East Allen Township Fire Chief Barry Frantz took the podium March 28 to acknowledge AJ Quiteles and Jason Hadinger for their performance above the call of duty. The two firefighters were awarded the Medal of Valor for their efforts in battling a house fire Jan. 1.

According to Frantz, the East Allen department received a mutual aid request and dispatched Tower 4621 to the fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene to witness heavy smoke billowing out of the third-floor windows. The crews were instructed to set up the fire tower to provide ventilation from the roof and assist with fire suppression.

While setting up the tower, Hadinger noticed a firefighter from the mutual aid company hanging precariously from the third-floor window after reeling from a flashover, which is an instance of a fire spreading rapidly across a gap due to intense heat. Hadinger, Quiteles and Lt. Josh Schmoyer set up a ground ladder and enabled the trapped man to clamber down the ladder safely. The firefighter suffered burns to his hands and arms. He returned to duty after treatment for his burns.

Schmoyer did not attend the ceremony. He is complementing his firefighting career with military service training.

During their regular meeting, which followed the Medal of Valor ceremony, supervisors approved purchasing two trucks for the public works department. Funds are budgeted for the purchase, but the single-axle tandem may not be delivered until 2020. The tandem is in high demand.

Supervisors reviewed a draft requiring anyone seeking to hold a block party to obtain a permit. The permit would cost $50, and the barricades would cost another $100 - refundable if they were returned in good condition. Approval from 75 percent of the people on the block would also be required.

The township received word from Bethlehem Authority regarding the water line proposed for residents on Mud Lane under approved conditions of the agreement between JW Development and Allen Township for warehouse development along Seemsville Road. The agreement has a stipulation that the water line be extended 4,000-plus feet to serve Mud Lane and a nearby housing development.

The proposed water line extension meets the requirements outlined in the Allen Township and developer’s agreement with Bethlehem Authority but falls approximately 1,500 feet short of serving East Allen residents in the housing development.