by Loretta Rodgers
The Aston Township Fire Department (ATFD), celebrated its first open house October 8 with host of demonstrations, safety tips, tours and drills.
Aston Commissioner Mike Higgins poses with Joe McColgan, township planning commission chairman; ATFD President Sean Joyce, and AFTD Fire Chief Mike Evans – by Loretta Rodgers
Members of the department welcomed approximately 200 township residents to its firehouse on Dutton Mill Road, with the promise of many more activities and events in the future.
“We are really happy with the turn-out,” said ATFD President Sean Joyce. “We had all of our apparatus on display and the children really seemed to enjoy the simulations.”
In addition to the equipment, the open house featured a tech rescue and vehicle rescue drill, jaws of life demonstration, and safety lessons for all.
The official combining of the Aston-Beechwood and Green Ridge Fire Departments, creating the Aston Township Fire Department took place on January 1, 2015.
The merger took 10 years of discussion and 18 months of intensive meetings to complete. Members of the two companies formed the Aston Fire and EMS Cooperative Partnership Steering Committee, and worked diligently to combine the two companies.
In November 2014, the Aston Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance approving the delivery of fire and medical services to the citizens, businesses and visitors of the municipality.
