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Last updated: June 14, 2009
    Welcome to the West End Fire Company No. 2 of Palmerton web site. The West End Fire Company is a volunteer department located in the Borough of Palmerton, Carbon County, Pennsylvania.   We are one of two companies that serve the borough which is 2.44 square miles with an estimated population of 5,284 people.

    The West End Fire Company is always in need of new members to help out with a variety of things.  Remember volunteers are needed to do more than fight fires.  If you are interested in donating your time to help others stop by the fire company on a  Monday or Friday night or call 610-826-2244.

    Feel free to browse our web site for more information by navigating through the menu on the top of this page.

WEST END FIRE COMPANY RECEIVES 2008 DCED GRANT:
    Thanks to the support of Representative Keith McCall's 122nd Legislative District office our Fire Company was the recipient of grant funding for a vital part of firefighter safety.  This year we purchased a SCOTT Rit-Pak which is used to rescue downed fire fighters who may be going low on air.  The pack has a 1 hour air bottle along with several options that allow a trapped fire fighter breath a longer supply of air.

This Rit-Pak is a great addition to our upgraded fire fighter protective equipment.  Last year we upgraded our SCBA with SCOTT Pak-75 which meet current NFPA regulations plus offer fire fighters a heads up display of remaining air, buddy breathing connections, integrated PASS alert and voice amplifier units on each fire fighters mask.

In addition to that the new SCBA include a Pak Tracker device which guides a rescue team to the injured or trapped firefighter through a handheld tracking unit.  The moment the fire fighter's PASS alert activates it trips a signal to the incident commander telling them a fire fighter is in distress.  This vital piece of equipment allows the incident commander to quickly get  a RIT team activated to rescue the fire fighter.
2008 FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT PURCHASES TO BETTER SERVE PALMERTON BOROUGH:
    This past year we invested the money you supported our  fund raising events  with into state of the art equipment that will prepare this department  to better protect it's citizens and anyone who visits.

Along with the updated SCBA we invested in a MSA Solaris 4 gas detector, thermal inaging camera, fire fighter helmets and PPE gear which include repelling harness and new drag device.

Currently our first out engine 714 and Tower 721 are equipped with a Scott Eagle Thermal Imaging Camera and Pak Tracker device.  The imaging camera are a new addition this year which help our fire fighters do quick and effective searchs and look for fire extension.

Also coming soon through this years DCNR Department of Forestry grant we will be upgrading our first out wildland fire fighting vehicle with a skid unit.  The skid unit is a bed mounted tank and pump unit that will be put in our 1986 wildland attack unit 741.  More information and picture will be coming soon!
THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA, SCBA, RIT-PAK AND PAK TRACKER
The fire fighters above show off some of the new equipment.  From left to right B. Rehrig shows us the Scott Pak Tracker and J. Hofacker proudly displays the Rit Pac, J. Alfano is holding the MSA gas meter while R. Sell shows us one of the thermal imaging cameras.
DONATION FROM OUR LADIES AUXILIARY TO SEE THROUGH THE SMOKE:
    The Scott Eagle Imager Thermal Imaging camera was purchased through a donation from our hard working and dedicatied ladies auxiliary.

Last year the auxiliary made a presentation of a $7,500.00 check for the purchase of life safety fire fighting equipment.  The officers of the department quickly went into action purchasing the first ever thermal imaging camera for the West End Fire Company.

Thermal imaging cameras have proven to be among the most effective tools available for fire combat. From search and rescue to overhaul operations, thermal imaging technology gives firefighters the advantage of seeing and better understanding the conditions around them when smoke and darkness would otherwise limit that ability.

Along with the camera a spare battery was purchased along with a 12 volt vehicle charging system to always make sure the camera is ready to operate in any emergency situation.

The members of the fire company would like to thank our ladies auxiliary for the years of hard work and dedication to support our fire fighters as well for their assistance to purchase this state of the art tool to combat fire.

Currently we have a thermal imaging camera on both our first out Engine 714 and Tower 721.
855 West Princeton Avenue ~ Palmerton, PA  18071 ~ Phone:  610-826-2244
Where Duty Calls, There You'll Find Us.
Incorporated July 19, 1919
WEST END FIRE COMPANY REPLACES 741:
    Currently our fire fighters are working on a 1986 military issued 5/4 TON CUCV pick-up truck.  The truck is a federal excess equipment vehicle and was transferred to the fire department from DCNR Department of Forestry.

The vehicle will be equipped as a fire out apparatus for all wild land fires.  A skid unit from Wildland Warehouse is currently on order.  The skid unit will carry  225 gallons of water and 5 gallons of foam.  It will have a 2-stage pump, Scotty around the pump foam system, 200' booster reel and one 150' crosslay.

The pictures show the progress of the body work to transfer the camouflage vehicle to a valuable fire fighting vehicle
SKID UNIT FOR BRUSH 741
1986 PICK-UP RECEIVING BODY WORK
DWELLING FIRE IN THE BOROUGH:
    Shortly after 11:00 PM on the 16th of January the Palmerton Fire Department was dispatched to a reported dwelling fire.  On initial report home owner confirmed smoke in the structure and police confirmed smoke in the area on arrival.

Fire quickly consumed the 900 square ft. home on the 500 block on Mauch Chunk Road in Palmerton.  Sub zero degree temperatures made fire attach very difficult. 

Engine 714 was first to arrive and quickly put the first hand lines into service.  Engine 711 hit a hydrant and supplied Engine 714.  Tower 721 was on scene second and it's crew helped with fire attack.

The state police fire marshal was requested to assist with the investigation.

Low temperatures and a partial first floor collapse contributed to what took fire fighters several hours to gain control of the situation.  Assisting the Palmerton Fire Department were the Aquashicola Fire Company, Bowmanstown Fire Company and Walnutport Fire Company who was serving as RIT.  Palmerton Ambulance was also on scene.
Click on the picture above to watch a video of the fire scene in Palmerton thanks to www.newsworking.org
Click on the picture to watch the news report from WFMZ
2nd ALARM FIRE IN WALNUTPORT ON APRIL 9, 2009:
    Palmerton fire department was dispatched late Thursday evening to the borough of Walnutport on a 2nd alarm working structure fire at 320 Main Street.  Tower 721 was requested for the mutual aid request.

Palmerton responded with Tower 721 and Engine 714 and upon arrival it's crews were sent to the rear of the structure .  Palmerton crews entered in a 2nd floor window and advanced a hose line to check for extension and ventilation.

Palmerton units were released shortly after the fire was declared under control.

The stucture was unoccupied and was currently under renovation.  The fire marshall is currently investigating
Click on the picture above to watch a video of the fire scene in Palmerton thanks to www.newsworking.org
Click on the picture to watch the news report from WFMZ
ANNUAL 4-COUNTY PARADE HELD IN NORTHAMPTON & NORTH CATASAQUA JUNE 13, 2009:
Twenty-one members of the West End Fire Company marched in the 2009 4 County Firefighters parade hosted this year by both Northampton and North Catasaqua.  Along with the members that marched our department proudly displayed Attach 742, Engine 714 and Tower 721. 

Through most of the day the sun shown bright but somewhere around half way through the two mile march the sky's opened and rain challenged our members including Tiller the dalmatian.  It certainly was worth the effort by all the members of the department.  The Palmerton Fire Department collected three 1st place trophies.  We were awarded first place for best functional and equipped engine for Engine 714, best equipped and functional aerial platform for Tower 721 and even Tiller walked away with first place honors as best dalmatian.

Thank you to all the members that took the time to prepare and march in the parade this past Saturday and also a big thank you to the community that gives us all the support to allow us to go out and compete in these events.