Whitehall, PA- Whitehall Township Fire Department has been working closely with technology partner First Due to release Community Connect, an application focused on protecting residents and their property in the most effective way possible during an incident or major disaster. Community Connect is a secure, easy to use platform that allows residents to share critical information about their household in order to aid first responders and emergency service personnel to respond more efficiently and effectively; ultimately resulting in better incident outcomes.  In addition to the residential portal, Community Connect also helps business owners and managers keep people at their commercial properties safe by giving First Responders access to critical documents such as evacuation procedures, occupant rosters, hazardous material lists and more. Additionally, designated contacts at properties that joined the program will receive immediate alerts via text message when First Responders are dispatched to the building address.   

Community Connect is completely voluntary and residents are individually able to decide which information they are comfortable sharing. Residents simply create a profile and enter critical property and occupant information which is then made available to public safety agencies at the time of dispatch. Data provided by resident's within Community Connect is 100% secure and is used only for the purpose of better serving the resident during emergency situations.

For more information about the program and to create a profile for your household, please visit Whitehall Township Community Connect.
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About First Due

First Due is on a mission to end first responder and citizen injuries due to a lack of information. First Due is focused on providing solutions for Fire and EMS agencies and the communities they serve, all with the goal of ensuring optimal preparedness for disaster situations.

Media Contact:

Ron Kanter
Head of Growth
+1 (516) 428-4323
ron@firstduesizeup.com

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About Whitehall Township Fire Department

Whitehall Township Bureau of Fire was formed in 1913. It was formed to provide fire protection to the five boroughs of the Township. It has an ISO rating of 3 with 1 being the best. The Bureau has two full time employees the Fire Chief David Nelson and the Deputy Fire Marshall Mark Bilder who was hired in 2020.

The Deputy Fire Marshall’s job is to inspect and ensure that businesses are running safely in the Township. We have over 800 businesses within the Township. These inspections are two-fold. They allow the fire department to ensure that the businesses are safer and can have a safe environment for their patrons. On the second note it helps businesses to be able to have a safer building and business that allows them to be able to function without the loss of their business in the event of a fire.

Whitehall Bureau of Fire responds to over 1200 calls a year. Anything from (MVA) Motor Vehicle Accident’s), spills, water rescues, Gas leaks, Emergency Medical calls (EMS) and fires. Whitehall FD is staffed by 87 volunteers responding out of four stations. The four stations are (36) Fullerton, (37) West Catasauqua), (38) Hokendauqua, (39) Egypt.

Our department in conjunction with the Red Cross has been giving away for free smoke detectors with a 10-year life span. This means that they do not need any battery changes. Every 10 years your smoke detectors should be replaced.

As a reminder the Township has a no outside burning ordinance. This mean that there is no outside burning allowed. In a fire pit, chiminea, or metal bin. A citation and fine can be issued for failing to follow directions.

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Media Contact:

Samantha Anderson
Editorial assistant
Whitehall-Coplay Press
Catasauqua Press
Northampton Press

Press & Media Kit

To see press and media assets for Grants Pass' launch of Community Connect, please see the program's files & downloads page.