Fairmont - Hahntown Volunteer Fire Department

The Fairmont-Hahntown Volunteer Fire Department announced today the funeral arrangements for William Bierbower who died after a mutual aid fire call for an unknown type fire next to a structure.

William was conferring with the individual doing the fire report when he collapsed. William was transported to Jeanette District Memorial Hospital.

William was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Westmoreland County Coroner has listed the cause of death as Hypertension and ASCVD while responding to an emergency fire call.

William Bierbower, age 72, is survived by his wife, Joan, children Bill, Dennis, Karen, Korin, Debra, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

William Bierbower's Fire Service

Mr. Bierbower was a 40 plus year member of the Department.

For several years he was lauded for responding to the most calls in the Department. He previously served several line officer positions.

William was best known for his humor and light spirits around the fire station, always encouraging the younger members to strive to do their best.

Veteran Fireman Admired by Colleagues

The sign outside the Fairmont-Hahntown fire hall said it all Saturday: "We will miss you Bill."

Veteran fireman William Bierbower died Friday at the fire station. The department was responding to a call when Bierbower, 72, a driver, collapsed. He was rushed to Mercy Jeannette Hospital, where he died in the emergency room of natural causes .

"Bill was always in the top five (volunteers) in the number of fire calls made," said Fairmont-Hahntown Chief Art Bilesimo. "He was one of the most dedicated people I know. A lot of young people looked up to him."

Described as a prankster by colleagues, Bierbower was a big Cleveland Browns football fan, said Tom Heinack, another firefighter. "No one knew why," Heinack said. "I guess we didn't want to ask."

Bierbower, of North Huntingdon Township, spent more than 40 years as a volunteer for Fairmont-Hahntown Volunteer Fire Department and was a former volunteer with Rescue 8 in North Huntingdon. He was a member of the Westmoreland County, Western Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State firemen's associations.

"He would be here at 2 in the morning, if he was needed," Heinack said. "You could always depend on him for something."

"Bill encouraged the younger members to strive to do their best," Bilesimo added.

Bierbower was the third Westmoreland County firefighter this year to die on duty, according to Daniel A. Stevens, of the county's Department of Public Safety. All died of natural causes.

Seven of 10 firemen die of heart attacks, said William P. Ruth, field supervisor for the state Fire Academy, who attended a press conference yesterday at the fire station.

The county coroner's office said Bierbower died of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

It's difficult to replace a fireman with Bierbower's long years of experience, Bilesimo said. "He was calm, he was always ready and prepared," the chief said.

Bierbower is survived his wife, Joan; children, Bill, Dennis, Karen, Korin, Debra and Rebecca, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

By Richard Robbins
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, October 17, 2004

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Fairmont - Hahntown Volunteer Fire Department
890 Rose Street
North Huntingdon, PA 15642

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