ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The new Allentown Fire Academy will soon bear the name of a man who was “instrumental” in training many of the Lehigh Valley’s firefighters.
Allentown Deputy Fire Chief Christian Williams earlier this week urged Allentown City Council to approve a resolution dedicating the Allentown Fire Academy to Christopher Kiskeravage — a measure members unanimously backed.
"He worked hard to provide high-quality training for recruit firefighters so they would have the knowledge and skills to serve their community and keep us all safe.”Deputy Fire Chief Christian Williams
That vote formally approved the academy’s renaming for Kiskeravage, a dedication that’s been planned since the facility opened in August.
Officials from across the Lehigh Valleypaid tribute to the former firefighter, assistant chief and fire commissioner last year. They unofficially dedicated the building to Kiskeravage, which council ratified Wednesday.
A stretch of Lehigh Street outside the academy is also named in Kiskeravage’s honor.
The new facility at 1902 Lehigh St. is a training ground for firefighters from departments throughout the region and is Allentown's first emergency operations center.
It has classroom space for up to 100 people, along with five offices for Allentown Fire Department officials and two offices for staff.
‘He never faltered’
Kiskeravage served in the Allentown Fire Department from 1996 to 2019 before his death last June from “occupational cancer” at 56, Williams told council. His service included 15 years as assistant chief of training.
“These were not easy years,” Williams said. “He worked hard to provide high-quality training for recruit firefighters so they would have the knowledge and skills to serve their community and keep us all safe.
“Chris was instrumental in the development of our fire academy,” Williams said, adding Kiskeravage worked with “a shoestring budget and minimal support.
“He fought hard for equipment and resources to fulfill his mission. He was dealt repeated setbacks,” Williams said. “Yet he persevered. He never faltered.”
“All the people that make up our academy were taught by Chris, shown by Chris and inspired by Chris."Deputy Fire Chief Christian Williams
Kiskeravage did whatever it took to “train the next batch of recruits,” like leading sessions in sleeping quarters or “on the engine floor when necessary,” Williams said.
“And he did it all with a smile,” Williams said.
The new Allentown Fire Academy is “much more than a building,” he said.
“It is made up of people, instructors, firefighters and paramedics, all working and training together to be better public servants,” Williams said.
“All the people that make up our academy were taught by Chris, shown by Chris and inspired by Chris,” Williams said. “We would not have the fire academy we have today without him,” Williams said.
“His passion for fire education and training was unmatched, with his only goal to make the job safer for all those that follow.”
President Joe Biden stopped at the Allentown Fire Academy when he visitedthe Lehigh Valley in January. He called the facility “a first-rate training center.”
