Big Sewickley Creek Firefighters Celebrate More Volunteer Certifications

The  had a great deal to celebrate Monday night with five volunteer firefighters passing their certification tests.

Fire Chief Dennis Young said the five -- Britni McKenzie, Steve Withrow, Justin Macurak, Casey Marek and Lance Huppenthal -- took the Fire Fighter I certification skills test and passed.

On Tuesday night, the five received their official certificates during a commencement ceremony at the .

“This puts our department at over 20 people, fully active firefighters properly trained by the state of Pennsylvania to put an air pack on and fight fires,” said Young, who is also council president.

Passing the certification requirements at BCCC required successfully completing a written exam Saturday and a practical exam involving a live burn on Sunday. All five were notified Sunday that they passed, Young said. The volunteer fire department planned a surprise celebration Monday night and passed out cake at the station in honor of the group.

Young said he’s proud of the five, adding that nearly 10 have passed the test this year. The fire department is bucking . According to the state Fire Commissioner, Pennsylvania has at least 230,000 fewer firefighters today than in 1970.   

“We are growing,” Young said. “This is the best we have been in 20 years.”

He said the goal for the spring is to get everyone involved in the National Pro Board, a voluntary national accreditation program that recognizes professional fire services achievement based on rigorous standards. 

The Big Sewickley department has 20 interior-trained firefighters, two exterior and five who provide emergency medicine. The department also has two fire police and three junior firefighters.