PITTSTON — It’s not often Pittston City firemen, police and EMTs departments get together, unless an unfortunate disaster has occurred, but on Nov. 4, all three departments gathered for a fun event — the annual Emergency Services Ball at St. Joseph Marello Hall.

The ball was created in the mid-1980s to promote camaraderie and fellowship among members of the emergency services community.

“We bring all three branches of the emergency services together, fire, police, and ambulance, so it’s a really nice night and we invite the community to join in the party,” said Sarah Donahue, special events coordinator for the City of Pittston.

Approximately 85 members of the service departments, along with city officials and members of the community enjoyed an evening filled with food, fun and music provided by Pittston’s own, Flaxy Morgan.

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Earlier in the evening, a check was presented to the owners of Maxwell’s House, an animal grooming and boarding home located in Pittston. The donation to Maxwell’s House was made in gratitude for free services provided throughout the years. Maxwell’s House has donated its services for animals rescued or found by any of the emergency services departments.

“Every year, the ball committee likes to donate to a different cause or group in the community and Maxwell’s House has been really helpful to the emergency services since they’ve opened in 2014 and they’ve come out on different emergencies and helped animals in need,” Donahue said. “They are a really great business in town and they’ve been really helpful to the emergency services.”

“We are totally shocked and honored for the award,” said Liz Nayavich, co-owner of Maxwell’s House. “It’s never anything we would do to gain anything from it; we are a business, but we also do as much as we can to help rescue dogs and we always want to do whatever we can to help give back and help them. We are just happy to give back to them (emergency services) for all they do for us.”

Pittston’s Fire Chief James Rooney has been a public servant of the city for 41 years and has attempted to attend the yearly ball celebrating emergency services since the mid-80s.

“It’s camaraderie; you get to have fun and party with your brothers that serve,” Rooney said. “We get to be with the police, fire and ambulance all under one roof and it gives us a chance to let our hair down. Usually out in the field when we all get together, it’s not a good circumstance.”

Donahue thanked Ron Faraday, president of the Greater Pittston Historical Society, who donated many photos of the City of Pittston’s emergency services over the past decades that were used for a slideshow that replaced a program booklet.

Members of Maxwell’s House are shown with Det. Sgt. Neil Murphy accepting a donation from the City of Pittston for free services they provide when any member of the emerency services personnel find a stray or rescued dog. From left, are Stevi Nayavich, Murphy, Liz Nayavich and Dave Nayavich.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Ball1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of Maxwell’s House are shown with Det. Sgt. Neil Murphy accepting a donation from the City of Pittston for free services they provide when any member of the emerency services personnel find a stray or rescued dog. From left, are Stevi Nayavich, Murphy, Liz Nayavich and Dave Nayavich. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Greater Pittston Ambulance Chief Ed Szafran, Police Detective Sergeant Neil Murphy and Fire Chief James Rooney. Absent at the time of the photo was Pittston Police Chief Robert Powers.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Ball2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgGreater Pittston Ambulance Chief Ed Szafran, Police Detective Sergeant Neil Murphy and Fire Chief James Rooney. Absent at the time of the photo was Pittston Police Chief Robert Powers. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Members of the Emergency Services Ball Committee are, from left, Billy Curry, Dion Fernandes, Kyle Shumosic, Sarah Donahue, James Rooney, Mike Lombardo, Neil Murphy, Sam DeSimone.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Ball3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of the Emergency Services Ball Committee are, from left, Billy Curry, Dion Fernandes, Kyle Shumosic, Sarah Donahue, James Rooney, Mike Lombardo, Neil Murphy, Sam DeSimone. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston City Emergency Services Ball was held at St. Joseph Marello Hall with members of the police, fire and ambulance departments gathering for a night of fun and dancing.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Ball4-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston City Emergency Services Ball was held at St. Joseph Marello Hall with members of the police, fire and ambulance departments gathering for a night of fun and dancing. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston City police in attendance are, from left, Sam DeSimone, Billy Curry, Neil Murphy, Pittston City Mayor Jason Klush, Dion Fernandes, Kyle Shumosic, Chad Jacobs.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Ball5-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston City police in attendance are, from left, Sam DeSimone, Billy Curry, Neil Murphy, Pittston City Mayor Jason Klush, Dion Fernandes, Kyle Shumosic, Chad Jacobs. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Emergency services personnel gather for good time

By Tony Callaio

For Sunday Dispatch

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.