Dick Yuengling named grand marshal of 70th Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention's parade in Pottsville

POTTSVILLE — Richard “Dick” Yuengling Jr., fifth-generation scion to D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., has been named grand marshal of the 70th Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention parade, officials announced.

Yuengling, owner and CEO of the oldest brewery in America, will ride in an open car at the head of the parade through the city at 2 p.m. May 11, Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. said.

The parade, the finale of a week of convention events, will have eight bands, several floats and 136 pieces of firefighting apparatus, the chief said.

Starting at 18th and Market streets, it will follow a route to Third Street, Laurel Boulevard and conclude at Centre and East Norwegian streets.

The parade falls on a Saturday, when several other events are planned in Pottsville.

A Reading & Northern Railroad excursion is coming to town; there’s a Pottsville outdoor market; and the dedication of a Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission marker outside Arrow Studios & Events is on North Centre Street.

Members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band are scheduled to play at the 10 a.m. marker dedication honoring Pottsville native Allan Jaffe, a founder of the New Orleans-based band.

“It’s going to be a great day in Pottsville,” Misstishin predicted.

The convention comes as Pottsville’s fire department is celebrating its 195th anniversary — it was formed in 1829, the same year as Yuengling brewery.

Misstishin, 68, in his sixth year as chief, is the eighth in a succession of fire chiefs that began in 1907.

The only paid firefighter in Schuylkill County, Misstishin oversees a department of seven volunteer fire companies.

Each fire company appointed 15 of its members to make up the convention planning committee.

Misstishin and Jack Messner of West End Hose Company co-chair the committee. Gary Witmier, vice president and engineer of Good Intent Fire Company, is treasurer. Steve Karinch, of Phoenix Fire Company, the city’s assistant fire chief, is secretary.

Witmier, 73, a member of Good Intent for 53 years, said the committee raised $40,000 to underwrite the convention.

On duty Thursday afternoon at Good Intent, Witmier reflected on a career that started when he was 20 years old.

He began driving a 1958 Oren pumper, a stick shift with no power steering, Witmier said. Now, more than a half-century later, he drives a 2008 KME pumper he describes as a “Cadillac” compared to the Oren.

The sophistication of the equipment and advanced training in firefighting techniques have changed dramatically during his tenure, according to Witmier.

“Our people are very aggressive in fighting a fire,” he said, “and we have a great chief to give us direction.”

The department began in 1929 with the formation of the Humane Hose Company and the Schuylkill Hydraulians Engine Company. They were followed by Good Intent in 1846 and American Hose in 1848.

Good Will was organized in 1882, West End in 1910 and Yorkville in 1892.

“With Pottsville’s swift industrialization and growth,” Misstishin said, “fire protection was urgently needed for this young, prosperous community.”

In the 21st century, the chief said, there have been advancements in training, technology and hazardous materials handling.

The convention kicks off with a memorial service at 6 p.m. Sunday in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. In procession from American Hose Company, firefighters will pass under American flags draped from aerial ladder trucks on Mahantongo Street.

Training night is Monday at the Majestic Theater, and Delegates Night is Wednesday at Arrow Studio & Events.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Mug Night, firefighters will participate in a dedication ceremony at Discovery Park, Third and Market streets, prior to gathering at Humane Fire Company.