Assistant chief credits staffing for recent rescue as recruits are sworn in

Assistant Chief Rob Callahan used a swearing-in ceremony for new firefighters to highlight how staffing levels affected a recent emergency response.

Callahan told the assembled families, friends and department members that firefighters "located and removed an unconscious victim" in a recent fire and that the person "is surviving now," attributing that outcome to the department's ability to place staff in stations where they can respond quickly. "The reason that we are able to do that is because we have staff in the firehouse at strategically located positions," he said.

Callahan thanked the mayor specifically for providing staffing, saying that placement of personnel is what allows the department to "quickly and effectively respond to emergencies and solve our residents' problems on their worst day." The chief also noted that Chief Martin was on vacation and sent his congratulations to the new recruits.

The remarks preceded the formal oath and swearing-in of recruits. The mayor then administered the oath that includes a pledge to "obey and enforce the laws of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and the township's Home Rule Charter, administrative code and ordinances.

Callahan's account of the rescue was presented without contest in the ceremony; no further operational details, victim identity, or incident date were given in the transcript.