Leaders of merged Aspinwall, Sharpsburg fire departments elected

A Sharpsburg firefighter will take command of the newly merged Aspinwall and Sharpsburg fire departments after winning an election over longtime Aspinwall Fire Chief Gene Marsico to lead the department.

Mike Daniher becomes the inaugural chief of Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services, or SAVES. The deputy chief is J.C. Teyssier.

“I was very humbled that our fellow firefighters chose me to lead the new organization,” Daniher said. “My goal is to continue the great legacy of both the Aspinwall and Sharpsburg volunteer fire departments. Both of these departments have operated for over 150 years, and I just want to continue that legacy.”

Daniher and Teyssier were elected in November.

Daniher served as Sharpsburg’s assistant chief for five years and has been with the department for about 12 years. He also served with Cherry City and Citizens Hose volunteer fire companies as part of his nearly 30-year firefighting career.

Daniher said his relatives inspired him to become a firefighter, including his late grandfather, Michael Foley, who was a battalion chief in Pittsburgh’s fire department.

Daniher’s father, Donald Daniher, was a member of the Cherry City department.

“It’s just kind of in our blood,” the newly elected chief said. His daughter, Jean Daniher, also is a member of SAVES.

SAVES members are counting on Marsico having at least “a few good years left” as he was elected on Dec. 12 as assistant chief of the Aspinwall station.

Marsico was among the original group pushing for the merger, which both borough departments have worked on for nearly two years.

He shared a letter on his Facebook page about the SAVES election and thanked everyone for allowing him to serve as fire chief since 2005.

Marsico encouraged people to support Daniher and Teyssier as they start their new leadership roles Jan. 1.

“I’m not retiring,” Marsico said. “I’m still going to answer fire calls, and I still love the fire department. I still got a few good years left in me. It’s just progression: new fire department (and) new elections.”

Before he was Aspinwall’s fire chief, he served as its assistant chief for 15 years.

Marsico’s volunteer career spans about 40 years.

He said he fell in love with becoming a firefighter as a young boy growing up in Aspinwall.

“I was on Second Street and could look out my backyard and see the fire station,” Marsico said. “I love it.”

Aspinwall Councilman Jeff Harris commended Marsico for his service and was glad to hear he will remain an active member.

“He has given tremendously to our community as our chief for the past 18 years, even more as a fireman,” Harris said. “We appreciate all members for their volunteer service to our community.”

Teyssier served as Aspinwall’s assistant chief since mid-2015 and has been a firefighter with the department for about 27 years.

He also was a firefighter in Horry County in South Carolina for two years.

“I’m just excited to have a new organization move forward to better our services for the area,” Teyssier said.

“I just always wanted to do it,” Teyssier said about being a firefighter. “Growing up, I thought it was really interesting. I just enjoy helping, the team aspect, the camaraderie, having one big family and helping the area. I enjoy the training and being able to better myself in situations. I’ve never lost interest.”

He likened SAVES to a big family. It has 35 active members who can use both the Aspinwall and Sharpsburg stations.

“It’s nice to now have one full department here. We’re always training together, having our meetings together, staffing the station together. I think it’s bringing a bigger family together and benefits the communities more with better response times and more manpower.”

Assistant chiefs, captains and lieutenants for the Aspinwall and Sharpsburg stations were elected Dec. 12.

In addition to Marsico serving as assistant chief of the Aspinwall station, Robert French Jr. was named its captain and David May its lieutenant.

Sharpsburg’s fire chief, Lou Costanzo, was elected its station’s assistant chief. Frank Bagnato Jr. will be captain and Taylor Pezce its lieutenant.

They were elected to a two-year term starting Jan. 1.

The department’s corporate officers were elected to a one-year term Dec. 13. They are Dennis Lane, president; Nicholas Scheid, vice president; Patrick Glen Rockhill, secretary; Kathy Mercer, treasurer; and Eric Edmondston, fiscal officer.