When the fire whistles sounded at 6:30 a.m. Jan. 12 in O’Hara, Butch Michalowski trudged out of his house and into the bitter cold — despite officially retiring two weeks earlier from his role as Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Company chief.
“I’ll probably never stop,” he said, laughing. “I’ve been here all my life.”
Michalowski served 57 years with the department which sits along Kittanning Pike. In reality, his tenure is longer considering he started tagging along to the station as a child with his dad and grandfather. He grew up a quarter-mile away — there weren’t many alarms he missed.
After 31 years as chief, Michalowski said it was a good time for the younger generation to take over.
“They have new ideas, which I think is great,” he said. “I feel comfortable moving along now.”
The fire company, founded in 1909, will still feel his influence. Michalowski’s son, Ed, was named his successor. He grew up watching his dad’s passion and wanted to continue the legacy of fire service, joining as a junior member in 1985.
“It’s odd in some ways,” Ed said. “It’s weird not seeing him in an officer’s seat.”
Mike Daniher, chief of nearby Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services, said his members have the highest respect for Michalowski.
“Butch has been a great friend and an outstanding fire chief,” Daniher said. “Our departments have worked together for many years.
“We are truly grateful for his leadership and dedication to the fire service. As Butch retires, we are excited to continue working with his son, Ed, who has had an excellent mentor in his father and will do a great job carrying on that legacy.”
Pleasant Valley is one of two agencies, along with Parkview Volunteer Fire Department, that serve about 9,000 residents in O’Hara. Coverage also includes RIDC Park and portions of Route 28.
The company grew from meager beginnings in a one-room garage that left just enough room for a hand-drawn carriage.
Members moved to the current location, which at one time was an old schoolhouse, and flourished into a township institution. A 1989 renovation was followed by an expansion in the 2000s to coincide with the department’s centennial.
“It used to be a tight fit,” Michalowski said. “I’d hang my coat by the door, and I’d actually step outside to put it on so the guys could have room to back the engine out.”
A $300,000 project added a three-bay garage where they park two Spartan Gladiator engines and a utility truck. The company also has added three drones to its fire response, with four certified pilots.
Among countless fire calls, a few catastrophic incidents still linger with Michalowski. A fire along South Main Street in Sharpsburg “burned down the whole block,” he said. Another, a major house fire along Collinwood Drive in O’Hara, resulted in a total loss.
“So much has changed. The fires burn quicker and hotter and are more toxic,” he said. “Back in the day, you didn’t even put your air pack on, you just went in.”
Pleasant Valley provides fire coverage and specializes in hazmat response. Both Michalowskis serve on the Allegheny County Silver Hazmat Team, responding to incidents like last year’s tanker spill on Route 28.
The pair agree that Pleasant Valley is fortunate to have strong family engagement. There are six parent-child sets currently on the roster.
In the Michalowski family, Butch’s grandson, Dylan, is the fifth generation to serve.
“There was never any expectation that I would become chief,” Ed Michalowski said. “As we progressed, I just got more involved in the day-to-day operations, and it was something that happened.”
With the increasing demand on training and requirements, Ed said his focus moving forward will be inclusion for all members.
“There’s a lot to be done as far as keeping equipment up to date, and we need to make sure to give the yard breathers (members who aren’t interior firefighters) something important to do,” he said.
Like fire agencies across the state, Pleasant Valley has battled recruitment challenges but maintains a hardy roster of nearly 30 active members.
“When I joined, there was a waiting list,” Butch Michalowski said. “There was a 75-man roster, and you had to wait your turn.”
Last year, Pleasant Valley joined Parkview and Blawnox volunteer fire companies to launch a $1 million recruitment and retention plan. Funding came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant.
“In the current economic climate, it is difficult to recruit and retain good volunteers to perform the work,” Blawnox fire Chief Jeff Stephens said.
Michalowski’s experience and wealth of knowledge will be missed, he added.
“He’s been a fantastic partner to work with,” Stephens said. “He helped me transition when I became chief. Where do you start to list all the ways he’ll be missed?”
Township officials showed their appreciation to the longtime chief by renaming the Slim Jim Parklet on Lower Road in Michalowski’s honor.
“I can usually talk about anything,” he said. “But that had me speechless. I really didn’t know what to say.”
He added: “I’ve enjoyed all the years. The camaraderie with other firefighters and other departments has been great. This has been home.”