Cat up a tree enlivens first responders' report

By Anya Tikka
DINGMAN TOWNSHIP — Dingman Township Volunteer Fire Department President Al Velente and Chief Mark O'Brien came to the May 5 Dingman Township Supervisors meeting to give the department’s activity report.

So far this year, there have been 518 fire calls and 378 emergency management services calls, Velente said. The totals for April were 22 and 47 respectively, adding up to 69 calls altogether.

“The most dispatched type of alarm was automatic fire alarms," Velente reported.

He recounted two other, less serious-sounding incidents.

“A crew of nine assisted the Delaware Fire Company with carrying out an injured hiker from the Adams Creek Falls Area in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area."

The other incident inspired smiles and laughter among the supervisors: a cat stuck in a tree on Cranberry Ridge. The firefighters climbed 40 feet up to get the cat, who was returned safely to the owner.

Velente also said several fire department trainings were carried out in April, including ATV Operator Training, Traffic Safety by PSATS, an Emergency Vehicle Operators class, and an ATV Operator Training class, plus four members enrolled in the EMT class.

The EMT’s also completed Pulse Oximetry and C-PAP Training, and demonstrated how to use cold water rescue suits to the students in the Delaware Valley Emergency Responders Club.

Weather delays new construction

When Supervisors' Chair Thomas Mincer asked if there’s been an increase in building permit applications for building, Sewage/Zoning Enforcement Officer Chris Wood said the season was delayed due to the weather. The figures are not yet comparable with previous years, he said.

“Two years ago, the legislature passed laws that extended many permits to a longer date, instead of say one year or two years, for all kinds of permits — building, zoning, sewage," said Wood. "Many of the permits are still valid from a few years ago. They haven’t expired, so now, they can just start building. Some people were issued the permit two or three years ago, and we’re sort of surprised to see them, although there’s nothing wrong with it. It just makes it harder for us to track new building activity.”