EVANS CITY — The borough volunteer fire department was praised by council members at their Jan. 5 meeting.

Assistant Chief Brian Greenawalt and department President Matt Otto presented the department’s report to council, noting that it has 36 volunteer members, and several are trained in specialized areas.

They said of the 34 members who are over 18 years old, 33 are trained as interior firefighters. That means those men and women can suit up with oxygen support and enter a burning building.

“A lot of departments don’t have close to that,” Greenawalt said. “We’re very proud of that.”

He said 17 members have their professional firefighter board certification through the state fire commissioner. They said the firefighters were required to take written and skills tests to attain the certification.

Otto said 26 members are vehicle rescue technicians, and eight are advanced vehicle rescue personnel. He said 14 members are health care providers, and three are swift water rescue technicians.

Greenawalt said one volunteer is a certified state fire instructor.

He also said the fire department is licensed as a quick-response service, which means firefighters can provide initial care until an ambulance arrives. Greenawalt said only five fire departments in the county carry such a license.

“We are trying to make sure we’re above the level of the departments around us,” he said. “We want to make sure that with everything we are doing, we are advancing ourselves and doing the best job we can possibly do.”

The fire department on Dec. 19 received a donation of $300 from the county Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s executive director, Perry O’Malley.

The donation came with a commendation for dedication, professionalism and service to the community.

Otto said the fire department had 169 calls in 2014.

He said Steve Bicehouse replaces Mark Adomaitis as fire chief in 2015.

Several members of the council praised the volunteers. Some asked the duo to extend their thanks to Adomaitis for his service as chief over the past several years.

“You guys are a volunteer service, and you are amazing,” said council President Lee Dyer. “We are very proud of you.”