The firefighters of Station 17 in Kidder Township are real pros at fighting fires and they are getting to be pros at fire parades as well.

For several years now the Lake Harmony Fire Company has brought home a firetruck load of first place trophies at township parades and state conventions.For 2013 Lake Harmony was awarded 32 trophies. Of those, 28 were first place honors."The season runs from spring through fall" said Fire Chief Ralph Lennon. "We typically attend six parades, two of which are the much larger Pennsylvania and New Jersey Firefighters Conventions."The fire company budgets a small amount of money each year for the cost of attending the events."Typically we only stay overnight at the conventions," said Lennon."The Pennsylvania state convention, which was in West Chester this year, had about 400 pieces of equipment on display. The N.J. convention, which is typically held in Wildwood in September, had about 150 pieces," said Lennon."I believe that fire companies have an obligation to maintain their equipment and keep it clean," Lennon explained. "Well maintained equipment retains its resale value."Seeing the fruit of their labor instills a sense of pride in the firefighters" Lennon went on to say."They also learn where all of the equipment belongs, and how to properly maintain and use it."There are two other fire companies in Kidder Township, Kidder Volunteer Company No. 1 and Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company. When Lake Harmony is out of the area, the other companies cover through mutual aid.