FDMT Four Firefighters Stronger

has four new part-time certified and trained firefighters to respond in a time of need.

Supervisors Monday approved the appointment of four part-time firefighters to the ranks of FDMT: John Ardiff, Stephen D'Agostino, William McCann and William Norris.

"Over the past several months, four of our part-time firefighters have either resigned from the department or had their abilities significantly reduced," said director of fire services Rick Lesniak. "In order to maintain a minimum of four firefighters on duty, the township needed to increase the number of firefighters in our pool of part-time staff."

Lesniak said each firefighter went thorugh an extensive application and interview process.

Each new firefighter is held to the same minimum certification standards as a full-time career firefighter, he said.

The four new part-timers have been certified in the following: Firefighter I and II, Vehicle Rescue Technician, Hazardous Materials Operations Level, Emergency Vehicle Operation Course, Certified Pump I Training, CPR for the First Responder and First Aid. 

These part-time firefighters far exceed our training standards and successfully passed our interview process. Each one comes to us with several years experience," Lesniak said. 

Ardiff is a full-time firefighter and paramedic with Radnor Fire Company. Ardiff holds a bachelor's in fire investigation from the University of New Haven.

D'Agostino is a full-time firefighter and emergency medical technician with Anne Arundel Fire Department in Maryland. Lesniak said D'Agostino lives in Bucks County.

McCann is assistant chief with Glenside Fire Company in Cheltenham Township. 

Norris is a captain with Upper Darby Fire Company. 

Lesniak said all part-timers will work on an "on call" schedule. They each work 10 hours per shift, Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

"They are required to respond to emergency calls, provide fire suppression, provide rescue and emergency assistance to the public, and they also do life safety inspections of non-residential businesses," Lesniak said. "They help with fire prevention and general maintenance of appartus equipment."

Lesniak in order to hire and retain firefighters, and in order to develop a marketing and recruitment plan for FDMT.