IN Ross Township Summer 2014 | Page 50

COMMUNITY Public Service ORGANIZATIONS, PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS In and Around ROSS The Ross Township Volunteer Firemen Recruitment & Retention Committee is happy to announce that the Discount Club is up and running. R oss Township has been blessed with a 100% volunteer fire service for many years. The desire of this committee, business owners and every tax payer is to ensure that this purely volunteer group remains intact, well trained and ready to go. Ross Township has 8 fire companies with approximately 300 volunteers consisting of fire fighters, administrative help, fire police and junior members. Every year state regulations make the cost and time requirements for training more demanding on new and veteran members. Each new member costs the companies upwards of $3,000 which is covered by Ross Township General Fund budget contributions, federal and state grants and fund raising efforts of the fire companies. Help us thank them for the commitment and a job well done by becoming a member of the Ross Township Volunteer Firemen R O SS TOWN SH IP NE WS oss Township T Discount Club. Any discount of any amount is deeply appreciated. Any volunteer requesting a discount at your establishment must present photo ID to receive the discount. The Discount Club listing of participants will be published in our magazine quarterly and posted at each fire hall. Following are the current participants: • Bodytech North Hills • Breen Law Firm, LLC • First National Bank • Huet Eye Associates • North Hills Dairy Queen • Rusmur Floors Carpet One Please contact Commissioner Mikec or any of your local firemen for a registration packet to sign up. Committee Members: Commissioner, David J. Mikec, P.E. – Ross Township, Ward 6 Fire Chief, Jeff Giger – Evergreen Fire Department Commissioner, John Sponcer – Ross Township, Ward 3 Fire Chief, Brad Mclean – Quaill Fire Department Ross Township Police – Special Programs he Ross Township Special Programs Division plays a vital role in our efforts aimed at improving communications between the police and the citizens that we serve, improving community life, and, most importantly, enhancing public safety. Comprised of ten Ross Township police officers, the division delivers on these objectives through a number of diverse programs that have been developed over the years in response to needs that have been recognized by the police department. Additionally, some of the programs have been in response to requests by civic groups, schools and our own Ross Township Board of Commissioners. activity and any other information that needs to be quickly communicated. Community Crime Watch Meetings – Although technology has made life much simpler in our fast-paced society, there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction between the police and those that we serve. Community Crime Watch Meetings are held periodically for specific issues regarding public safety. These gatherings also provide a forum for citizen concerns to be addressed, directly, when requested by a specific neighborhood. All such gatherings are open to the public and anyone can request one for their neighborhood. School Based Special Programs – Our Special Programs THE PROGRAMS Coordinator, Officer Michael J. Thomas, has been making Crime Watch is neighbor looking after neighbor to help appearances in our schools – both public and parochial – since keep the community safe. Although technology has affected 2002. He is well-trained in a variety the way that we communicate, of issues facing school children of the fundamentals of the program all ages. Other Special Programs remain the same as in the past. The officers are also available for difference today is that Crime Watch appearances on a variety of topics makes use of a group email list. This affecting our school children. Such provides two-way communications opportunities are welcomed by between the members and the the Special Programs Division and poli