In the presence of then-R.W. Grand Master Robert L. Dluge, Jr., (center), David L. Smith (right) was made a Mason-at-Sight and Thomas A. MacDonald (left) of Muncy Lodge No. 299 received courtesy degrees during the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania's December Quarterly Communication at Elizabethtown. The newly formed Pennsylvania Masonic Emergency Services Degree Team created by the authority of then-R.W. Grand Master Robert L. Dluge, Jr., conferred all three degrees on the two brethren.

Bros. David Smith and Thomas MacDonald, who both are employed in the field of emergency services, are the first brethren to have had their degrees conferred by the Pennsylvania Masonic Emergency Services Degree Team. Bro. Smith is the Director for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Harrisburg and Bro. MacDonald is an Emergency Medical Technician, Watsontown. The PA Masonic Emergency Services Degree Team is made up of brothers who are involved in providing emergency services such as police, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

The conferring Masters of the degree team were: Entered Apprentice Degree, Bro. Robert Avvisato, Jr., St. John's Lodge No. 233, Jenkins Twp.; Fellowcraft Degree, Bro. William Wetzel, Elysburg Lodge No. 414; and Master Mason Degree, Bro. Ralph Slider, Greenleaf Lodge No. 561, Allentown. Guiding for all three degrees and Bible presentation was Bro. John Richards of St. John's Lodge who was also the degree team coordinator.