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Cetronia fire chief retires

Published June 03. 2023 08:28AM

By LOU WHEELAND

Special to The Press

Cetronia Fire Chief Jay Heicklen, announced early in April his intention to retire as of May 1.

Having served as chief for 13 years, Heicklen felt he had accomplished his goals as chief and was ready for the departure to move Ricardo Diaz from deputy chief to fire chief.

During his tenure, Heicklen saw the department institute a live-in program, allowing firefighters to live in the fire station at no charge.

This program assured a quick and reliable response to fire alarms, working fires and EMS support calls in the Cetronia Fire Department response area.

Additionally, a new aerial truck has been ordered from Pierce Manufacturing to replace the current aerial truck, a 2001 Smeal 100-foot Tower Ladder.

The new aerial is on a three-year delivery schedule, as all fire equipment manufacturers are at capacity.

Under Heicklen’s leadership, this new piece of apparatus will become a reality.

Heicklen will be transitioning into a role as fire administrator and will be supporting the role of Cetronia Fire Department as a community asset.

PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Cetronia Fire Department members celebrated the retirement of Chief Jay Heicklen in May. Members include Brian Matura, Jared Diachynsky, Barry Eigen, Mike Arner, Anthony Levan, Thomas Williams, Chief Jay Heicklen, Fire Chief Designate Ricardo Diaz, Tyler Murray, Colton Graves, Ben Stockton and Mason Rampulla.
Former Cetronia firefighters celebrated the retirement of Fire Chief Jay Heicklen at the fire station on May 1. Former firefighters Barry Eigen, Lou Wheeland, Max Paine, Dave Gross, Dave Cope, Former Chief Jim Balliet, Retiring Chief Jay Heicklen, Frank Knauss, Dave Sherer, Bryan Wheeland, Mike Butler, Chris Kletzing, (kneeling) Tyler Heicklen, Joe Macus and Gunnar Kirschner.
PRESS PHOTO BY LOU WHEELAND South Whitehall Township EMA Director Jeff Kelly and his wife, South Whitehall Board of Commissioners President Diane Kelly, presented retiring Cetronia Fire Department Chief Jay Heicklen with a plaque thanking him for his years of service to the township. Additional photos appear on page A2.