New Portable Fire Department Radios to Cost Town $2,500

Upper Moreland announced it will be purchasing new radios for the fire department.

The Upper Moreland Commissioners approved the purchase of four new portable radios for the Upper Moreland Fire Department. At the April board meeting, commissioners announced the township would kick in $2,530 and the state would provide the additional $12,470 to upgrade communications for the volunteer firefighters.  “The county is upgrading the radio system and we will be required to buy new radios,” commissioner Donna Parsell said. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will provide the majority of the funding for the new upgraded radio system, which the township is required to upgrade to in 2014. Likewise, the Willow Grove Fire Co. found out in March it had been approved for a grant through the Office of the State Fire …

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Upgraded Communications Coming to Willow Grove Fire Co.

The volunteer fire company will use $15K grant to purchase Mobile Data Computers.

The Willow Grove Fire Co. is about to see a whole lot of upgrades to its technological equipment and lines of communication. Through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, the volunteer firefighters in Willow Grove have been approved for a $15,000 grant that will be used primarily on new computers and other technology devices. The application process started in September, but the funds were officially approved earlier this month. “With the county going to the Mobile Data Computers, we were able to secure funding for additional computers for the fire company,” Deputy Chief Lee Perlmutter said. Mobile Data Computers, or MDC’s, are the same devices installed in police cars and ambulances, and open a better line of communication for the …

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Willow Grove Fire Company Looking for Volunteers

Be an important and vital part of your community.

Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company Needs Your Help

The Wilow Grove Fire Company is looking for volunteers to join its team.

Chopper Takes Victim From Senior Home After Fire

Firefighters respond to a fire at Willow Lake, a senior housing facility in Willow Grove.

An elderly victim was flown by medical helicopter to a burn center in Philadelphia after a blaze at the Upper Moreland retirement home where they live. A fire sprinkler system held the fire to just one room in a residential unit at the Willow Lake community on York Road, Willow Grove Fire Company Chief Brian Focht said. The victim suffered burns at around 6 p.m. and is being treated at the burn center at Temple University Hospital, Focht said. A medical helicopter landed at Upper Moreland High School to transport the victim. Smoke and water damage on the third floor of the assisted living community are causing some residents of the community to be relocated, officials said. Focht said several extra ambulances were brought in to assist with…

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Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company Holds Annual Elections

The active crew of the fire company voted in its new line officers last week.

Willow Grove Fire Company Will Name New Chief

Brian Focht will take over for Lee Perlmutter as the new Chief. The announcement will be made tonight.

There will be a changing of the guard at the Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company starting tonight. Chief Lee Perlmutter will be stepping down as Chief and will turn his duties over to Brian Focht, who currently serves as Assistant Chief. Perlmutter will stay onboard with the company and assume the duties of the Deputy Chief. That announcement will officially be made at tonight’s monthly meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. Perlmutter has served as Chief for the last 10 years and has been part of the Willow Grove Fire Company for over 30 years stemming back to 1970. “We’ve been officers together for years,” Perlmutter said about him and Focht. “At one time, due to family obligations, (Focht) had stepped back. I had been his deputy before, I had …

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UPDATED: Road Closings and Power Outages in Upper Moreland

Check back periodically with Patch to find out the latest road closings in the area because of Hurricane Sandy.

UPDATE (12:08 p.m.): Mill Rd. is closed between York and Orchard until further notice due to a PECO pole fire and live wires down. - - - The Willow Grove Fire Company is advising local residents to be safe as Hurricane Sandy approaches. The Public Works Department is already taking measures to keep the township safe, but the fire department is also reminding all of us to be safe.  The following message was posted on its web site: With Hurricane Sandy predicted to hit the area, we wanted to advise the public of the preparations that the Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company is taking to ensure that the public remains safe. The station will be staffed during the height of the storm. That said, in the event of an emergency, there may be a delay…

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UPDATED: Fire in Huntingdon Valley, June 29

A reported garage fire occurred in the early morning hours on Friday.

[Updated noon] A structure fire was reported early this morning in Huntingdon Valley. According to Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Chief Lee Perlmutter, the call went out at 7:51 a.m. for a outside garage on the property of 1601 Huntingdon Road. According to Perlmutter, a passing motorist alerted the owner of smoke on his property. Fire crews from Willow Grove Fire Company Squad 10, Engine 10 arrived on scene with responders from Bryn Athyn Engine 11 and Abington Ladder 100. According to Perlmutter, the fire crews were able to control the garage within 20 minutes on arrival. Perlmutter added that a hazmatt team was also called, due to the presence of gasoline containers in the garage. The fire is being considered accidental in nature, pending …

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Snapshot: Emergency Responders Honored by Twp. Commissioners

Emergency responders from several local departments were recognized for their participation in rescues during Hurricane Irene.

The Board of Commissioners of Upper Moreland Township presented Unit Citations to the emergency personnel who responded to incidents throughout Upper Moreland Township during Hurricane Irene, Oct. 17. The mutual aid responders were honored by the Board and the residents who were in attendance for the presentation. The wording on the citation reads as follows: In Recognition of the Extraordinary service provided while under a State of Emergency during the Hurricane Irene Disaster on Aug. 27 and 28, 2011. Your Responsiveness, performance, and dedication are hereby officially commended by the Board of Commissioners and are deeply appreciated by the residents, visitors, and business owners of Upper Moreland Township. The following …

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