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Blawnox OKs $2.1 Million Renovation For Building
Click on the thumbnail above to view a larger photo.The Herald
by Mary Ann Thomas
Staff Writer
October 1, 2009
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Blawnox Borough is set to pay for a $2.1 million renovation to the borough building and fire hall along Freeport Road.
The price tag, according to borough officials, will not equate to a tax-rate increase for borough residents.
Council unanimously agreed to the project that will add about 10,000 square feet to the building's existing 7,500 square feet to house borough administration, public works, police and the volunteer fire department.
The renovation includes the addition of an elevator and stair tower and a new fire department garage with the public works department expanded into the basement.
Built in 1939, the two-story, brick building has had few renovations, according to borough officials. And through the years, departments such as the volunteer fire company have outgrown the building, they said.
Council President Sam McNaughton half-joked that the borough has been working on renovation plans for its building since 1977.
Mayor Tom Smith said flatly of the current fire department garage: "It's not safe."
There's only four inches of clearance in the front and back of the main truck when parked in the garage, according to Smith.
"And the kitchen in your home is probably bigger than our police department," said Smith of the one-room police station.
In April, council hired N. John Cunzolo Associates of Pittsburgh for $10,000 to study the borough's best options for more space.
The architectural firm proposed renovating the existing building rather than constructing a new facility, which would have cost 50 percent more than a renovation, according to Ryan Pierce, vice president of architecture at N. John Cunzolo Associates.
"We're giving them a project for what they can afford to spend," said Pierce.
"The borough's number-one priority was not to have to increase taxes," he said.
So the firm worked "backward" to develop a project within the borough's budget, according to Pierce.
His firm is working on a final design and is producing multiple alternates for bids so the borough has more flexibility to keep construction costs down, Pierce said.
The borough is working with Joe Muscatello of Boenning Scattergood Inc. of Pittsburgh on financing.
Muscatello told council that the borough could roll its outstanding debt plus the renovation costs into a $2.9 million bond issue over 30 years, which would limit the borough's debt service to about $175,000 a year.
As Muscatello explores financing for the project, the architectural firm is working on designs for the renovations.
If there are no delays, construction could start as early as May of 2010, with completion of the project coming in July of 2011.Blawnox River Rescue Readies For Wave Of New Calls
The Herald
by Mary Ann Thomas
Staff Writer
May 7, 2009
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Among the din of the Allegheny River lapping onto empty docks that clang with each coming wave, members of Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company ready their multiple watercrafts for another season of river rescue.
Among the best-outfitted crews in the lower Allegheny River communities, Blawnox's river rescue unit responds to distress calls to watercraft going over the Highland Park dam to assisting in finding bridge jumpers.
The unit even assists in natural disasters, helping rescue flood victims in the Millvale flood in 2004.
"There's a lot of people on the water and its important that we provide those rescue services," said George McBriar, chief of the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company.
The unit is docked in the Allegheny River at a private dock in Blawnox and covers calls from Harmar to Aspinwall and O'Hara Township, one of the busiest pools on the rivers, he said.
Blawnox's fleet includes one 24-foot pontoon boat outfitted with a pumper that can spray a jet of water up to 40 yards, a speed boat, one new water ski with a second one on the way and an inflatable rescue boat. The fire department has a small truck dedicated to hauling watercraft and equipment for river rescue.
The company has put together its rescue watercraft, equipment and gear slowly through the years with small grants.
Recent additions include a side sonar device that can detect objects in the water on the side of the boat, adding to the existing sonar detector that scans directly below the boat.
The Blawnox department is the only fire department accredited by the state Fish and Boat Commission in the lower Allegheny River for "swift water rescue."
Maneuvering a watercraft in strong currents and other perilous conditions takes some training, according to squad members.
Last year, the Blawnox firefighters attended 80 hours of river-related training. The river rescue operations is made up of 12 firefighters certified for emergency boat operations, swift water rescue, and advanced line system.
"Our guys could get a line from here to that island," said McBriar, pointing to an island about 50 yards away.
The river rescue unit started out small with only one pontoon boat but as more watercraft has crowded the river, more help was needed.
The Blawnox department fills a much-needed niche.
"Sharpsburg has the aerial truck, Guyasuta does all land-based rescues and nobody has the ability to do what we do on the river," said McBriar of neighboring volunteer fire companies.
River rescue fields about 10 to 15 calls a year.
Recent incidents include a boater who fell asleep in the path of a barge.
When the gargantuan vessel blew its warning horn three times, a nearby resident phoned 911 and river rescue was on its way.
The boater was unharmed.
Last year, a boat salesman was test-driving a vessel with a potential customer, and was explaining the function of the gadgets on the instrument panel.
The salesman wasn't paying attention and inadvertently went over the Highland Park dam. "Luckily, they landed right, but I don't think the guy bought the boat," said McBriar.
Although there are comical mishaps, there are serious fatalities on the river and the Blawnox unit often is called in to lead or assist in search and rescue missions. The Millvale flood was particularly scary, according to some of the officers.
The current was so strong that they had to tether their rescue boat to a rope so the water wouldn't overtake them.
The first priority for the river rescue workers always is personal safety.
"If you're not safe, you can't rescue anybody," said Pam Stephens, a lieutenant with the fire department.
In difficult waters, controlling and maneuvering a vessel is difficult, according to Ed Benaglio, fire company captain. "It's a lot different than sitting in the bath tub."
And when driving a boat, one cannot merely travel in a straight line from point A to point B, said John Simmons, assistant chief. "You have to account for where the current wants to take you."
According to McBriar, river rescue will continue training personnel and keeping its fleet ready for another season of action.Blawnox Firefighters Getting New Gear
The Herald
By Mary Ann Thomas
Staff Writer
March 5, 2009
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a $95,000 grant to the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company.
According to fire company Chief George McBriar, the money will pay for much needed turn-out gear for volunteer firefighters and a high-pressure breathing air compressor.
"The gear we have is nine years old and it is time to change it," said McBriar. "We would have not been able to get this without the federal grants," he said. "It's a big deal for us."
The fire company is currently pricing 30 sets of clothing and gear to equip each active firefighter with a new pair of bunker pants and coats made from fire-retardant material and liners to keep them comfortable in hot and cold conditions.
The new high-pressure breathing air compressor, costing $40,000, will increase breathing capacity for each firefighter by about 30 percent, McBriar said. The old system was donated and this is the first time that the fire company will purchase the special air compressor, he said.
The air system is used by firefighters who are going in or near a structure that poses any breathing hazards. "The new system will allow firefighters to carry more air with them," McBriar said.
The compressor is already ordered and McBriar expects to settle on turnout gear in the next several months.
The fire company responded to more than 250 calls last years, most of which were fire-related calls for mutual aid to Sharpsburg, Aspinwall, Harmar and other communities.Quick Response Gets Quick Kudos From Businessman
The Herald
By Bethany Hofstetter
Staff Writer
July 3, 2008
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Eight fire departments and emergency responders were thanked for their quick response and success in putting out the June 20 fire at the Royston-Chase Corp. in Blawnox.
Gregg Pelagio, vice president and general manager of Chase Corp., presented each of the eight fire departments who responded to the fire, and the Blawnox police, with an "Unsung Hero Award."
"As a country we all look up to the football players, the hockey players, the movie stars," Pelagio said, "but the firefighters, they're the real stars of this world, they're really the heroes."
The company presented about 100 firefighters from Blawnox, Aspinwall, Guyasuta, Sharpsburg, Harmar, Fox Chapel, Millvale, and Pleasant Valley and the Blawnox police department with medals, plaques, T-shirts, hats and a reception on June 24.
Blawnox Fire Chief George McBriar said the fire had the potential to be especially dangerous because of the chemicals that the company uses. However, the fire departments had the flames under control in about 20 minutes and were able to extinguish the blaze in an hour.
Pelagio said as he watched the firefighters take off their gear he saw that many were wearing shorts, or business clothes under their fire fighting suits.
"I saw them taking off their gear, and I said "'Wow, they must have just come from cutting the grass,'" Pelagio said.
"They just drop what they're doing."
The quick response of the fire departments saved much of the building, Pelagio said, and parts of the affected building are back up and running.
McBriar said he was surprised by the celebration. Although McBriar admits he doesn't feel like an "unsung hero," he is grateful for the recognition for all of the hard work the volunteer firefighters put into the job everyday.
"We just go in and do our job, but this guy gave us so much consideration," McBriar said.
"He went to a lot of effort, and I think I felt better that the recognition was there for the all the departments."Blawnox Attracts Dedicated Firefighters
The Herald
by Misty Chybrzynski
Staff Writer
June 19, 2008
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Luckily for borough residents, Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company boasts a high volunteer turn-out rate.
That good fortune extends to the surrounding areas, as well as anybody utilizing the region's waterways because the fire company also is state-accredited as a swift water rescue operation.
George McBriar, fire chief, says his department is the lucky one -- to have so many volunteers is unusual for the area.
"We're fortunate to have a lot of members," McBriar says, noting that it also has a costly side effect. "But the more members you have, the more you have to outfit, so it does cost some money."
The equipment is costly, with the self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) costing about $7,000 each and a set of firefighting pants and jacket costing more than $1,000 each. The department also outfits its members with water gear.
The department receives some money from the borough, which budgets a certain amount per year and "takes care of us when we need anything," McBriar says. "The borough is always very good to us."
Firefighters also sell raffle tickets, host a Cash Bash along with Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Department, organize a golf outing and mail a solicitation letter to the community. The letters generate about $12,500, McBriar estimates.
But the money still is tight, with the cost of equipment continually increasing.
One of the ways local departments ease the impact of equipment cost is by sharing amongst each other. Departments often respond to the same calls along with Blawnox VFC.
The department received state accreditation for swift water rescue last year, and is currently working on receiving its second level of certification.
It responded to about a dozen water rescue calls last year.
Last year, the department responded to 267 calls. It responded to about 115 already this year.Two Blawnox Firefighter's Honored With Proclamation
On December 20, 2007 Blawnox Mayor Tom Smith presented Blawnox Captain Ed Benaglio and Firefighter Bryan Krause with a proclamation from Sen. Jim Ferlo. On December 29, 2006 Captain Benaglio and Firefighter Krause rescued a 16-year-old girl suffering from cerebral palsy from her burning house in O'Hara.
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