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INDEPENDENT HOSE COMPANY # 1 - DIENER'S HILL
East Norwegian Township
| September 2001 brought great tragedy to our Nation, it effected every American. Not too many days after this National Disaster there was a local disaster for the Saint Clair Area, one of our oldest Fire Companies fell victim of arson. The next day the members, with tears in their eyes, said "We will rebuild". The destroyed building was razed and the land prepared for new construction. |
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FIREWORKS - Sat., June 22, 2002
Sponsored by the Independent Hose Co. #1
BY
AMANDA LEIGH BROZANA
Staff Intern
SAINT CLAIR - Nine months after flames ripped through
the Diener's Hill Fire Company building, fire again lit up the night sky,
producing gasps from town citizens at the leveled site.
About 100 spectators gathered, murmuring "beautiful" as they watched the company's eighth annual fireworks show Saturday evening.
The community event was a testament to the determination and fortitude of the company, which has been working diligently to rebuild and grow stronger after a blaze destroyed its hall Sept. 29.
"The fact that they put this on shows that there is still life and productivity in a company that has lost everything," said William G. Shaffer, chief of the East Norwegian Township Emergency Services, which now houses the trucks of the Diener's Hill Fire Company.
He watched the pyrotechnic show from the back of Engine 8-11.
During the fire, it was trapped inside the building and sustained more than $10,000 worth of damage. Kovacs KME, Nesquehoning, worked to bring it back to working condition.
"That they could do this tonight after everything shows how much the people care for each other in a small community," said Thomas Dudash, who is in charge of demolition and groundwork at the site.
Blueprints for the new building - which Dudash and other members of the company have been working to have in place by fall - hung on the side of a Pepsi truck for the community to see.
"We originally were just going to have the fireworks but the not whole block party as we normally do as a thank you to the community for their support of us through this, but then a few members got together last week and decided to bring a few trucks and stands in," said Gary R. Gorman, president of the Diener's Hill Fire Company.
Diener's Hill, which has seen members of the fireman and emergency personnel community of the area as well as some of their neighbors go above and beyond to help the displaced company, enjoyed a larger-than-normal fireworks display as well.
Gorman said a member of the company, and the pyrotechnician for the evening, George D. Moyer, along with the fireworks distributor, Fireworks by Girone, Vineland, N.J., worked to have more than 300 pieces of sound alight for the event.
Though the company saw less of a draw this year for the fireworks, just the fact that they could put on the show made members happy.
"The fireworks really united the community," said Moyer.
The company expects its new building to be in place by fall and for its first event it plans a covered dish dinner for the community around Christmas, Gorman said.
Dawn and Donald Bicht, members of the community who supplied the company with water Saturday night for the event, have also set up a fund for the company at the Community Bank, Second and Carroll streets in Saint Clair.
Anyone wishing to donate can send checks to the bank earmarked for the "Independent Hose Fund."
Anyone wishing to help the fire company rebuild can send donations to the Community Bank, Second and Carroll Streets, Saint Clair. Checks should be earmarked for the "Independent Hose Fund."
Construction for the new building began in July of 2002. As of this date construction is ahead of schedule and the Hose Co. member believe the building to be in operation by this Thanksgiving.
Members of the Independent Hose Co. would like to extend their thanks to the Saint Clair Veterans Memorial Ambulance Station #2 for housing their truck and equipment until the new building is completed. SC-EMTS
Anyone
wishing to help the fire company rebuild can send donations to the
Community Bank, Second and Carroll Streets, Saint Clair. Checks should be
earmarked for the "Independent Hose Fund."