A winter storm that entered South Western PA on Friday afternoon dropped close to 21 inches of snow and ice on the Smithton Area.   Members from Station 17(Smithton) and surrounding areas were busy for 48 + hours trying to keep up with emergency calls due to deteriorating weather conditions. 

The action began for Station 17 at 19:19 for wires down across the road way on Fourth street in the Borough.  As more snow and ice fell, calls continued to come in to Westmoreland County's dispatch center and in to Station 17. 

The heavy snow fall and the loss of power to Borough homes early in to Saturday morning forced the Emergency Management Coordinator Tom Haynes and Smithton Mayor to declare a State of Emergency for the Borough.

By mid afternoon on Saturday,  power was still out for all of Smithton Borough and weather reports predicted sub 10 degree temperature over night.  Station 17 was set up as a Warming Center as members spread throughout the town and went door to door checking on the welfare of each resident in the Borough.  Members made residence aware of the Warming Center, checked for any special needs and informed them of any storm updates.

Power was restored to the Borough that night but members kept the Warming Center open for surrounding Smithton citizens.

With in a 48 hour period, Station 17's members responded to 43 incidents in Smithton Borough and South Huntingdon Township.