In a video shown by Lehigh Township Fire Company on Oct. 13, two cars crash at a busy intersection. Fire Chief Rick Hildebrand said it demonstrates one of the firemen's biggest problems: Vehicles do not slow down when there is an emergency involving traffic.

Hildebrand said the two people controlling traffic at the corner had been pulled back because of the number and speed of cars going through the intersection. Two minutes later the accident happened where they had been standing.Ten members of the fire company made the presentation at St. Paul's UCC Church, Indianland, during which time they explained the creation of the fire department. Members were dressed to suit various jobs they perform.On April 15, 1944, people got together and said a local fire company was needed because it took too long for nearby companies to reach a Lehigh Township fire, so the fire company was created. It acquired its first truck, a Mack Pumper, in 1945. It was garaged at Dieter's Foundry, where company meetings were also held. The first section of the building was constructed in 1954, with three additions over the years."We got a glimpse of our history from the Lehigh Township Historical Society," said Hildebrand. The society sponsored the program.A rescue truck, termed a rolling-tool box, was acquired in 1990.A military deuce and a half truck, a 2 1/2-ton off road vehicle, solved the problem of rough or no roads."It does great going up on the mountain. We built it with grant money," said Hildebrand.A 1983 forest truck was donated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It was to be used in the wildland. Both DCNR and the Bureau of Forestry provide matching grants for equipment for use in wildlands.A 2008 ATV got stuck in loose snow and a grant helped the company change it over to a tracked vehicle. It can carry three people and a Stokes basket for rescues.Hildebrand recalled responding to a fire at 3 a.m. and going directly to a nearby one a few hours later."Car crashes are horrendous but people seldom see them because roads are closed off. And yes, we still do the cat in a tree," he said.The company has a high rate of training certification and hopes to reach 100 percent. It presently has 75 percent of personnel certified. The Hazmat team is the latest to receive certification.Hildebrand said there are many organizations competing for funding. Grant money is often tied to certifications. A fundraising letter receives only a 30 percent return.FEMA provided funding to set up the firehouse as an emergency shelter with backup generators.The company responded to 430 events in the past year.