Police chief issues winter-safety reminders; fire chief reports 619 calls in 2024, up 3%

Bethel Park’s police chief used the Jan. 13 council meeting to issue winter-safety reminders, while Fire Chief Jonathan Mark reported the fire department handled 619 calls in 2024, a 3% increase from 2023.

The police chief advised residents not to leave vehicles running while unattended unless using a remote starter, to keep an emergency kit in vehicles and homes, and to keep cell phones charged. “Keep an emergency kit both inside of your vehicle and inside of your home. Be prepared for vehicle breakdowns and cold weather and for power outages at your home,” the chief said. The chief also urged residents to check the municipality’s emergency-alert sign-up at Bethelparkpa.gov and to reach out to Community Resource Officer Amber DeFranco for assistance.

Fire Chief Jonathan Mark provided a breakdown of December and annual calls. For December the department ran five structure fires, one EMS assist, two vehicle extrications, two stalled elevators, two gas leaks, two carbon monoxide incidents, one power line down, one water leak, one smoke investigation, one animal rescue, 13 good-intent calls, one hazmat investigation, 18 fire alarms and three CO alarms. Mark said the department totaled 619 calls for 2024 compared with 600 in 2023, 606 in 2022 and 535 in 2021.

Mark emphasized practical precautions for winter safety: clear three feet of snow around fire hydrants, keep furnace and dryer vents free of snow and ice to prevent carbon monoxide buildup, and contact a certified technician if vents are damaged. “Clear snow from around your fire hydrants, 3 feet all the way around. That helps us get to them and also see them,” Mark said.

Both chiefs also reminded residents to assist elderly neighbors with snow removal and to follow weather alerts. The meeting record shows no formal council action tied to the safety guidance; the remarks were part of departmental reports to the council.