The Fire Department was created following the catastrophic fire at Saint Vincent in January of 1963. Archabbot Rembert Weakland, O.S.B. asked Brother Patrick Lacey, O.S.B. to establish a department charged with the protection of lives and property at Saint Vincent Archabbey, parish, seminary and college. A combination of monks, seminarians, employees, and college students has since served the fire protection needs of the entire Saint Vincent community.

The department falls under the administration of the Saint Vincent Public Safety Department. A fire chief, appointed by the Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey and Chancellor of the college, operationally supervises the Fire Department. Membership to the Fire Department is open to all monks, students and employees of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Seminary and College. Each year new members are offered state courses along with other drills that address specific potential dangers on Saint Vincent property. In addition to this firefighter training, medical training is offered to support Mutual Aid EMS with medical emergencies on campus.  In the fall of each new school year, the Fire Department offers fire safety training to the residence life staff of the college.

We operate out of our new station, built in 2008, located east of the campus and are equipped with a 1978 1000 gpm Mack pumper, a 1982 Ford utility vehicle, a 200 gallon skid unit for brush and rubbish fires, and a 1994 Dodge mini-van for the QRS service. Dispatching is provided through radio contact with the switchboard, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Also, we maintain a good relationship with Lloydsville Fire and Rescue and other local fire and emergency services, who are equipped and able to provide the campus with additional emergency response resources, should we experience a major emergency.

During the 2006-2007 school year the Saint Vincent Fire Department began responding to medical emergencies on campus, expediting response times.  Joshua Trbovich, C'07, and Nathan Harig, C'08, drove the idea of providing quick response service to the Saint Vincent community.  Through their efforts, Saint Vincent Fire Department is equipped and able to provide emergency medical care at Saint Vincent College.  QRS 117 serves the community and is accredited by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Quick Response Unit.   SVFD was recognized in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Heart to Heart Winter 2007 edition for the achievement of gaining accreditation as a certified QRS.  Below is a link to this article, found on page 9.  Heart to Heart Winter 2007 

SVFD responds to approximately 90 calls a year.  These calls range from false alarms, burnt food, and investigations to fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies.  We can be grateful that our safety awareness and public education programs have contributed to a minimal number of emergency incidents on campus.  Saint Vincent Fire Department is prepared to respond to calls 24/7. 

Check back again soon for a documentary on the catastrophic fire of 1963.