Sars

Memorials

Seasoned Second Alarmers paramedic dies

By RICH PEITRAS Career paramedic Michael “Boz” Garvin, 39, of Hatfield, who worked with the Second Alarmers Association and Rescue Squad of Montgomery County for 16 years, died Sunday afternoon at home, according to Second Alarmers chief of operations Fred Trasatti Jr. Trasatti said Garvin had worked a 12-hour shift with the Second Alarmers on Saturday before heading out to Whitpain, where he worked another 12 hours for someone who had suffered a shoulder injury. After returning home Sunday, Garvin mowed the lawn, then later told his wife he wasn’t feeling well. She called 911 and he was taken to Central Montgomery Hospital after 5 p.m. Jamie Haddon, executive director of Second Alarmers, couldn’t supply a cause of death because he said they were waiting for the coroner’s report. “He was very influential in setting up a lot of training programs for paramedics and EMTs,” Trasatti said of Garvin. “He has a real go-getter kind of guy, really good instructor. He really kept the attention of people that he taught.” Garvin worked in Platoon B at the Second Alarmers North Hills Station and was qualified in EMS, rescue and firefighting. He also has served as communications and data officer in previous years. “(He) would do anything for anybody,” Haddon said of Garvin. “He was a very enthusiastic person. … He had a lot of energy.” Since 1998, Garvin also led an emergency bloodhound team, a law-enforcement and rescue search dog unit that became part of Second Alarmers in the summer of 2007. Garvin served in other roles with Second Alarmers, including quality assurance coordinator, Web master, communications officer and training officer. He also recently returned from 10 days of service with the Montgomery County EMS strike team, providing assistance to victims of Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana. Haddon said Garvin was also a volunteer at Bryn Athyn Fire Co. and a Pennsylvania state constable. Garvin received many honors for his service, including employee of the year in 2005 and numerous lifesaving citations. He is survived by his wife, Melissa, also a member of Second Alarmers, and a son, Ryan. A scholarship fund is being established for Ryan Garvin at Abington Bank. See the full article

Life Active Member Ivan Landis passes away

It is with deep regret that Second Alarmers announces the passing of Life Active Member Ivan Landis on Saturday July 21, 2007. Ivan was a member of Second Alarmers for 37 years starting his service on September 1, 1970. Most of who have been around for a while at the squad will remember his long years of active service, two years as President and at least nine years as our Vice President. It was due to his experience from working in the field of banking that he was able to establish Second Alarmer investment plans that made us solvent, setting the stage for our first true expansion in the late 1970’s when we were awarded the contract as the primary EMS service for Abington Township. Ivan also assisted SARS and the community during his 24 years of service working for the Upper Moreland Police Department as a Services Officer before retiring in 2003. Ivan will surely be missed by the many within Second Alarmers who proudly served with him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Life Active Member Henry Krueger

It is with deep regret that Second Alarmers announces the passing of Life Active Member Henry Krueger, Badge #213 on August 10, 2005. Henry joined Second Alarmers December 11, 1972. Henry worked for Exxon and was key in getting a grant from them to make SARS the first provider in the United States to obtain the Jaws of Life. Additionally he was one of SARS first paramedics and served as Financial Secretary on the Board of Directors. He was an avid volunteer at SARS and Abington Hospital and will be sadly missed by those members who’s day he always brightened.

Life Active Member Joseph H. Riddle, Jr.

Joseph H. Riddle Jr. of Willow Grove passed away Monday, Sept. 27, 2004, at Majestic Oaks Health Center. He was 79. Born Sept. 10, 1925, in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Joseph and Julie Riddle. He was a dedicated lifetime member of Willow Grove Fire Co. and Second Alarmers Association. He was the beloved husband of Joanne Evelyn Riddle, the dear father of Joseph Martin Riddle Sr. and Mary Evelyn Riddle, and grandfather of Joseph and Molly. Also surviving is his sister, Barbara Ludlan and a nephew, Nicholas Ludlan. Joe routinely attended the monthly meetings of Second Alarmers even when his health was poor and walking became difficult. His voice was a regular sound at our meeting long after he retired from emergency call service.

Life Active Member Robert "Bob" Williard

A Life Active Member of the Second Alarmers, was the dedicated volunteer who maintained the "Light Truck" and drove it to the vast majority of it's requests for service, wherever and whenever it was called. When "his" prize vehicle was sold to the Ogden-New Hanover Rescue Squad of North Carolina, Bob drove it to them himself and met the new owners. When the truck was replaced with the current "Rescue 353" his spirit was not and he continued his dedication and almost continuous presence anytime SARS was summoned. Bob left us on March 14, 2002.

Below are pictures of Bob with "his" Light Truck.