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To the Editor,
A few weeks ago, the Weirton Heights Volunteer Fire Department celebrated their 80th year of existence.
Even though they don't respond to fire calls anymore, the brotherhood and sisterhood still exists.
Here are some neat facts about this treasured group. There are a few business men in our town. Others became paid professional firefighters in Weirton. A couple of them became city Fire Chiefs. A few of them were employees of Weirton Steel. Weirton Public Works.
And there is more. A few members started the Weirton Heights Rescue School, which was one of the biggest schools in our East Coast states. Yes even those attended were from Pittsburgh, New York, and New Orleans.
Six of our members were trained to be state fire instructors, through the West Virginia Fire Service Extension. There's also Fire Chiefs in Norfolk Virginia, and Washington D.C.
Did I mention that there are members who were former Weirton Police Officers? And yes, a former Fire Chief of two different cities, became a world renowned person who teaches about safety, in surrounding workplaces. The Weirton Area Ambulance Rescue Squad was started by this group as well.
A number of innovations include a ladder truck that was refurbished to be a civil defense truck. All of this done by members of the department.
In conclusion, the Weirton Heights VFD has many other things to talk about. Innovations to progress. Innovations to move forward. Training today for tomorrow. I just mentioned a few of the things that were possible through the dedicated men and women of this department that grows stronger day by day. Priceless memories.
Kevin Neverly
Weirton