It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired Allentown Assistant Chief For Training Chris Kiskeravager.
Chris Kiskeravage, 56 of South Whitehall Twp. Formerly of Allentown and Shenandoah PA passed away Friday, June 9th, 2023. He was the husband of Andrea (Weber) Kiskeravage, celebrating 36 years of marriage on May 23rd. He was a 1985 graduate of Cardinal Brennan High School in Fountain Springs Pa.
Chris was a volunteer with Shenandoah Ambulance Corp as a teen and continued life as a career Firefighter and Paramedic. He worked at Cetronia Ambulance the former ALSS as a paramedic and a member of the I.A.F.F. for Easton Fire Department from 1989-1996, Allentown Fire Department from 1996-2019 retiring as Assistant Chief. He was a member of the Lehigh County Special Operations team, Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Co. #3. Chris was also a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Instructor. He was instrumental in the development of the Allentown Fire Department Technical Rescue team. After retiring from Allentown where he was in command of the fire academy, he was appointed as South Whitehall Townships’ first Fire Commissioner.
He trained firefighters across the globe with Bucks County Community College’s Fire and Public Safety. He had traveled to Korea, Japan, Italy, and Romania as well as across the United States teaching EMT, fire suppression, hazmat, and more. His passion for fire education and training was evident even in death as he chose to donate his body to science, in his words “to teach one more class.” Hoping to find ways to make the job safer for all who follow.
In his off hours, he enjoyed being on his pontoon boat in the Rehoboth Bay crabbing as well as Scuba Diving in Belize, Bonaire, Bermuda, and locally with the Allentown Fire Department Dive team.
Chris loved his family and was blessed with 3 children Theodore (Brianna) and granddaughter Natalia, Alexander (Felicity) grandson Warren, and daughter Kathryn.
He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, mother Regina (Jean) Kiskeravage, Foster son Brandon Franklin (Ashley), and their children Liam, Noah, and Makenzie. Cousins Stefan Kowalonek, Stefanie Meskunas, and Stacie Green along with their families.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Sienna 1825 Turner St Allentown PA on Wednesday, July 12th at noon. Calling hours are 10 am-12 pm.
Honor Guard
MembersLooking for honor guard for urn watch at retired FF Leo Gatens’s service on Saturday, August 26th from 0930-1100 at O’Donnell Funeral Home on Hanover Ave.
Was also requested by family to fold and present the flag to the family at the Sacred Heart Cemetery on Fullerton Ave. If you are interested in helping with that, let me know. We can train you or if you have experience let me know
Contact me with your availabilities.
Cell (610)-751-2703
Email: [email protected]
Thank you,
Lt Trumbore
Kiskeravage Funeral Details
MembersI wanted to send an email out regarding tomorrow’s service for on-duty personnel. Fire administration has agreed to put the city out of service between 0900 and 1300 for all members to attend. There will be an engine from Easton, Bethlehem, and Emmaus along with Catty’s Ladder and Rescue in the city with radios covering the city and in communication with BC Lenig who will remain in charge of the city. If needed on duty personnel will be requested to respond as per BC Lenig.
We will need E10 and T2 (new one) cleaned and to the intersection of 18th and Turner at 0800 for the procession and flag raising. All other on duty apparatus will arrive at 0900 and park on Turner between St. Cloud and 17th backing in towards 18th. These roads will all be closed. FF Wentz will oversee staging the vehicles please find him if you have a question.
On Duty personnel should wear class B with badge and thin red line badge cover. Lt Trumbore will be there with badge covers if needed. If you are participating as Honor Guard your class A with badge cover shall be worn. If you are on duty and would like to wear your class A that is fine as well. All uniformed personnel and their family will be sitting on the left side of the church.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me or the Honor Guard squad.
AC Eharth – Cell: (484) 223-7788 Email: [email protected]
FF Wentz – Cell: (484)-560-1285 Email: [email protected]
Lt Trumbore – Cell (610)-751-2703 Email: [email protected]
Kiskeravage Honor Guard
MembersThere has been some confusion about sign-ups for urn and door watch at Kiskeravage’s service on July 12th.
ANY AFD active or retired member can do urn or door watch. It is not just for “honor guard” people. We will provide a quick training session before you stand watch. This is why we ask you to arrive AT LEAST 30 minutes prior to your time slot. You must have your Class A uniform with white gloves and badge shroud. Look over your uniforms NOW and make sure they look presentable.
We may also try to set up a longer training session one or two days before to go over all the movements.
Also…..when you answer the questions about urn watch on the sign up link……
If you select that you are available the entire day, the question after that asks you to fill in what times you are available. In that slot you would just type in “AVAILABLE ANY TIME”. If you are not available all day then type in the specific times you can help out.
Parking is going to be in the Fairgrounds lot. We will not have a separate lot for guys doing honor guard. It is only a half-block walk to the church.
Thank you. Any other questions please contact myself or FF Wentz.
-Lt Trumbore
FF Wentz – Cell: (484)-560-1285 Email: [email protected]
Lt Trumbore – Cell (610)-751-2703 Email: [email protected]
Honor Guard Sign Up – Asst. Chief Chris Kiskeravage
MembersQUESTIONS: Cell: (484)-560-1285 Email: [email protected]
Formal announcement of services for Johnathan L. Pratt
NewsJohn Pratt Viewing
MembersThose attending the Pratt viewing/service on Thursday 6/22:
Calling hours are 09:30-11:00. Service will follow (unk how long). Our casket watch will start 15 min prior to actual calling hours so the watch is in place before people start coming through.
Pallbearers: Procession to Highland Park Cemetery after service.
When arriving at LifeChurch (1609 Trexlertown Rd, Macungie), turn into the parking lot and follow the road left and around the back of the building. This will lead you to their large grass/stone overflow lot. Please park there. There is an entrance by that lot on the North side of the building for you to use.
Those doing casket watch please try to arrive at least 30 min before your time slot so we can go over the proper casket watch movements.
Thanks
Last Alarm For Firefighter John Pratt
NewsSurvivors: Wife; Daughters, Anneice and Savannah Pratt; Granddaughter, Sloane Pratt; Brothers, Michael Kelley and Skip Dunston.
Services: 11 AM Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Life Church, 1609 Trexlertown Road, Macungie. A viewing will be held from 9:30-11 AM Thursday in the church. Interment to follow at Highland Memorial Park, Allentown. Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, Allentown, www.BKRFH.com
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Johnathan “Big John” L. Pratt, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Last Alarm For Assistant Chief For Training Chris Kiskeravage
NewsChris Kiskeravage, 56 of South Whitehall Twp. Formerly of Allentown and Shenandoah PA passed away Friday, June 9th, 2023. He was the husband of Andrea (Weber) Kiskeravage, celebrating 36 years of marriage on May 23rd. He was a 1985 graduate of Cardinal Brennan High School in Fountain Springs Pa.
Chris was a volunteer with Shenandoah Ambulance Corp as a teen and continued life as a career Firefighter and Paramedic. He worked at Cetronia Ambulance the former ALSS as a paramedic and a member of the I.A.F.F. for Easton Fire Department from 1989-1996, Allentown Fire Department from 1996-2019 retiring as Assistant Chief. He was a member of the Lehigh County Special Operations team, Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Co. #3. Chris was also a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Instructor. He was instrumental in the development of the Allentown Fire Department Technical Rescue team. After retiring from Allentown where he was in command of the fire academy, he was appointed as South Whitehall Townships’ first Fire Commissioner.
He trained firefighters across the globe with Bucks County Community College’s Fire and Public Safety. He had traveled to Korea, Japan, Italy, and Romania as well as across the United States teaching EMT, fire suppression, hazmat, and more. His passion for fire education and training was evident even in death as he chose to donate his body to science, in his words “to teach one more class.” Hoping to find ways to make the job safer for all who follow.
In his off hours, he enjoyed being on his pontoon boat in the Rehoboth Bay crabbing as well as Scuba Diving in Belize, Bonaire, Bermuda, and locally with the Allentown Fire Department Dive team.
Chris loved his family and was blessed with 3 children Theodore (Brianna) and granddaughter Natalia, Alexander (Felicity) grandson Warren, and daughter Kathryn.
He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, mother Regina (Jean) Kiskeravage, Foster son Brandon Franklin (Ashley), and their children Liam, Noah, and Makenzie. Cousins Stefan Kowalonek, Stefanie Meskunas, and Stacie Green along with their families.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Sienna 1825 Turner St Allentown PA on Wednesday, July 12th at noon. Calling hours are 10 am-12 pm.
Great night for Local 302
MembersIt was a clean sweep yesterday. All of our candidates won their primary except Superior Court. Won: Supreme Court Justice, Both Council seats, both County Commissioners, Sheriff, and Coroner.
Our friends were extremely appreciative of our support at the polls. We were told last night by one of the candidates “Thank you. I have your backs!” This is why we need help at the polls, we have a big impact and candidates know it.
Special thanks to Retired brother Kresege Sr., Retired brother Held, and brothers Eddleman, Groller, Richetta, Bolton, Wentz, and Pierce. Your presence was huge and your support is what makes this possible.
In the Nov. general, we could possibly be facing a referendum, if passed, will require deep cuts to our budget. We will need a lot more help at the polls. Politics are not fun but it impacts all of us whether you agree with it or not. All of our successes as a union is due to having friends in the right places. We need all of our member’s support to continue this progress.
Again, great day yesterday, and thank you to those who support our PAC fund and those who man polls.
In Solidarity,
Local 302 Executive Board
Still Need Guys
MembersTomorrow is election day and we still need guys. It would be great to get some new guys out to connect with the community as well as help out the Local and the department. We need the old guys too. Come out a help protect our safety and working conditions.
Contact Perreault (484)-892-1787 for details.
In solidarity,
Local 302 Executive Board