Summit Hose celebrates members for 50-year milestone

Tarentum resident David Kengor’s life changed forever just by hanging out with friends at a pizza shop across from the Summit Hose fire hall.

“We were all young teenagers, and some of the firefighters came over and said they were starting a junior department — the first one in the area — and that they needed us to join,” Kengor said.

Eighteen boys signed up.

Last week, five charter members of the junior department were among seven at Summit Hose honored for 50 years of continuous service.

A banquet was hosted Sept. 24 at The Clement in West Tarentum to honor the tight-knit group who fought fires, served in leadership roles and dedicated five decades to the community.

They are Kengor, Larry Altman, Lee Wilhelm, Pat Duffy, Bob Morrow, John Firko and Mark Magoc.

Chief Josh Fox also was lauded for 20 years of service during the event.

“I don’t think words can describe the sense of accomplishment when you pull into a structure that has flames rolling out the window 20 feet into the air and within two minutes those flames are out,” Altman said.

“Likewise, the disappointment when you lose a structure or, worse, a life.”

Kengor agreed, saying a fatal fire early in his career has remained with him.

“There was a fire on the hill where the man got his wife out through a basement window, but he went back in to get their baby,” Kengor said. “Neither of them made it out.

“I always thought if they would’ve had smoke detectors, it would’ve saved them.”

Summit Hose is one of three fire companies that serve the borough. It is 115 years old and has the distinction of having the first piece of motorized fire apparatus in the Valley: a 1914 Seagrave combination chemical and hose car.

Bob Morrow joined the company in 1968, following the lead of some of his friends.

Living only about a block from the station, Morrow often was one of the first to arrive for calls.

After five years of service, he was able to start driving the pumper truck.

“It was exhilarating,” he said. “I have lots of good memories with the fellas there.”

At 83, Morrow said his firefighting days are behind him, but he remains active in supporting the department.

“We always did whatever we could for the company,” he said.

Volunteers helped to run a street fair for more than 15 years and paid to erect a pavilion along Sixth Avenue, Morrow said.

“I made so many friendships and enjoyed working with all the people,” he said.

Altman said it was his childhood dream to follow his dad’s footsteps as a firefighter at Summit Hose.

“His enthusiasm, leadership and admiration from the members of his time are exactly what I wanted,” Altman said.

“Having the knowledge and ability to serve Tarentum residents and its surrounding communities has been a privilege. I think it’s great that I can still contribute and be appreciated.”

Kengor, too, said the camaraderie and friendships are what kept him at the station all these years.

No longer an active firefighter, he still serves as treasurer.

“It’s the service to the people that kept us all there,” he said.