Hustontown Fire Co. tanker crashes

A Hustontown Volunteer Fire Company tanker truck was damaged Thursday while responding to a fire in Taylor Township.

[seenalot]

It was nasty out there at the time of this accident. Glad to hear the FFs did not suffer any serious injuries. We hope the tanker will be repaired and returned to service very soon if possible. Out here we need the water this equipment hauls.

[just]

good thing no injuries, but i also think a 71year old man shouldn't be driving a fire truck

[A Brother FF]

Glad to hear noone was seriously injured. Equipment can be replaced, lives cannot. Hope you get your tanker back in service soon. You are in our thoughts.

[Just another Bubba]

Running a water shuttle operation using Tankers is not a high speed run to and from water source back to the fire. Nothing in the newspaper report HIGH speed. And as far as being 71 years old, the gentleman is proboably in better physical shape that most 50 year olds.

[Get Real]

Just another Bubba wrote:

Running a water shuttle operation using Tankers is not a high speed run to and from water source back to the fire. Nothing in the newspaper report HIGH speed. And as far as being 71 years old, the gentleman is proboably in better physical shape that most 50 year olds.

YOU are one of the BIGGEST problems facing the Hustontown Fire Co. The compsny will never attract younger fire fighters as long as this is allowed to continue. The FF riding shotgun would not have lost control.

[Hustontown Social Club]

GET REAL--------- I agree with you but that is that way it is up here.

Hustontown is a bacl slappin', cigar smokin', good ole boy social club that promotes the old while daring the young to take an interest in the community.

[kerdunkin]

you r so quick to judge the driver of the tanker.dont confuse him with actions of others first you need to respect your elders He is a great man that has served his country and commuity. In the wee hours of the morning while you r sleeping he hears the call and he answers if other would take the torch he would past it there is no age to helping others he is leading by exmple

[PA Girl]

I have served with Hustontown Fire/EMS for 8 years. The driver is an incredible man who serves that company with all his heart. He is a great EMT/Firefighter and teacher. Any company would benefit from him serving with them. They are called accidents for a reason! When we respond, we pray that everyone returns safely. The tanker did it's job protecting the firefighters involved. Instead of people judging who was driving, you go join a fire company and see what is involved. Then maybe you will see things differently. I'm greatful to have the men and women run calls with me. Thank you!

[McCbg fireman]

Thinking of you Marvin and Company 57 hope everyone recovers soon.

[SDW]

YOU GO PA GIRL. Those who opens mouth without the facts does not speak the truth.
The Driver of the tanker has given more hours for free in a year than most of these misinformed people works at thier jobs they get paid to do.

If you folks know so much about what needs to be done and how to do it check with your local Fire Company or EMS Service and join them in helping others not stabbing or talking about them.

But as most people know those who speak this way are full of it . They can not walk the talk.

As far a most young people goes they do not have a good work ethic anymore. They want to work M-F and have weekends Off as well as all holidays and make $20.00 and hour doing nothing roight out of High School. If they had to do hard work or get dirty at work they would stay home. So working for nothing at the Fire Station would be out of the question.

[SDW]

PA Girl wrote:

I have served with Hustontown Fire/EMS for 8 years. The driver is an incredible man who serves that company with all his heart. He is a great EMT/Firefighter and teacher. Any company would benefit from him serving with them. They are called accidents for a reason! When we respond, we pray that everyone returns safely. The tanker did it's job protecting the firefighters involved. Instead of people judging who was driving, you go join a fire company and see what is involved. Then maybe you will see things differently. I'm greatful to have the men and women run calls with me. Thank you!

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. Others need to get the FACTS BEFORE Spaeking.....

[SDW]

Get Real wrote:

<quoted text>
YOU are one of the BIGGEST problems facing the Hustontown Fire Co. The compsny will never attract younger fire fighters as long as this is allowed to continue. The FF riding shotgun would not have lost control.

I think if you check with your local Fire station they can give you an application for membership.

If you do become a member you better hope you have someone like this driver there to teach you the ropes becasue if not your life may depend on this 71 year old saving you butt.

[George]

Get Real wrote:

<quoted text>
YOU are one of the BIGGEST problems facing the Hustontown Fire Co. The compsny will never attract younger fire fighters as long as this is allowed to continue. The FF riding shotgun would not have lost control.

If you are young and think you can do it better, please volunteer. Hubby and I are part of a local Civic Association, and we're busting our butts for all of the fund raisers. You don't see any of the young ones volunteering to help; the ones who do it all the time are getting older and having health problems now - what's going to happen when we can't do it anymore?

[PA Girl]

Wright2Know wrote:

Isn't the driver the same guy who is know to have had multiple herat attacks and other medical issues?
And he's driving your only tanker truck to a fire?
Hmmmm, OK.....
:)

So, you don't have any health problems. Some people would use that as a reason not to be helping other people. You must be one of them! Maybe others, like you, should look up to him as a ROLE MODEL.

[localgirlpa]

I run with the Hustontown Fire Company. I am proud of the men and women I work with there. We have been lucky to have that 71 year old man (who is one of the most devoted and hardest working men I have ever met), running the equipment from our fire company. He has been one of the few people who would show up, no matter what time of day or night, to haul someone out of a fire, vehicle accident, or anything else. If you are offended by his age, you should be the one to tell him so when he is there saving your butt when all of the other people are too lazy to get out of bed to do it.
We could not ask for anyone to be more careful with our equipment and the lives of our firefighters and ems personnel than Marvin Deshong. He has been there since the beginning, and knows better than anyone else I know, how hard it is to raise the money to get the equipment in the first place, let alone replace it.
Most of the people in the community do not have a clue how hard it is for people to get up and leave their families during a meal, while sleeping, or during a family activity- to go save someone's life. Some people sit back and judge while others are out there doing the work that makes you feel safe when you dial "911". I have learned alot from some of our "older" members and it has not been just the classes either. They have shown me what can grow from hard work and dedication. They have made me proud of my emt certification and the help I can give people in need. It is more than just what you see, there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes. Do not make assumptions when you read these stories, realize there are people behind those lines of text, people who are doing what needs to be done, people who should be appreciated for the time and energy they put into making things better for all of us.

[George]

Wright2Know wrote:

Isn't the driver the same guy who is know to have had multiple herat attacks and other medical issues?
And he's driving your only tanker truck to a fire?
Hmmmm, OK.....
:)

So you'd prefer to have NOBODY drive the tanker to your house when it's on fire because the guy who was driving it MIGHT have another heart attack?

Again, if you are young, the VFD would very much appreciate your assistance as a volunteer!

[Driver 57-55D]

George wrote:

<quoted text>
So you'd prefer to have NOBODY drive the tanker to your house when it's on fire because the guy who was driving it MIGHT have another heart attack?
Again, if you are young, the VFD would very much appreciate your assistance as a volunteer!

I could not agree more. I do not know of a VFD that ever turns down help. The driver in this case taught me and before I ever sat behind the wheel of the Tanker he made sure that the main thing for me to do was BE SAFE.
Also this man and his Family has worked to raise more money and spent more time than any of the current member will ever be able to match...
They arte TRUE dedicated VFD members.

I will ride with Him anywhere.

George you are so right..... Thank you.. and Thank everyone who has or knows what a VFD's life is and for standing and supporting them or being one of those who gives up thier free time to help.

[Is this still AMERICA]

Maybe more people would join if you didn't have your little "click". So many people in the HVFD want to look down on other people as if they're better than somebody else. You all have your little group, and make other people feel uncomfortable around you. I would have joined years ago but I know some things that went on, and how some people are. I never would have lasted long because I would have spoke my mind and a lot of you wouldn't like what I had to say. So to save a lot of trouble I'll just go my own way and hope that with the few skills that I do know, I can help somebody in need until the proper people show up to take over.

[Hustontown Social Club]

Hustontown Social Club wrote:

GET REAL--------- I agree with you but that is that way it is up here.
Hustontown is a bacl slappin', cigar smokin', good ole boy social club that promotes the old while daring the young to take an interest in the community.

Right On!!!!!!!

[localgirlpa]

Every FD has issues. We are humans after all. I have offended many people there because I do speak my mind. As for Marvin and his family, they are one of the last groups of people who would make anyone feel "out of the clique". I will say there are those who are in the FD that make your comment too close to the truth, but I'm not there for them. I'm there for the people who need help and dial 911. If more of us showed up and stuck around there wouldn't be room for all of the others.

As for taking care of what is "given" to us. It isn't just your money that buys the equipment. We run calls to pay for that stuff. And FYI I don't expect anything for my work. I'd have to say I do my share to earn the things we have, and not just me- a lot of others do as well.