service would be interrupted for any length of time.
The Board of Supervisors and the volunteers of Gilbertsville
Fire and Rescue want to thank everyone for their cooperation regarding
this matter.
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Swimming Pools
The Gilbertsville Community Fire & Rescue Co. remains dedicated
to the safety and protection of our residents and surrounding
communities. Because of the level of preparedness that we must
maintain as far as our resources are concerned, it's policy that
we cannot fill swimming pools. The water
that we carry must be available for any incident that we're called
to respond to in order to maintain 100% readiness.
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Key Lock (Knox) Boxes
Fire Chief, Rick Smith reminds all residents that Douglass Township
has an ordinance requiring owners of certain structures to have
a key lock box installed on the exterior of their structure for
fire safety purposes.
The key lock box system eliminates forced entries into structures,
which helps to avoid costly and time-consuming efforts in gaining
access to locked structures during an emergency. The following
structures are required to be equipped with a key lock box at
or near the main entrance or at such other location required by
the fire chief:
1. Residential, commercial or industrial structures protected
by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppression
system.
2. Multi-family residential structures that have restricted
access through locked doors and have a common corridor for
access to the living units.
3. Governmental structures and nursing care facilities.
For more information contact Rick Smith at (610) 367-0277. Copies
of the ordinance can be obtained at the Township Building.
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Social Hall Rentals
The social hall at the Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue Company
is a social organization only. It is in no way affiliated
with the emergency services in our community and exists soley
for the purpose of business venture. Events held at this location
are not handled by the fire service personnel
themselves.
Those interested in hall rentals or information regarding public
events held at the social hall by "Gilbertsville Fire Company
No. 1" can call the social hall staff at (610) 367-2290.
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Bingo Night
Our bingo is every Thursday night. Doors open at 5:00pm and starts
at about 6:30pm. The bingo is run by the contributing members
of Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue Company. All proceeds go directly
to benefit the firefighters and firefighting operations. The firefighters
help set up food and refreshments and clean up after every bingo.
They are truly appreciative of our contributing member's efforts.
Anyone interested in becoming involved with bingo, feel free to
stop in any Thursday night and talk to Dot Agliano.
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Fire Safety
Programs
The Command Staff and firefighters of the Gilbertsville Fire
& Rescue Co. selflessly serve the community both during public
emergencies and in day-to-day living. We are always available
to speak to the public about fire safety and fire safety awareness
anytime that we're needed.
Whether it's to speak to class of young children or simply for
the benefit of your family, at our fire station, a school or your
home, the firefighters of the Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue
Co. would be more than happy to assist you in learning more about
what you can do make a safer environment. Please contact
us to discuss the issue.
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Controlled Burns in Douglass
Township
Residents interested in administering a controlled burn within
the township lines are required to obtain a Controlled Burn Permit
from the Douglass Township Administration Building located at
the corner of Philadelphia Avenue Merkel Road. Residents are welcome
to encouraged to download the official ordinance here.
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Smoke Detectors & Smoke
Detector Testing
Information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
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Becoming a G.F.R.C.
Firefighter!
The Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue Company is always looking
for individuals who posess a high level of motivation, desire
to be challenged and willingness to lead. If you're interested
in joining us as a volunteer firefighter, download an application
in the multimedia section or go
here. The application may be returned in person or mailed
to:
Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue Company
1454 E. Philadelphia Ave.
Gilbertsville, PA 19525
P: (610) 367-0277
F: (610) 367-0535
info@gilbertsvillefirerescue.org
Questions about the application process, required training, etc,
can be answered happily if you use our web site contact
form.
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Documents
Available for Download
Douglass Twp Controlled
Burning Policy
Volunteer Firefighter
Aplication
Contributing
Member Application
NFPA Home Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
Fire Safety
Education Request Form (Fillable)
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