This Month Around the Fire House

Profile of the Month - Ron Keillor

This Month Around the Fire House

In December the Fort Washington Fire Company responded to:
    67 Alarms
    Averaging 15 responders per call
    Totaling 471 responder hours

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Each month we profile one of the many Volunteers that make up the Fort Washington Fire Company. This month we are highlighting Ron Keillor

Meet Ron Keillor

             Born May 28, 1971 in Suffern, New York, Ron Keillor III was the oldest of four boys.  Soon after his birth, Ron’s family relocated to Pine Bush, NY where he lived until graduating from Pine Bush High school in 1989.  While Keillor played football and swam at Pine Bush, it would be swimming that he would pursue at Gettysburg University.  While swimming on the varsity team for four years at Gettysburg he also pursued a double major in economics and political science.  Ron graduated from Gettysburg in 1993 with a bachelor of arts.

                Upon graduation Ron returned to the Pine Bush area where he coached swimming at his alma mater during the school year and worked as a lifeguard on eastern Long Island during the summer months.  In 1995 Keillor moved to the Oreland area after taking a position with Ernst & Young as a tax consultant.  Ron worked for Ernst & Young for approximately two years before taking a position as a tax consultant with Lockheed Martin in King of Prussia, where he is currently employed.  While Keillor worked for Ernst & Young and Lockheed Martin he pursued a graduate degree at Drexel University.   Ron earned his MBA in 2000 and a Masters in taxation in 2002.

                Keillor married his wife Michelle in 1997.  They had met through a mutual friend who thought their mutual interest in swimming would be a catalyst.  They moved to Maple Glen in 1999 where they would have two boys, Kian (7), and Aidan (5).  Keillor joined the Fort Washington Fire Company No.1 in January of 2006.  Inspired by his father who was a policeman and a grandfather who was a volunteer firefighter, Ron immediately dedicated himself to learning how to be a competent firefighter.  Keillor completed his Firefighter I certification in 2007 after setting aside several nights a week in order to travel to Bucks County, after working a full day, to receive instruction.  Ron was recently elected to the time consuming position of company Treasurer for 2008.  There is no doubt that Ron’s professional expertise will aid him in his endeavors as treasurer.  Keillor’s enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer for such an arduous task is an inspiration to us all.

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By Howard Schmuckler

At times, a fire department runs into a problem finding or accessing a fire hydrant. This is not because the fire hydrant has been moved, rather because it is hidden from view.
One of the most prevalent problems occurs after a snowstorm when either the amount of snow accumulation is great, or the snow has been plowed high against the fire hydrant. If this occurs please take the time to clear the snow away from the fire hydrant. In the event of a fire, valuable time will be lost if the fire department has to clear away the snow.

Other situations arise when vegetation or trash hides the hydrant. It is not uncommon for trash to be piled against and around a fire hydrant. Please cut all vegetation around the fire hydrant and pile trash well away from the hydrant. If you notice that someone has placed an obstruction at a fire hydrant, please discuss with him or her the possible dangers in doing so, or call the police to report it. If a hydrant appears to be defective, notify the Water Company immediately.

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By Ed Schuler and Sheilagh Wagner

Each year Santa comes to the Fort Washington Fire Company' s Summit Avenue station to hear the Christmas wishes of the young sons and daughters of our firefighters at the annual Children's Christmas Party. This year it was held on December 15th. The party started off with a professional magician who entertained both the children and the adults in attendance.". Following the magic, Santa arrived to hear their wishes and give them each a present from the fire company.

Picture Above: Evie Racz,  daughter of firefighter Ernie Racz and Ladies Auxiliary member Victoria Racz receives a gift from Santa (firefighter Dale Champlin)

On Christmas eve Santa again came to Fort Washington riding a fire truck and visiting the children of Upper Dublin.

Fire Police Captain Ed Wagner as Santa1

• Using Fire Extinguishers

By Howard Schmuckler

A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for citizens is to get out safely.  

Use a portable fire extinguisher only if you know how to, and only when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and the room is not filled with smoke.  Everyone else should safely, but quickly exit the building; call the fire department from a cell phone or neighbor’s phone, not from inside the building where the fire is.   NEVER attack a fire, if the fire may block your path to safely exit.  Remember that the extinguisher MUST be recharged or replaced after each use!

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the    locking mechanism.
Aim low. Point the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

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