7 minute read
Command Fire App
VENDOR
SPOTLIGHT
PENNSYLVANIA
RAINMAN14 Firefighters operate outside the house as crews made the push to extinguish fire in the attic.
Firefighters Respond to House Fire in Muhlenberg Twp.
Muhlenberg Twp., PA - On June 12th at 2:52 P.M., Muhlenberg Twp. Fire Rescue, Laureldale Engine 13, Township of Spring Rescue 85 for RIT and Muhlenberg EMS were dispatched to 4111 6th Avenue in Muhlenberg Twp. for a reported structure fire.
Berks DES notified responding crews the additional that a carport attached to the house was on fire. Captain 66 arrived within minutes and found heavy fire showing from the rear of a house. After declaring a working fire, Captain 66 took command and requested the first-in engine to lay into the scene. Captain 66 stated that everyone was reported out of the house.
Engine 66 laid in from the hydrant at S. Temple Blvd. and 6th Ave. As crews stretched lines to the rear of the house, Engine 13 connected the five-inch line to the hydrant and supplied Engine 66. Shortly after arrival crews had two lines in service knocking down the fire. Both Leesport and West Reading’s Rescues were dispatched to the scene as cover units.
As additional manpower ar
JUMP TO FILE #062020102
rived, crews began searches and stretched an additional line to take inside the house. Firefighters found the fire made it into the house and began shooting out of the eaves on the 'Delta' side. Crews brought the line up to the second floor where the line was charged. Crews were able to knock down the fire in the cockloft area as firefighters on the roof began vertical ventilation.
FM 66 was requested to the scene to investigate. The fire was placed under control with overhaul at 3:32 P.M. Firefighters continued to work for over 30 minutes before command started releasing units.
This incident was the first working structure fire in Muhlenberg Twp. since the merger of the Goodwill Fire Co. and Temple Fire Co. to form a new department, Muhlenberg Twp. Fire Rescue.
- LUCAS RICHARDSON
Vacuum Units Deserve A Serious Look
The universal challenge to Fire Departments today remains - adequate personnel and water for fire extinguishment. This is especially true in non-hydrant areas. Departments are fast discovering the savings in personnel, equipment and time with Firovac™ vacuum fire apparatus. The vacuum system works by air movement (like a primer pump), drafting water into the tank at 1,000-1,500 GPM. Discharging water out of the tank under pressure results in a complete empty and ISO rating of “zero” (no deduction for water left in tank). Loss of prime is not a problem in self-loading and freezing is greatly reduced as no water goes through the vacuum system. Versatility in self-loading from long hose lays up to 180’ and vertical lifts up to 28’ is can result in securing water from nearby water sources thereby saving valuable time driving to a hydrant. They can do anything a non-vacuum unit can but go beyond to new evolutions of speed and versatility. Firovac™ did not set out just to make another fire truck. A local Department noticed how efficiently and easily vacuum units could supply water, which resulted in a “better way” as discovered by firefighters in hands on situations. Designed specifically for fire service use, they “fit in” any water shuttle system even enhancing it by self-loading from its own water source. They can also increase the flow rate of a hydrant or supply source by running an extra line to a portable tank a safe distance away for the vacuum units to self-load from the portable tank. The units are built to meet each specific Department’s needs.They can be constructed as a tanker/tender, tanker/pumper, pumper/tanker, rescue/pumper/tanker or wildland unit with features like any other unit. They have nurse, pump and roll, and pump and dump capability. Items like fire pumps, foam, hose reels, bumper turrets, deck guns, large volume floating and transfer strainers and power fold down brackets capable of containing two tanks are available. The advantages of vacuum units are obvious. Superior fill and flow rates using less tankers and less people means more people on the fireground fighting the fire, less equipment means cheaper maintenance and more equipment on the fire ground, the fill pumper now becomes the backup pumper on the scene, A win-win situation. Vacuum units deserve a serious look. www.firovac.com
FIROVAC
Submitting photos and press releases is EASY! Register at www.1rbn.com to begin posting directly. Prefer emails? Email your press release and photos directly to Lindsey@1strespondernews.com
New York Rescues (3)
VIDEO REVIEW
Video reviews by John Malecky
New York Rescues (3) 5 DVD Set
By Advanced Print & Video
Available from:
FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street
Hudson, MA -01749-1330 1-800-522-8528
E-mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire.police.ems.com
Price: $69.95
This is the third disk of the set of five and features Rescue 3, which covers the Bronx and three
Get your personal copy of
The PA Edition
Name:______________________ Telephone:___________________ Address:____________________ City: ______________________ State:_____ Zip: _____________ __ $36 for one year subscription __ $60 for two year subscription
PAYMENT METHOD
__ Check __ Money Order __ Charge card
Card # _____________________ Exp:____________ Signature ___________________
Send payment to:
1 ST R ESPONDER N EWSPAPER 1 ARDMORE STREET NEW WINDSOR, NY 12553
Amount enclosed: ______
For Credit Card Orders: just fax this to (845) 534-0055 or subscribe online at www.1RBN.com
battalions in Manhattan. Like the other two previously reviewed, it is 60 minutes in length and starts off with the same introduction sung by Fontana Bass. A second brief presentation follows, featuring fires of the past. At this point the viewer may think that he or she has the wrong disk, but low and behold it eventually gets to Rescue 3 footage.
Unlike the first two disks where a member of the company introduces himself and orients the viewer about the responsibilities of the rescue unit, this disk does not have a formal introduction. You will see fires and collapses that the company responded to during 1998 and 1999, and see a training session on the search cam which is a long instrument used to be inserted within a collapse area to search for life and other conditions. Also is a tour of the inventory of the collapse unit, which is the second section of Rescue 3 which is a tractor-drawn vehicle.
One of the collapses is in lower Manhattan involving a parking garage in which some 50 cars were destroyed. Heavy equipment was brought in to retrieve the cars and each had to be searched for possible casualties or fatalities. A second collapse of the building under repairs is featured. There is an explanation about the symbols on vacant buildings for instance and what each signifies to the Fire Department regarding entry or non-entry. The fire scenes include a multi-storied brick dwelling which appears to be vacant and has heavy fire through the roof but nothing showing on the lower floors.
Other fires include a commercial business which actually burned twice within two months, an auto repair shop and other major fires. Radio transmissions can be heard and there is a brief announcement of when the incident was, where it was and what is involved.
The next disk will feature Rescue Company 4.
DALE FEEHRER Garbage Truck Troubles in Mt. Joy Twp.
Mt. Joy Twp., PA - Shortly before 1:00 P.M. on Monday afternoon, May 18th, crews were called to Mt. Joy Township for a vehicle fire. Arriving units discovered a large pile of garbage burning that was expelled out of the back of the truck. The garbage truck operator noticed the garbage burning and quickly pulled into a secluded parking lot of an apartment complex and smartly pushed the burning contents out of the truck. Members of the Rheems FD extinguished a majority of the pile, and one engine from Elizabethtown was called in to assist with hot spots. Crews operated for about an hour before control was marked.
