Welcome to United Volunteers Fire & Rescue

Contact Info:

United Vol. Fire & Rescue

PO Box 115
East McKeesport PA 15035

(412)823-9654

UVFR Message From the Chief

FROM THE CHIEF

Welcome to our website. Its hard to believe that we are moving into our fifth year of the merger between the East McKeesport VFC #2 and the Wall Borough VFD. Without much fanfare, we have dramatically improved not only our inventory and service capabilities, but also our training. New rescue tools-a Holmatro combi-tool, airbags, and assorted hand tools, are now in service on board Rescue 135. The more modern Truck 287 is poised and ready, loaded with equipment that we could have only dreamed of five years ago. This is the result of the hard work of our members past and present, with the help of the two Borough Councils, and the Federal and State grants that we have been able to secure. We've enhanced our capability to provide top notch fire, rescue, EMS, and public service to the communities of Wall and East McKeesport, and when called upon, to our neighbors...but we are not done growing yet. Browse through our site and see what we are proud of. Also know that we are welcoming new members all the time. If you are interested in growing with us, whether its an interest in firefighting, EMS, rescue, or administration and fund-raising, there's probably a place for you.

Check it out!

Steve Zamosky, Chief of Department
United Vol. Fire/Rescue

United Volunteers Fire & Rescue Photo of The Day for

Busy couple of days for UVFR

With the deluge of rain and lightning that occured on June 17, 2009, UVFR crews were busy with multiple calls.

Five crew members were returning from training in Penn Hills when they were flagged down by a woman stating her relative was trapped behind rising waters at her residence. Squad 135 rescued the woman and her Great Dane across a food bridge over a fast moving creek.

Later in the evening, crews responded to 13 calls for service over the next 36 hours including flooded basements, downed trees, carbon monoxide alarms, automatic fire alarms, deployment of the Red Cross disaster trailer, and smells of gas outside of residences. UVFR EMS crews also handled one medical call during this busy time.

We would like to wish the best of luck and speedy recovery to all of those affected by the recent weather.

Motor Vehicle Crash

Sunday, May 31, 2009

UVFR stations 135, 287 and EMS 330 were alerted to the 300 block of Lincoln Highway for the report of a motor vehicle crash.

Units found a single vehicle crash, with one SUV off of a telephone pole and into a retaining wall. There was one injury.

LETS GO PENS!!!

Congratulations to the Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Penguins who battled back from 10th place in the regular season to first get in to the playoffs, then knocked out the Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, and the swept the Carolina Hurricanes.

Now we get a rematch with the Detroit Redwings for another chance to dance with Lord Stanley!!

Bring home the cup!

2009 Memorial Day Services

For many years now, UVFR (and before that, Wall VFD) has honored our nation's service men and women by participating in various memorial day activities and services in our area. This year was no different.

UVFR members, including a firing squad, participated in Memorial Day Services in Wilmerding, Wall, and at the Soldier's plot at Grandview Cemetary in North Versailles. After these, they were treated to a nice lunch at the E. McKeesport VFW, which has also become a tradition.

Again, the officers and members of UVFR would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our Nation's service men and women, both past and present.

Commercial Structure Fire Assist-Pitcairn

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

UVFR Station 135 was alerted to assist Pitcairn stations 229 and 230 at the report of a commercial structure fire in the 400 Block of Broadway Boulevard.

Initial crews arrived to find two buildings well involved. An exterior attack was mounted due to the physical condition of the buildings and the amount and location of fire showing on arrival.

UVFR responded with a crew of 6.

Prom Promise 2009

This year UVFR partnered with FDNV to put on a prom promise vehicle rescue demonstration and talk at the East Allegheny High School.

The crews were assisted by STAT MedEvac, the N. Versailles Township PD, and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner.

Residential Structure Fire

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Early in the evening UVFR stations135 and 287 were alerted to the 500 block of Fifth Avenue in East McKeesport for the report of a kitchen fire. UVFR responded with 22 members.

Crews arrived to find a two and a half story structure with heavy black smoke evident from all sides and the roof peak.

R 135 laid out approximately 1500 feet of supply line and then crews advanced an attack line up the front steps to the fire in the kitchen, quickly knocking it down. Other crews vented windows and the roof.

The cause is currently under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshall.

Units on scene: R135, T287, E287, Q135, M331, E306-1, E 306-2, RIT 230, R113 (air services), R213, M 213-9, E. McK PD, NVT PD, ACFM, Red Cross, Salvation Army

Command: DC135 (Spielvogle)

Motor Vehicle Crash

Sunday, April 5, 2009

UVFR EMS station 330 was dispatched to Fifth Avenue below Penn Ave for a report of a vehicle into a hill side with unknown injuries.

Upon arrival, M 331 found a four door sedan that had apparently left the roadway and rolled over, landing again on all four wheels.

The driver had self extricated, and was being questioned by police. They were eventually transported to the hospital for treatment.

Rescue 135 responded to assist with hazard control and scene clean up.

Units on scene: M 331, R 135, E. McK PD, NVT PD, FDNV EMS

New Basic Vehicle Rescue Technicians

Three UVFR members recently completed basic vehicle rescue (BVR) training.

Congratulations to Jamie Rice, Mike Logan, and Marty Holden. These three members completed their training at Ross/West View EMSA.

UVFR Members participate in combat challenge

On Sunday, March 15th, UVFR members James Richards, John Rogowski and Shane Spielvogle participated in the Mercy Burn Foundation Firefighter Combat Challenge at Rock Bottom Restaraunt in Homestead.

The team entered the competition as a team named "Bubba's Turbo Monkey".

While they didn't win, they certainly had a good time. Congrats to the winners....

Motor Vehicle Crash with hazards

Saturday, March 7, 2009

UVFR crews were dispatched to the 1100 block of Fifth Avenue for the report of a motor vehicle crash with hazards.

Crews arrived to find one pick up had struck a light standard and was still in the roadway.

UVFR assisted with stabilization, clean up, and traffic control. There were no injuries.

Units responding: R 135, E 287-1

Command: DC135 (Spielvogle)

Vehicle Fire

Sunday, February 22, 2009

UVFR Stations 135 and 287 were dispatched to the 900 block of Fifth Avenue in E. McKeesport for a vehicle fire.

Crews arrived to find a compact car with a working engine compartment fire which was quickly extinguished.

Units responding: R135, E287, Q135

Command: DC135 (Spielvogle)

Note: While cleaning up at this scene, UVFR was dispatched to the intersection of US Route 30 and McClure Avenue for a two vehicle accident with injuries and hazards. Crews packaged and transported two patients at that scene.

You say you need proof of what?

During the social hall updates, the members got hungry. So we dialed up the local pizza shop for lunch.

When asked if they would accept a company check, they replied 'if you can prove you're really the fire department'.

So we proved it. FF's Mascilli and Richards went to retreive our lunch, in full turnout gear with SCBA.

The pizza shop didn't know exactly what to think.....oh well. There's your proof!

Updates to Station 135 under way

UVFR Station 135's social hall was in need of updates, so a group started work this past weekend.

Members worked applying the primer coat in the hall. Here are some pics of the progress.

Structure Fire Assist

Thursday, February 5, 2009

UVFR assisted FDNV with a reported structure fire on Denning Way in North Versailles Twp. UVFR stations 135 and 287 responded with 14 members.

UVFR units responding: R135, T287, Q135

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