Wissahickon Fire Company

04/06/2026

On this day, April 6th 1891, 135 years ago, a handful of dedicated, selfless, and brave residents of Ambler Borough formed what is now The Wissahickon Fire Company.

Those men worked hard, gave up time they most likely did not have, missed meals with their families, had sleepless nights, went door to door more or less begging for money to fund their cause. They were paid with nothing other than the gratitude of their neighbors.

Today, 135 years later, their company operates out of two stations with a fleet of equipment that is operated by some sixty dedicated VOLUNTEERS divided into fire officers, engineers, firefighters, fire police, support personnel, and life active members. Those members respond to over 600 calls for help every year and now spend hundreds of hours a year training to better protect their neighbors. Those members serve for the same pay as our founders did 135 years ago.

Here's to at least 135 more!

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the members of the Wissahickon Fire Company!

Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or out in the community, please remember to celebrate safely.

•Don’t drink and drive
•Use a designated driver or rideshare

Let’s not meet by accident!

03/11/2026

Our building is lit in blue in honor of Pennsylvania State Trooper, Corporal Timothy J. O’Connor Jr., who tragically lost his life in the line of duty.

We stand with the members of the Pennsylvania State Police and communities across the Commonwealth as we remember Corporal O’Connor’s service, bravery, and sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow troopers during this incredibly difficult time.

Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

03/10/2026

Over the past two weeks, members of the Wissahickon Fire Company participated in our annual Hazardous Materials refresher training. Members reviewed important safety procedures and response protocols, along with the specialized tools and equipment used on hazardous materials incidents to help safely identify, contain, and mitigate dangerous substances.

Last night, we were joined by the Montgomery County Hazardous Materials Team, who brought out their response units and gave our members an in-depth look at the specialized trucks and equipment they utilize when assisting on incidents in our community.

Training and partnerships like this ensure our members stay prepared and continue working seamlessly with county resources to keep our community safe. Thank you to the Montgomery County HazMat Team for taking the time to share their knowledge and capabilities with us.

03/09/2026

The Officers & Members of Wissahickon Fire Company extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and the entire Pennsylvania State Police family following the tragic Line of Duty Death of Corporal Timothy O’Connor.

Corporal O’Connor made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment to public safety represent the very best of those who wear the badge.

Today we stand with our brothers and sisters of the Pennsylvania State Police as they mourn the loss of one of their own. Our thoughts and prayers are with Corporal O’Connor’s family, his fellow troopers, and all who are grieving this tremendous loss.

Rest Easy Corporal O’Connor. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

03/06/2026

Today would have been your birthday, and it’s one of those days that reminds us just how much you’re missed. The firehouse isn’t quite the same without you the laughs, the stories, the ball busting, and the brotherhood we all shared.

You were the kind of guy who made that bond stronger for everyone around you. Whether it was on a call, around the firehouse, or just hanging out, you were always someone we could count on.

We’ll raise a glass for you today and tell a few of the stories that still make us laugh.

Happy Birthday, Jonathan

02/22/2026

From LGPD, while to roads are getting very dangerous and we do not recommend you go out and drive in this weather, there is a tree down blocking the roadway on Penllyn Pike at Sturgis Lane. Please do not go out and let our Public works clear the roadways.

While the roads are getting very dangerous and we do not recommend you go out and drive in this weather, there is a tree down blocking the roadway on Penllyn Pike at Sturgis Lane. Please do not go out and let our Public works clear the roadways.

02/21/2026

With the impending snowstorm coming tomorrow into Monday, please help us help you when seconds count.

When it snows, fire hydrants can get buried fast and every second matters during an emergency. You can make a huge difference by adopting a hydrant near your home and keeping it clear of snow and ice.

It’s easy
It’s free
It helps protect your home, your family, and your neighbors

If you see a hydrant near your house, just dig it out after the storm and make sure there’s a clear path to it. That small effort can save precious time when firefighters need water the most.

02/05/2026

We had a dispatch for a possible house fire Wednesday morning, arriving the fire hydrant was blocked by snow. Fire doubles in size every minute. With us having to shovel these hydrants during an incident it causes a major delay. Snow and ice can bury fire hydrants fast and when seconds matter, every inch counts. This winter, help us keep our neighborhoods safer by adopting a hydrant near your home or business. Pick a hydrant near you and keep it clear all winter long. It’s a small action that can make a huge difference when someone needs help.

***These photos are from our community.***

Thank you for supporting Wissahickon Fire Company and helping us help you!

01/21/2026

Good afternoon

As many of you have likely seen, there is the potential for a significant snow event this weekend. While it is still too far out for a precise forecast, multiple sources are indicating that snowfall totals could be substantial.

In anticipation of a possible snow emergency declaration, we are asking residents to begin preparing now by planning to move all vehicles off Borough and Township streets if a snow emergency is declared. Reducing obstacles on our roadways allows emergency services to respond more quickly when needed and helps public works crews clear roads more efficiently.

As of the latest forecasts, some predictions are calling for potential double-digit snowfall amounts beginning Sunday. While conditions may still change, we encourage everyone to prepare for a worst-case scenario.

Below are some winter storm preparedness tips from the American Red Cross:

❄️ Winter Storm Preparedness Tips

1. Gather food, water, and medications ahead of time. Stores may be closed, and travel could become unsafe.

2. Organize supplies into two kits:

• Go-Kit: At least three days of supplies you can carry if you need to relocate to stay warm. Include backup batteries and chargers for essential devices (cell phones, CPAP machines, wheelchairs, etc.).

• Stay-at-Home Kit: At least two weeks of supplies for sheltering in place.

3. Ensure adequate warm clothing for everyone in your household, including hats, gloves, and blankets.

4. Plan for possible water disruptions. Set aside at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day.

5. Prepare your vehicle with emergency supplies such as blankets, warm clothing, boots, a first-aid kit, and other essentials.

6. Maintain a one-month supply of medications and medical supplies. Keep a list of medications and dosages on a small card that you can carry with you.

7. Protect important documents by keeping personal, financial, and medical records safe and easily accessible (hard copies or securely backed up).

8. Have snow removal tools ready, including a snow shovel and ice-melting products, to keep walkways safe.

Please consider sharing this message on your social media platforms to help spread awareness and keep our community safe.

Stay safe and prepared

01/15/2026

As many of you know, the vast majority of volunteer fire companies throughout Montgomery County rely on cellular-based alerting systems to notify members and initiate an emergency response. While this modern technology represents a significant advancement over legacy methods, it is not without limitations.

In light of yesterday’s Verizon Wireless outage, we want to reassure the communities we proudly serve that there was never a loss or delay in the emergency services we provide. Although some of our members were unable to receive alerts through our cellular alerting system for nearly 12 hours, our redundant backup alerting methods—most notably our firehouse siren and analog pagers—ensured that we remained fully operational and ready to respond.

Maintaining multiple layers of alerting and response capability allows us to continue serving our community without interruption, even when technology fails.

Image courtesy of Timon; stock.adobe.com

01/06/2026

Wissahickon Fire Company
2026 Officer line up

Chief 7- Jay Leadbeater
Deputy 7- John Leadbeater
Deputy 7-1- Phil Moore
Assistant 7- Mike Conte
Assistant 7-1- Andy Bell
Battalion 7- Will Thornton
Battalion 7-1 Harry Altman
Captain 7- Andrew Urban
Captain 7-1 Matt Lynch
Lieutenant 7- Mike Lockhart
Safety 7- Mike Malley
Fire Police Captain- Keith Bower
Chief Engineer- John Oberholzer