By Justin Strawser
The Daily Item
SUNBURY, Pa. — The leadership and firefighters at Good Will Hose Company say they are excited to again be serving the people of Sunbury after taking themselves out of service for five months.
The city firefighting organization is also back in favor with the city government. City officials reinstated the company’s monthly funding and returned the seized fire company equipment paid for by the city and the Sunbury Fire Department Relief Association.
“It feels really great to be back in service,” said Capt. Dave Mendler, the volunteer now in charge of Good Will. “We appreciate the community standing by us.”
In May, some firefighters went on strike and pulled themselves out of service due to an internal conflict with social members. In response, the city pulled its funding and seized some equipment. Sunbury Fire Chief Russ Wertz wanted up-to-date training for all new firefighters before they returned to service, which included training on airpacks, advanced hose lines, ladders, dunk tanks, hydrants and radio communications.
“Everything is running smoothly now. We have a great team,” Mendler said.
The new team consists of 12 adult firefighters and five junior firefighters between the ages of 15 and 18. Mendler said they are still fielding applications, and some of the firefighters still have some training to do.
“I’m very proud of them all,” he said.
Good Will is one of six fire companies in the city. Each of the fire departments -- Friendship Hose, Sunbury No. 1, Rescue Hose, Americus Hose, East End Hose and Good Will Hose -- has its own board and operates as an independent entity from each other and the city government, but they are under the umbrella of the Sunbury Fire Department. The city itself has no jurisdiction over the fire companies, but does annually provide $7,500 in funding to each company and assistance for workmen’s compensation and major purchases.
“It’s good to see the membership and firefighters working together again,” Good Will President Ronnie Echols said. “We’re here for the community, not our own status.”
Echols said he has confidence in Mendler and his ability to move the company forward.
Wertz recommended in September that Good Will could return to service. Their first official day was Sept. 14.
“They got the training required, and went above and beyond what they were asked,” Wertz said. “It felt right to put them back in service.”
The group of firefighters built themselves back up from nothing, Wertz said.
“I’m very satisfied,” he said.
City Councilman Ric Reichner, director of public safety and codes, said he has heard “nothing but good reports” from the fire chief.
“They are really being proactive in getting the company back to what it was before,” Reichner said.
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