Submitted by his family

Vince Germano a forty year veteran firefighter and fire fighting educator died of a massive heart attack at his Derry station on Saturday December 15’th 2007. It is fitting that his spirit forever emboss Engine Forty One‚ for it was his second home‚ his love‚ his passion and his final resting place. Albeit the fireman‚ mentor and friend is no longer with them in body‚ his spirit lives on in the knowledge of fire fighting and safety passed on to the young Derry volunteers that he passionately took under his wing. In time‚ those firemen will to pass on his teachings and so forth and so forth.

Vince was born May 5‚ 1947 to Rose M. and Alphonse V. ‘Harpo’ Germano‚ in Greensburg Pennsylvania‚ and was a life long society member of the Hill Top Club. He grew up hunting and fishing but fly-fishing soon became his favorite past time. He was an avid Fly Fisherman and tyer with many trips logged to his favorite place in the world‚ Yellowstone National Park where he wet many of flies on the Madison River in search of large brown and rainbow trout. Though he proudly served his country‚ a Vietnam Veteran in the United States Air Force‚ his entire life was dedicated to the fire service. He began as a junior fireman in his late teens with the Greensburg Hose number Seven and then with Blairsville and Bolivar Volunteer departments before joining Derry in 1989. He was days from retiring as Fire Marshal for Torrance State Hospital where he worked for twenty-four years‚ but his real passion was for instructing and teaching young firemen. He was certified to instruct (Structure Fire Rescue‚ Advanced Fire Fighting‚ Structural Burn Session‚ Respiratory Protection‚ Flammable Liquid Fire Fighting‚ Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Natural Gas Emergencies‚ Employee Safety and Extinguisher Training‚ Rural Fire Ground Water Movement‚ Instructional Techniques for Company Officers‚ Introduction to Safety and the Training System‚ Delmar Essentials of Fire Fighting‚ Engine Company Operations‚ Introduction to Fire Officership‚ Rapid Intervention Teams‚ Ventilation Practices‚ Industrial Fire Brigade Basic‚ Foam fire Fighting – Technician‚ Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Program‚ Dynamics of Emergency Vehicle Response‚ NIMS an Introduction‚ ICS Orientation‚ NIMS ICS for the Fire Service‚ Tanker Water Supply‚ Resource Accountability Responder‚ Resource Accountability Officer and Introduction to a National Response Plan). Vince’s achievements‚ knowledge and relationships established during his fire service and career will be remembered for many years to come. His family and friends never realized the influence he made on so many lives. He unassumingly went about his service‚ never one to boast of or make conversation of his accomplishments. Always an observer and never desiring any accolades‚ he was a gentle giant with a heart as big as his stature. He was highly regarded and trusted by colleagues when tough decisions had to be made.

Vince is survived by his loving wife Carol‚ sons‚ Scott and Brian and grand children Conner‚ Emma and Caleb. His passion for fire fighting was only out rivaled by the love for his family. Our lives were changed on that cold December afternoon‚ they will never be the same and he will be forever missed.

Submitted by a Firefighter and Friend

Chief Germano’s entire life was dedicated to the fire service. Vince started his Volunteer career at an early age serving Greensburg‚ Blairsville‚ and the Bolivar fire companies before calling the Derry Volunteer Fire company home in October 1989.

Fire Service Education was a love of Vince’s which made him an excellent instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and an outstanding Training Officer for the Derry VFC. Vince used his professional training daily with The Torrance State hospital where he was employed as the Fire Marshal.

In Vince’s little spare time he enjoyed fly fishing the Madison River yearly and fishing the local streams when he did not have family plans.

Vince is survived by his wife Carol‚ two sons Scott and Brian and several grandchildren.

Vince may have been known across Pennsylvania for his leadership and knowledge but I knew him better as a friend that everyone could count on and he will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Just how Vince had done for many years‚ the Officers pass down the knowledge he installed in us to the new members and carry on a tradition that will always honor Vince.