IN Canon-Mac Spring 2016 | Page 70

North Strabane Fire Department T Fire Chief Mark Grimm he North Strabane Fire Department continues to grow with the Township and currently operates three fire stations. The Department stands ready to serve the residents for any emergency or non-emergency event. Currently, staffing consists of ten full-time and ten part-time personnel, along with twentyfive dedicated volunteers. NO R TH STR ABA N E TO WNS H IP NE WS or th Strabane Please meet our two newest career firefighters who stand ready to serve you. Travis McVay is 33 years old and was born and raised in Washington, PA. He graduated from Trinity High School in 2001 and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the Community College of Beaver County in 2004. Travis was raised in a family of firefighters and became a volunteer fireman for Lone Pine in 2002. Shortly thereafter, he obtained his EMT certification. Travis followed in his late grandfather’s steps and made firefighting his career. He was hired in Frederick County, Maryland as a full-time firefighter in 2007. After the birth of their daughter in 2013, Travis and his wife moved back to Washington, PA in the spring of 2014 to be close to their families. He became a part-time firefighter at North Strabane in 2014 and was hired full-time in January of 2016. THE DEPARTMENT PRIDES ITSELF ON HOLDING A “GOLD” RATING THROUGH THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE FIRE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE. This classification certifies that every active firefighter is nationally accredited. The Department is active in the Township with fire prevention, fire inspections and business pre-planning. We offer CPR and fire extinguisher training at your business or at our stations. Fire personnel will meet with any resident or business owner to discuss fire safety and escape 68 Canon-Mac Dante Sicchitano, 21 years old, was born and raised in Bentleyville, PA. He graduated from Bentworth High School in 2013 as an honor student, received the American Legion Award and several community service awards, and was a three year All-Conference football player. Dante currently serves as a Captain in the Bentleyville Volunteer Fire Department, where he started at the age of 14 as a junior firefighter. He has numerous certifications in Fire, Rescue, and EMS. Dante is a certified Firefighter II and EMT. He also has certifications in Vehicle Rescue, Rope/High Angle Rescue, Water and Ice Rescue, Hazardous Material Operations and Rapid Intervention. He is currently in the pr