Lehighton Fire Department is celebrating its 150th anniversary this weekend.

Festivities began Thursday night with the dedication of new equipment and an open house.

Members dedicated equipment in memory of people who volunteered countless hours, including Fire Chief Edward J. Conarty, Captain William Moser, Captain William Eberts, Captain Nevin Reichard, and Captain Kenneth Nothstein.

On Saturday, a parade will step off at 1 p.m. It’s rain or shine, which is only fitting because firefighters respond, no matter the weather.

Just two weeks ago, the Diligent Fire Company #3 in Jim Thorpe celebrated 150 years of service from the firehouse at 330 Center Ave.

The event included the dedication of a new fire engine and honors for longtime firefighters and one who have passed: Bruce Solomon, who served for 45 years until his passing in 2014; Francis V. Lukasevich volunteer for the past 52 years; Ken McArdle, a 50-year member; Thomas G. Lager, 44 years; Vince Yaich Sr., fire chief of the Jim Thorpe Municipal Fire Department, who started as a teen in 1970; fire Jim Thorpe chief William Diehm, who has served 55 years; and William Sheehan began his fire service at the age of 16, when he joined the Jim Thorpe Phoenix Hose Company #2 in 1974.

In an age where firefighters are hard to find, these volunteers have collectively given nearly 300 years of their time.

“It’s quite an accomplishment and it says a lot about the people past and present who have dedicated an enormous amount of time to get that station built in the Heights section of the borough and then respond to all the calls over the years,” Jim Thorpe Council President Greg Strubinger said. “Volunteerism is not what it once was, so we have been very fortunate to have the people we have had at the Dillies. We wouldn’t be the community we are without them.”

Strubinger’s comments summed up how fortunate we are to be in an area where people still stop what they are doing to risk their lives to save people and property, all as a volunteer.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, volunteers account for 96.8 percent of firefighters in Pennsylvania — the third highest percentage in the country.

The national average is 70.2 percent.

The Center Square reported in 2023 that since the 1970s, volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania have dropped from 360,000 to fewer than 37,000.

Volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania must complete the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Entry Level Fire Training. The course totals about 184 hours of training.

It doesn’t stop there. Fire departments have extensive training throughout the year.

These people take time away from their family events and their jobs to do whatever it takes.

The dangers are all too real for them. Zachary Paris, 36, and Marvin Gruber, 59, both of New Tripoli Fire Company, died after they became trapped while fighting the large house fire in West Penn Township in December 2022.

Firefighters go through extensive training, but they are truly risking their lives whenever they go out on a call.

Unfortunately, we take them for granted.

Until it is our family making that 9-1-1 call.

That’s why it’s important to support our fire companies with donations and fundraisers.

Fire Prevention Week is coming up Oct. 6 to 12. Many companies will have open houses or programs to help people prevent fires and to teach them what to do if a catastrophe happens.

That would be a great time to learn your local volunteer firefighters by name, and to thank them for the countless hours they give up and always standing ready to help.

We congratulate Lehighton and Jim Thorpe firefighters for their 150-year anniversary, and we salute all the volunteers who give their time to protect us.

MARTA GOUGER | mgouger@tnonline.com