The Midway Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary will be holding a flea market and craft fair on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at the Midway Training Grounds (Carnival Grounds) on Rt. 263 in Buckingham, PA. The flea market and craft fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; breakfast and lunch will be available. Spaces are approx. 20' X 20' and are available for $25.00 and tables can be rented for $5.00 each. For more information or to reserve a space, please call Kelli at 267-221-0333. Rain date is Sunday, May 13, 2012 (same time and place).

It's with deep regret that the members of the Midway Volunteer Fire Company announce the passing of Life Member Glenn Masters. Glenn passed away on Wednesday April 11, 2012. Services will be held privately.

On Saturday March 10th, the Midway Volunteer Fire Company and the Auxiliary held their annual banquet at the New Hope Fire Company Banquet Hall. The banquet featured a sit down dinner, music, dancing, and an awards ceremony.

The banquet began with an Invocation from Pastor Roy Lewis from the Lahaska United Methodist Church. In May of 1931 the fire company was organized at a meeting which was held at the very same church. The fire company continued to hold its monthly meetings there well into the 1940's. Both organizations share a rich history together as well as a commitment to community service.

This year's banquet also provided the opportunity for the Midway Auxiliary to celebrate and recognize the hard work of their members, as well as to demonstrate their ongoing financial support of the Midway Fire Company. Each year the Auxiliary provides the Fire Company with a portion of the funds they raised during the previous year. The Midway Fire Company remains grateful to the Auxiliary for their continued support and dedication.

State Representative Bernie O'Neill attended the banquet and presented the fire company with both Senate and House Proclamations recognizing the fire company for 80 years of service to the communities of Buckingham and Solebury. Representative O'Neill also presented proclamations to Dick Stover in honor of his 60 years of service to the Midway Volunteer Fire Company.

Additional awards presented during the banquet included:

Firefighter of the Year- Curt Kuder

Chief's Award- John Townsend

President's Award- Dave Sheehan

Engineer of the Year- Mark Matakonis

60 Years of Service- Dick Stover

35 Years of Service- Lee Forsyth

30 Years of Service- Gary Cosner

20 Years of Service- Chip Michitsch

15 Years of Service- Dave Hathaway, Corey Loux, Mark Matakonis, Bill Miller, Steve Tori, and Steve Turbyfill

10 Years of Service- Steve Cronin and Camille Smith

5 Years of Service- Dave Sheehan

At the business meeting that was held on Monday February 13th, Midway welcomed two new members into the company. Jeanne Wilson and Michael Kihm joined the fire company and will now start the required training in order to become Fire Police Officers. Jeanne's late husband Lew was a Fire Police Officer with the company until last year when he passed away. Jeanne would like to continue contributing to the community in memory of her late husband.

Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 280 Americans each year. Many of these fires are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits as well as extension cords.

Winter fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire-safe home this winter season.

- Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.

- Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.

- Replace any electrical tool if it causes even the smallest electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.

- Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.

- Buy electrical products evaluated by a national recognized laboratory, like UL.

- Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustable items at least three feet from all heaters.

- If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

- Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons, and hair dryers.

- Child-proof all electrical outlets.

- Never overload extension cords or wall sockets.

For more information on electrical fire safety, visit the link below.

Alternative heating devices, downed power lines, portable generators, and damaged appliances are all potential hazards during and after a winter storm.

The U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to use the following safety tips to help protect yourself, your family, and your home from the potential threat of fire during or after a winter storm.

- Alternative heaters need additional space to operate in. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away.

- Never refuel a space heater while it is operating or still hot.

- If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of snow and debris for easy access by the fire company.

- Always use flashlights and not a candle, for emergency lighting.

- Do not use the kitchen oven or range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, they can be a source of toxic fumes.

Midway responded to an accident at the intersection of Route 202 and Route 263 in Buckingham, involving a bus and a truck. The accident occurred at about 5:40 AM this morning. The driver of the bus and four passengers had to be extricated. Several victims of the accident did sustain injuries, but the extent of these injuries is unknown. The cause of the accident is under investigation by Buckingham Police. Rescue 5, Engine 5, Engine 15-1 as well as Fire Police responded to the incident. Central Bucks Ambulance provided patient care and transport.

Twenty five Firefighters from the Midway Volunteer Fire Company received comprehensive health evaluations and physicals. Midway sponsored a mobile medical unit and staff from Professional Health Services, Inc. The physicals and health evaluations took place at our main station in Lahaska on Sunday January15th.In addition to the physicals and health evaluations, the fire company also provides health club memberships. These initiatives are part of an overall focus by the fire company to improve and maintain the heath and fitness of its members. Any fire companies that would like more information on  Professional Health Services, Inc., can contact them by calling (800) 833-3055 or by visiting their website shown below.

Each winter the high cost of home heating fuels and utilities cause Americans to search for alternative sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves and space heaters continues to increase. Homeowners continue to use fire places fueled by both wood and man-made logs. While all of these methods of heating may be acceptable, they are however, a major contributing factor in home fires.

Many of these fires can be prevented. You can prevent the loss of both life and property that is a result of fires by being able to identify potential hazards and following a few safety tips:

- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from all heating equipment.

- Only use heating equipment that has been tested and approved by a recognized testing laboratory.

- Make sure that all fuel-burning heating equipment is properly vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

- Only purchase portable space heaters with an automatic shut-off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.

- Allow wood stove and fireplace ashes t cool before disposing of them in a tightly covered metal container. Keep the container at least 10 feet away from your home.

Additional information on heating fire safety can be found by clicking on the link below.

A report on residential sprinkler systems and fires in Bucks County was released today. This was report was a collabrative effort between the Bucks County Fire Marshalls Association for the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition and Fire Planning Associates, Inc. To view the report click on the document icon above the printer icon below.