Lower Macungie Township

Lower Macungie Township is Tired of False Alarms

The Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners is looking into less tolerance and stricter penalties for false alarms that needlessly call the fire department into action.

It’s not quite a case of the boy who cried wolf, but it’s close. After learning that a good 30 to 40 percent of the calls that prompt Lower Macungie Fire Department volunteers to spring into action actually turn out to be false alarms, the township decided something needed to be done. So, township staff has recommended some changes to an existing township ordinance covering false alarms, Commissioner Roger Reis told the rest of the commissioners in his Public Safety Committee report at Thursday night's Board of Commissioners' meeting. The key changes being looked at Reis explained, are dropping the allowable false alarms from three per year to two and stabilizing the penalty structure to a flat $150 per residential violation and $300 per …

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Willet Thomas

10:30 am on Monday, May 20, 2013

Thanks for the clarification. I wasn't aware of the fact that the fire company is liable for damage should the public not get out of the way.   more ›

Crime and Fire

Dog Burns Nose, Paws; Cat Missing in Tee Court Fire

Neighbor calls 911 to report that house next door is on fire, according to emergency radio transmissions.

A family of three escaped a Lower Macungie Township house fire uninjured on Tuesday night, but three pets were affected and a fourth pet, at last word, was still missing, according to a fire official. Volunteers from Lower Macungie Fire Department and Trexlertown were called  1199 Tee Court at 9:41 p.m. A caller in the Shepherd Hills development reported a neighbor's house was on fire, according to emergency scanner transmissions. The first Lower Macungie Fire Department officer to arrive reported heavy smoke coming from the home. He later reported flames to the rear of the home climbing from the first floor and up the back of the two-story townhouse, the transmissions said. It took firefighters from Lower Macungie, Trexlertown and …

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The Hero Next Door

Fire Police Take Heat for Managing Traffic Around Emergencies

Colleen Kelly says there are some drivers at accident scenes who really scare her: the ones taking pictures.

Name:  Colleen Kelly Age:  49 Hometown:  Lower Macungie Township Family:  She has been married to Bill for 21 years, and they have two sons, Burke and Blake. Occupation:  Colleen works part time at the Lower Macungie Recycling Center. Fire Company:  Lower Macungie Fire Department  Describe your job with the fire company.  “I have been with the Lower Macungie Fire Police for six years and am the second lieutenant and secretary.  I am also a ‘go-fer’ and pretty much will do anything that is needed.” Have you ever been afraid while on a call, and of what?  “When we are out on a call directing traffic, most of the people are pretty nice. But then there are those who just need to learn to understand our job. Sometimes we must close the area and…

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Volunteer Logs 14 Years of 'Civic Duty' With Fire Police

John Bergstresser volunteers with the Lower Macungie Fire Department as a fire policeman and folks who say 'thank you' keep him going

Lower Macungie Township

What's the Busiest Day for Lower Macungie Firefighters?

Lower Macungie Fire Chief David Nosal reports 2012 township fire statistics.

Lower Macungie Fire Chief David Nosal recently addressed the township Board of Commissioners to deliver his annual statistical year in review. Nosal also said that the Lower Macungie Fire Department will soon renew its gold certification signifying that every active member of the department is certified by the state. Lower Macungie is the only fire department in the county that has achieved this designation. In 2012: Nosal said the number of false alarms are high and hard on the department. Commissioners are considering new legislation that could lower the number of times one home or business can call the fire department to a false alarm before it is fined. Currently that number is four times in a calendar year. The BOC is also considering…

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Dale Frizzell Coodinates Emergency Management for LMT

Frizzell also has been a Lower Macungie firefighter for 17 years.

The Hero Next Door

LMFD's Jim Wagner Jumps When That Alarm Goes Off

Wagner been a township firefighter for 44 years.

Name:  Jim Wagner Age:  70 Hometown:  Lower Macungie Township Family:  Jim and his wife, Donna, have been married for 46 years.  They have a daughter, Nicole and a 14-month-old grandson, Mason. Occupation:  “I am retired after working 41 years at Mack Trucks. I now work part-time at the Lower Macungie Township recycling center so I can pay for my golf balls!” Fire Company:  He has been with Lower Macungie Fire Department since 1968 — that's 44 years. Training:  “When I started here, there was no training. You were given boots, a hat and a coat and just showed up at calls. You learned as you went. But now it’s different. Training is a must. There’s so much more to know than fighting a fire.” Describe your job with the fire company.  “Over …

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Lower Macungie Township

One Third of Lower Mac Fire Calls are False Alarms

Chief David Nosal reports the number of fire calls throughout the township during 2012.

Lower Macungie Fire Chief David Nosal addressed the township Board of Commissioners at its Jan. 3 meeting to deliver his annual statistical year in review. Nosal also said that the Lower Macungie Fire Department will soon renew its gold certification signifying that every active member of the department is certified by the state. Lower Macungie is the only fire department in the county that has achieved this designation. In 2012: Nosal said the number of false alarms are high and hard on the department. Commissioners are considering new legislation that could lower the number of times one home or business can call the fire department to a false alarm before it is fined. Currently that number is four times in a calendar year. The BOC is …

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Lower Macungie Township

Asst. Chief Brent McNabb Honored for Decades of Service to LMFD

His father served before him and his son continues to serve.

Brent McNabb, assistant chief of the Lower Macungie Fire Department, was honored Thursday by the township Board of Commissioners with a proclamation attesting to a community's gratitude for a job well done. McNabb began volunteering with the fire company in 1977, and is part of a generational family, according to LMFD Chief David Nosal who addressed the commissioners and presented the proclamation to McNabb. Brent McNabb is part of what Nosal called a "generational family" in which several generations have contributed time and talent to the fire department. Allen McNabb founded the Lower Macungie Fire Department in 1958. Brent's son, Gabe, currently serves as a captain. Though Brent McNabb is stepping down as a firefighter, he will …

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The Hero Next Door

Lower Mac’s Ben Galiardo: Man of Many Hats

He has been involved in emergency services for 55 years.

Name:  Ben Galiardo Age:  70 Hometown:  He has been a resident of Lower Macungie Township for 42 years. Family:  Ben is married to Paulette for 42 years.  They have a son, daughter and three grandchildren. Occupation:  “I do many things for Lower Macungie Township:  fire inspector, assistant zoning officer, deputy emergency management coordinator, and the liaison between the township and the fire department and ambulance corps.” Fire Company:  Lower Macungie Fire Department Describe your job with the fire company.  “I have been with the department for 35 years and emergency services for 55 years.  In 1998, the name was changed from Wescosville Fire Department to Lower Macungie Fire Department and I was the first fire chief under the new …

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Ron Beitler

8:34 am on Friday, January 4, 2013

The man wears about a half dozen hats! He's the utility knife of the township! Really appreciated Ben working with the residents of Spring Creek Rd who were seeking the flood assistance. He goes above and beyond all the time.   more ›