Fire Companies and Administrative Services

The Abington Township Fire Department (A.T.F.D) is a dedicated team of volunteer firefighters comprised of five (5) individual fire companies unified as one Department with a mission to provide excellent fire, rescue, fire prevention, and public education services to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community. The Fire Stations are overseen by the Fire Board, who work with the Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services and Fire Marshal's Office.

What We Do:

Fire Suppression

Abington Township Fire Department’s main function is to serve the citizens of the township with the goal of protecting life, property and the environment by providing excellence in services and public safety. The Fire Department protects the citizens of Abington Township and surrounding communities not only by responding to fires, motor vehicle collisions and other emergency events, but also through carrying out investigations and promoting fire prevention. Fire Company suppressing a house fire.

Abington Township firefighters are among the best trained in the area— more than 80% of active firefighters are certified to the Fire Fighter I level with approximately 40 % possessing Fire Fighter II certification, they respond to diverse emergencies in our township and surrounding communities. Their basic training includes fire ground attack, equipment training, rescue techniques and medical first aid.

The Fire Department operates four 100 foot aerial devices with pre-piped waterways, one 2000 GPM engine with 54’ elevated master stream, nine 1500 GPM or greater engines with 750 gallon water tanks. Each engine carries an array of 1 ¾” and 2 ½” hand-lines pre-connected for initial attack. A minimum of 1,000 foot of 5” supply hose is carried on each with an additional hose lay of 3” hose.

Rescue

The Fire Department provides all emergency rescue services for the Township and supports the surrounding communities with resources. Members are trained in Basic Vehicle, Water, High Angle, Trench, Confined Space, and other specialties up to and including technician level.

The Fire Department operates one heavy rescue apparatus out of Station 300, a technical rescue trailer stationed at the Training Facility, along with three inflatable boats. Each front line engine carries basic rescue equipment providing capabilities to begin/complete minor rescue techniques. Aerial apparatus provides equipment and platforms for high, low and specialized rescues.

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Materials rescue response from Fire Company. Hazardous materials responses are through the Abington Township Fire Department with all members trained to the Operations Level. The Fire Department is further supported by the Montgomery County Hazardous Materials Response Team (MCHMRT) with units stationed within Abington Township at the Fire Training Facility.

Each first out apparatus carries basic personal protective equipment, as well as air monitoring devices and are capable of performing emergency decontamination. Hazardous Materials response bags are maintained at each of the stations provided up to level B protection when required.

The Fire Department houses and maintains two apparatus for the MCHMRT and has access to the equipment and materials stored within them. The department also houses a MCHMRT foam trailer capable of delivering class A or B foam to an incident for sustained periods.

Firefighting I Training Program

Firefighter Training The A.T.F.D. just completed the fifth year of offering a Firefighter I Introductory Course to our members and automatic aid partners. The Firefighter I program is held at our training facility, and prepares the newest batch of volunteers for safe and effective firefighting and rescue operations. The 200-hours course included classroom and hands-on training.

Firefighting students learn fire ground practices and procedures. They are taught how to use self-contained breathing apparatus and other safety equipment. They learn first aid, how to place ladders, and the use of ropes and knows. The class also covered hazardous material identification, water supply, and building construction – understanding how buildings are put together helps a firefighter make quick decisions at the scene of a fire or other emergency.

Students participated in a live-fire structural burn session and had to pass a written and practical skills test to obtain their Fire Fighter I National Certification.

Educational Programming

24-Hour Relay Challenge

When participants in Abington School District’s annual 24-Hour Relay Challenge are waling for their team, they can gear up in firefighting apparel and learn some life-saving skills. Department volunteers help suit up participants so they can experience the realities of entering a burning building by crawling through a tent filled with non-toxic smoke. Throughout the demonstrations, A.T.F.D. volunteers were on hand to answer questions and show off their unique skill sets that help keep the community safe. Recruitment of new members is always a goal at the 24-Hour Relay Challenge.

Mock Crash

During the May 29th Mock Crash, A.T.F.D. firefighters and other first responders worked with Abington Senior High School students and teachers to simulate the very real dangers of driving while distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The event is timed to raise awareness before the senior prom.

Service Learning Day

The A.T.F.D.’s annual Service Learning Day, held on May 31st, allowed Abington Senior High School students to see what it is like to be a volunteer firefighter. The event is aimed at teaching students the importance of community involvement. It also provides a chance for the A.T.F.D. to recruit young people. The students who visited the A.T.F.D.’s Fire Training Facility learned what the five volunteer fire companies do for the community. They had the opportunity to use fire extinguishers to put out controlled fires. Students suited up with helmets, boots, coats, and other firefighting gear.

Local Scout Day

Several groups of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts visited the A.T.F.D. as part of the annual Local Scout Day. The A.T.F.D. participates in such events each year as a way to promote fire safety practices and introduce young people to the firefighting service. The A.T.F.D. is committed to fire safety education and hosts tours and visits schools in order to teach children how to prevent or escape from fires as well as introducing them to the many volunteer opportunities the fire department has to offer members of the community.

Student Government Day

Abington Senior High School students visited the A.T.F.D. fire training facility on the annual Student Government Day program in May. Student Government Day is designed to show students haw various departments in the township function by seeing facilities first hand. Some students were surprised to learn that fire and rescue service in their township is provided by volunteer firefighters. Our goal is to inspire one or more students to become a volunteer and join the A.T.F.D.

Fire Prevention Week

Fire Open Houses Child Spraying Hose Abington Township Fire Department (ATFD) firefighters successfully hosted open houses at all five township fire companies during October’s Fire Prevention Week. Firefighters taught township residents fire prevention and survival skills. They educated them on services the fire companies provide and how they operate. And they urged residents interested in giving back to their community to join the firefighting ranks.

Fire safety lesson and community outreach are what the Abington Township Fire Department aims for at the open houses held at Edge Hill as well as Abington Fire Company, McKinley Fire Company, Roslyn Fire Company, Weldon Fire Company, and Edge Hill Fire Company. In all, about 1,000 people attended the event, many of whom crowded around outdoor demonstrations of firefighting skills and potential at-home hazards, such as kitchen fires. Even though ATFD has served the township for more than 100 years, township residents don’t always realize firefighters’ service is truly community service.

2019 Fire Prevention Open House Video

2018 Fire Prevention Open House Video

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Contact Information

Abington Fire Department Administrative Services

Tom McAneney, Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services
Location: 1176 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001
Phone: 267-536-1059
Email: tmcaneney@abingtonpa.gov
Website: https://www.abingtonfd.org/

Abington Fire Company

Chief: Michael Jones
Location: 1920 Horace Avenue, Abington, PA 19001
Website: http://www.abingtonfire.net/

McKinley Fire Company

Chief: Shawn Philipsen
Location: 893 Jenkintown Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027
Website: https://mckinleyfire.org/

Weldon Fire Company

Chief: Keith Maslin
Location: 412 N Easton Rod, Glenside PA 19038.
Website: http://weldonfireco.com/

Edge Hill Fire Company

Chief: Frank Schuck
Location: 2843 Limekiln Pike, North Hills, PA 19038
Website: http://www.edgehillfirecompany.com/

Roslyn Fire Company

Chief: Matthew Orzechowski
Location: 1128 Bradfield Road, Roslyn PA 19001
Website: https://roslynfireco.com/main/

What to Expect, A Guide for New Members

Family Brochure, A Guide for New Members

Additional Information

Stay Connected:

Abington Fire Department Website and Social Media

"Responding" Newsletters

Abington Township Fire Department publishes regular newsletters with information regarding recruitment, strategic goals and the accomplishments of the five fire companies: Abington, McKinley, Weldon, Roslyn and Edge Hill. You can download them here or go to http://www.abingtonfd.org/newsletter/ for more.