Fire protection for the Township of Collier is provided by 3 fire departments. Each department is separately chartered and each has a long-standing tradition of providing professional, volunteer fire and emergency medical services to the residents of Collier.
Kirwan Heights Volunteer Fire Department
Kirwan Heights Volunteer Fire Department
The Kirwan Heights Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1926 by employees at the Vanadium Steel Mill (currently Universal Stainless and Alloy). In 1930 the firefighters constructed a building at the corner of Vanadium Road and Washington Pike, and this has been the department’s home since that time. In the early 1950s Kirwan Heights VFD was one of the first patient transport services in Allegheny County, and still remains active in EMS Kirwan Heights currently has an advanced life support ambulance service, which is staffed 24/7 – 365 days a year, and services the residents of Collier Township.
Community Involvement & Services
Kirwan Heights VFD is also very active within the community, offering
- CPR/AED training
- Car seat inspections
- Fire extinguisher training
- A yearly MDA Boot Drive for Jerry’s Kids
- A myriad of other activities and training
New Members
As always, Kirwan Heights VFD is looking for new members, and fire and EMS training is free.
Presto Volunteer Fire Department
Presto Volunteer Fire Department
The Presto Volunteer Fire Department’s mission is “to protect life and property in and around Collier Township to the fullest extent possible with our resources and capabilities.” They currently operate 4 pieces of apparatus and have 35 active volunteer members. These men and women protect the neighborhoods of:
- Beechmont
- Federal
- Hickman
- Nevillewood
- Presto
- Woodville
- As well as assisting neighboring departments
Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department
Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department
The Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2014. The Department has 20 active members serving as firefighters, fire police and/or EMTs. They operate three pieces of apparatus including a Basic Life Support ambulance.
SafePlace
Rennerdale VFD is a recognized “SafePlace,” which is an emergency shelter for youth in crisis. Safe Place “provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for all young people in crisis through a network of sites sustained by qualified agencies, trained volunteers and businesses.”
A SafePlace provides, a safe place for troubled youth, runaways, and victims of child abuse.Rennerdale Fire Department provides a place for youth to stay until a SafePlace representative can come for the child.
The Collier Township Firefighters Association serves the following purposes:
To operate exclusively for the benefit of the Kirwan Heights Volunteer Fire Department, the Presto Volunteer Fire Department, and the Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department (collectively the “Local Volunteer Fire Departments”)
To perform the functions of or carry out the purposes of the Local Volunteer Fire Departments by:
- Improving the public safety and the quality of life within Collier Township by supporting the Local Volunteer Fire Departments as they work with the Collier Township Commissioners, Police, residents, businesses and other non-profit community organizations
- Providing dependable, efficient fire-fighting and emergency services
- Preserving and enhancing the volunteer aspects of fire-fighting and emergency services
- Increasing the public interest in fire and emergency services by promoting personal and community involvement
- Preventing fires and emergencies through education and involvement programs
- Assisting with public and private funding for the operations of the Local Volunteer ire Departments
- Developing, preparing and implementing plans to meet the fire and emergency services demands within Collier Township