Meet the USC Volunteer Firefighters Terry Kish They are lawyers, engineers, students, retirees and auto technicians. Some are
married; others are single. While some of them enjoy golf or reading, others go for skydiving and skiing. They are a diverse group of individuals with one thing in common—the desire and ability to serve their community as firefighters. As a group, they have over 430 years of firefighting experience. As individuals—well, here they are! William Neill, one of two senior members of the USCVFD, has been with the department for 43 years! He and his wife Sandy have four children—Bill Jr., Patty, Heidi, and A.J.—five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A high school graduate, Bill spent six years in the Army Reserves. Bill is retired now, but enjoys auto racing, and has run a fire safety group at a local speedway for the past 30 years.
Doug Dennig is another senior member of the USCVFD. He’s been a volunteer with the department for 26 years, but a firefighter for 37 years! Prior to joining Upper St. Clair’s fire department, Doug served with South Old Bridge VFD in Old Bridge, New Jersey. Doug and his wife Anna are the parents of Mallory Walezak, Stuart Denning and Darcy Hill. They have three grandchildren. Doug attended the American Institute of Banking. He is retired from Westinghouse Electric Corporation. In addition to volunteering with the fire department, Doug is a volunteer escort at St. Clair Hospital. In his spare time he enjoys bicycling and yard work.
A 31 year member of the USCVFD and the chief of the department, Ray Tomnay and his wife Sarah have five children: Bill, Barb, Dan, Jennifer and Mike. They also have five grandchildren. A 1967 USC High School graduate, Ray earned his BS from the University of Akron. Ray’s career as a home builder keeps him busy, but he still finds time to serve as chief of the department. 18
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Russell Rauch is a 25 year veteran of the USCVFD and deputy chief of the department. He and his wife Nancy have one daughter, Andrea. Russ served for six years with the US Army Reserve and is a certified APCO Instructor. Russell has a gift for teaching and is often seen at the Upper St. Clair schools instructing kids about fire safety. He is employed as Technical Services Coordinator for the USC Police Department.
USCVFD’s assistant chief, Brian Reddecliff, has been a firefighter for ten years—five with USC, and five with Brentwood VFD. He and his wife Cheri have two daughters—Brina and Bayley. Brian is employed as a sales executive. Brian has been known to bare his legs in public—when he dons his kilt to perform on the bagpipes! In addition to bag piping, Brian enjoys flying.
USCVFD’s assistant chief, Steve Moore, has been with the department for twenty years. Steve has three children—Matt, Mike and Lauren—and is married to Sue. Steve is an USC graduate and attended Robert Morris University. He is employed by the USC School District as a mechanic. In his spare time Steve enjoys auto racing and spending time with his kids!
Children often follow in their parents’ footsteps, and Michael Tomnay has followed his father Ray into volunteer service with the fire department. Mike has been a member of the USCVFD for two years. A graduate of USC High School, Mike works as a bricklayer, and enjoys remote controlled cars, motorcycles and trucks.
Fall 2002
David Kropp has been with the USCVFD for 13 years. He and his wife Leslie are the parents of Laura and Russell. Dave earned his BS and MBA from Penn State, and his JD from Dickinson School of Law. He earned his LLM (tax) from the University of Miami Law School, and his CPA in Florida. He is a tax attorney and President of Bradford Capital Corporation. Not surprisingly, Dave is treasurer for the department. Volunteer work is one of Dave’s hobbies. In addition to serving as treasurer of the fire department, Dave is a former president of USC Friends of the Library, former president of Chartiers Center Mental Health/Mental Retardation, former elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church and former director of The Wesley Institute. He also taught Sunday school for five years. In his spare time, Dave enjoys reading and sports.