The Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company usually hosts its annual awards banquet early in the new year.

Their social hall is available for rental, but due to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, capacity is capped at 50 people. Their banquet attendance would be more than 50, so it is on hold for now, fire company President Chad Snyder said.

The banquet is a night to celebrate the year’s achievements and set goals for the next 365 days.

“We finished 2020 with 203 emergency calls, 1,514 hours of training and 1,260 hours of fundraising. Through grants we were able to replace our cascade system, which is used to refill air packs,” fire Chief Billy Tippett said this week.

They became a 50% participant in the Pennsylvania Fire Service Certification Program, meaning 50% of its members are trained to national standards.

“As chief, I pushed for a stronger emphasis on training. We want to assure the community we are providing the best possible service. This is a pretty big accomplishment,” Tippett said.

Three years ago, the department was only at 10% participation. Before that, “we were not in the program,” Tippett said.

In 2021, they have placed an order for eight self-contained breathing apparatus to finish replacing a total of 18 SCBAs. They were able to purchase the first 10 in 2020 using donations from Polk Township supervisors.

The department is going to apply for the assistant of firefighting grant to replace all the radios and go on the county’s digital system, which is an approximate cost of $250,000. They have also ordered eight sets of structural firefighter gear - which includes helmet, jacket and pants - which will cost approximately $25,000.

“You should not wear gear that is 10 years old. By 2022 or 2023, most of our gear would be at the 10-year mark,” Tippett said.

They are in the very early stages of looking to replace the firetruck at the Jonas substation. The rough estimate of a rescue engine is $700,000, and they want to order in 2023. It would replace an engine with rescue tools.

Officers

The 2021 executive officers are Chad Snyder, president; James Schaefer, vice president; Joel Kingsbury, secretary; Cindy Haydt, treasurer; Rich Beck, Wendy Cronshey, Bill Campbell, Aaron Keller, John Engels, Bryan Beck and Rick Sawyer, board of directors.

The 2021 line officers are Billy Tippett, fire chief; Derrick Burger, deputy chief; Matt Schessler, assistant chief; James Schaefer, captain; Patrick Soucy, first lieutenant; Chad Snyder, second lieutenant; Joel Kingsbury and Mike Sabo, engineers; and John Engels, fire police captain.

Fundraisers

The yearly membership fund drive is underway. The mailing went out to Polk Township residents and those who live in surrounding areas last week.

“We responded 100% of the times we were called last year. The community can count on us to respond when they need us the most,” Snyder said.

Their next monthly breakfast is March 21 from 7 to 11 a.m. The menu is modified and available for takeout only right now. The choices are scrambled eggs, home fries, toast and choice of bacon or sausage; French toast, home fries, and choice of bacon or sausage; and creamed chipped beef on toast with home fries. Cash only. Breakfast is the third Sunday of the month.

There will be a spaghetti dinner to go on April 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. The Ladies Auxiliary will sell desserts.

They are currently selling tickets for a meat raffle that will occur on April 18. Prizes include chicken fingers, 8 pounds of pork chops, 5 pounds of haddock, 5 pounds of bacon, ring bologna and cheese, and 8 pounds of hamburger. All prizes must be picked up at Haydt’s Meat Market.

They will host three Cruise In, Dine Out events in April, June and August. They hosted two last summer, which were both well-attended. Classic cars, hot rods and Jeeps were on display, food stands sold an array of fair-type food, vendors had various items for sale and musical groups performed.

Event information and updates are posted on https://polk35.org, their Facebook page and marquee in front of the fire house along Route 209 in Kresgeville.

Recruitment

“We have members from all age ranges, from their 20s up to their 60s and beyond. We have a core group that is in their 30s with young families. There is a position for everyone interested in being part of the fire company,” Tippett said.

Snyder and Tippett want to focus on recruitment this year. This includes firefighters, fire police and support members.

“The more people we can get to help with the fire calls, the building and the fundraising, the easier it is on everyone,” Snyder said.

Drill nights and meetings are held every Monday at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in joining the fire company can stop by on a Monday night or call the department at 610-681-4370 for more information.