Your Ring Doorbell is Fire, Literally. Recall issued

Amazon subsidiary Ring is recalling 350,000 2nd generation doorbells. The recall stems from reports of overheating and fires related to the product when it is improperly installed. You can get more information about what models are impacted and actions to take from Ring here.

According to their website, the issue arises when the units are improperly installed, so all the guys who did not follow the instructions will need to check to see if they need to reinstall. There is no need to return the item, you just have to follow the updated instructions and use the correct type of screws.

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[UPDATED] East Norriton Alleged to be Without Fire Service, Dispute Erupts, Resident in The Middle

Photo Credit: facebook.com/NFEC61/photos

EAST NORRITON - Last night a random Facebook post appeared alerting the residents of East Norriton there was no fire protection for residents because Township had taken the whole department out of service.

Photo Credit: Public post by Justin Carneavale

Norriton Fire Company also issued a statement on this topic last night.

These posts spread like wildfire (pun intended) and East Norriton issues the following statement on Thursday around 3pm.

Statement from East Norriton - Many of you saw a social media post made late last night by the Norriton Fire Engine Company stating that their line officers had resigned due to differences with Township Officials. This notification blindsided Twp. EMS staff and administration as there was a scheduled meeting with fire company leadership for 1pm today to discuss routine operational procedures as well as proposed compliance procedures. Sadly, there is an abundance of misinformation circulating on social media that only serves to sow confusion and concern. After reading the Fire Company Facebook post, Twp. Officials decided, out of an abundance of caution and in the best interests of our residents, to take the Norriton Fire Company temporarily out of service as we found out more information regarding the sudden and completely unexpected resignation of their officers. Immediately, Twp. Admin contacted Montgomery County to ensure fire protection service to our residents through mutual aide. Twp. Administrators will be meeting with the Fire Company Officials to discuss their officers' actions and to ensure orderly and comprehensive fire protection coverage to our residents. Please be assured, East Norriton Township has four paid Twp. personnel that provide fire protection coverage five days each week from 7am until 5pm and are joined by the volunteer personnel. East Norriton Township residents should feel safe and secure as to their fire protection. Lastly, I expect both the Twp. and Norriton Fire Company to issue a joint statement sometime tomorrow.

East Norriton Township believes that volunteerism, especially in the fire service is one of the most noble and self-sacrificing commitments a citizen can make to their neighbors and community. As a Twp., we have supported our volunteer fire company to unprecedented levels through the purchase of fire trucks and the implementation of incentive programs to help provide the best service possible as well as to show our heartfelt appreciation for their selfless commitment to our community. In the last few months, we have contracted with a fire services consultant to provide a comprehensive study as to our long-term fire protection needs and goals. We have implemented a stipend program for our volunteers as well as zero-cost Twp. programs and services to help show our appreciation as well as to help retain and recruit new volunteers. We initiated these and other programs with the collaboration of the fire company leadership. For these reasons and more, we were shocked by the sudden and abrupt nature of their line officers' actions and rationale. We stood behind our volunteers when they came to us identifying operational concerns. The Township Board of Supervisors commissioned a 3rd party agency to perform a needs study so a long-term plan for fire protection could be developed. Our volunteers were and remain key stakeholders in this process.

East Norriton Twp. will be meeting with Norriton Fire Engine Company leadership and are confident that a fruitful and much needed collaborative relationship will develop. Please be mindful of the harmful and misleading social media comments as they are many times driven by personal agendas rather than true concern. Residents should know that East Norriton Township and the membership of Norriton Fire Engine Company share the same mission and goal of protecting the health, safety and welfare of our community.

East Norriton Twp.

This is clearly a developing story that we do not have both sides, but it is important for residents to be aware of this situation. This is not the first time a fire company and a town have disputed or been pulled from service, Conshohocken had a debacle with George Washington company not too long ago which lead to the Township hiding the equipment so it could not be used.

UPDATE - 11/06/2020 - We received word from the station stating full service has been restored as of 11/06/2020. Montco is no longer showing the station offline. We are hearing this dispute apparently arose over plans by the Township and Fire Marshal to implement paid staff without coordinating these efforts with the volunteers and officers from the fire company. This story is unverified but was relayed to us by someone close to the situation.

If you have information about this situation you can email us at plymouthnbeyond@gmail.com

Story photo credit: Norriton Fire Company Facebook page

Pennsylvania American Water Awards $140,000 to Local Fire Departments

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (Oct. 29, 2020) – Pennsylvania American Water announced today $140,000 in grants to 144 fire and rescue organizations across the Commonwealth through its annual Firefighting Support Grant Program. This year, the company dramatically increased its grant funding to address the particular challenges fire departments are facing this year related to COVID-19’s economic impact. As a result, the company fully funded every eligible fire department grant request it received.

“We know that 2020 has been a difficult year for our customers and our emergency responders and that this funding will provide significant support to our communities,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Mike Doran. “Water systems and fire departments are deeply intertwined and reliant on each other for community fire protection,” he continued. “This increase in grant funding reflects how highly we regard our fire department partners and how we responded to the critical needs they expressed to us this year.”

The company awards grants annually through this program to support local fire departments and emergency services in purchasing protective gear, lifesaving equipment, firefighting apparatus and training materials. Since launching the grant program in 2009, Pennsylvania American Water has donated more than $640,000 to help hundreds of fire departments and emergency service organizations across the Commonwealth. Today’s announcement coincides with National Fire Safety Month.

Pennsylvania American Water awarded its 2020 grants to the following fire departments across its service territory in southeast PA:

Berks County – Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department, Township of Spring Fire Rescue Service and Wyomissing Fire Department

Chester County – Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company and West End Fire Company #3 Coatesville

Montgomery County – East Norriton Township Fire Department, Hancock Fire Company, Harmonville Fire Company No. 1, Limerick Fire Department, Lower Providence Fire Department, Norristown Fire Department, Royersford Fire Department, Sanatoga Fire Company and Upper Merion Township Fire and EMS Department

About Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater, and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.