Member Frank Kosir, Jr. “While the
challenges facing local fire departments
have evolved over the years, Chief
Coyle has consistently guided our fire
department with a steady hand, and
made it one of the top fire departments
in Western Pennsylvania. His
contributions to the Peters Township
community cannot be overstated, and
will continue to benefit our residents
for many years to come.”
The department now offers a wide
variety of services to the community
in addition to firefighting—from
assisting with vehicle accidents, vehicle
extrications, rescues and brush fires,
to assisting other fire departments
in a variety of ways—in addition to
some ambulance, quick-response and
advanced life support calls.
“We’re not just running the fire truck
up and down the road putting fires out,”
says Coyle. “It’s so much more than
that.”
He continues, “I’ve been so very
fortunate to have a group of people
who have supported my efforts—from
my officers and employees to the
volunteers—they’ve all brought a lot of
amazing ideas to the table and put them
together. Nothing is ‘my’ creation. It’s
been the creation and efforts of a lot of
people involved. We, as a department,
felt that we wanted to give back to the
community, and truly be a part of it.”
And the PTFD is most definitely a
part of Peters Township, in so many
ways. For example, it has instituted a
Fire Prevention Program that Coyle is
very proud of. The program educates
people of all ages—mostly school-
aged children—about how to prevent
fires, fire safety, and what to do in the
situation of a fire.
CPR classes, public education
classes, car seat installation and safety
check programs are also among the
PTFD’s offerings. And, of course, the
department takes part in Community
Day each year and other community
events, while also sponsoring a Fire
Department Open House that invites
families and friends to visit the
department for live demonstrations, an
obstacle course and a chance to explore
the trucks and talk with the firefighters.
“In the summertime, we love to leave
the doors open for people to come to
the fire station,” adds Coyle. “I want
people to come in and to bring their
kids to see the trucks. It’s been my
philosophy to be a visible part of the
community—to share it with them.”
Greg Nardine, President of the
PTFD, met Coyle 18 years ago, when
he joined as a high school senior.
“Dan has always looked out for every
member of his fire department—junior
members to the senior line officers—
he has always shown great respect,”
says Nardine. “Throughout the years,
as the department has grown and
changed, Dan has always maintained
his high standards; he has elevated
this department into the premier fire
department in the greater Pittsburgh
area and one that everyone should be
proud of.”
Retiring after 42 years, with 37 as
the chief, Coyle looks forward to a
bright future for the PTFD. “They’re
a great bunch of people who I know
will take the fire department where it
needs to go for the next 20 to 30 years,”
he says. “I’ve been very fortunate to
have worked with a lot of good people,
and I’ve made lifelong friends. It’s
a brotherhood—these guys are my
extended family.”
Coyle will pass to the torch to
current Deputy Fire Chief Mike
McLaughlin. “My relationship with
Chief Coyle began way before I joined
the department, as he and my dad were
good friends,” says McLaughlin.
“Learning from Chief Coyle for
the last 15 years has given me the
confidence to continue to grow our
organization with the great community
we serve. It’s reassuring to know my
relationship with Chief Coyle doesn’t
end when he retires. He has a vested
interest to ensure this organization
succeeds after his retirement and has
assured me that he is just a phone call
away. With that, and the fantastic staff
of career and volunteer members that
we have, it’s hard to be anything but
excited to be Chief Coyle’s successor.”
“I’ve had a very good career,” says
Coyle. “Someone’s got to drive the bus,
but you have to have the support of
everyone to succeed. I’m very proud of
my accomplishments, and I know that
things are going to continue in the right
direction.” n
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