Erie Firefighters IAFF Local 293

09/07/2026

On behalf of the men and women of Erie Firefighters IAFF Local 293, it is with profound sadness that we announce the line-of-duty passing of retired Erie Fire Chief Joe Walko, following a long and courageous battle with occupational cancer.

Joe dedicated an incredible 44 years of his life to serving the citizens of Erie. During that time, he steadily rose through the ranks, serving as a firefighter, Assistant Chief, and ultimately Chief of the Erie Fire Department.

His commitment to service extended well beyond the City of Erie. Joe proudly and honorably served his country as a U.S. Army Scout, a Pennsylvania National Guardsman, and a U.S. Army Reservist.

Joe’s early career was spent at Engine 6, formerly located at West 18th and Liberty and later at South Central Station, where he served on Tower 1 and Engine 12 before moving into the department’s administrative offices.

Joe was also deeply committed to his brothers and sisters of Erie Firefighters IAFF Local 293. He served as a member of the Local’s Executive Board and ultimately as President. In those roles, Joe worked alongside his fellow board members to negotiate fair contracts and advocate for the benefits, safety, and well-being of the firefighters he proudly represented.

As Assistant Chief and Chief, Joe helped lead the Erie Fire Department through some of the most challenging and uncertain times in its history. From the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, to major fires and some of Erie’s most brutal snowstorms, Joe stood alongside his leadership team and his firefighters, providing guidance, leadership, and support when it was needed most.

Joe was famous for saying, “I have your back.” Those words were more than just a saying—they were a promise, and Joe meant every word of it. He genuinely cared about his firefighters and always did his best to make sure they had the equipment, training, and support necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively.

We will forever be grateful for Joe’s 44 years of dedicated service, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to the Erie Fire Department. We will also miss his dry sense of humor, which had a way of leaving those around him laughing until they were in tears.

Joe leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership, friendship, and dedication that will not soon be forgotten.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Joe’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him. We thank Chief Walko for 44 years of service to the citizens of Erie and to his brothers and sisters of the Erie Fire Department.

Rest easy, Chief.

You had our backs.
We’ll have yours.

Thank you for your service, Joe. May you rest in peace.

09/03/2026

Update from the Mayor

The City of Erie has officially declared a State of Emergency following severe weather that caused significant damage throughout the City on September 2 and 3.

City crews have been working hard to assess damage and clear roadways. The City’s immediate priority is clearing streets from curb to curb to ensure safe passage for residents and emergency responders.

🌳 Downed Trees and Debris
- City crews are aware of all downed trees in the City of Erie.
- If a tree has fallen into a city street, City crews will respond and work to clear it. Residents should not attempt to remove trees from roadways themselves.
- Residents with storm debris should place it between the curb and sidewalk for collection.
- Residents should stay away from downed trees, as they may be under tension or in contact with electrical lines.
- If a tree has fallen onto a home or caused significant property damage, residents should contact their insurance company. If you are trapped in your home or facing immediate emergency, call 911.

Branches and Trees on City Property
- If a tree or large branch is down in a city boulevard, residents should report it by calling Matthew Falcone at 814-923-3597 for assessment and removal.
- If a tree on private property is leaning or otherwise presents a potential hazard, residents should contact Matthew Falcone at 814-923-3597 or a certified arborist to have the tree assessed.

⚡ Power Lines
- Stay away from all downed power lines. Treat every downed line as energized and call 911 to report it.

🗑️ Refuse collection remains on its normal schedule.

Due to storm damage and ongoing safety assessments, 15 City parks and facilities are closed until further notice. See the full list at https://www.erie.pa.us/community/public_safety.php.

Residents are urged to use extreme caution at all other City parks and recreational facilities as crews continue to clear storm-related hazards.

Residents are encouraged to follow the City of Erie’s social media pages and for the latest information regarding storm response, road and park closures, and other services.

09/03/2026

⚠️PLEASE USE CAUTION THIS MORNING⚠️

Please be careful during your morning commute. Last night’s severe thunderstorm caused significant damage throughout the city, including downed trees, downed power lines, and flooding in multiple areas.

Emergency crews have been running calls throughout the night and continue to respond to storm related incidents this morning.

Please slow down, avoid flooded roadways, and stay clear of any downed power lines.

📸 If you have photos of storm damage from around the city and would like to share them, please post them in the comments below.

Stay safe, Erie!

08/30/2026

Residential Structure Fire – 906 East 5th Street

For the third time in just 96 hours, Erie Fire Department crews were called to 906 East 5th Street for a residential structure fire.

All three fires occurred around 3 a.m. and were fully extinguished by crews each time.

Erie Fire Marshals and the Erie Police Department are investigating the incidents.

08/15/2026

Don’t forget! Tomorrow is the BIG GAME! 🚒⚾️🚓

Bring your family and friends out to UPMC Park for a fun afternoon and a great cause!

Doors open at 12 PM
First pitch at 1 PM
FREE admission!

Come out, enjoy the game, and cheer on your favorite EFD personnel! 🔥

From protecting our streets to taking the field! 🚓🚒⚾

Join NAMI of Erie County at UPMC Park this Sunday, August 16 for the Guns N’ Hoses softball game!

For more information: https://namierie.org/event/guns-hoses-softball-game/

08/11/2026

On behalf of the men and women of Erie Firefighters IAFF Local 293, we are saddened to announce the passing of one of Erie Fire’s true characters, retired Engine 12 Driver Mike “Bo” Haulik.
In addition to honorably serving his country with the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, Mike faithfully served the citizens of Erie for nearly three decades. He retired out of South Central Station, 3rd Platoon, leaving behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten.
Mike held several positions throughout his career, including Firefighter, Driver, Deputy Chief’s Aide, Fire Inspector, and Chief Fire Inspector. But it was his larger-than-life personality, unmistakable sense of humor, and trademark quotes that made Mike who he was. He was, without question, one of the most impersonated firefighters in the history of Erie Fire—and likely will be for many years to come.
Mike’s career was filled with moments that demonstrated not only his skill as a firefighter, but also his courage and determination.
In the late 1990s, the 3rd Platoon responded to a serious fire on East 12th Street. Firefighters were able to locate and remove a young boy from the home and place him into Mike’s arms. Mike and the late Engine 3 Captain Doug Baird immediately began CPR. Through their efforts, they were able to revive the young boy, giving him a second chance at life.
Only a couple of months later, following a fire on Cranch Street, Mike was once again faced with the unimaginable task of performing CPR on a child pulled from a burning home. Sadly, time was not on his side that day, and despite giving everything he had, Mike was unable to save the child. Those who were there knew Mike gave it his all, just as he always did.
Mike was always willing to help the younger firefighters coming up behind him. He wasn’t afraid to quiz them, challenge them, and make sure they were prepared for whatever the job might bring. His rig was always ready to go, and Mike knew the streets of Erie like the back of his hand.
Beyond the firehouse, Mike was fiercely loyal to his family and friends. If someone needed help, Mike was there—anytime, anywhere. That wasn’t something he had to think about. It was simply who Mike was.
We know Mike had been dealing with numerous health issues over the last several years. While his passing leaves a tremendous void for his family, friends, and the Erie Fire family, we can take some comfort in knowing that his suffering is finally over.
To Mike’s family and friends, we offer our deepest sympathy and condolences. To Mike, we offer our deepest gratitude for nearly three decades of dedicated service to the citizens of Erie, for his service to our country, for the firefighters he helped teach and guide, and, of course, for all the laughs and memories he gave us along the way.

Rest easy, Bo.

We’re gonna miss you.

08/11/2026

🚒 It’s Erie Gives Day!

If you’re looking for a great local organization to support today, please consider the Firefighters Historical Museum!

The museum is run entirely by volunteers and works hard to preserve the history and traditions of the Erie Fire Department and the firefighters who came before us.

Every donation helps keep Erie’s firefighting history alive for future generations.

🔥 Support the Firefighters Historical Museum today!

08/09/2026

🚨 ONE WEEK AWAY!!!! 🚨

Come out and support a great cause while cheering on your favorite EFD personnel! 🚒🔥

Bring the family, enjoy the game, and help us pack the stands!

⚾ We’ll see you next Sunday!

⚾ Guns N’ Hoses Softball Game
📅 Sunday, August 16
📍 UPMC Park
Police vs. Fire. Community vs. Stigma.
Come out for a day of fun, connection, and mental health awareness. Bring your friends, bring your family, and cheer on your team! 🚓🚒💙