Coraopolis Responds to Vehicle Accident/Fire

On Saturday, September 26th, 2009, Coraopolis Volunteer Fire Department responded to the intersection of Montour Street and Grace Street for a motor vehicle accident.  The vehicle reportedly was on fire as well.  Crews responded and mitigated hazards.

More pictures and information is available at coraopolisvfd.com

Fire Destroys Home Day Before Owners Move In

Article from WPXI

PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Fire burned through a home in Westmoreland County, one day before its owners were scheduled to move in.It started on Duncan Street in Penn Township at around 12:05 a.m. Tuesday.  The two-story house was being renovated, so no one was inside. The couple who own it were supposed to move in Wednesday.  Investigators did not know the cause of the fire. They also did not say if the fire is considered suspicious.

PA Volunteer Departments – Please Take Notice

Here on the eve of the G20 Summit, its certainly busy times for fire departments in western PA as plans are being put in place.  However, I would like to bring the following state budget news to everyone’s attention, in case you missed the news at first like I did myself.

The state has announced they may have a budget agreement after the latest changes.  One of those changes is to levy a 20% tax on small games of chance income.  Guess what that means fellow volunteers?  For every $10 you make at bingos, cash bashes, lottery ticket sales, etc the state is going to take $2 from you.  How is that for “supporting” you local fire department?

There is no mention of the state grant program for fire and ambulance services, but it sounds like that will stay in place. I’m guessing they didn’t want to touch that because the public would hear “cutting funds to fire/ems” and there would be an outcry.  If they tax small games of chance, the general public may not realize who that is really impacting.

Per the Tribune-Review

A new 20 percent tax would be levied on the profits of small games of chance, which include punch boards, pull tabs and raffle tickets. The tax will be paid by the licensee, said Andrew Crompton, a lawyer for Scarnati. It will not include bingo.

The tax is applicable to nonprofits with liquor licenses. It does not extend to church raffles, he said.

Prize limits will likely increase from the current $5,000 per week to $20,000 per week per club, Crompton said.

Looks to me just another step in getting volunteer fire departments to close their doors.  I agree, in some counties there are too many departments, and some consolidation is needed.  However, at the rate they are changing things, its almost like certain government leaders have agenda’s to close them quickly.

I recommend discussing this new proposal of the budget with your state representative.  Let them know us volunteers only have so much time in a day, and that working 20% more for fundraising is not something that the state should be making us do.  Do the state leaders really think we make that much from Night at the Races and lottery tickets?

They are back in session on Wednesday to discuss the details of this new proposal, so there is still time to make your feelings known.  Pennsylvania is still the only state without a current budget.

Site Update: Featured Video Section Changed

Just wanted to sent a quick note that the video’s on the right side of the site under the “Featured Video” section have been updated to only show news from a couple of the local Pittsburgh stations.  Prior to this the news in that section was firefighting related from across the world.  The decision was made to keep the section more in tune to the site theme and just show local news.  Hoopie World will continually monitor to look for more stations, especially the Erie stations and add them if they become available.  Currently WTAE and WPGH offer video news clips to publishers.  Thanks and stay safe out there.

Glendale Station 257 Responds to MVA

On September 11th, 2009, Glendale Station 257 responded to an accident on Swallow Hill Road.

The vehicle was in a patch of woods and crashed into a tree.

For more pictures and information visit Glendale’s website here.

Bird’s Eye View Game – Round 3

Its back by popular demand!  Round 3 of Bird’s Eye View.  For those of you that missed the first 2 rounds, I post aerial photos of stations from around the region and you guess which stations they are.  I have them broken down by county to help you out.  Good luck and we’ll see how good you guys are this round! (Click on pictures for larger size)

1) Allegheny County

2) Beaver County

3) Butler County

4) Fayette County

7) Washington County

8 ) Westmoreland County

Be sure to leave your guesses in the comments below.

Lower Burrell Council Closes Braeview VFD

Despite protests and last minute pleas, Lower Burrell council approved with a 4-1 vote to cut ties with Lower Burrel #4 Volunteer Fire Department, also known as Braeview VFD.  In a move similar to many other councils are discussing all over western PA, the Lower Burrell council felt they could save money by eliminating this department and having Lower Burrell #3 cover that area.

Read more

Further Twitter Explanation

For those of you that still don’t use or understand Twitter, FireCritic.com helps further explain what it is and how it is useful.

I see a lot of firefighters and EMT’s ask “What the heck is Twitter”. Or better yet “What the hell is A Twitter”?

I have heard firefighters in my own department, in my own station ask what it is. Some of them don’t know what email is…so it is not worth too much of a detailed explanation.Let me explain what twitter is and why it benefits firefighters and EMT’s.

First of all, Twitter (Twitter.com) is a social networking tool. Users can type whatever the heck they want as long as it is shorter than 140 characters.

Read the full article here

‘Suspicious’ Pitcairn Fire Damages 3 Houses On Second Street

PITCAIRN, Pa. — Allegheny County officials reported a fire in Pitcairn damaged three houses early Monday morning.No injuries have been reported but a number of people were evacuated from the homes in the 300 block of Second Street.

The fire was reported around 2:20 a.m. It took more than two hours and seven fire departments to get the flames in the two houses and one apartment building under control. According to fire investigators the fire started in the middle building and then spread to either side.The Pitcairn fire chief said they are treating the fire as suspicious.Red Cross officials said they are assisting 10 adults and five children with food, clothing and housing.Traffic Watch 4’s Scott Stiller reported that Wall Avenue is closed this morning between Route 130 and Third Street due to the fire activity.

Story and more on WTAE’s website.

Props to Eric Godard From the Penguins

Eric Godard, of the Pittsburgh Penguins, just went up a notch in my book as I found out that during his day with the Stanley Cup he visited the Vernon, British Columbia Fire and Police Departments.

You can read the article covering the visit at http://www.hhof.com/html/exSCJ09_20.shtml.   Judging by this act, it sounds like Godard is just like most other NHL’s and very down to earth.  His day with the Cup was August 23rd, and also made sure he visited the local Boys & Girls Club.

Thanks Eric for remembering the police officers and firefighters, and I know its not your hometown, but if you are ever in Lincoln Boro . . .

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