Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters

10/15/2026

Last evening, firefighters were called to assist Union Township Fire Department with a residential structure fire. As crews were responding it was confirmed that a victim was trapped inside of the structure.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find flames visible from the first and second floors of the structure and a primary search and fire suppression immediately began. Sadly, the victim was located during the search, succumbing to their injuries.

During this time a General Alarm was dispatched summoning off duty firefighters to assist on the scene and to cover the City for additional calls. Shenango Area Fire District was also called to assist with covering the City.

10/15/2026

Investing in public safety should be the top priority!!

HAZLETON KEEPS GROWING — BUT WHERE IS THE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SAFETY?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hazleton’s population grew from 25,340 residents in 2010 to 29,963 in 2020, an increase of nearly 5,000 people. Today, the city’s population is estimated to exceed 30,000.

And the growth continues.

New townhomes, apartment buildings, commercial buildings, warehouses, and industrial developments continue to expand throughout our city. More people, more buildings, more traffic, and an increasing demand for emergency services.

Yet our fire department continues to operate with as few as 3 firefighters and 1 officer on duty.

Three firefighters responsible for protecting an entire growing city.

While development continues and emergency call volume increases, staffing has not kept pace with the growing demands placed on our firefighters.

At what point does public safety become as much of a priority as economic development?

The Mayor and City Council have a responsibility to consider the public safety needs that come with a growing city. Approving new development is only part of the equation. Ensuring adequate emergency services are available to protect those developments, the residents living in them, and the firefighters responding to them is just as important.

Every new apartment building means more families to protect. Every new warehouse or commercial facility presents additional challenges when an emergency occurs.

But none of these developments come with additional firefighters to handle those emergencies.

Our firefighters are expected to do more with less, while the city they protect continues to expand.

We support Hazleton’s growth and economic development. But growth without corresponding investments in public safety raises serious concerns about the future safety of our community.

How much larger does Hazleton have to become? How much higher does our call volume have to climb? How many more responsibilities can be placed on three firefighters before staffing becomes a priority?

These are questions that deserve answers from the people responsible for planning our city’s future.

Our firefighters have continued to answer the call. Now it’s time for city leadership to address the staffing challenges that come with protecting a growing City.

You cannot continue building a bigger city while expecting the same UNDERSTAFFED Fire Department to protect it!

10/12/2026

10/06/2026

Today was an important day for the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association and for firefighters and their families across our Commonwealth.

We officially broke ground on the PPFFA Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Harrisburg — a permanent place to remember and honor the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

This memorial is about more than names on a monument. It is about the men and women who went to work, answered the call, and never came home — and the families, friends, coworkers, and departments who continue to carry their memory.

We were honored to have Governor Josh Shapiro join, the PPFFA Executive Board, members of the PPFFA, elected officials, firefighters, and first responders from across Pennsylvania for today’s groundbreaking.

A special thank you to Senator Patty Kim and Representative Nate Davidson, whose work securing the funding for this project helped turn a long-held vision into something real.

A lot of people have worked for a long time to bring this memorial to this point. Today we finally put shovels in the ground.

We remember our fallen. We honor their service. And we make sure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

10/05/2026

10/5/2026

Update: Ladder 6 is back in service from 9-5 today. The Fire Chief has been removed from his Incident Command and administrative duties and placed in a fire suppression role.

Dunmore Residents,

Please do not let reduced fire department staffing become the new normal. Dunmore is a large, busy town, our community deserves reliable fire protection every day.

At a minimum, staffing should be sufficient to operate two to three fire apparatus at all times.

When an emergency occurs, every minute matters. Residents, Businesses, and Firefighters deserve staffing levels that support a safe and effective response.

10/03/2026

10/02/2026

09/29/2026

City Engine 1 currently on scene assisting Hanover Township Fire Dept at General Dynamics with a commercial structure fire.

📸 Cred - Chris Dolan Fire Photos

09/27/2026