April is National Volunteer Month.

This Week, OEM Thanks the Philadelphia Second Alarmers Association.

April 3, 2016

by Office of Emergency Management Public Affairs @PhilaOEM

Arriving at the 2900 block of Roberts Avenue in East Falls, you may think you’re at a Philadelphia Fire Department station. Red trim around two bay doors that open up to reveal four large, red and white response vehicles with gold lettering. Equipment on the vehicles all stained with the smell of smoke from past fires.

These are not Philadelphia Fire Department vehicles, however, and those inside the building are not on-duty Philadelphia Firefighters.

They are on-duty though.

The all-volunteer Second Alarmers organization is ready at a minutes notice, keeping watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Roberts Avenue for any emergency that may call upon their service. Their service is needed when first-responder operations are prolonged at city events and emergencies, where health and safety of Philadelphia Police and Philadelphia Fire is of concern.

Their mission statement is “to provide rest and rehab to the Philadelphia Fire & Police Department”, but their actions go beyond that.

Past and Present

The Second Alarmers were born out of an emergency. In 1921, a large fire on the waterfront kept police and fire working long hours on a chilly February night. A group of residents, noticing the effect of the weather on first-responders, jumped in their cars, bought coffee, and returned to the scene. It was this “sense of taking care of those who take care of the public” that created the group. That has remained its core value almost 95 years later.

Having begun as a Canteen Unit and primarily providing food and drink for police and fire, the association has become more intrinsic and inter-woven in emergency response beyond coffee. From the derailment of Amtrak 188, Hurricane Sandy, Pope Francis’ visit and a six-alarm fire this past February, the Second Alarmers cover over 400 responses a year. In 94 years of service, the Alarmers have made 13,000 “runs”. They now assist with replacing first-responders’ clothing, radio batteries, and oxygen-filled breathing cylinders.

Leadership

The man in charge of the Second Alarmers wears two hats, and two titles, literally. At 2900 Roberts Avenue, Gregory Masi is known as Chief, in charge of the all-volunteer organization. However, Philadelphia Police call him Sergeant as Masi has been with the police department for decades and leads their Communications Division.

Mr. Masi, who has been with the Second Alarmers for two decades, volunteers about 20-30 hours per week into the Second Alarmers. It’s a family affair as his wife volunteers with him, providing “creature comforts” as Masi calls it.  “This is my greatest hobby and it’s a chance to give back to first responders, to show them the public appreciates what they do”, says Masi.

Why Volunteer?

When parents are working long hours and people have multiple jobs, finding extra time during the week to volunteer is at a premium.

It’s a sense of service and giving that brought Nicholas Keck to the Second Alarmers years ago. By day, Keck is a delivery person. At the Second Alarmers, he serves as Lieutenant. Having two young children at home and a wife makes it tough and the running-around constant. But Keck believes he’s helping to make a difference.

Mr. Keck responded to the Amtrak 188 derailment last May. He found himself and his volunteer group called into action.

Keck explained, “The train derailment last May, police and fire were just really grateful towards us. We were able to provide wide lighting to help people get around safely. We had portable generators for the light towers. We took them off our trucks and brought the lighting to the scene. They were just ecstatic that we were able to help them with that so much.”

Volunteer Rich St. Marie earns a paycheck as an EMT outside city boundaries. St. Marie, who has volunteered with the Second Alarmers for 13 years, finds gratification in letting Philadelphia’s first-responders know that people in the city care. Mr. St. Marie was on the fire grounds when Capt. John Taylor and firefighter Rey Rubio of Philadelphia Fire Department’s Engine Company 28 were killed fighting a fire in the city’s Port Richmond Neighborhood in 2004. It went beyond the scene for St. Marie.

“I get the most out of what we do at those funerals to help, like taking care of the family inside, taking care of the police officers at police officer funerals.”, says St. Marie. “We’re out there taking care of the firefighters who come and pay their respect.”

How You Can Help?

Chief Masi calls the Second Alarmers “Philadelphia’s best kept secret”.

“Citizens automatically assume that we are part of Philly Fire, when in reality, we are 100% volunteer”, says Masi.

The organization is comprised of  25 volunteers. Over the years, the Second Alarmers have expanded in diversity and have people from all walks of life involved, from an architect to other first responders – something that Masi likes and wants more of.

The Second Alarmers are always looking for more volunteers and appreciate those who bring various skills sets and varied background to the organization.

If you are interested in donating time through volunteering or donating funds, visit their Facebook page, call (215) 223-1936 or stop in their headquarters at 2900 Roberts Avenue just off the East Falls exit of the Roosevelt Boulevard.

“This gives you a chance to make an impact, have a warm feeling in your heart, and the ability to say I did a great job and made a difference”, Masi says.