Alpha Fire Company

Check it out! 🔥

The new Rescue 5 is looking great and is quickly nearing completion.

Nearing Final Inspection 🔎

Five new apparatus are in the final stages before heading home to Pennsylvania!

🔥 Edgely Fire Company – Pierce Enforcer Ascendant 107' Heavy-Duty Ladder ( #40186)
🔥 Barlow Fire Company – Pierce Enforcer Heavy-Duty Rescue Pumper ( #40253)
🔥 Alpha Fire Company – Pierce Enforcer Walk-In Heavy-Duty Rescue ( #41414)
🔥 Johnsonburg Fire Department – Pierce Urban Interface CAFS Pumper ( #41631)
🔥 Cocalico Area Fire Department – Pierce Saber Pumper ( #42362)

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The month of May proved to be another busy month for your Alpha Volunteers, including 5 working fire responses throughout the Centre Region and mutual aid areas.

Check out the breakdown of what your Alphas have been up to!

Want to become part of the action? Consider becoming part of our team. From professors to local professionals, we welcome and encourage all of our community members to get involved.

Learn more online at www.alphafire.com.

Interested in working alongside the Alphas?

Check out the most recent job posting through the Centre Region Council of Governments.

Join our team as a Fire & Life Safety Inspector/Firefighter!

In this unique dual-role position, you'll conduct fire and life safety inspections, enforce and interpret fire and building codes, support public education and fire prevention efforts, perform post-fire safety evaluations, and provide Firefighter/Driver-Operator support to the Alpha Fire Company.

Applications are due June 21, 2026. Firefighter/Driver-Operator Skills Assessments will be held on July 1, 2026.
Candidates must possess a valid Pennsylvania driver's license and be at least 21 years of age to operate fire apparatus.

Learn more and apply now at www.crcog.net/employment.

Just before 5:00 a.m. this morning, Company 5 was dispatched to the 300 block of Matilda Avenue in College Township for reports of a vacant house on fire. Prior to the arrival of responding units, a working fire was confirmed by a member on the scene and Chief 5-2 struck the 2nd alarm. Crews arrived on scene, confirming the report with smoke showing from the residence. Initially, the crews of Engine 5-1 and Truck 5-1 attempted to make access through the front door. However, after multiple unsuccessful attempts at entry, crews reassessed, stretching a 300’ “Stinger Line” to a side basement door for fire attack. Truck 5-1 conducted a primary search of the building, finding no occupants and locating the fire in a basement room, directing the engine company, who quickly extinguished the fire. The truck crew cut multiple ventilation holes in the roof to locate and stop running fire and ventilate smoke and superheated gases from the structure. Given hoarding conditions throughout the home, crews worked for a prolonged period of time to ensure all fire was extinguished. Crews operated for just over 3 hours, Chief 5-2 (S. Pederson) held command. Engines 5-1, Engine 5-2, Truck 5-1, Quint 5, Rescue 5, Engine Rescue 3, and Quint 2 operated at the scene while Engine 8 maintained coverage at the Borough Fire Station. Thank you to Centre LifeLink EMS for providing medical standby throughout the incident. The fire remains under investigation by the Centre Region Fire Marshal.

In the fire service, hoarding conditions involves objects throughout the home that impede and prolong operations. Crews worked diligently to sift through stacked materials to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. Conditions like these are not common in many of the incidents firefighters run each day and require special consideration and extra caution.

Videos depict the stretch and conditions upon entering the basement of the Engine 5-1 K**b and Backup, who encountered heavy smoke conditions in the basement while locating and extinguishing the fire. Crew photos depict images of the first arriving crews (first image) of Engine 5-1 and Truck 5-1 and the second due engine (second image), Engine 5-2.

Just after 10:00 p.m. yesterday evening, Company 5 was dispatched to the 1500 block of S. Allen Street in the Borough of State College for a reported dwelling fire. Initial callers reported a fire in the rear of the home. Upon arrival, Engine 5-1 and Chief 5-2 found fire in the rear attic area of the home. Given conditions, Chief 5-2 struck the 2nd alarm. The 4-man crew of Engine 5-1 established their own water supply while simultaneously stretching a 300’ line to a rear door, quickly extinguishing the bulk of the fire. Quint 5 assumed the first due truck assignment, conducting primary searches and finding no occupants before transitioning to assist with gaining access to deep seated fire in the attic space and walls and assisting with overhaul. Given the location of the fire and conditions in the attic space, the Quint 5 Operator cut a ventilation hole in the roof. Subsequent units, including Engine 5-2, Engine Rescue 3, and Truck 5-2 worked to extinguish fire in the attic space and salvage affected areas of the home. Company 5 responded with 2 engines, Truck 5-2, Quint 5, and the fire police, operating on the scene for just over 1 and 1/2 hours. Chief 5-2 (S. Pedersen) held S. Allen Street command. The Centre Region Fire Marshal’s Office is handling the investigation for this fire.

Thank you to our mutual aid partners who assisted including Boalsburg Fire Company’s Engine Rescue 3, who established a secondary water supply before assisting with overhaul, and the Undine Fire Company’s Truck 2, who provided coverage throughout the incident from the Borough Station. Centre LifeLink EMS provided rehab services at the scene.

The quick thinking actions of the occupants and neighbors prevented this fire from spreading further throughout the home. Quickly calling 911 and evacuating all residents allowed first responders to get ahead of the fire. When an emergency strikes, quick notification to emergency services is critical.

Images depict the scene and first due engine and truck. Video depicts the Quint 5 Can gaining access to the attic space and fire.

Coming soon to the Centre Region!

Earlier this evening, Company 5 was dispatched to the 2800 block of East College Avenue in College Township for a vehicle accident with entrapment. Companies arrived to find one occupant confined in her vehicle, and worked quickly to stabilize the vehicle and remove the drivers door. Engine 5-1 and Rescue 5 responded with 10 volunteers and fire police, operating on the scene for just under 15 minutes.