Pittsburgh, PA — September 22, 2025 — Last week, Senator Lindsey M. Williams joined Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company Chief Jeff Stephens, Assistant Chief Jim Vento, Captain Tommy Witas, and other members of the Department for an Allegheny River tour on Marine 111, the new Blawnox Fire Rescue Boat, named the “FRB Williams.” Senator Williams helped Blawnox secure funding to purchase the vessel through a $150,000 DCED grant in 2022.
“I am always grateful to support our first responders and address the incredible cost of readiness that comes with the work that they do every day to protect our community,” said Senator Williams. “When the Department revealed the name at last summer’s Memorial Day Parade, I was speechless—it is the honor of a lifetime to have such an important addition to community safety and security named after me.”
“We were so excited to take Senator Williams and staff out on our fire boat, Marine 111, said Mike Yonas, Medical Officer and President of Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company. “We are incredibly thankful and appreciate of Senator Lindsey Williams’ exceptional ongoing support and partnership that made getting Marine 111 happen, along with support from Max Motive and our other internal fundraising. We have used this new fireboat and water rescue resource dozens of times in support of emergency response in the region, and are excited to deepen our water rescue partnership with other regional department. We are always looking to learn and grow.”
“We also need new volunteers to help in a variety of ways, not just emergency Fire and Water rescue response,” continued President Yonas. “All are welcome! Please contact myonas@blawnoxvfc.com or go to VolunteerFireFighter.org, select “Areas We Serve” in the top banner, and select “PA – Blawnox.” From there, you can fill out a volunteer application.”
The “FRB Williams” is a 26-foot Stanley Fire Rescue Landing Craft Boat built in 2023. It features twin Yamaha 150 HP motors, emergency lighting, a 500 gallon per minute fire pump, side scan sonar, and a thermal marine camera. The vessel is certified as a QRS, or Quick Response Service, vehicle, that is able to provide medical care on the water.
The Blawnox Swiftwater Rescue Team is certified Level 2a and was the first team in the state to receive this certification. Blawnox also serves on the greater Allegheny County Swiftwater/Flood Response Team, which is certified Level 1a and is the only team in the state to receive this designation.
Since entering service in July 2024, the “FRB Williams” has participated in numerous duties and emergency responses, including patrolling the riverfront and waterways during the Pittsburgh Brewing Company Rocking Regatta and extinguishing a boat fire below Lock 3 on the Allegheny River at the beginning of this month.