Monessen hosting firemen’s association convention
A fire truck travels down a street in Monessen during the 1940 Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association Convention Parade.
A view of the 1940 Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association Convention Parade in Monessen
Since its founding in 1898, the Monessen Fire Department hosted the annual convention of the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association five times – in 1936, 1940, 1965, 1998 and 2012.
From Aug. 10 through 16, an estimated 5,000 attendees from 49 fire departments from all over Western Pennsylvania are expected to converge on the city when Monessen Fire Department #1 hosts the WPFA convention once again.
“Attendees will be coming and going throughout the week, but we expect the biggest attendance on Saturday, Aug. 12, Family Day,” said Joe Altemara, chief of Monessen Fire Department #1. “We sent out an advance notice listing all the hotels in the area and for Tent City for campers and trailers at the Mihalich Boat Ramp.”
All the convention meetings will be held at the Firemen’s Social Hall at Eastgate 15 in Monessen. However, the biggest day of the convention will be open to the public on Aug. 12, beginning with a parade of fire trucks, classic cars, marching bands, bagpipers and politicians that will proceed down Donner Avenue from 12th Street to the social hall at 5 p.m.
Altemara said more than 100 vehicles are expected to participate in the parade with prejudging and lineup scheduled at 1 p.m. at 17th Street. Judges will present plaques to winners in several categories including best engine, best ladder truck, best antique and oldest truck and best marching band. Those interested in participating in the parade or as a craft or food vendor should email Wpfa2017Convention@gmail.com.
A firemen’s festival, free and open to the public, will follow the parade with live ’80s and pop band, The Adorables, food and craft vendors and activities for children. A fireworks display will end the festival at 10 p.m.
On Aug. 13, a memorial service for all active and deceased firefighters is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Orchard Church in Monessen followed by a Past Presidents and Old Timers Banquet in the social hall at 5 p.m. catered by Bruno’s of Charleroi. The convention will conclude with an award ceremony at 7 p.m. on Aug. 15 in the social hall with recognition going to the Firefighter of the Year and other award recipient categories, including scholarships.
“A lot of planning goes into getting ready for the convention, and a group of a dozen of us have been laying the groundwork since last August when we learned the members voted to hold this year’s 124th annual convention in Monessen,” Altemara said. “That said, the bulk of the planning effort went to my wife, Nicolette, whose grandfathers on both sides were firefighters and WPFA members.”
To become a convention host, fire departments must submit their candidacy to the WPFA office in New Kensington, which then goes on a ballot and is voted on by each of the members attending the convention. Last year’s convention was held in Frazier Township, Allegheny County.
The Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association was organized in 1893. Current officers include Jim Bowser of Kittanning Hose Company No. 6, current president; Lisa Schweikart of Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company, first vice president; Wayne Harris of Arnold of Arnold Volunteer Fire Department, second vice president; and Larry Abel of Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department, third vice president.
At the moment, Monessen Fire Department No. 1 is all-volunteer and has 65 active members. In 1901, Monessen Volunteer Fire Department attended its first Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association Convention in Uniontown. Eleven years later, it won “Best Uniformed Organization” “Most Men” and “Best Band” at the WPFA Convention in Homestead.
For more information, email Altemara at Wpfa2017Convention@gmail.com.