Fully Involved, Holiday Park VFD in 2025

Fully Involved H O L I D A Y P A R K V O L U N T E E R F I R E D E P A R T M E N T Issue No. 05

• 2025 Year in Review

365 Days of dedication Every Call...

Every Day...

Every Member...

FULLY INVOLVED

HIGHLIGHTS Membership increased by 10% with new Firefighters, EMS Providers, and Company (support) personnel.

In the immediate aftermath of the April 29th Severe Storms, we opened our fire station for several days & nights to the public for air conditioning, charging electronic devices, free internet access, & general safe place for those who went days without any access to electrical power at their homes due to the high winds damage across the area.

Our Junior Firefighter Program increased to 16 teens; three previous ones graduated to Senior Firefighter status.

Due in part to a state grant, the fire department was able to purchase six new Thermal Imagery Cameras.

Our annual summer Fire Camp for teens was held for the seventh time, with 34 Cadets graduating with certifications, training, and new friendships to drive the next generation of firefighters & first responders.

Six Firefighters earned their Firefighter 1 National ProBoard certification.

Three Firefighters earned their Firefighter 2 National ProBoard certification.

Four Firefighters earned their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

One our EMS Providers graduated Medical School and is now doing her residency at Penn State Medical.

UPMC partnered with our fire department for a community awareness campaign around the volunteer fire service and youth programs. This included several print, video, & social media ad campaigns along with a KDKA-TV special segment on their afternoon “Talk Pittsburgh” show and their newscasts.

RESPONSE STATS Holiday Park VFD responded to 1,109 calls in 2025; a 4% increase over the previous year.

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FULLY INVOLVED

WELCOME FROM THE CHIEF Welcome to this year’s edition of Fully Involved, the annual magazine of the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department. As we reflect on 2025, our theme - 365 Days of Dedication: Every Call, Every Day, Every Member- perfectly captures the commitment and service demonstrated by our volunteers throughout a truly historic year.

In 2025, the Holiday Park VFD responded to 1,109 emergency calls, marking the busiest year in the department’s history. These calls came without warning and at all hours—days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Each alarm represented a neighbor in need, and each response was met with professionalism, compassion, and a willingness to serve. This milestone is even more meaningful knowing that every call was handled by a 100% volunteer force—men and women who freely give their time, energy, and expertise to protect our community.

Dedication extends far beyond emergency responses. Throughout the year, our members committed countless hours to training and professional development to ensure they were prepared for whatever challenges they might face. Firefighters completed Firefighter I certifications, strengthening their skills in suppression, rescue, and fireground operations. Several members advanced their medical training by earning EMT certifications, expanding our department’s ability to provide high-quality prehospital care. Others participated in specialized rescue, hazardous materials, and leadership training. These accomplishments required evenings, weekends, and personal sacrifice, but our members remained committed to being the best they could be for the residents we serve.

Our dedication to the future of the fire service continued with the 7th annual Holiday Park Youth Fire Camp.

This program has become a cornerstone of our department, introducing young people to fire service skills, teamwork, discipline, and community responsibility. In 2025, another group of motivated cadets took part in hands-on training and leadership development, many beginning a journey that may one day lead them into the volunteer fire service. Investing in our youth is investing in the long-term safety of our community.

Behind the scenes, our members also worked tirelessly to support the department through fundraising efforts. Weekly bingo and special events helped provide the resources needed to maintain equipment, training, and operations. These efforts may not happen on the emergency scene, but they are just as essential to keeping our department strong and ready.

The true strength of the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department lies in its people—parents, students, workers, retirees, and neighbors who answer the call without expectation of recognition or reward. Their shared sense of purpose and pride in service defines who we are.

On behalf of the officers and leadership of the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department, thank you for your continued support. We are honored to serve this community and proud of what our volunteers accomplished in 2025.

365 Days of Dedication — Every Call, Every Day, Every Member.

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FULLY INVOLVED

YEARS OF SERVICE

Gary Sims

James Sims

Brian Gray

Monte Myers

50 Years

50 Years

50 Years

30 Years

Eric Leksell

Mike Schuster

Dan Giannettino

Mike Mlynar

30 Years

15 Years

10 Years

10 Years

Christine Perry

Jim Richards

Pete Troxell

Chad Westover

10 Years

10 Years

10 Years

10 Years

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FULLY INVOLVED

SPECIAL RECOGNITION LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Josh Scalamogna was awarded “Life Membership” status by the fire department at the end of 2025 after completing 15+ years of dedicated service meeting strict standards each quarter.

He began his career in 2007 as a Junior Firefighter and has worked his way up the ranks to Assistant Chief. He is a founding cadre member of our annual Fire Camp where he has been hands-on involved in planning & execution as a Platoon Leader.

In recent years, he has led the successful revitalization of our annual Lenten Fish Fry, incorporating new menu items, preparation methods, and inventory control.

Ranks Held 2nd Assistant Chief* Captain Lieutenant Assistant Engineer Firefighter/EMT Junior Firefighter

Special Activities & Roles Fire Camp Platoon Leader | Exec Committee* Junior Firefighter Program Lead* Gun Bash Committee Chairperson* Fish Fry Committee Chairperson* Building, Maintenance, & Engineering Chairperson Bingo Committee (* = Currently Active)

NEW PHYSICAN

Certifications Firefighter 1 & 2 Emergency Medical Technician Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician BLS Instructor Swiftwater Rescue Operations Rope Rescue Technician

Taylor Fusco graduated in May from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and she has begun her residency at the Penn State School of Family Medicine.

She started out her medical career as a Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), a course she took at Holiday Park VFD, then headed off to medical school, and during her final year at medical school, she completed an intense internship at the Rochester Regional Hospital in New York.

During her time off periods, she would come back to Plum Borough and run QRS calls as well as assist on the medical team at our annual Fire Camp each summer.

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RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES

Neighboring Community Responses: Lower Burrell Monroeville Murrysville North Versailes New Kensington Penn Hills

Pitcarin Turtle Creek Upper Burrell Washington Township Wilkins Township Allegheny County Parks

Top Response Categories:

Large Incidents:

Fire/Rescue - 600 Medical Emergencies - 509

US Open April 29th Storms Old Leechburg Road Fire Old Abers Creek Fire Laurel Drive Fire Christy Road Fire

Total - 1,109 4% increase over last year!

Koomatuck Drive Fire Greendale Drive Fire Chapeldale Fire Camp Nancy Rescue Heritage Lane Fire Plum Street Fire

Holiday Park VFD did not “scratch” (fail to respond) to any dispatched calls in 2025... We responded to all of them!

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TRAINING NEVER STOPS

Certifications Earned in 2025 Firefighter 1 Greg Carbon Jesse Cook Peyton Gibbs Josh Hordubay Mike Mlynar Jenuel Roman Firefighter 2 Greg Carbon Peyton Gibbs Jenuel Roman Ropes & Rigging Gavin Bordogna Tyler Brucker Greg Carbon Tom Hordubay Josh Hordubay Jordan Hammond Victoria Johnson Joe Schwan Sebastian Holtman Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) Jim Sims

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Peyton Gibbs Chase Nesbit Jenuel Roman Hannah Westover Essentials of Firefighting Logan Kennedy Hazardous Materials Ops Greg Carbon Skylar Culp Peyton Gibbs Logan Kennedy Jenuel Roman EVOC/EVDT Greg Carbon Josh Roden Joe Schwan EMSVO Chase Nesbitt Hannah Westover

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FULLY INVOLVED

US OPEN

MAJOR EVENT COMES TO PLUM BOROUGH Throughout week of June 8th, the 2025 United States Golf Association’s US Open took place at the Oakmont Country Club in Plum Borough. Our fire department; along with our fellow volunteer fire departments & emergency agencies throughout Plum Borough; supported the event on-site with our members serving on Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, and support teams.

Some crews were stationed out on the golf course; while others staffed the fire station to cover the rest of the borough’s daily operational tempo. 236-ATV was utilized on the course for responses.

This event brought over 40,000 attendees daily to the golf course and surrounding areas. Our personnel were there throughout all the weather conditions, large crowds, and long days ready to assist in any way requested.

US Open Fire Crew Josh Scalamogna Chuckie Usher Joe Susalla Scott Feyes

Emergency Management Jim Sims Gregg Fusco

US Open EMS Crew Alex Marcelewski Gavin Bordogna Brandon Corwin CB McDonald

Borough-Wide Station Stand-by Crew

Ryan LaBertew Nic Albert Norm Auvil Tyler Brucker

Greg Carbon Jesse Cook Brittany Franitti Tom Hordubay

Chase Nesbitt Mike Schuster Cam Svidron Joe Schwan

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FIRE CAMP

34 cadets from across Western Pennsylvania graduated on June 27, 2025 from our 7th annual Fire Camp for teens sponsored in part by the “UPMC Community Commitment” program. Holiday Park VFD each summer hosts the week-long camp for youth 14 – 17 years of age who are interested in the Emergency Services fields whether as a career path or as volunteers. Similar to an interactive boot-camp, the cadets learned teamwork, lifesaving skills, and gained exposure to what it’s like to serve as a volunteer firefighter or emergency responder.

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YOUTH TODAY, FIREFIGHTERS TOMORROW

Check out all the photos, stories, & video: https://holidayparkvfd.org/2025-fire-camp

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The UPMC Community Commitment program partnered with our fire department to help educate the public on the volunteer fire service, the junior firefighter program, and the annual Fire Camp for teens; which UPMC was a major corporate donor.

In the summer, UPMC sponsored a special long-form report on KDKA-TV’s daily show, Talk Pittsburgh, that highlighted the benefits, faces, and inside view of our annual Fire Camp.

WATCH THE VIDEO: https://holidayparkvfd.org/kdka-firecamp-2025/

EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY UPMC selected Cam Svidron, one of our Junior members, to tell his story of how he became a volunteer firefighter after attending our Fire Camp for teens, and since then has excelled in the fire service.

UPMC’s Community Commitment program produced a video and digital campaign to promote local youth involvement in the volunteer fire service that ran over the air and on social media for portions of 2025.

WATCH THE VIDEO: https://holidayparkvfd.org/upmc-community-commitment

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FULLY INVOLVED

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Holiday Park VFD prides itself on how we get involved in the community beyond emergency calls. We have spent approximately 10,000 man hours this past year out in the community. These range from fire prevention to educational classes to safety checks, and more!

You can request Holiday Park VFD to attend and/or assist at your event by sending a request to chief@holidayparkvfd.org.

Our Community Outreach Officer, Gavin Bordogna, will then contact you to obtain further details and develop an agenda and schedule for the event.

Events throughout the year included....

CPR, First Aid, & Stop the Bleed classes Fire Prevention & Safety classes Assisting Special Events (Local & County level) Supporting Local Causes & Fundraisers Summerfest Fireman Challenge for Kids Toys for Tots Collection Drive Annual Plum Soccer Kick-Off Classic Scouting Pack & Troop Partnership Career Planning Lectures Providing Traffic Control for Community Events Santa Claus Day in Holiday Park Halloween Night Candy Run Open House & Fire Station Tours Christmas at Plum Creek Neighborhood Visits USGA US Open Conducting Safety Inspections

More details: https://holidayparkvfd.org/community-programs

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FULLY INVOLVED

JUNIOR FIREFIGHTERS The Junior Firefighter Program is an good opportunity for teens age 14 thru 17 to become part of a volunteer fire department and learn early on the skills necessary to become a successful Firefighter in a safe & educational environment. Our program in the past has produced the leaders of today in our department and other agencies.

We value home life, school, and safety as our top priorities and the chiefs periodically reach out to parents to gauge how things are going and help maintain a healthy balance for the young teen.

Highlights from 2025 16 Junior Firefighters made up the Junior Corps, including five new members.

3 Junior Firefighters were elevated to Senior Firefighters status.

2 Junior Firefighters enrolled in the inaugural Firefighter Program at Plum High School.

Junior Firefighter Chase Nesbitt earned his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Junior Firefighter Logan Kennedy earned his Essentials of Firefighting/Interior.

Several Junior Firefighters completed 3 of the 4 modules of the Essentials of Firefighting.

Assisted in numerous events throughout the year: Fire Prevention, Summerfest, Soccer Classic, Station Tours, Holiday Events, Outreach Programs, Training, Bingo, Fish Fry, Scouting Educational Nights, and more!

A Training Program Steeped in Tradition Under Pennsylvania law, Junior Firefighters can complete three of the four required training modules to become an interior firefighter under 17 years old. When they turn 17, they may with parent’s & chief’s permission complete the final module and complete their “live burn” to become certified; however they must wait till their 18th birthday before that certification becomes active.

Courses Available: Firefighter Essentials, Haz Mat Awareness & Operations, Ropes & Rigging, EMR, EMT, Fire Dynamics, CPR, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and Landing Zone Ops.

Mentorship: Learning from Experienced Firefighters Senior Firefighters and Officers, several of them former Junior Firefighters, help oversee the program on a daily basis with a hands-on approach to learning. In 2025, Lieutenant Tyler Brucker led the team of mentors ensuring each Junior Firefighter had someone to turn and shadow. Time was dedicated to their level of training & opportunities to try new skills.

Mentors: Chuckie Usher, Greg Carbon, Joe Schwan, Joe Susalla, & Ryan LaBertew

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FIRE DEPARTMENT FAMILY

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BUNKING IN

24/7 Response

Located on the second floor of the fire station are “living quarters” including: a bunk room, locker rooms, day room, offices, a conference room, and kitchen that allow our firefighters to stay for long periods of time. A dedicated group of firefighters “bunk-in” at the station on weekends and others on various weeknights to ensure we respond to emergency calls quickly & staffed up.

During severe weather days you find the bunk room full with volunteers to cover the volume of calls.

Minimum Bunk-In Requirements: Interior Firefighter or EMS Provider certification to “Bunk-In”.

“The Ohio Crew”

This trio of young Firefighters come from Ohio; who drive-in on extended weekends to "bunk-in" at our fire station. They met while in their local school district’s fire school, earning Firefighter 1 & 2 before they graduated high school.

Firefighter/EMT Jenuel Roman - joined after participating in Fire Camp Firefighter Greg Carbon - joined after participating in Fire Camp Firefighter/EMT Peyton Gibbs - recruited by Greg & Jenuel

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FULLY INVOLVED

APRIL 29

TH

STORMS AFTERMATH

On April 29, 2025 dangerous storms in the form of tornadic activity and severe thunderstorms, front swept through the Pittsburgh region so damaging that many in the region, let alone Plum, were left without electricity anywhere from two to seven days.

Our personnel spent hours responding to calls around power lines down, fallen trees, flooding, storm damage and more.

In order to help the community, we opened our fire station for several days & nights to the public for a safe place to enjoy air conditioning, charge electronic devices, access the internet, fellowship, catch up on news, and snacks for those who without any access to electrical power in their homes.

Several local businesses, churches, and organizations donated beverages and food each day.

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FULLY INVOLVED

CRITICAL INVESTMENT

Thermal Imagery Cameras Thanks in part to the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s Grant, the Holiday Park VFD was able to purchase six Thermal Imagery Cameras from Seek Thermal for our front line apparatus.

A thermal image camera, or “TIC”, detects infrared radiation (heat) emitted by objects, converting it into a visible image that shows temperature differences, allowing you to "see" heat in total darkness, smoke, or fog. These cameras are used for firefighting as they don't rely on visible light and can reveal hidden problems or activity based on heat signatures.

Features Temperature Range: 0 to 1,022 degrees Flash Light Power of 300 Lumens Display Size of 3.5 inches, color view Battery Time of six (6) hours Types One (1) AttackPro+ Large TIC for each: Engine, Rescue, and Ladder Truck.

One (1) FirePro 300 Personal TIC for each officer seat: Engine, Rescue, and Ladder Truck.

Cost Savings The grant from the state, helped our annual budget by allowing us to focus operational funds on other critical areas while obtaining these new tools through the state funds.

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FULLY INVOLVED

FUNDRAISING

Weekly Bingo Bingo occurs every Thursday throughout the year with doors opening at 5pm and first game kicks off at 6:30pm each week.

Super Bingo Double the prize money for a late night overnight event where the social hall and truck bays are filled with Bingo players! This occurs twice a year.

Fireman’s Fall Gun Bash Hundreds came out for an afternoon of fun and fellowship with plenty of food and prizes given away in October.

Lenten Fish Fry Our annual Lenten Fish Fry starts off each year on Ash Wednesday and runs every Friday for lunch and dinner service through Good Friday.

Grants 8.6%

2025 Annual Budget

Borough Support 10.9%

As a volunteer fire department, we are classified as a 501(c3) non-profit with both a state Bingo & Small Games of Chance license in order to fundraise. As shown in the pie chart to the left, 80% of our operating budget is via fundraising programs with the remaining funds provided by the borough and via federal & state grants. In addition to the fundraising events listed above, we also send out a yearly mailing to residents and businesses within the Holiday Park fire district requesting a donation as part of our solicitation drive.

Fundraising 80.6%

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DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP 2025 Command Staff

Executive Staff

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APPARATUS

236 Engine (2018 Pierce Enforcer 750 gallon PUC Pumper) 236 Rescue (2000 Pierce Dash Medium Rescue Pumper) 236 Truck (2008 Pierce Dash 105 ft Ladder) 236 QRS (2017 Expedition EMS Response Vehicle) 236 Utility (2020 F-350 Special Ops & EMS Response Vehicle) 236 Command (2023 Dodge Durango Chief Officer’s Vehicle) 236 Service (2009 Expedition Fire Police & Transport Vehicle) 236 Brush (With Trailer for Mobile Command Post or Transport) 236 ATV (Off-road emergency response Kubota with pump/tank or EMS/Rescue Ops) The department's Senior Engineer and Engineers are responsible for maintaining our fleet of apparatus.

Monthly truck check nights ensure apparatus operate at their peak performance level as well as refresh all personnel on specialized equipment carried.

All drivers must be hold Emergency Vehicle Operators Course certification as well as pass the department’s internal driver/operator training program for each vehicle along with additional certifications such as Pump Ops, Truck Company Ops, & when needed, EMSVO. LEARN MORE & PHOTO GALLERY: https://holidayparkvfd.org/apparatus/

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HPVFD MEMBERS ROSTER FF Nic Albert FF John Albert FF Norm Auvil, EMT-P FF Tyler Brucker FF Gavin Bordogna, PHRN FF Gregory Carbon FF Noah Carter FF Danielle Cline, EMT FF Mike Cline, EMT FF Jesse Cook ER Brandon Corwin, EMT-P FF Eric Darr, EMT FF Adam DeLuca, EMT FF Aiden Faiella FF Lisa Feyes, PHRN FF Scott Feyes, PHRN ER Joette Franitti, EMT^ FF Brittany Franitti, EMT ER Carin Frank, EMT-P FF Gregory Fusco, EMR DR Taylor Fusco, DO/EMR FF Daniel Giannettino, EMT FF Peyton Gibbs, EMT FF Jon Gottschall FF Josh Hordubay FF Thomas Hordubay, EMT FF Victoria Johnson FF Ryan LaBertew FF Eric Leksell, EMT^ FF Mack Lewis, EMT FF Alex Marcelewski, EMT FF Denny Mazak ER CB McDonald, EMT DR Lee Milligan, MD FPO Monte Myers^ FF Michael Mlynar FF Chase Nesbitt, EMT FPO Christine Perry FF Noah Rhea, EMT* FF Jimmy Reynolds^ FF James Richards Jr FF Josh Roden FF Sean Roden, EMT FF Jenuel Roman, EMT

FF Gabby Scalamogna, EMT FF Josh Scalamogna, EMT^ FF Michael Schuster, EMR FF Joseph Schwan^ FF Gary Sims^ FF James Sims, EMT^ FF Joseph Susalla, EMT-P FF Alex Taylor, EMR FF Chris Taylor ER Erica Taylor FPO Peter Troxell, EMT FF Chuckie Usher, EMT FF Joe Volpe, EMT-P FF Garret Wagner, EMT/RN FF Chad Westover, EMR FF Hannah Westover, EMT FF Dave Weyant FF Robert Yuska

JUNIOR MEMEBERS Noah Adams Kevin Anderson Kaylee Cline Skylar Culp Sean Gregorie Jordon Hammond Logan Kennedy Ethan McMann Killian Schuster Avery Shaffer Camdyn Svidron Caleb Westover Emily Westover Austin Wilhide COMPANY MEMBERS Gary Creighton Ann Ratner^+ Haylee Shaulis Lori Shaulis^ Madison Shaulis Dawn Susalla Jackie Taylor Linda Vagnier, EMT^ Emma Yuska

LIFE MEMBERS

(not currently in active role)

Charlie Bell^ Mike Franitti^ Brian Gray^ Bill Hilderhoff^ Bob Iseman^+ Tom Inserra^ Dick McKee^ Tim Murtha^ Richard Rosey^ Rick Susalla, EMT^ Curt Troger^ Matt G. Vagnier, EMT^ Bob Webb^ Bill Weber^ Dot Weber^ JoAnn Zanotelli^

SPECIAL MEMBERS Stacey Dorsh Danielle Fusco Brooke Fusco, RN Mike Giannettino, RN/EMT Joe Giannettino Carol Glass Nichole Hillman Danielle Lukaszewicz, NP Mike Krzeminski Victoria McFarland Robin Schuster Rachel Timus Sue Tomlinson Brian Turpin, EMT Mieke Usher Jennifer Vagnier John Paul Vagnier Kristen Westover FF = Firefighter | FPO = Fire Police ER = Emergency Responder DR = Physician (*) = Leave of Absence (^) = Life Member (+) = Passed Away in 2025

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Serving Since 1963 Allegheny County Fire Station 236 415 Old Abers Creek Road Plum, PA 15239 holidayparkvfd.org

HPVFD236

HolidayParkVFD236

(724) 327-3456

HolidayParkVFD