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

Vehicle Rescue Training with Wilmerding VFD

Recently UVFR members held a vehicle rescue training evoluation with members of Wilmerding Station 306.

Use of hand tools, hydraulic rescue tools, and special rescue situations were discussed and several scenarios were worked through.

Structure fire assist-North Versailles

Saturday, August 14, 2010

In the early morning of August 14 UVFR crews were alerted to assist crews from North Versailles Township companies with a structure fire in the 300 block of Palma Street. UVFR responded with 9 members.

Crews arrived to find heavy fire conditions on the secone and third floors of a duplex and assisted with suppression and overhaul duties.

UVFR units responding: R 135, Q 135

Other units: E 212, R 213, E 214, E 283, Q 214, Q 283, SO 212, M 213-9

Busy night for UVFR crews

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

UVFR crews had an unusually busy night on July 20, 2010.

First, around 0030 RIT 135 was requested to assist Churchill VFD with a working structure fire on Thorncroft Court. UVFR responded with a total of 10 members and acted in a rapid intervention capacity. No activations were needed.

While clearing the Churchill detail, Allegheny County 911 dispatch notified UVFR and other companies of a reported structure fire in the 1000 block of Morelle Avenue in East McKeesport. Because of the extended distance for 135/287 crews, additional resources from mutual aid companies were added. Crews arrived to find most of the flames extinguished by a neighbor with a garden hose. Crews worked an additional 2 hours checking for extension and assisting the Allegheny County Fire Marshall's office with their investigation.

RIT Assist to Station 122 in Churchill

East McKeesport Incident

UVFR annual picnic

On Saturday July 17th UVFR held its 5th annual company picnic at White Oak Park. This annual tradition has grown to be something we all look forward to and enjoy.

Congratulations to Member of the Year John Rogowski and Co-Firefighters of the Year Marty Holden and Shane Spielvogle on their awards.

UVFR hosts STAT MedEvac Landing Zone Safety Class

Recently UVFR hosted a Stat Med-Evac Landing Zone safety course at Station 135.

This training is part of our Pennsylvania Department of Health Voluntary Rescue Service Recertification.

Crews from United, Wilmerding, and Dravosburg attended the course.

Animal Rescue

Friday, June 25, 2010

On the evening of June 25th, UVFR stations were alerted to assist East McKeesport PD with the rescue of a large bird who had escaped home and was perched in a tree.

Crews arrived to find a one year old Macaw, named 'boo boo' about 25 feet above ground on a tree limb.

Crews climbed the tree and placed a ladder to remove the animal, who was rescued without incident.

Motor vehicle crash

Saturday, May 15, 2010

On Saturday, May 15, 2010 UVFR stations 287 and 135 responded along with Eastern Area Prehospital Services to the 200 block of Wall Avenue in Wall for the report of a motor vehicle crash with injuries and hazards.

Crews found on person injured, and they were transported to a local trauma center for treatment. UVFR crews assisted with hazard control and clean up.

New Basic Vehicle Rescue Technicians

Congratulations to Deputy Chief Chuck Slepsky, FF/EMT Tony Mascilli and FF Andrew Rogowski for successfully completing the Pennsylvania Department of Health Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician Course.

Residential Structure Fire

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

In the afternoon of April 21st, 2010 UVFR Stations 135 and 287 were alerted along with Wilmerding Station 306 and Pitcairn RIT 230 to the 500 block of Chicora Street for the report of a structure fire.

Crews arrived to find a 2 1/2 story residential home with smoke showing from the first floor windows. A fire was discovered in the basement. Crews worked for approximately 2 hours to bring the incident under control, and it is under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshall.

Units on scene: R135, Q135, A331, T287, Q287, E306-1, E306-2, E230-1, R213 ,R113 (Air services), ACFM, EAPS, UPMC PACER Unit E. McK PD, Salvation Army

Command: DC287 (Slepsky)

Motor Vehicle Crash with Hazards

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

UVFR crews responded to the 500 block of Fifth Avenue in East McKeesport for a motor vehicle crash with hazards.

Crews stood by until Duquesne Light Co was able to stabilize the pole and have it removed.

Highway Safety Training

UVFR would like to thank Bob Miller from the Hiller VFD and Bucks County Community College for teaching a Highway Traffic Safety Course on March 13 and 14 at the East McKeesport Station.

Also thank you to the following companies that were represented: Fire Department of North Versailles, Monroeville #4, Dravosburg VFD, Elizabeth Township Companies 3 and 7, and the Jeannette Fire Police.

Rapid intervention team response into Chalfant

Monday, March 1, 2010

Around 2240 hours on March 1, 2010 UVFR was alerted to assist Chalfant Station 120 with a working structure fire on Brighton Street. This was a rapid intervention team response.

Rescue and squad 135 along with squad 287 responded with 11 members. Crews performed safety and RIT duties, there were no team activations.

Major snow storm hits Western Pennsylvania

Starting February 5th Pittsburgh and the entire Western Pennsylvania region were struck with a major snow storm. National Weather Service accumulation amounts estimate approximately 27 inches of snow have fallen over the past week.

UVFR members have been busy during this time-staffing and clearing the stations in Wall and East McKeesport Boroughs and responding to multiple fire and EMS calls.

Calls included: Several car fires, CO alarms, telephone and power lines down, rapid intervention team responses, structure collapses, and several EMS calls.

Also, the officers and members of UVFR request that any able bodied citizen help protect our community by clearing the snow from around any fire hydrants that may be near their homes.

snow removal efforts around Station 135.

Residential Structure Fire

Friday, January 29, 2010 05:24

Early in the morning on January 29, 2010 UVFR stations 135 and 287 along with Pitcairn RIT 230 and Wilmerding station 306 were alerted to the 700 block of Fifth Avenue in East McKeesport for the report of a possible structure fire.

Initals calls thought that the smoke was possibly caused by a wood burner, however East McKeesport PD quickly arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire.

Crews arrived to find a 1 and 1/2 story residence with fire showing on the first floor. Due to the lay out of the home, intial crews had difficulty finding the seat of the fire. Because of the cold weather, FDNV stations 213 and 214 and Monroeville station 193 were added for manpower.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 2 hours and is under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshall.

Units involved: R 135, T 287, Q 135, E 306-1, RIT 230, R 213, Q 214, E 193 and R 113 (air services)

Command: DC 135 (Spielvogle)

UVFR Begins 2010 with a structure fire response

Saturday, January 2, 2010 02:10

UVFR was dispatched to the 300 block of Broadway Bouldvard in Pitcairn for the report of a working apartment building fire with possible entrapment. Rescue 135 and Squad 135 responded with a total of 9 members.

Crews operated in a rapid intervention team capacity, laddering the fire building and performing safety duties. There were no team activations.

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