FIRE chief remembered
McDonald fire Chief Scott Albertini
Outside the McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, flags are hanging at half-staff and a wreath and ribbon are displayed in memory of Albertini.
McDonald Fire Department
Neither Jay Turner nor Doug Baird could believe it when they heard the news Tuesday their longtime friend and comrade in the fire service was killed in an accident while working at a site in West Virginia.
Scott Albertini, McDonald fire chief, was killed when a tank he was working on exploded at the Midland Resource Recovery site in Philippi, W.Va., Tuesday morning. Albertini, 53, was working for Canton Township-based Specialized Professional Services Inc. at a site where two people were killed in a May 24 explosion.
A spokeswoman for Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed an investigation into the explosion.
The department can take as long as six months to complete the investigation and release findings.
“A hazardous material crew was working to flush and depressurize a chemical tank” when the explosion occurred about 10 a.m., said Lt. Michael Baylous, public information officer for West Virginia State Police.
Turner is chief of Mt. Pleasant (Hickory) Volunteer Fire Department, while Baird is chief of Midway Volunteer Fire Department.
Those two departments, along with McDonald, make up Fort Cherry Fire District, a unit Baird said Albertini was instrumental in forming about 25 years ago to serve the residents of Mt. Pleasant and Robinson townships and McDonald and Midway boroughs.
Albertini was a member of his fire department for 35 years and was in his fourth year as chief.
“I got a call from Bobby Wasik,” Turner said of the McDonald firefighter whose son is married to one of Albertini’s daughters. “I couldn’t believe it. It just didn’t register with me at first.”
Turner said he was still a Bridgeville firefighter when he first met Albertini in the 1980s. Turner moved to Hickory and joined the Mt. Pleasant department in about 1983.
“He was well known for his energy and was a go-getter,” Turner said of his friend. “He was always there to help anyone.”
Turner said Albertini was a dedicated family man, as well as being dedicated to the fire service.
“He was very safety conscious,” Turner said. “He would teach classes, not only for local departments in the county, but in Allegheny County. He wanted the firefighters to be trained well.”
Turner said his own son worked with Albertini for several years at SPSI.
“I don’t think this all has sunk in yet,” Turner said. “It will be difficult not having him around, not hearing him on the radio.”
Baird said he was shocked to learn of his friend’s death.
“It was unbelievable. We had been friends for more than 30 years, both in and out of the fire service,” Baird said. “He was a great, caring person.”
Baird said the last time he saw Albertini was over the weekend when the two departments responded together on a call.
“He was going to see one of his grandchildren play in a game,” Baird said. “He was a real family man and so proud of his kids and grandkids. I feel so sorry for his family and wife, Carol.”
McDonald police Chief Mark Dorsey said he knew his fellow chief since Albertini joined the fire department.
“We developed a friendship. He was a good man,” Dorsey said. “There were many occasions where we worked right alongside each other. You could not ask for a more faithful, dedicated public servant.”
“He was a life force in our community, as well as the surrounding areas,” he added. “He has always been there and was a helpful hand to me. Scotty was a well-respected firefighter, husband, father and grandfather.”
Dorsey called Albertini an “absolute role model” who will be missed.
Mt. Pleasant police Chief Lou McQuillan said his grandparents and Albertini’s grandmother were friends.
“Everybody knew him,” McQuillan said. “He was just a good guy who was there for anyone. He knew everybody. I am just shocked.”
Funeral arrangements for Albertini are incomplete.
Staff writer Natalie Reid Miller contributed to this report.