Aleppo Accepts New Volunteer Firefighters Into the Ranks

Aleppo Fire Chief Bill Davis said seven have been accepted into the .

Edgeworth Council voted to decertify its volunteer fire department in September becauaw fewer volunteers were providing fire protection in . 

According to Davis, most of these new members are already certified, and some have extra qualifications. All live within a five-mile radius of the department, as required.

The new firefighters bring the department's membership to include more than 30 members, with 24 active members, seven lifetime members and two on military leave.

"We can always use more," Davis said. "We've noticed our manpower fluctuate. There's times when you might have 30 people, then your roster will drop down to 20."

Last month, when the Aleppo department handled a deadly fire, Davis said 18 firefighters turned out—an unusually large response. , 81, known as “Polly” to everyone who knew her, was killed in the Nov. 16 blaze that swept through her home at 141 Ferndale Ave. Her husband, , 91, was burned on his face and arms while trying to save his wife.

"Its kind of hard to grow up there and lose a resident, but under the circumstances that we encountered upon arrival there was nothing we could do," Davis said.

Commissioners President Linda Vescio commended the firefighters and emergency personnel at .

"I hope it's reached you how proud we are of what you people did," said Vescio.

Davis said the Hostons' daughter is working with the family's insurance company to get the house torn down. Contractors are supposed to begin razing the home this week, he said. 

Aleppo is interested in purchasing the pumper truck owned and used by the decertified Edgeworth company. The chief said Aleppo's current truck is a 1996 model and will be useful for only about four more years. The Edgeworth truck is a 2005 model and may be a valuable replacement for Aleppo's aging equipment.