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BY PATRICK BUCHNOWSKIPBUCHNOWSKI@TRIBDEM.COMThe Johnstown Fire Department marked its 100th anniversary' with a banquet Friday atthe Pasquerilla Conference Center with bagpipers, a slide presentation and a tribute tothe fallen.About 450 dinner guests- including current and retired city firefighters and city officials- gathered for the centennial sponsored by International Association of Fire Fighters Local 463.“When I look around the room, the biggest thing that comes to my mind is dedication,” said Assistant Chief and union President Art Martynus-ka.“When I look around the room, the biggest thing that comes to my mind is dedication.”ART MARTYNUSKA, ASSISTANT CHIEF AND UNION PRESIDENT“A majority of those here are retired firefighters, and to show the dedication put into this profession over the course of100 years is absolutely arhaz-* *• Mmg.The department has 43 people in three stations, working in a high-tech environment where■ ■W.V.V.VVmmVV-fcl. m : m- ■ m ■Xy' 'IIPV-'.■Vr.v/y.V- Y •VSBfcSBP# ?f ’WmM'.V(*.yVViNSpgJijgjIII mm m*A7-•rmMmrnmmSig*r11Pal1 ;?• W'*Rp;.,. ;;/• •• •x'-w . * lt;• •;* v»v?ttiwfeS':c-y• Ka. ■K s;lt; •. i: ■:14-IAACLYDE WILLIAMS/FOR THE TRIBUNE DEMOCRATJohnstown firefighter Theresa Tedjeske and Assistant Fire Chief Joseph Moehler ring the bell honoring firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty during the 100th anniversary banquet Friday at the Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown.computers and modern communications equipment are just as important as an old-fashioned fire hose.Retirees reflected on the years spent rushing into the flames.It’s a lot harder today because you have more duties,” said Earl Musselman, a retired third-gene ration firefighter who has served as the department's historian.Now, vou have to be a med-*•ical and hazmat technician,” hesaid. It's not the same job our forefathers did.”The Pittsburgh Fire Fighters Memorial Pipe Band played as the Altoona Fire Department color guard performed at the ceremony. Burning buildings and firefighters carrying victims from the flames flashed onto the screen as part of a slide presentation.A bell sounded once for each of the seven firefighters who have died in the line of duty.“Volunteers and paid firemen- it’s a dangerous job,” U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstovvn, said. “It's a high technology skilled job today. These guys are the best.”The sense of history7 wasn’tvlost on younger members. Ray Penatzer was a volunteer firelighter in Summerhill Borough before the citv hired himw18 months ago.“I wanted to be a firefighter ever since I was a boy,” he said.w ’ “I’m honored to be part of the Johnstown Fire Department.
Newspaper Details
Johnstown Tribune Democrat
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US
Sat, Oct 28, 2006
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Raymond P.
USA 17 Jun 2023
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