With 14 original members, Pennsylvania Chapter 22 was chartered in February of 2006. Now, four years later, PA 22 boasts nearly 70 members from 26 fire agencies in Cambria, Somerset, Clearfield, Westmoreland, Blair and Bedford Counties. One member moved to Florida, but still stays in touch with the chapter business. Ironically, the "22" designation assigned by the International also represents the major U.S. highway that runs horizontally through our membership area. From the very beginning, our members were determined not to let the bikes gather any dust. That continues to this day, with rides ranging from day trips to group vacations, to participating in an endless number of benefit events. No rides seem too far, with 2009 trips to New York and Fort Benning, Georgia.
Community support, particularly support of our local fire departments, is the primary focus of our organization. What started out in the early years as riding in a couple local fire department parades has grown to requests for our participation in large scale fire convention parades and military escorts.
Advancing the fire fighting capability of our local departments, PA 22 conducts it annual "Fire Ride", with all proceeds donated to the Cambria County Fire Training facility. In 2009, the chapter instituted a scholarship program, providing funds to high school seniors who are involved in their local fire departments and now plan on furthering their education at the post-secondary level.
Our chapter wasted no time in becoming involved in projects at the national level. Born out of an ever growing affiliation with the Fire Department of New York, our members have taken an active role with their involvement in all three Iron & Steel Rides conducted by the FDNY. In 2008, a contingent from PA 22 traveled to Mechanicsburg, PA and met up with the FDNY convoy that was escorting a cross made of World Trade Center steel to Shanksville, PA (site of the 9/11 crash of Flight 93). The following day, an even larger chapter presence, along with fire apparatus from their respective fire stations, joined the main group in a procession and the dedication of the cross at the Shanksville FD. In 2009, the chapter was represented in a 2,000 mile round trip escort of a second section of WTC steel that was presented for permanent display at Fort Benning, GA. This year a large group covered nine states and over 1,800 miles during a swing through New England in late July. They followed that up with a nearly 900 mile venture from Johnstown to New York to Arlington, Virginia as part of the third Iron & Steel ride in late August.
With an ever-increasing number of new members, PA 22 appears that it will continue to be an active chapter and a positive influence in our area.