2026 - Q1 Report
April 6, 2026
With 2026 in full swing, the first quarter has come and gone. Let's hit some stats and then get into some details!
Breakdown of calls for Q1 and year-to-date (YTD):
- Fires: 22 [Q1] | 22 [YTD]
- Hazardous Situations: 9 [Q1] | 10 [YTD]
- Medicals: 85 [Q1] | 87 [YTD]
- No Emergency: 23 [Q1] | 25 [YTD]
- Public Service: 15 [Q1] | 15 [YTD]
- Rescue: 5 [Q1] | 5 [YTD]
TOTAL 2026-Q1: 159
TOTAL YTD: 164
We continue to average between 6 and 7 responders per call. The first quarter of 2026 has been busier than the first quarter of 2025 by a handful of calls, so needless to say we continue to be quite busy!
Let's talk about some of the grants that we've gotten! We apply for several grants throughout each year. Here's the breakdown of grants to date and what the funds are being used towards.
- Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner Fire and EMS Grant
○ $15,518 - used for debt reduction (towards apparatus payments) and personal protective equipment
- Act 13 Unconventional Gas Wells Fund
○ $3,990 - used for several new pairs of structural firefighting boots
- Washington County Community Foundation - Range Resources Good Neighbors Grant
○ $6,500 - used for new rope rescue equipment
We are also awaiting word on a grant for $100,000 to update some aged and degraded items at our fire station - more details will be provided once we receive word on the grant!
At our last meeting, we approved the purchase of over $30,000 to purchase new PPE for our firefighters. We have had a surge in new members as well as junior firefighters becoming regular members. Today's trainings require turnout gear to be within 10 years of age and in good condition to participate in live burns. This investment will allow several of these firefighters to perform the required trainings to become interior firefighters for our department!
Last Friday we held our annual Good Friday Fish Fry and were very busy! We sold out of fish right at closing time and because of all of your support, we had an incredibly successful fish fry! Our 4th Annual Ladies' Night Out is less than a month away (May 2) and tickets are almost sold out! Planning for our 34th Annual McSummerfest is well under way with just a few months until it kicks off! We are truly beyond grateful and blessed to have the support from all of you!
Speaking of fundraisers, four of your McDonald volunteer firefighters attended the 20th Annual American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb in downtown Pittsburgh at One Oxford Centre! Forty-two floors in full turnout gear is no easy task, but we truly believe in this cause and will continue to raise funds and participate in this great cause every year! We were able to raise $650 this year for the American Lung Association!
Our staffing model has moved from a full-time firefighter to several part-time firefighters - however our coverage remains unchanged through the week during daylight hours. This new model has been very successful and has brought new faces with lots of experience to the firehouse!
Of course, none of this is possible with out our remarkable (and growing!!) team that makes up the McDonald Volunteer Fire Department. We have an incredibly dedicated team of volunteers that continue to show up, ready to go, at a moment's notice. I could not be more proud to be at the helm of such a phenomenal team of men and women.
Hope you are enjoying the monthly graphics being provided with our response statistics! We will be providing pictures from trainings going forward as well! Again, thank you all for your continued love and support! We couldn't do what we do without all of you!
Take care, stay safe, and God Bless!
- Philip R. Boggs, Chief 12