Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company

On the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks and crash of United Flight 93, the Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company was honored to assist with memorial services in Shanksville, PA. Three hazmat operations level personnel from the Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company and four from the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department assisted Team 601 with standby at the event during the public and private ceremonies at the crash site. President Bush was on site for the private ceremony (bottom picture), which lasted approximately one hour. Due to the high risk potential surrounding the crash site, state police and secret service agents provided strict security at and around the site. The hazmat team was comprised of a dozen hazmat personnel trained to the operations and technician levels. Engine 601-1, Utility 601-6, Utility 628-10, and Squad 607-5 were staged at the EMA command post approximately 500 yards away from the actual point of impact at the crash site. The team setup operations out of the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department's new mobile command post trailer under the direction of Greg Davis. Hazmat trailers from 601 and Region 13 were also on standby with the team. Fortunately the event went off without any incidents and the team returned in service after approximately 6 hours. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 claimed over 343 firefighters and paramedics in New York City. The brave and courageous acts of these individuals will never be forgotten.