1st Responder PA May Edition

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MAY, 2017

FIRE RIPS THROUGH GILBERTON HOUSE DISPLACING OCCUPANTS

J. KRIESHER

Schuylkill County, PA – At 2:01 A.M. on Monday, March 6th, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 sent the firstalarm to 14 Draper Street in Gilberton for a house fire. Marshal 44 arrived on the scene shortly after the dispatch and confirmed a working fire, with smoke showing from a two-and-a-half story, single-family dwelling.

- See full story on page 50

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May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

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Philadelphia, PA - On March 11th at 9:30 A.M., a fire was reported at 6200 Arch Street. Crews arrived and found heavy smoke and fire showing and a second-alarm was struck as the fire continued to grow.

Crews went defensive early on as the building started to come down. Firefighters worked to prevent the fire from extending to row homes that were right next to the fire building. Crews found homes on 62nd Street that sustained water and smoke damage, which led to the Red Cross being called in to help about 20 displaced residents seek

28

23

Glick Fire Equipment

Philly Firefighters Battle Third-Alarm Fire

43

Fire Flow Services

ROMAN ISARYK JR.

SHANE SHIFFLETT

JUMP TO FILE #031217103 shelter.

Firefighters battled this fire for three hours before it was declared under control, with cold temperatures and strong winds hampering their efforts. Crews remained on scene for several hours more to hit hot spots. No one was injured and the cause of what started the fire is under investigation.

- ROMAN ISARYK

19

27

63 3

11

42

15

32

61

CORPORATE INFORMATION

1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Pennsylvania edition - Vol. 21 No. 5 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $36 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or errors must be A division of: brought to the attention of the newspaper during the s a m e month of publication.

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SHANE SHIFFLETT

Crews from Chambersburg Respond to Chimney Fire Chambersburg, PA - Chambersburg Fire was alerted to 1516 Wilson Avenue on February 28th just before noon for reports of a chimney fire. Engine 1-2 and Truck 1 arrived to find a two-story, single-family home with smoke showing from the front door and fire coming from the top of the chimney. The homeowner stated that he had a fire going the night before and awoke to a barking dog and smoke throughout the house. Crews quickly investigated all floors and found a fire in an open fireplace with no extension into the walls on any floor. Truck 1 operations were conducted for approximately one hour.

ROMAN ISARYK JR.

Strong winds caused the smoke to blow, creating visibility issues and hampering fire fighting efforts.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

TERRY RITZ

Trash Fire Causes Shed Fire in Upper Hanover Twp. Upper Hanover Twp., PA - On Sunday, March 26th at 12:17 P.M., the East Greenville Fire Co. was dispatched to a trash fire on Gravel Pike in Upper Hanover Township. Upon arrival, crews had two sheds that were on fire, caused by a trash fire that was being fed by a stiff breeze towards the sheds. There were no injuries, but both sheds were a total loss and so were some of the contents. The property owner had removed some of the contents before the fire company arrived. Assisting the fire company were the Pennsburg Fire Co. and Pennsburg Fire Police.

J. KRIESHER

A man died after his car left the roadway and struck a tree while traveling on Burma Road, between Mahanoy City and Saint Clair.

Man Dies in Ryan Township Car Crash Schuylkill County, PA – At approximately 1:30 P.M. on Monday, April 3rd, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched Fire Districts 26 (Ryan Twp.), 6 (Delano Twp.), 25 (Rush Twp. – Hometown) with Mahanoy City Engine 454 (Citizens), Ryan Twp. EMS and APTS Medic 11 to the area of 2086 Burma Road in Ryan Township for a reported motor vehicle accident with entrapment.

First responding units were advised that callers were reporting a two-vehicle crash with entrapment and one person possibly deceased in a vehicle. Mahanoy City EMS was added to the call due to the seriousness of the incident. Mahanoy City Rescue 469 (West End) was also added as they were returning from a previous incident.

JUMP TO FILE #040517131 Chief 455 arrived on the scene to find one heavily damaged vehicle off the roadway. The chief reported that there was one person in that vehicle who was deceased, but not trapped. No other injuries were reported.

Bystanders on the scene stated that the vehicle attempted to pass multiple vehicles while heading toward Saint Clair and lost control, hitting another vehicle before striking a tree and then rolling over.

Most of the roof was ripped off the car and laying in the middle of the Burma. A pick-up truck along the road could be seen with damage to the driver’s side door and a smashed

window.

Deputy Coroner Dave Truskowsky arrived on the scene as well as the Pennsylvania State Police, who both began their investigation. Chief 26 requested that Hometown Fire Police shut down the roadway near Mountain Valley Golf Course and also requested for Saint Clair Fire to shut down the roadway in their borough, as he believed PSP was going to reconstruct the accident.

With no need for fire department personnel, Engines 454 and 26-10 cleared the scene and left fire police in the area to keep the roadway shut down, which was closed well into the evening hours as the investigation continued.

- JC KRIESHER

STILL IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our “Still in Service” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

NIK KNAUER

Firefighters and Police Officers from Reading and Allentown pose together after the 12th annual "Battle of the Badge" hockey game in Reading.

Reading Battles Allentown at Charitable Inter-City Hockey Game Reading, PA - The 12th annual "Battle of the Badge" charity hockey event switched things up this year by making the game an inter-city challenge. On March 5th, players from Reading Fire and Police teamed up against a joint team from the City of Allentown. The event was a great success, raising money for a scholarship program for children of police officers and firefighters. Reading trumped the Allentown team, 7-6.

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

The Liberty Fire Company of Schuykill Haven, Schuylkill County, still operates this 1980 Mack CF/1991 Larry O. Taylor/2010 Swab engine. Wagon 736 is ex-FDNY Engine 50, and has a 1000 pump and 500 water.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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May, 2017

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In memory of those who gave all

1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty

Texas: William ‘Iron Bill’ Dowling, 43 Rank: Captain Incident Date: May 31, 2013 Death Date: March 7, 2017 Fire Department:Houston Fire Department Initial Summary: Captain William ‘Iron Bill’ Dowling passed away on March 7, 2017, from complications of the severe injuries suffered in the Southwest Inn fire on May 31, 2013, that killed four other Houston firefighters and seriously injured many more. The Southwest Inn fire is considered the deadliest day in Houston Fire Department history. In a statement, the Houston Fire Department said of Captain Dowling that “the incredible strength and bravery he showed as he and his family rebuilt his life – and theirs – after his injuries inspired us all. Please keep the Dowling family and all of the men and women of our fire department in your prayers.”

Pennsylvania: Dennis DeVoe, 45 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: March 10, 2017 Death Date: March 11, 2017 Fire Department: Harrisburg Bureau of Fire Initial Summary: Lieutenant Dennis DeVoe died from injuries sustained while responding to a multiple alarm row house fire which had confirmed civilian entrapment. DeVoe’s privately owned vehicle was struck on the passenger side at a controlled intersection by a stolen vehicle, reportedly being operated by an intoxicated 19 year-old female who failed to stop. According to reports, the force of the accident sent Lt. DeVoe’s vehicle through a fence and into a parking lot. The driver of the stolen vehicle who fled the scene was arrested later at the hospital by law enforcement.

Mississippi: Clinton Alvin Beasley, 80 Rank: Deputy Chief Incident Date: March 15, 2017 Death Date: March 15, 2017 Fire Department: Sumrall Volunteer Fire Department

Initial Summary: Deputy Chief Clinton Alvin Beasley and Firefighter Loretta Ann Sykes were directing traffic at the scene where a dump truck got tangled in power lines at Mississippi 589 and Oloh Road (Lamar County, MS) when they were struck by a hit-and-run driver. Both Beasley and Sykes passed away at the scene from injuries sustained when hit. The driver of the vehicle was later apprehended by Lamar County law enforcement.

Mississippi: Loretta Ann Sykes, 53 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: March 15, 2017 Death Date: March 15, 2017 Fire Department: Sumrall Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: Deputy Chief Clinton Alvin Beasley and Firefighter Loretta Ann Sykes were directing traffic at the scene where a dump truck got tangled in power lines at Mississippi 589 and Oloh Road (Lamar County, MS) when they were struck by a hit-and-run driver. Both Beasley and Sykes passed away at the scene from injuries sustained when hit. The driver of the vehicle was later apprehended by Lamar County law enforcement.

New York: Yadira Arroyo, 44 Rank: EMT Incident Date: March 16, 2017 Death Date: March 16, 2017 Fire Department: FDNY EMS Station House 26 Initial Summary: FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo, 44, was assigned to Station 26 in the Bronx and bravely served the Department for 14 years. EMT Arroyo was critically injured while responding to a medical call in the Bronx when an individual seized control of her ambulance and struck her. She was transported to Jacobi Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries. She is the 8th member of FDNY EMS to die in the line of duty, and the 1146th member of the Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice while serving our city.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

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May, 2017

BOB DEVONSHIRE

Flames Engulf Car in Eden Twp.

Eden Twp., PA - Quarryville firefighters responded to the 1200 block of May Post Office Rd. at 8:44 P.M. on March 1st for a working car fire. The Volkswagen had heavy fire in the engine compartment and passenger area when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters pulled a bumper line off of Rescue 57 and made quick work of the fire while Tanker 57 backed up the Rescue with supply line. Crews cleared the scene shortly after 9:15 P.M.

CURTIS BRYAN

Fayetteville Responds for Working Vehicle Fire in Guilford Twp. Guilford Twp., PA - On the afternoon of March 9th, Franklin County 911 took several calls reporting a vehicle fire on Lincoln Way East in Guilford Township.

Fayetteville Fire & EMS was alerted on Box 7-1 at 2:37 P.M. to respond to the incident, reported to be in the parking lot of a "Hobby Lobby" store at 1695 Lincoln Way East.

Engine 7-1 and Ambulance 7-8 were quick to respond that afternoon, within a matter of minutes after dispatch. Franklin dispatch advised Engine 7-1 that they had numerous reports of a passenger car fully involved in the parking

JUMP TO FILE #031017133 lot of Hobby Lobby. Firefighters on Engine 7-1 knew they had a working fire, as they could see a column of smoke as they approached the store.

Engine 7-1 arrived to find a four-door car with the front of the vehicle engulfed in flames. They marked on the scene, confirming that they had a working vehicle fire. Firefighters quickly pulled the attack hose line and went to work as Engine 7-2 was responding to the scene with additional help.

Firefighters on Engine 7-1 were able to conduct a rapid knock down of the blaze after just a few minutes of their arrival on the scene. Crews had the fire extinguished by 2:43 P.M. as Engine 72 arrived on the scene to assist.

Firefighters from Company 7 were committed for a short duration as they checked for hot spots and wrapped up their equipment.

Franklin Station 4 was alerted to the call to assist with their squad, but was placed in-service once Engine 7-1’s crew had the fire knocked.

- WILLIAM KING

ANTIQUE APPARATUS

If you have photos for Antique Apparatus please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

NIK KNAUER

Paramedic Promoted to Lieutenant

Reading, PA - Congratulations to Reading Paramedic Kirk Litzenberger on his recent promotion to Lieutenant. Kirk was hired by the department on July 8th of 2007 to fill a vacant EMS position, in which he was assigned to Medic 2 on the "D" platoon. In February of 2010, Paramedic Litzenberger transferred to the "A" platoon and took a position on Medic 3. Lieutenant Litzenberger began his new job in the Fire Marshal's Office on February 1st.

Vera Cruz Fire Company still owns their 1962 GMC/Carmar 750/800 Pumper.

FRANK ROBINSON

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May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

Snow Squall Creates Massive Pile-Up in Schuylkill County Schuylkill County, PA – At 3:35 P.M. on Friday, March 3rd, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched Fire Districts 6 (Delano Twp.,), 26 (Ryan Twp.) and 49 (McAdoo) to Interstate 81, in the area of mile marker 135 northbound, for a motor vehicle accident involving multiple vehicles.

Additional calls were reporting multiple vehicles involved with possible entrapment. First responding units were advised that 9-1-1 was now receiving reports of up to 30 vehicles involved with entrapment; units were advised to anticipate a Mass Casualty Incident.

Units from Mahanoy City (West End Rescue 993 and Engine 454) were added, along with rescue units from Hazle Twp. (Luzerne County). McAdoo EMS, Ryan Township EMS, Mahanoy City EMS and APTS Medic 11 were also sent to the scene.

As crews approached the scene from the Delano side, they found an extensive backlog that was delaying their arrival.

McAdoo units found that traffic was no longer moving northbound, so they began to crossover and travel in the opposite direction on the Interstate.

Crews arrived to find over three dozen vehicles involved in the accident. Vehicles were facing in all directions, with some on the roadway and some down the embankment, many with severe damage. Rapid assessment discovered entrapment and one person in traumatic arrest. An aeromedical helicopter was placed on standby due to the severity of some injuries.

Apparatus began to arrive on the scene and multiple units pulled their rescue tools and began to work on extrication. One patient was rapidly extricated from the wreckage and transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton.

EMS crews continued to triage the patients and determined the need for a transport to a trauma center. A helicopter was requested to the scene and was directed to land on the Interstate. Lehigh Valley MedEvac 4 landed on the Interstate and transported one patient to a trauma center. EMS command also requested a second helicopter, bringing MedEvac 7 to the scene as well.

Crews from APTS, McAdoo, Sugarloaf, West Hazleton and Mahanoy City transported multiple patients to local hospitals, as personnel from Ryan Township, Shenandoah and Pottsville evaluated the remaining patients. Many people escaped the crash unharmed, but their vehicles were disabled on the scene. A bus was requested to transport the remaining occupants to a nearby hotel.

Multiple units from the Pennsylvania State Police were on the scene investigating the crash and

www.1rbn.com

JUMP TO FILE #040617122 began to reconstruct it while tow trucks started to line the sides of the roadway on both the north and southbound sides.

Schuylkill County EMA was requested to respond with their Incident Support Vehicle to set up a command post on the Interstate while reconstructing the crash and beginning to remove the vehicles.

In total, 37 vehicles were involved in the crash and 18 people suffered injuries, including one person who was killed. An additional 23 people were transported from the scene, but were uninjured. It is believed that the crash was caused by a severe snow squall moving through the area. The Interstate was re-opened during the overnight hours.

- JC KRIESHER

J. KRIESHER

A total of 37 vehicles were involved in this MVA as a snow squall passed over Interstate 81, south of McAdoo. Multiple people were injured, including one person who was killed.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

HE HE ER ERO ROES RO OES ES INK INK

1st Responder Newspaper er features EMERGENCY SERVICES RELA ATED TATTOOS

DENNIS WETHERHOLD JR.

Firefighters make an initial attack on the fully-involved dwelling fire at the old Rockdale Hotel in North Whitehall Township.

Old Rockdale Hotel Burns in North Whitehall North Whitehall Twp., PA Firefighters from North Whitehall and Lehigh Townships were dispatched around 7:00 P.M. on February 14th to the 1800 Block of Rockdale Road for a reported JUMP TO FILE# house fire.

The Lehigh 030517116 County 9-1-1 Center advised that one call came in from a female resident reporting a house on fire. The 9-1-1 Center also reported that numerous calls from Route 145 were reporting flames showing. With the additional information, Laury's Station Assistant Chief Chris Greb ordered a second-alarm be struck.

Neffs Fire Chief Jim Steward would arrive first on the scene and advise of a well-involved building fire. The location was the former Rockdale Hotel, which was turned into a large dwelling.

The chief advised the 9-1-1 Center that one person was still inside the residence. The male resident went back inside the dwelling to rescue a dog. Chief Steward was able to make it inside and removed the male from the house with no serious injuries.

Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, tankers had to be called in to bring water to the fire. In all, tankers responded from Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties to assist with the fire. Due to the length of tankers coming to the scene and fill site locations, multiple tankers had to be used. It would take firefighters hours to bring the fire under control.

- DENNIS WETHERHOLD, JR.

Paul Collareta is a firefighter with Nesconset Fire Rescue, located in Suffolk County, NY. After completing his time as a probationary firefighter, Paul decided to get this tattoo to represent his fire department, his shield #572 and most importantly, his dedication to the fire service.

Would you like your emergency services related tattoo featured here? Contact Lindsey at

Lindsey@1strespondernews.com

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Firefighters make an initial attack on a fully involved dwelling fire at the old Rockdale Hotel in North Whitehall Township on February 14th.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

PAGE 11

Plane Crashes on Golf Course in Upper Hanover Twp. Upper Hanover Twp., PA - On Sunday, February 19th at 2:47 P.M., the East Greenville, Pennsburg and Red Hill Fire Companies were dispatched to a light plane crash on the Butter Valley Golf Course in the Township. Upon arrival, East Greenville Fire Chief Jason Wilson had a light plane that JUMP TO FILE# had crashed and was 022117114 laying on the golf course to the right of the runway.

The Chief called Montgomery County radio, gave them the update on the incident and told them to call off the Pennsburg and Red Hill Fire Companies. The plane was carrying a pilot and three passengers when it crashed and all were being attended to by EMS personnel on the runway. The severity of their injuries was unknown.

The cause of the crash is pending the outcome of an investigation. There were no other injuries reported. Assisting the fire company was Bally, Upper Perk EMS, Douglas Twp. Police and PA State Police. Damage to the aircraft was very extensive, but property damage to the golf course was not.

- TERRY RITZ

TERRY RITZ

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May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

APPARATUS IN ACTION

If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Chambersburg Engine 1-4 on the plug awaiting assignment during an incident in March.

SHANE SHIFFLETT

E-1 of the Mt. Penn FD operates at the third-alarm warehouse fire in Reading on April 2nd.

KEN SNYDER

J. KRIESHER

Engine 44-15 of the Continental Hose Company of Gilberton operates at a first-alarm house fire.

KEN SNYDER

Reading's E-9 operates at the third-alarm vacant, four-story warehouse fire on April 2nd.

Does Social Media Belong in Today’s Fire Service?

Today, almost everyone has a smart phone and endless opportunities to record life in real time, the good and the bad. Fire departments must now embrace the social media world in which we live. But what role does social media play in the fire service?

Most fire departments now have an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) or SOG (Standard Operating Guideline) addressing social media.

But is social media helping or hurting your department? Herein lies the problem. Does the SOP or SOG truly guide the fire service to use social media to their advantage?

Public Relations is something the fire service has definitely not mastered. As a rookie volunteer firefighter in the early 90’s, one of the first things stressed to me was “Never take any pictures because you will end up in court." The truth is, I would end up in court with or without the pictures and it would be much more difficult to convey accuracy without pictures to support and recreate the scene.

Several departments have now used social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, to propel their departments to a new level. This allows fire departments the ability to reach a new generation of firefighters because the new generation is definitely connected by technology and social media. Some departments have even utilized social media to enlist community support to obtain new apparatus, afford pay raises, and seek potential new personnel.

Social media has also heightened public awareness of the dangers involved with firefighting and virtually taken viewers into the fire via social media.

Scott Ziegler, a firefighter with Detroit Fire Department, wore a helmet cam for a year while employed as a firefighter with Highland Park, Michigan Fire Department. Scott then appeared on national news, giving the nation a glimpse into the lifethreatening experiences a firefighter faces every day. Am I implying that all social media, or even news media coverage is good? Absolutely not!

The key is to train staff about social media etiquette and how to embrace the photographers on the side lines of the scene or during an incident.

Yes, you read that correctly; “photographers on the side lines".

I recently traveled to California to experience fire photography as a fire chaser, known as buffing. I had the honor of working side by side with two Southern California fire photographers, Tod Sudmeier (@epn564) and Brandy Carlos (@epn106). I was amazed at how many fire departments not only welcomed our presence, but they actually encouraged us to get close to the action. Of course, we followed the safety rules outlined by each fire de-

BRANDY CARLOS/@EPN106

Chief Joel Miller, Federal Government Fire Chief, fire department social media consultant and owner of the world’s largest Fire Instagram page (@chief_miller).

partment, such as wearing wildland firefighting gear as we stood on the front lines, streaming live footage via Periscope and Facebook Live to hundreds, even thousands of viewers around the world. We each shared awesome pictures capturing the action in real time on some of the world’s largest fire service based social media sites.

Social media has even helped the fire service recruit some of the best candidates for the job simply due to the awareness and visibility, triggering an increase in applicants. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City and Cal Fire are some of the most recognizable departments in the world, partially due to social media and dedicated fire photographers.

Social media also raises community awareness of the great service their tax dollars are paying for.

Shortly after my California experience, again with California fire photographers Tod Sudmeier (@epn564) and Brandy Carlos (@epn106), we traveled to Detroit, Michigan. Detroit is one of the country’s most deprived cities and busiest fire departments. They are confronted with a high number of arson related fires. I found that the Battalion Chief would be the one to set the temperature as to how well received the fire photographers were on scene.

I made calls where the Battalion Chief himself would be snapping shots as much as he could. Most Battalion Chiefs welcomed us as we followed their rules and stayed out of harm’s way. Real-time live broadcast from DFD went out around the world via social media. The world saw top notch firefighters doing an amazing job, despite the struggles

their department has experienced in the way of equipment and manpower.

We later responded to a call with DFD where the Battalion Chief was anti-fire photographer and anti-social media. As one photographer was streaming live to viewers world-wide (while obeying all the rules and respecting the firefighters on scene from a safe distance outside the hotzone), the Battalion Chief began yelling at him. The photographer, a retired firefighter himself, chose to cut the live feed as to not reflect negatively on the fire department. After all, it was the firefighters that we were there to represent and they deserve the utmost respect. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident and the photographer has felt it necessary to cut live feed on other occasions at different locations.

Realistically, we live in a world where everyone is at the mercy of social media. Fire departments need to embrace the professional fire photographers, as their goal of honoring the fire service is the one true defense guarding fire departments from the negative effects social media can bring. Your department can either stand by and become a casualty of social media, or your department can choose to prepare staff and public relation officers on how to use social media to propel your department to the next level.

Social media is here to stay. I encourage each of you to choose a direction and develop a plan for the role social media will play in the success of your department. The choice is yours, make it a good one!

- CHIEF JOEL MILLER

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

PAGE 13

May, 2017

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PAGE 14

May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

Fully-Involved Barn Fire in Mount Joy Township Mount Joy Twp., PA - On the early evening of February 16th, crews from Fire Department Mount Joy along with mutual aid companies were dispatched for a barn fire, with multiple calls to 911 being received.

First arriving crews reported a fully-in- JUMP TO FILE# barn, volved, with about 021917102 an acre of grass on fire caused by the wind. Crews established a water supply from a pond by the end of the road and worked on scene for about four hours before being released.

Crews from Fire Department Mount Joy were assisted by the Columbia, Rheems, Elizabethtown, Mastersonville, Maytown and Hempfield Fire Departments.

- TIMOTHY COOVER

Truck 74 working on the scene of a barn fire in Mount Joy Township.

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May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

Vacant Warehouse Burns in East Reading Reading, PA - On the beautiful spring morning of April 2nd, box alarm 0602 was transmitted for a report of smoke showing from the fourthfloor of a building at the intersection of South 11th and JUMP TO FILE# 040517108 Chestnut Streets.

Additional calls reported a possible factory on fire. Car 7 (J. Stoudt) arrived and confirmed a working fire in a four-story vacant warehouse and established command. Initially, Car 9 (L. Moyer) was assigned the southeast corner (C/D) sector of the fire, while Lt. Glore (21C) was assigned the rear (C) sector on Wunder Street.

Companies immediately prepared for master stream operations to both operate on the main body of fire, and to protect the exposed properties surrounding the fire building.

The building was previously identified as being dangerous through various inspections.

Command ordered that exterior operations were to be the order of the day. Elevated master streams were placed in service from Tower 1 (S. 11th St - A/B corner), Ladder 3 (S. 11th St - A/D corner), Ladder 1 (Wunder St - C side), and Exeter Township Tower 25 (Wunder St - C side).

In addition, numerous portable master stream devices,

as well as the wagon pipes on RFD Engines 1 and 3 were placed in service. One-and-three-quarter inch and two-and-a-half inch hand-lines were advanced to the rooftops of the exposed homes in the 200 block of Wunder Street.

Car 7 requested the secondalarm at 9:41 A.M. and, subsequently, the third-alarm at 10:10 A.M. With the striking of the second-alarm, City firefighters were recalled to staff reserve apparatus.

A command post was established on South 11th St. for the duration of the incident.

At 10:13 A.M., Car 1 (W. Stoudt) arrived and assumed command. Off-duty City chiefs and other officers returning on the greater alarms were assigned fireground sectors and Incident Command System general staff responsibilities, with Car 3 (T. Kemery) assigned to cover the City.

At 11:40 A.M, a significant roof collapse was reported. The Reading Police Department assisted in evacuating the homes surrounding the fire building.

Collapse zones were established and enforced around the involved property.

As City engines operated from hydrants in the immediate vicinity with significant flows to the master stream devices, there was a need to augment the water supply to the area. Consulting with the City water supply references, the Exeter Township FD and the Mount Penn FD teamed up to lay over 1000-feet of five-inch, large

diameter, supply line to the fire ground from a hydrant at 12th and Cotton Streets. This resulted in an adequate water supply throughout the operation.

The fire was initially placed under control at 3:43 P.M.; however, with the extreme fuel loading within the building, much of it buried in the collpased portions, a deep-seated fire resulted that was difficult to access. While the fire department maintained a presence on scene and with fire apparatus continuing to operate, the fire regained intensity, to the point that additional companies were called back at various points during the overnight hours.

A large excavator was brought to the scene by a demolition contractor at approximately 7:30 P.M. The device began the tedious process of dismantling the building in order to allow access to the interior of the building for fire department streams. The process of extinguishing hot spots and flareups was ongoing throughout the evening, into the following day on Monday, April 3rd, and then into the early morning of Tuesday, April 4th.

While some surrounding properties experienced smoke and water damage, fire damage was limited to the building of origin.

The Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating.

- JASON BATZ

Reading FF Bryan Imbody works the turntable of Tower 1 during a warehouse fire in East Reading. The fire would eventually climb to three alarms.

BRETT MACK

JORDAN BANKERT

Firefighters in Reading had their hands full on April 2nd when a vacant warehouse caught fire. Chiefs working the command post were captured in this photo.

TOM LESCZCYNSKI

Firefighters from Ladder 1 work their ladder pipe at the former L&B metals warehouse in East Reading.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

DENNIS WETHERHOLD JR.

Well-Involved House Fire in Wyoming County

Lemon Township, PA - Firefighters from Triton Hose and Meshoppen Fire were dispatched on February 20th to the intersection of Route 29 and Meshoppen Creek Road in Lemon Township for a reported structure fire. Wyoming County 9-1-1 advised responding units that they were receiving numerous calls from passing motorists reporting a well-involved dwelling fire at the intersection. Companies arrived on scene, found a well-involved, single-family dwelling and went to work. A special call was made for tankers from Springville and Harvey's Lake as well. A five-inch supply line was hand-jacked to a nearby pond down the road from the fire scene. Crews would battle the fire for about an hour before getting it under control.

Vehicle News

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

The Buchanan Valley Fire Company has a 2017 Pierce Arrow XT Rescue Engine on order to replace this 1991 Pierce Arrow. Engine Tanker 17 has a 1250-pump and 1500-water and was purchased from Roselle, IL.

The Polk Township Fire Department has taken delivery of this 2016 Sutphen and assigned it to Engine 35-2. Engine 35-2 has a 1,500GPM pump, 800-gallon tank, 40-gallon class A foam tank and 20gallon class B foam tank.

DENNIS WETHERHOLD JR.

TIMOTHY COOVER

Two-Alarm House Fire in Conoy Twp. Conoy Twp., PA - On April 1st, right after the clock struck 5:00 P.M., crews were dispatched for a reported dwelling fire on Amosite Road. The initial update from County was that a caller reported seeing white JUMP TO FILE# smoke and flames in- 040617100 side of the dwelling, which was set back from a 700-foot driveway.

Assistant Chief 71 arrived on scene with a working fire and asked for the second-alarm to be dispatched. Engine 712 was first on scene and started knocking down the fire with the master stream until crews had hand-lines stretched out. Tanker 71 set up porta tank operations at the end of the 700-foot driveway.

Engine 10 arrived and took over the porta tank operations.

Crews from 71 and Rescue 79 went to work with hand-lines outside of the dwelling to knock down the fire due to the structure sagging. Five additional tankers were requested to the scene. Truck 74 set up on the "Delta" side of the dwelling and went to work opening the roof while crews went into the dwelling to knock down the rest of the fire.

Crews were quickly pulled back out as Truck 74 advised that the roof was collapsing. The fire was placed under control in about two hours.

Bainbridge Fire Company had command and was assisted by Departments from Maytown, Elizabethtown, Marietta, Hempfield, Londonderry, West Hempfield, Mountville, Wrightsville, Lower Swatara, Mastersonville, Penryn, Mount Joy, Lawn, Middletown, Rheems, Columbia, Lancaster Township, Manhiem and Northwest EMS. State Police Fire Marshals ruled the fire as accidental.

- TIMOTHY COOVER

TIMOTHY COOVER

Crews opened up the outside walls to gain access to the "Charlie" side.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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TOOLS OF THE TRADE If you have photos you would like to see in our “Tools Of the Trade” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

J. KRIESHER

Smoke billows from the roof of an apartment building in downtown Shamokin after a kitchen fire broke out in a third-floor apartment.

Shamokin Strikes the Second for Apartment Building Fire

SHANE SHIFFLETT

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Northumberland County, PA – Just before 11:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 11th, the Shamokin Fire Bureau was dispatched to the area of 337 West Spruce Street in the City for the report of an apartment building fire.

The address was JUMP TO FILE# quickly updated to 45 021617114 South 5th Street for a working fire in apartment #4.

Deputy Chief Jeffrey arrived on scene to find a working fire on the third-floor of a large apartment building, with heavy smoke showing. A working fire page was sent out, bringing additional units in from Coal Township and Mount Carmel.

Engine 41 arrived on the scene and took the address at the corner of Spruce and 5th Street. Engine 11 positioned behind 41 while Truck 32 took the “B” side of the building and flew to the roof. Mount Carmel Truck 2 was sent to the “B” side as well and set up near the "B/C" corner. A second-alarm was requested to the scene.

A one-and-three-quarter inch and a two-and-a-half inch hand-line were pulled from the first arriving engines and stretched to the thirdfloor. Rescue 62 arrived on the scene and was assigned the primary search.

The second-alarm brought in units from throughout Northumberland County as first-due crews attempted to get to the seat of the fire.

Heavy smoke continued to pour from multiple third-story windows and then fire broke out from the front of the building. The thirdalarm was dispatched on a move up to the City.

A Rapid Intervention Team from Kulpmont Squad 221 was set up at the "A/B" corner and watched over the scene. A second RIT from Upper Agusuta Engine 721 was also

Steam escapes from the third-floor after fire was knocked down with the Squrt on Engine 41.

J. KRIESHER

set up with the arrival of additional units. Crews were able to make some progress on the fire, but were then ordered to back out of the third-floor so that Engine 41 could knock the fire with the Squrt. The fire was knocked down and crews once again entered the third-floor.

Some units from the third-alarm were brought to the scene to help with containing the fire and were replaced on the move up assignment with units from Columbia and Schuylkill Counties.

As firefighters were overhauling the third-floor, the fire crept into the cockloft below the roof line and thick

black smoke began to billow from the roof. An additional line was stretched off 41 and after a few minutes, firefighters were able to make a good knock down of the remaining fire.

The fire was placed under control after midnight. It was reported that a tenant of the building stated that the fire ignited in his apartment due to a cooking incident.

This same building was the scene of a fire in July of 2012 when a fire broke out in a second-floor apartment, which was contained to the room of origin.

- JC KRIESHER

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

Blaze Ravages Pole Barn in Washington Township Waynesboro, PA - On the evening of April 2nd, emergency crews in Franklin, Adams and Washington Counties were alerted for a structure fire in Washington Township.

Units were alerted on Waynesboro JUMP TO FILE# Box 2-90 to 14728 040417127 Honodel Road for a reported barn fire at 8:19 P.M. Franklin County received multiple calls reporting the blaze.

Firefighters responding on the Box 2-90 were quick to respond as Dispatch continued to receive reports of the fire. Mont Alto Fire Chief 5A advised Franklin Dispatch that he had heavy smoke showing from the Five Forks area. Franklin advised Waynesboro Fire Officers responding on the call that they had multiple reports of the incident being a Working Fire.

Waynesboro Deputy Chief Jody Sanders immediately requested additional tankers to be started, along with the Working Fire Dispatch Assignment.

Waynesboro Engine 2-2 was the first-in unit who reported heavy fire conditions from one mile out as they approached the area. They arrived on the scene to find a 30x30 pole barn fully-involved and partially collapsed.

Deputy Chief Sanders arrived and established Command 2 as firefighters pulled two hose-lines from Engine 2-2 and conducted an exterior attack on the blaze.

Leitersburg Rescue Engine 9-1 arrived and worked to assist with establishing a water supply for operations. A 360 walk around of the structure was quickly completed to find no exposures being threatened.

Firefighters were hindered during fire operations due to limited access to the barn, along with downed power lines that were still charged. Command evaluated the scene and determined with the limited access to cut back on resources, placing some units due on the assignment in service.

Firefighters worked for nearly 40minutes to control the blaze with their exterior attack before knocking a large bulk of the fire. Crews were committed on the scene for several hours conducting overhaul operations.

Investigators from the Pennsylvania State Police were called in to investigate the cause of the fire. The pole barn that was destroyed housed several sheep and chickens that were lost during the blaze. The cause has not yet been

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determined and is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Over 40 firefighters responded to the incident. Franklin County units responding on the Box came from Waynesboro Fire CO. 2, Greencastle Rescue Hose Co. 3, Mont Alto Fire Co. 5, Marion Fire Co. 8, Mercersburg M.M.P.W. Fire Co. 9, Blue Ridge Fire Co. 4 and Waynesboro EMS Co. 2.

Washington County, MD units were alerted from Leitersburg Fire Co. 9, Smithsburg Fire Co. 7, Longmeadow Fire Co. 27, Maugansville Fire Co. 13, Mt. Aetna Fire Co. 16, Smithsburg EMS Co. 79, and Washington County Air Unit 25. Adams County’s Fountaindale Fire Co. 3 and Cumberland County’s Cumberland Valley Hose Air 53 were also alerted to assist.

- WILLIAM KING

Crews arrive to fine the pole barn fully-involved in Washington Township.

JOEL MCGAHEN

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

Firefighters Battle House Fire in Cashtown Cashtown, PA - At 6:04 A.M. on Sunday, March 5th, Adams County 911 received the report of a chimney fire in Cashtown’s (PA) box 4-5.

The Cashtown Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched, along with the Gettysburg FD, Buchanan Valley FD, Arendtsville Com- JUMP TO FILE# munity Fire Com- 030617127 pany, Arendtsville Community Fire Company and Adams County EMS. Upon arrival, firefighters searched the residence for fire, which was located inside the chimney flute only, with no extension inside the walls. Firefighters extinguished hot spots that were shown on thermal image cameras and also cleaned residue and ash out of the chimney. There was no damage to the home and units were put back in service approximately 45minutes later.

- DOUGLAS KAHN

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BOB DEVONSHIRE

Horse and Buggy Collide with Amtrak Train

Paradise, PA - A horse broke free and wandered off, ending up on the tracks and in front of an Amtrak train on Friday evening, March 10th. The horse, still attached to a buggy, collided with the Eastbound train near Paradise. The buggy was empty at the time of the accident. The horse was killed instantly and the buggy was destroyed. The train sustained moderate damage to the front end of the engine, which was pulling five passenger cars with about 90 people on board, shortly after the 9:20 P.M. crash. Amtrak trains were stopped while police investigated the accident and firefighters cleaned up the debris. According to Amtrak police, there were no injuries to the 90 passengers. About an hour after the crash, passengers were transferred to another train. Amtrak Police and Pennsylvania State Police were investigating the crash. Paradise Fire Company and the Gordonville Ambulance were on scene as well.

TERRY RITZ

Commercial Building Fire in Upper Hanover Twp. Upper Hanover Twp., PA - On Monday, April 3rd at 4:42 P.M., the East Greenville Fire Co. was dispatched to a fire alarm in a commercial building in the Township. Upon arrival, Jason Wilson had a confirmed fire in the roaster room. He set-up Command and called Montgomery County Radio to request a second-alarm for additional apparatus and manpower. The fire was quickly declared under control within about 15-minutes. There were no injuries and no report regarding the severity of damage. Assisting East Greenville were fire companies from Pennsburg, Red Hill, Green Lane and Hereford.

Pennsburg Fire Police also responded. An EMS unit from Bally was also dispatched.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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American Firefighters, Heroes in Action VIDEO REVIEW

Video reviews by John Malecky

American Firefighters Heroes in Action

By Brain Damage Films Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8528 E-Mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $19.95 (DVD) This DVD is 70 minutes in length. It is dedicated to the brave men and women of all fire departments across America. It promotes the viewers to support their local firefighters. Its purpose is to provide action footage of many emergency scenes where firefighters show dedication, professionalism and efficiency, resulting in most cases with the saving of life.

The clips are quick. They are of

different types of fires (one of a car fire set by vandals), a boat rescue and numerous traffic accidents. Most of the accidents resulted from alcohol and bad judgement. The locations are not identified, just the time of the incident’s operation and type of call.

The viewer can see by the apparatus lettering and firefighter uniforms as to where most of these incidents occurred. In almost all of the scenes, the American River Fire Department operated. This department is part of the Sacramento County, California Metro Fire District, which includes a number of other fire departments.

There are many close up shots, particularly when patient immobilization and extrication came into play. Conversations among the emergency responders can also be heard.

This is a video that does justice to the recognition of the work of firefighters and is a salute to their professionalism and compassion for the patients that required emergency medical service. I, as a retired member of the fire service, appreciate the recognition shown by Brain Damage Films.

BUDDY SHOTS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shots” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Reading Deputy Chief Larry Moyer poses with Mount Penn Firefighter Ryan Miller.

FRED KELLENBERGER

ANTIQUE APPARATUS If you have photos you would like to see in our Antique Apparatus feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Springettsbury fire.

ZACH ISHMAN

Two Fires in One Day for Dayside Crews

Hellam, PA - At 10:32 A.M. on March 22nd, Rescue 41-1 responded with six personnel for a reported dumpster fire next to a house on Britain Drive in Springettsbury Township. First arriving units found the same. Rescue-1 arrived at the secondary hydrant and sent their crew to assist at the scene. At 12:36 P.M. the same day, Companies were alerted for a house on fire in the 800 block of Owl Valley Road in Hellam Township. Engine-41 and Rescue 41-1 responded with 10 personnel. First arriving units arrived to find an outside fire that had extended into the single-family dwelling. Companies operated for about two hours. No injuries were reported.

KEN SNYDER

This 1964 American LaFrance 100' used to run as L-1 with the York FD. It is now privately owned.

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

YOU WON’T RUN OUT OF THINGS TO DO AT ....

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Pastor Fernando Villicana, Fire Service Chaplain.

Local Heroes Chaplain’s Corner

Pastor Fernando Villicana

Isaiah 3:1 (NIV) See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support… v2 the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, v3 the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever.

It’s interesting to me how God uses heroes as part of the supply and support structure of society.

As part of His judgement, God removes key people who are essential for a society to thrive. The removal of “heroes” leaves a huge vacuum in that city. Who are the “heroes” described in Isaiah? Well, to be honest, the Bible doesn’t give us specifics on the matter.

However, what is clear is that they are a vital part of the health and all being of that society and are mentioned first in a list of essentials.

If I were to address a group of Firefighters and ask all the “heroes” in the room to stand - few, if any, would respond. Why? Because if you refer to any Firefighter, Paramedic, EMT or Fire Support staff as a hero, they would not want to be identified as such and would most likely tell you that they are just doing their job. Well, they may think they're “just doing their job,” but the fact is that they are a critical part of the fabric of our society.

-When a mother cries out for help and dials 911.

-When a prayer goes out from under the wreckage of a TC. -When a family member is experiencing a full arrest.

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-When first responders roll up on scene of an MCI on the freeway.

-When prayers are being uttered as a citizen is experiencing maybe the very worst day in their lives.

Our Firefighters/Paramedics/EMTs are Gods answer to those prayers.

It's not what you do, it's who you are. You are our local heroes.

“Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed.” (Bob Riley) It’s not just what you do, it’s who you are! You are a special breed of people who rise to the occasion every shift to answer the call for help. You are our local heroes.

PRAYER: God, we come to you today with a sense of pride yet humbled by the fact that you care for us and are mindful of us. Proud of what you have been able to do through our Fire Departments - humbled and grateful for the strength and skill you have bestowed upon each first responder. A skill which enables them to do what they do to help those in need. We know that your word declares that “without You, we can do nothing.” I pray that your hand of protection would be upon each Firefighter as they place themselves in harms way and continually stand in the gap for the citizens of our cities. We thank you Lord, and pray with the faith that “when they walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

(Isaiah 43:2b) We pray that you would reveal yourself to each and every one of our heroes as they become tools in your hand. We pray all of this in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit AMEN

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May, 2017

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

Change Starts with YOU HEALTH & FITNESS

by Robert “Pip” Piparo

If you have read my past 1st Responder News articles, you may notice a trend forming. I’m sure when you see the word 'fitness' though, the trend that is forming doesn’t come to mind. Most folks probably think these articles are about backs and bi’s, and chest and tri’s, or the latest diet and exercise craze that’s sweeping the nation; but they're not. They are about a cultural shift within the fire service. Hopefully by now, I have laid a good enough foundation to have most of you convinced that this change needs to occur, and needs to occur now.

Somehow, the fact that for the past 15 years, cardiac related events have been the leading killer of firefighters nationwide, just doesn’t seem to be enough. We still have firefighters who believe that being fit is not part of their job description.

But hey, thats the fire service that we all know and love. Change is bad, even if it makes you stronger, faster and healthier; i.e., a firefighter who is better at their job and who will live longer. Now the question is, where do we go from here? The answer my friends, is simple. We work to make ourselves better, which will in turn make the fire service better.

I recently spent some time with the Chief of a large department and he explained it to me like this: 'If my people are happy and healthy, then they are going to do a better job for the people we are here to protect.

After all, they are the ones we are here for.'

So now it’s time to step up and make the change. You have to make this change in your life and you have to commit to it. It won’t be easy and it shouldn’t be easy. After all, if it

was easy, everyone would be doing it! You will have failures, you will have bad days and you will continue going back to the old way. That’s all ok! That’s life. But just like an Alfred told a young Bruce Wayne: Why do we fall?? So we can learn to get back up again.

Each week I hear success stories from firefighters who are just like you, unsure if they should start working out, unsure of how to start, or where to go. The first day is always hard and the second day is even harder, but guess what; they should be! See, that's the thing firefighters need to accept about fitness.

It always has to be hard, you can always get stronger and faster. You have to put in that hard work to get results. You are required to get results, not just for you, but for them, the people you swore an oath to protect.

You also have something unique to our society. You have hundreds and thousands of brothers and sisters who understand, who do our job everyday and know just how hard it is. Fitness brings us all together. We all have something different to bring to the table. We can learn from each other because there is no 'one' way to get “firefighter fit," just like there isn’t 'one' way to put out a residential structure fire.

Just like when we put out a fire, there are some tried and true strategies and tactics that will work to get you on a path to being fitter, and over my next few articles, I would like to highlight the ones I feel can provide the most benefit to everyone.

I am lucky enough to have a network of friends around the world, who work hard each and every day to stay fit. I am going to draw from them and share their experiences here. Should you have any ideas, questions or suggestions for this column, please feel free to email me at Pip@555fitness.com. After all, this is all about us; us changing the fire service culture towards fitness for the better.

DID Y OU K NOW

SETH LASKO PHOTOGRAPHY

Crews Battle Garage Fire in Elizabethville Elizabethville Boro., PA - In the early morning hours of February 22nd, Dauphin County Communications dispatched Box 21-1 to the 60 block of South Market Street in Elizabethville Borough for a reported structure fire. This brought units in from Company 21 (Elizabethville), 26 (Berrysburg), Truck 22 (Lykens) and EMS from Company 6 (Life Team - Medic 6).

Shortly after being dispatched, Dauphin County Communications advised that a Pennsylvania State Trooper from the Elizabethville

JUMP TO FILE #031117106 barracks was reporting a well-involved garage. Chief 21-1 also reported a column of smoke from outside of the borough and requested the first-alarm, which brought additional units from Companies 26 (Berrysburg), 216 (Fisherville), 20 (Millersburg) and 23 (Wiconisco) to the scene.

Engine 21 arrived on scene to find a fully-involved, two-story

garage. A total of three crosslays were pulled off of Engine 21 and placed in service. As additional units arrived on scene, they staged on Vineyard Avenue or South Market Street and sent their manpower forward to assist with overhaul of the garage.

Numerous vehicles in the area, along with a small shed and a mailbox, received radiant heat damage from the fire. Units were on scene for two-and-a-half hours.

- JESSE SHUTT

OLD & NEW

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Old & New” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

?

Applying Super Glue to cotton results in a rapid chemical reaction that releases enough heat to cause minor burns, so typically this should be avoided. However, if enough super glue is added to the cotton, it will catch on fire, making this a great trick to keep in mind in survival situations. So if you ever find yourself lost in the woods with nothing but a first aid kit, this little trick will help you start a fire.

The Arendtsville Community Fire Company of Adams County made an upgrade to the fleet recently, placing a 2004 Sutphen into service as Tower 5 (right). It has a 1500-GPM pump, 400-water and a 95foot mid-mount tower. It replaces a 1987 Sutphen (left), which was purchased from Wilkins Township Fire Co #3 and has a 1500-GPM pump, 400-water and a 65-foot mid-mount tower.

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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ON THE LITER SIDE If you have photos you would like to see in our “On The Liter Side” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

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Get the most out of your hobby!

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Contact Lindsey TODAY for more information!

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845-534-7500 ext. 212

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Chambersburg, PA - "The Roof, The Roof, The Roof is on Fire!"

PROMO CODE FH16

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May, 2017

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Two-Alarm Fire Claims Life of Klingersrtown Man Klingerstown, PA - On the evening of March 7th, a structure fire with reported entrapment was dispatched, located in the 70 block of Main Street in the Town of Klingerstown. As members headed to the fire station in Klingerstown, a massive glow could JUMP TO FILE# be seen a quarter- 031117110 mile away from the firehouse.

Units from Company 65 (Klingertown) arrived on scene to find a fully-involved one-and-a-half story house, with exploding propane tanks and oxygen cylinders that were located inside of the structure. The fire quickly went to two-alarms, bringing in multiple units from Schuylkill, Dauphin and Northumberland Counties to fight the blaze.

Multiple hand-lines were pulled off of Engine 65 (Klingerstown) and Engine 27 (Gratz) and placed in service to perform an exterior attack. Rescue 28 (Pillow) drafted from a porta-pond and supplied units at the scene. Engine 64 (Hickory Corners) established a fill site not far from the scene to fill tankers.

Unfortunately, an elderly gentleman was unable to escape from the house and lost his life. Units were on scene for approximately six hours.

- JESSE SHUTT

Firefighters take up defensive positions as they pour water onto the flames.

JACK LITTLE

JACK LITTLE

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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Car Hits Tree and Bursts into Flames in Coatesville Coatesville, PA - On Sunday morning, February 12th, Chester County Station-35 (Wagontown), along with Ambulance-144 (Westwood) and Medic-93 (Brandywine Hospital) were dispatched to the 300 block of N. Sandy Hill Road for a reported car accident with fire. Ambulance-144 was the JUMP TO FILE# first to arrive on 021417102 scene and reported a vehicle into a tree, fully-involved in fire, with all occupants out of the vehicle.

Rescue-35 arrived and stretched a one-and-three-quarter inch handline to start knocking the fire down.

While attempting to extinguish the flames, the fuel line ruptured on the vehicle, sending gas onto the roadway which flared up the flames even more. Engine-35 arrived, stretched an additional one-and-three-quarter inch hand-line and started using foam to control the fire.

EMS transported one victim to a local trauma center with an apparent leg injury. PSP was also on scene investigating. Crews remained on the scene for approximately two hours until the roadway was cleaned up and the vehicle was removed.

- MARK WALSH

MARK WALSH/IRISHEYEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

FUTURE FIRST RESPONDERS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Future First Responders� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

ROMAN ISARYK JR.

Philadelphia, PA - Firefighters from PFD got some help from a few future first responders with cleaning up after they knocked down a dwelling fire on March 4th.

RICHARD BILLINGS

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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Harrisburg, PA - The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire staff cars are honoring the passing of one of their own. On March 10th, Lt. Dennis DeVoe was involved in a fatal car crash. He had just attended a funeral for a fellow firefighter when a working dwelling fire with entrapment was transmitted, located in the 2500 block of Lexington Street. Lt. DeVoe was en-route to Squad 8 to pick up his gear when he was t-boned by 19-year-old female driver, Khanyae Kendall.

Kendall was driving a stolen car and fled the scene after the crash.

She later checked in at a hospital where police were able to apprehend her and charge her with car theft, aggravated assaut by vehicle, DUI, making false reports and other charges. Rest in Peace Brother DeVoe.

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Flames Engulf Popular Night Club in Penn Twp. Penn Twp., PA - During the early morning hours of March 19th, Perry County Communications began receiving 911 calls indicating a fire at "Tubby's Night Club" in Penn Township,located just outside of Duncannon Borough.

Shortly after JUMP TO FILE# DFC and mutual 040317104 aid being dispatched, Duncannon Squad 2 and Chief 2 arrived and confirmed fire through the roof. Squad 2's twoinch attack line was placed in service until the arrival of Duncannon Truck 2, at which time Truck 2's master stream was place into service.

Due to fire conditions, Command 2 requested the secondalarm assignment to the scene.

Truck 2 and Progress Truck 32 extinguished the bulk of fire until smaller lines were placed into service to extinguish any remaining hot spots. Firefighters remained on scene well into the morning with overhaul and extinguishing hot spots.

- DYLAN HOOVER

TL-2 sets up while SQ-2 places their attack line in service.

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

Early Morning Blaze Destroys Home in Waynesboro and Displaces Family Waynesboro, PA - On Sunday, March 19th, the Waynesboro Fire Department was alerted for smoke coming from a house at the intersection of Evangeline Drive and Creekside Boulevard in the Brimington Farm development in W a y n e s b o r o . JUMP TO FILE# Neighbors noticed 032117125 what appeared to be smoke coming from the house and called 911.

Emergency crews due on Box 201 were dispatched out at 5:46 A.M. Emergency crews from Franklin County and neighboring Washington County responded to the early morning call. Waynesboro crews were out within a few minutes after the call was dispatched, with personnel from Mont Alto manning some of their apparatus due to a fill in they handled for them during Waynesboro’s Public Safety Banquet the night before.

As apparatus raced to the scene, Franklin Dispatch advised units that they had follow up calls reporting a working fire at 512 Creekside Boulevard. On the reports received, Waynesboro Engine 2-2 immediately requested the Working Fire Dispatch to be started.

Within minutes, Lieutenant Neil Stover of Waynesboro arrived on the scene to find a heavy fire condition coming from the twostory, wood-frame residence. Lieutenant Stover advised that he was on the scene and had heavy fire showing from the second-floor of

the residence.

Firefighters worked to advance hose-lines to battle the blaze as it quickly spread through the secondfloor of the home. Firefighters attempted an interior attack as search crews made a quick sweep of the basement and first-floor looking for victims before Command had them pulled from the building.

The home’s structural integrity quickly became compromised due to the volume of fire crews had upon arrival. Command announced that there would be no interior operations and crews switched to a defensive mode, conducting an exterior attack only, as heavy fire could be seen coming through the roof.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze using ladder pipe operations and several blitz fire streams to gain control. It took crews nearly 30-minutes to bring the blaze under control enough to allow firefighters to re-enter the structure. Firefighters continued to battle active fire as interior crews worked to search the home's remains before being pulled out again due to the threat of the remaining walls collapsing in on them. It was later confirmed that the family was away for the weekend and no one was home at the time of the blaze.

Emergency crews were committed on the scene for several hours. The house was deemed a total loss. The fire is believed to have started in the attic area of the residence. Fire investigators were working to determine what caused the early morning blaze. No injuries were reported during the incident and the family is currently

WCVFRA-PT: T.SIGLER

receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

Over 50 Emergency Responders responded to the incident from Franklin and Washington Counties.

Waynesboro Fire Co. 2 responded out, receiving assistance from Mont

Alto Fire & EMS Co. 5, Leitersburg Fire Co. 9, Blue Ridge Summit Fire & EMS Co. 4, Smithsburg Fire Co. 7, Greencastle Rescue Hose Co. 3, New Franklin Fire Co. 17, Waynesboro EMS Co. 2, Cumberland Valley Hose’s Air 53,

FREDDIE JOHNSON

Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Safety Officer 207, Washington County Emergency Rehab 255 and Waynesboro Fire Police.

- WILLIAM KING

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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Automatic Fire Alarm or Is It? STAYING SAFE

Chief Henry Campbell

The other morning, as I was finishing breakfast and admiring the 22inches of freshly fallen snow from two days prior, my pager opened, announcing for my department to respond to an Automatic Fire Alarm at a private residence. I pushed away from the table, bundled up, and headed for the location, which was less than a mile from my home.

En-route to the location, an additional dispatch announced that the alarm company had called back, reporting an overheated pan on the stove. With the heavy snow plowed up on the side of the road, it made it difficult to spot addresses on mailboxes, which were covered in snow. As I found the correct location, a residence sitting back 200feet from the street, the first rig pulled up. Three of us trudged up the driveway, rang the door bell and were met by the homeowner, who offered her apologies for having us respond to an unnecessary alarm. She explained that she was drying a large cast iron frying pan on the stove and had momentarily forgotten about it, that is, until the home alarm sensed the smoke and activated the alarm system.

The homeowner had called the alarm company requesting they cancel the alarm and was advised that the fire department was on the way and couldn’t be cancelled. We explained how her alarm system works and how fire dispatch works in conjunction with her alarm system. The homeowner was most appreciative of our response and explanation as to why we continued our response to her location. We said our goodbyes as she continued to apologize, and headed back to the fire station.

Our fire department, like many others, is dispatched to many AFA’s (automatic fire alarms) in our community, and as in many departments, we have members who tend to shrug off AFA’s with a negative remark, and others who may not respond to the alarm. The members will complain that the AFA’s are wearing them out, the constant crying “Wolf” when there is no wolf, has an impact on them.

Many years ago, fire alarm systems were found in commercial buildings, buildings of public assembly, institutional facilities, and where fire sprinkler systems were installed. Today, under the name Security Systems, they can be found in almost any type occupancy, including residential homes. The primary function of the alarm system is to detect and initiate the transmission of an

alarm to a private monitoring agency, where it is then transmitted to the local 911 dispatch center.

Fire, Police or EMS assistance, or any combination, will be automatically dispatched and once on the way, will not be returned by dispatch. Dispatch may transmit additional information, but they will not terminate your response.

That will be determined by on scene investigation, or department policy. On scene investigation is always the best method. Maybe the occupant thought the problem was minor and had not noticed any fire spread. Cancelling response based on occupant call back may result in having to play catch up, followed by legal ramifications.

There also are false alarms transmitted from AFA’s caused by a variety of reasons. The primary reason would be poor, or lack of

maintenance. Dust in the detector head is common; blow it out with a can of air and the system is back in business. Every now and then, the system may malfunction for no apparent reason. If it is a continual problem, the system needs technical assistance to correct the problem. Many communities have local ordinances that levy fines after so many false alarms are transmitted.

AFA’s are a part of the American technology age and they do make the job of firefighting safer by initiating early response to what may be smoke scares or incipient fires. Even I have a system!

Definition of automatic fire alarm system: a fire alarm system which detects the presence of a fire and automatically initiates a signal indicating its detection.

To be continued...

Till next time, Stay Safe and God Bless!

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JASON BATZ

An Exeter firefighter sizes up the scene at this house fire at 98 West Neverink Road.

Home Burns Behind Firehouse in Exeter Twp. Exeter Twp., PA - After Winter storm "Stella" dropped several inches of snow along the East Coast on Tuesday, March 14th, many people were still working the next day to get shoveled out.

Around 8:30 A.M. on March 15th, a large column of smoke was visible in the Reiffton section of Exeter Township. Flames were quickly spotted at 98 West Neversink Road, directly behind Exeter Fire Department Station 2.

The home was located on the side of a steep hill with an unplowed driveway. As firefighters worked to stretch a line up a hill, through more than 12-inches of snow, the fire spread from a garage into the attic. The occupants of the residence were reported to have es-

JUMP TO FILE #031517122 caped through the second-floor of the home and made their way to a neighbor's house. A dog also escaped the burning home, but experienced smoke inhalation and some burns.

Firefighters knocked most of the fire down quickly, but acknowledged that the home would be a total loss. No injuries were reported and the Fire Marshal was investigating the cause. Fire Companies from Mount Penn, Lower Alsace, Reading, Birdsboro, West Reading, Shillington and Gibralter assisted.

- JASON BATZ

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Firefighters Respond to Working Attic Fire in Greene Township Greene Twp., PA - On March 27th, Fayetteville Fire & EMS was alerted for a possible dwelling fire at 224 Meadow Lane in Greene Township. Franklin County 911 took several reports of UMP TO FILE# smoke coming from J033117115 the residence.

Franklin County quickly dispatched units due on Box 71 at 7:18 A.M. Fayetteville Engine 7-1 was the first-in Engine, arriving just four minutes after dispatch. Engine 7-1 worked to establish a water supply and dropped a supply line as Assistant Chief Dustin Ulrich of Chambersburg Fire Department arrived on the scene and established Command.

Assistant Chief Ulrich gave a report advising that he had a working attic fire in a ranch-style residential home, with possible entrapments. Franklin Dispatch immediately started an additional Rescue Squad for the Rapid Intervention Team and Air 10 to assist on the Working Fire Dispatch.

Firefighters worked to quickly check the building, deployed a hose-line to the interior and commenced fire attack. While firefighters worked to gain access to the attic space, personnel were able to do a quick sweep of the residence to confirm that all occupants were out of the structure.

Within 10 minutes of Fayetteville’s arrival on the scene, firefighters were able to knock down the blaze in the attic.

Interior crews worked to extinguish all remaining fire in the attic space as personnel on Truck 42 worked to vent the roof above them. Firefighters had a working attic fire with a lot of blown insulation. Interior gave the all clear around 7:47 A.M., at which time Command reported the fire to be under control. Firefighters worked to pull ceiling and remove burnt materials from the attic for nearly an hour to ensure that the fire was out.

Crews were committed on the scene conducting overhaul operations for nearly an hour after the fire was reported under control by Command. Fire department operations were completed around 9:00 A.M., with final units able to clear and Command terminated around 9:30 A.M. The cause of the early morning blaze is not currently known, but it was confirmed that no one was injured during the incident.

Crews from multiple departments responded out to the early morning incident. Everyone worked as a team, showing true dedication as they all worked together. Fayetteville Fire & EMS Co. 7 responded out with Engine 7-1 and Engine 7-2 on the box, receiving assistance from Chambersburg Fire Co. 1, Franklin Station 4, New Franklin Fire Co. 17, Marion Fire Co. 8, Mont Alto Fire Co. 5, Letterkenny Fire Co.

DENNY CLOPPER

West End firefighters emerge from the attic covered in insulation after battling the blaze in Greene Twp.

13, Buchanan Valley Fire Co. 27 out of Adams County and Franklin County Air 10.

Emergency crews from Pleasant Valley Fire Co. 11, St. Thomas Fire Co. 18 and Cumberland Valley

Hose Co. 53 out of Cumberland County also responded to assist with station transfers while crews

DENNY CLOPPER

were committed on the scene.

- WILLIAM KING

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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DRILLS/TRAINING

If your Department has photos you would like to see in our “Drills” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

GABE SHOEMAKER

Firefighters work on catwalks and aerial ladders as they attempted to suppress this fire within a large wood-chip silo at a power plant in Reading.

Fire at Power Plant Burns for Days in Reading Reading, PA - On Tuesday, March 7th, the Berks County Department of Emergency Services received a call from the Evergreen Community Power Plant reporting a fire in a densely packed, wood-chip silo. As the box alarm was transmitted, a large smoke condition was observed from several areas of the city and local highways.

Firefighters arrived to a smoldering fire within a large wood chip

JUMP TO FILE #031617102 silo. Crews remained on scene with plant personnel for three hours trying to get water and foam to the base of the fire. D-platoon firefighters would be called back to the plant at 10:30 P.M. to assist with suppression.

Companies would clear the

scene at 10:30 P.M., but would return again at 2:15 A.M. the next morning. Plant personnel and the fire department units met and established a special call company to remain on scene for the next several days to assist in the manual unloading of the silo. An engine company would continue work until early Saturday morning, March 11th.

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

Hughesville, PA - On a chilly Monday evening in January, members of the Hughesville Volunteer FD headed outside to learn about ladders. Several junior and newer members, along with several company officers, took Engine 24 to the end of the social hall building. There, the officers taught the new members the parts of a ladder, the different types of ladders, proper carrying, and placement methods of ground ladders. The members spent over two hours stowing, carrying and setting ladders to begin understanding the basics of ground ladders. Even on a cold night, there is always training that can be done, and some good physical work helped to keep everyone warm.

- JASON BATZ

JASON BATZ

LT. DAVE WILLIAMS

Reading firefighters worked around the clock for days while plant workers removed the smoldering wood-chip fuel manually.

Reading, PA - On Wednesday evening, April 5th, several Berks Companies gathered to participate in a live-fire drill at the Berks County Fire Training Center. Firefighters from Brecknock, Kenhorst, Shillington and Cumru worked together to handle evolutions in commercial basements and a residential townhouse. The companies serve the same geographic area and frequently respond together during emergencies. Pictured is Comru FF Zach Spengler working the “knob” during a basement evolution at the Berks Fire Training Center.

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Kulpmont Home Catches Fire, Spreads to Exposure Northumberland County, PA – At 1:50 A.M. on Sunday, April 2nd, Northumberland County 91-1 dispatched the first-alarm assignment for a dwelling fire at 909 Scott Street in Kulpmont.

First arriving crews found heavy fire showing from JUMP TO FILE# the attic of a single- 040617130 family duplex, with close exposures on the "B" and "D" sides. Engine 221 secured a water supply and approached the scene from 8th Street, laying hundreds of feet of LDH. A second-alarm was struck, bringing in additional units from surrounding municipalities.

The fire spread to the "D" exposure as crews worked to contain the blaze. Mount Carmel Truck 2 took the address and flew the aerial to the roof for ventilation. Atlas Engine 21 went to the rear and stretched lines, while Shamokin Truck 32 laddered the building.

During the incident, a MAYDAY was called. It was reported that a firefighter fell through a set of steps near the "C" side of the building. Shamokin Rescue 62 was assigned as the Rapid Intervention Team and sprung into action from the "A" side. EMS and other firefighters ran to the rear to find the firefighter on his knees in the backyard after self-extricating. It was determined that there was no one else in danger and the MAYDAY was canceled. EMS evaluated the firefighter in the yard.

Firefighters brought the fire under control after battling it for over an hour. Two people in the original fire building were displaced due to the fire. The owner of the property told 1st Responder News that he and his wife smelled something burning that presented as electrical in nature.

The homeowner investigated the basement but couldn’t find any smoke or signs of fire, so he just unplugged an older appliance.

Moments later, the owner’s wife smelled something burning and could hear some type of noise coming from the attic. The owners looked up could hear cracking and popping, which quickly led to flames showing in the attic. The fire department was then called to the scene.

Multiple units from Columbia and Schuylkill Counties were moved up to Northumberland County stations to provide coverage during the incident.

Mount Carmel Truck 2 has the address of a fire that destroyed the attic of a residence on Scott St. in Kulpmont.

J. KRIESHER

- JC KRIESHER

J. KRIESHER

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Fire Rips Through Gilberton House and Displaces Occupants Schuylkill County, PA – At 2:01 A.M. on Monday, March 6th, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 sent the first-alarm to 14 Draper Street in Gilberton for a house fire. The first-alarm included Fire District 44 (Gilberton), District 43 (Frackville), Englewood, Mahanoy JUMP TO FILE# City (West End), 040617123 Shenandoah (Rescue Hook & Ladder) and Frackville EMS. Marshal 44 arrived on the scene shortly after the dispatch and confirmed a working fire, with smoke showing from a two-and-a-half story, single-family dwelling. Heavy smoke was pushing from the front of the house, while flames were coming from a connected room on the “B” side of the residence.

Engine 44-15 arrived on scene and stopped to connect to a nearby hydrant, allowing Englewood Engine 369 and Frackville Ladder 43-20 access to the front of the building. A line was stretched off 369 and crews began to attack the fire.

Mahanoy City Engine 465 was directed to come into the scene from the East side and lay an additional supply line from a hydrant. Ladder 745 positioned next to 44-15 and laddered the building. An additional truck crew went to the roof for ventilation.

Firefighters found a lack of usable water from the hydrants. leading command to request a tanker task force dispatched to the scene. Mahanoy Plane Engine 4410 set up a portable pond dump site on Draper Street, while tankers from Fountain Springs, Gordon, Shenandoah and Ryan Township were sent to haul water.

Crews stretched multiple lines into the residence while additional crews worked to contain hot spots on the heavily damaged room connected to the “B” side.

Mahanoy City Engine 451 was brought into the scene to set up a Rapid Intervention Team. Ashland Community Ambulance Rescue 38-50 was also dispatched for their cascade.

The bulk of the fire was knocked down within 45-minutes of the first arriving crews and the majority of the fire was mopped up by 4:30 A.M. The tanker dump site was broken down and apparatus began to be placed back in service.

The American Red Cross was on the scene to help the displaced occupants while PPL was on the scene to cut the power to the residence. One person suffered minor burns on the scene and was treated by Frackville EMS. A State Police Fire Marshal was requested to respond to investigate the cause of the blaze.

- JC KRIESHER

Fire heavily damaged this house on Draper Street in Gilberton on Monday morning, March 6th.

Crews from Ladder 745 work to ventilate the roof.

J. KRIESHER

J. KRIESHER

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

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Roof Fire Brings Box Alarm to 4th and Chestnut Streets Reading, PA - On Saturday afternoon, April 8th, the Berks County Department of Emergency Services began receiving calls reporting smoke showing from a building at 4th and Chestnut Streets.

Chief Kemery (Car3) arrived at 147 South 4th JUMP TO FILE# Street and reported 040817102 a working fire in a three-story MOR. Engine 1 took a position at the address' side of the building and started a hose stretch into the upper floors of the dwelling.

Crews found a large pile of trash and other combustibles burning on the roof to the rear of an adjacent building. The fire was knocked down in 10 minutes, with ladder crews working to open the roof.

Firefighters continued to work the scene for 30 minutes.

No injuries were reported. The Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the incident.

- JASON BATZ

Firefighter Bob Schmale signals to Dave Kochel before ascending Ladder 1 during this roof fire in Reading.

ANTHONY MICCICKE

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

PAGE 53

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you would like to see in our Where are they Now? feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

Rescue 6 of the Biglerville Hose & Truck Company in Adams County is this 2003 Pierce Enforcer, which was purchased from the Blue Ridge Summit Fire Company of Franklin County.

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

BOB DEVONSHIRE

Strasburg Fire Chief John Stoltzfus investigates an SUV that crashed into a tree, injuring one person.

SUV Strikes Tree, Injuring Driver

Strasburg Twp., PA - Shortly before 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 2nd, Lancaster County Rescue 5 (Strasburg Fire Co.) was dispatched to the 400 block of Rt. 896 (Georgetown Rd.) in Strasburg Township for a vehicle accident with the car reported to be into a tree. Chief 5 (Stoltzfus) arrived and found a single SUV head-on into a tree, with heavy front end damage. A single occupant was still in the vehicle. Chief 5 quickly determined that there was no entrapment and that the occupant appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries. Rescue 5 arrived and stabilized the SUV and controlled the hazards. An ambulance from Gordonville Fire & EMS Company (43) responded, along with a Medic unit from Lancaster EMS. Fire and EMS crews worked to package the patient, who was then transported by Gordonville EMS. Pennsylvania State Police were on scene investigating the crash. Crews cleared the scene about an hour after dispatch.

Birdsboro-Union Fire Department of Berks County has a 2000 American LaFrance/LTI Rear Mount Tower they operate as Tower 7. This rig previously served the West End Fire Company of Quakertown.

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

The Community Fire Company of Mahaffey operates a 1995 HME/Luverne engine they purchased from the Eastern Berks Fire Dept. It was bought new by Bally before they merged and runs as Engine Tanker 29.

J. KRIESHER

Three People Hurt in Route-924 MVA Schuylkill County, PA - Sheppton-Oneida firefighters were dispatched with Shenandoah ALS on the morning of March 23rd for a motor vehicle accident on Route 924, located south of Sheppton in East Union Township. Personnel arrived on scene to find one vehicle off the road and into a tree, with three people injured.

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

The Burgettstown Fire Company of Washington County operates this 1989 Pierce Lance as Wagon 21. This rig has a 1750 pump, 550 water and originally ran in Winchester, VA.

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

Paramedic Rob Schaeffer poses for a shot after completing a basic search maze to get comfortable with the new SCOTT masks.

JASON BATZ

STEPHEN BARRETT

Jack Knifed Tractor-Trailer on Frackville Grade Blythe Twp., PA - On Saturday, April 8th at 6:30 A.M., Frackville Goodwill FC, Englewood FC, Altamont FC, Frackville Ambulance and Shenandoah EMS were dispatched to a vehicle accident on Route 61 in Blythe Township.

The accident was reported to be on Route 61 at the Frackville-Saint Clair Grade, in the southbound lane.

Initial phone calls reported a tractortrailer jack-knifed and on the side of the road into the guardrails.

Englewood Engine 369 arrived on location first and found the tractor-trailer on the guardrails, on the

JUMP TO FILE #041517104 left side of the highway. The male driver was out of the vehicle and sitting on the guardrails nearby. The Engine 369 crew assessed the vehicle for leaks and other hazards. Firefighters found diesel fuel leaking from the damaged saddle fuel tanks.

Goodwill Engine 43-10 and Altamont Engine 368 arrived next and established a new traffic pattern around the accident scene.

Frackville and Goodwill firefighters

were able to control the fuel leak and prevented fuel from entering a nearby stream. The Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency was notified of the loss of diesel fuel by Chief 366.

Altamont and Frackville firefighters were then released by Chief 366 and returned back to stations.

Englewood firefighters remained on the scene to assist the tow truck operators with the damaged tractortrailer.

- STEPHEN BARRETT

Reading FD Receives New Breathing Apparatus

Reading, PA - The Reading FD recently received SCOTT breathing apparatus after nearly 40 years of using MSA equipment.

In the Summer of 2016, the Department was notified that they received a $325,000 Federal Assistance-to-Firefighters grant.

In total, the Department took delivery of 74 SCBA's, 148 air cylinders, 4 RIT-paks and a pak-tracker system. The Department will be spending the next few weeks working to get firefighters comfortable with the new equipment before placing them into service.

PATCH OF THE MONTH

BUDDY SHOTS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shots” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the month “feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

Corry Fire Department's new adopted patch! The Department is located in Erie County, PA. RYAN CARD

Mechanicsburg, PA - Fire Inspectors Shifflett, Sica and Cardinale at NRMA Multi-Cultural Day.

PROVIDED

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

PAGE 55

J. KRIESHER

Firefighters arrived on scene in Coal Twp. to find heavy smoke and fire showing from the end unit of this building.

Fire Rocks Coal Township Building Northumerland County, PA – Shortly after 7:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 28th, Northumerland County 9-1-1 sent out the firstalarm assignment to 217 3rd Street in the Ranshaw section of Coal Township.

First arriving crews found a working fire in a multiple unit, row-home style apartment building. The fire appeared to be located in the southern-most apartment and was spreading to the next apartment. Smoke was pushing from the entire roofline.

A second-alarm was called to the scene, bringing in units from

JUMP TO FILE #040617129 Shamokin, Coal Twp. and Ralpho Twp., as well as a rapid intervention team from Kulpmont. Personnel from AREA Services EMS were also on the scene.

The fire was placed under control within an hour of the dispatch and crews began to pick up shortly before 10:00 A.M. PPL was also on the scene to disconnect power.

- JC KRIESHER

STEPHEN BARRETT

The dispatch center upgraded the alarm and quickly dispatched fire companies from Schuylkill Haven for RIT.

Large Storage Building Fire in Pottsville Pottsville City (Schuylkill County), PA - On February 15th at 3:00 P.M., the Pottsville Fire Department and Schuylkill EMS were dispatched to Sixth and Arch Streets for a possible building fire. The caller reported smoke coming from a second-floor window in the threestory warehouse building.

The Pottsville Police arrived within minutes, found heavy smoke pushing from the windows and confirmed a working fire. The dispatch center upgraded the alarm and quickly dispatched fire companies from Schuylkill Haven for RIT. The Pottsville Fire Chief and Assistant Chief arrived on location to find heavy smoke coming from the second-floor rear of the building.

Humane Engine-32 established a water supply from a hydrant on the "Alpha/Delta" corner of the building. The crew from Humane Engine32 deployed hose-lines to the "Delta" side of the structure.

Yorkville Engine-62 staged west of the building on Arch Street. The engine crew deployed hose-lines to the rear doors on the "Bravo" side to attack the fire. The Pottsville Fire

JUMP TO FILE #021617113 Chief assumed incident command and ordered all crews not to enter the building, as it contained a heavy fire load and created a large hazard for the interior attack crews. Command determined that all operations would be conducted from the exterior of the structure.

Ladder-21 was given orders to set up on the "Alpha" side on Sixth Street. Command ordered its aerial ladder into the air to do ladder pipe operations. West End Ladder-51 staged at the "Alpha/Delta" corner and sent its ladder to the secondfloor windows. The ladder crew went up the ladder to assist with ventilation through the boarded up windows.

The remaining responding units staged on Arch Street and sent their crews to the fire building. Goodwill Engine-41 established a water supply from a hydrant on Market Street and fed Engine-32. Engine-32 then supplied Ladder-51 with extra water for their elevated master stream. The

Schuylkill Haven RIT Team responded to the scene and staged their trucks on Market Street. The crew then proceeded up to the fire scene with their RIT equipment to standby.

It was determined that additional water was going to be needed due to the heavy fire load conditions. Command ordered one of the Schuylkill Haven engines to lay in from a hydrant on Eighth Street. Engine-63 then supplied Engine-62 with hydrant water to assist with their exterior attack operations.

The fire required a long exterior attack and extensive overhaul operations. The smoke eventually stopped venting from the upper part of the building and no major fire extension was found in any of the exposure buildings. The Pottsville Chief declared the fire under controlled at 4:30 P.M., and started to release some city units from the scene.

The remaining Pottsville Fire units who were on the scene picked up and returned to their quarters by 6:00 P.M. - STEPHEN BARRETT

EMS

If you have photos you would like to see in our “EMS” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

J. KRIESHER

FESCO EMS units in Chambersburg, PA.

SHANE SHIFFLETT

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May, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

LITTLE BIG GUYS If you have photos you would like to see in our Little Big Guys feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

Citizens Fire Company of Palmyra operates this 2012 Ford F550/Swab squad.

FRANK ROBINSON

NICK AMICONE

Reading Firefighters work the roof of this auto shop fire on North 5th Street in Reading.

JESSE SHUTT

In March, Fisherville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 placed Brush 216 into service. Members of the company purchased a used high pressure skid unit and converted their 1984 Chevrolet Utility into a Brush Unit. It has a 14GPM high pressure pump with a 300-gallon tank and dual booster reels. All of the work was done in house by the members.

NICK AMICONE

Garage Fire Erupts Next to Al’s Diamond Cabaret Reading, PA - On Tuesday, March 28th, the Berks County Department of Emergency Services received several phone calls reporting smoke coming from a garage adjacent to "Al's Diamond Cabaret," in the 1800 block of North 5th Street. Engine 3 arrived at a single-story block building, with smoke showing from the garage bays. A two-and-a-half inch hose-line was stretched into the building and firefighters fought multiple vehicle fires. All occupants escaped the building with no injuries reported and the fire was placed under control within 30 minutes. The Fire Marshal's Office was investigating the cause.

Chief Born (C5) was in command.

The Chalfont Fire Co. runs this 2005 Ford/Reading Body 250/300 as Tac-74.

KEN SNYDER

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

PAGE 57

DRILLS/TRAINING

If your Department has photos you would like to see in our “Drills” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Shillington, PA - On Tuesday evening, March 28th, members of the Keystone Fire Company in Shillington conducted a machinery rescue drill. The firefighters reviewed lockout/tagout and rescue procedures before tackling various scenarios. Skills included stuck rings, playground equipment extrication, impalements and hand entrapments. The skills included a good deal of hands-on time with various power tools.

Firefighters found a working fire in this home on West Penn Pike after being alerted to a possible fire by an alarm company.

J. KRIESHER

Home on West Penn Pike Damaged by Fire Firefighters work to extricate a hand stuck in a paper shredder.

JASON BATZ

Schuylkill County, PA – At 4:35 A.M. on Wednesday, March 22nd, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched a first-alarm structure assignment to 2056 West Penn Pike in West Penn Township for a house fire.

The first-alarm included Fire Districts 37 (West Penn), 55 (New Ringgold), Tamaqua Fire (American & Ladder Co.) with Lehigh County Station 10 (Germanville) and 17 (New Tripoli). Tamaqua EMS was also due.

Chief 37 responded and was advised that County received a call from an alarm company stating that a resident was reporting a fire in the residence. Engine 37-11 and Tanker 37-32 were en-route shortly after.

Assistant Chief 37-01 arrived on the scene and confirmed a working fire in a single-family dwelling.

The chief also requested Carbon District 3 (East Penn Twp.) to be

JUMP TO FILE #040617128 dispatched to the scene.

A line was stretched off 37-11 and crews found a fire in the front room of the house on the first-floor.

Engine 55-10 pulled in front of 3711 and their crew backed up the West Penn firefighters. The responding tankers (37-32 & 55-30) were advised to pull a line to supply 37-11, as their tank water was quickly dwindling.

Rescue 37-53 was sent to a nearby pond to set up a tanker fill site with an engine from District 3.

Ladder 770 was directed to the front of the building and prepared for possible ventilation on the roof.

Engine 776 staged behind the ladder and sent their crews to the building.

First arriving firefighters made a quick knock on the bulk of the

fire located on the first-floor. Additional firefighters went to the second-floor to check for extension, but those searches proved negative.

Lehigh County crews arrived on the scene and assisted with opening up walls and dousing hot spots. Tamaqua (South Ward) was dispatched to the scene for their cascade unit.

The fire was placed under control within 30-minutes of crews arriving on scene. Positive pressure ventilation was initiated to clear smoke. PPL was requested to the scene to disconnect power to the residence, while the Red Cross was called to help those displaced by the fire.

Out-of-town crews began to return to service around 6:30 A.M. A State Police Fire Marshal was also called to the scene to help investigate the cause of the fire.

- JC KRIESHER

JASON BATZ

Captain Dave Yoch uses a rotary tool to remove a ring from a swollen finger.

A firefighter works to extinguish any remaining hot spots.

J. KRIESHER

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

COMMAND VEHICLES

If your Department has photos you would like to see in our “Command Vehicles” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

KEN SNYDER

Car 21 of Topton Vol. Fire Co. No. 1 uses the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria as a station car.

TIMOTHY COOVER

Crews make quick work of an attic fire on North 2nd and Walnut Streets in Columbia Borough.

Working Fire Assignment Hit in Columbia Borough

This 2016 Chevy is used by the Harrisburg Fire Chief. On the rear window is a remembrance for the LODD of HFD Lt. DeVoe.

KEN SNYDER

Columbia, PA - Columbia Borough Fire Department and mutual aid departments were dispatched to the area of Walnut and North 2nd Streets around 6:00 P.M. on April 16th. The caller to 911 reported smoke filling the upstairs. Crews arrived to find fire in the attic area of an end-of-row home.

Command requested the working fire assignment and crews

JUMP TO FILE #041717101 went to work to knock the fire down. First-in engine crews from Columbia and Wrightsville knocked the fire down and held it to the room of origin.

Columbia Borough Fire Department Station 80 was assisted by crews from Wrightsville Fire &

Rescue Company 41, Fire Department Mount Joy, West Hempfield Fire/Rescue, Maytown-East Donegal Township Fire Department, Pioneer Fire Company No. 1 Marietta, PA, Rohrerstown Fire Company, Mountville Fire Company No. 1, Susquehanna Valley EMS and fire police from Columbia and Marietta.

- TIMOTHY COOVER

City of York Fire/Rescue uses this Ford as a command vehicle.

KEN SNYDER

Crews pack the hose back onto the engine after making quick work of the fire.

TIMOTHY COOVER

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

May, 2017

PAGE 59

FACES OF PENNSYLVANIA’S EMERGENCY SERVICES

To see your “Faces” in the newspaper, upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com, email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com or mail them to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street. New Windsor, NY 12553.

J. KRIESHER

LVHN MedEvac Flight Nurse Daniel Leshko converses with his partner on Interstate 81 while picking up a patient from a recent MCI.

Hazle Township Firefighter Era Gould picks up hydraulic tools following recent a massive crash that involved over three dozen vehicles on Interstate 81.

J. KRIESHER

Reading Firefighters Jeff LeCompte, Devin Scicchitano, Mike Harcarik and Brett Mack pose during a multi-alarm warehouse fire.

JORDAN BANKERT

SHANE SHIFFLETT

J. KRIESHER

Captain Eddie Ebling (left), discusses actions during a fire in Pottsville with Chief Todd March (right).

Lower Allen Twp. Assistant Fire Chief Stephen Overmiller in command during a house fire.

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

DEPARTMENT PROFILES

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Department Profiles� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

Maytown East Donegal Twp. Fire Department Station 79 is located in Lancaster County.

TIMOTHY COOVER

DARIN SMITH/TRUCK 18 PHOTOGRAPHY

Hughesville EMS treat a patient while police investigate the crash.

MVA with Rollover in Hughesville

Hughesville, PA - At approximately 6:45 P.M. on March 21st, Lycoming County communications dispatched Station 24 and Medic 2-91 (Susquehanna Regional EMS) for a vehicle accident with rollover at 3rd and Water Streets in the Borough of Hughesville. Engine 1-24, Chief 24, Ambulance 24, Medic 2-91 and Borough Police responded. On arrival, they found two vehicles that had collided at the intersection. The accident occurred when a Toyota minivan struck a Ford Explorer on the passenger sidem causing it to flip on it's side at the curb. The driver self-extricated from the rolled over vehicle. Only one individual was treated on the scene. Crews remained on scene to assist in cleaning up debris and traffic control until both vehicles were removed from the scene. The Hughesville PD was investigating the accident.

79 Duty Vehicle with Boat 792.

TIMOTHY COOVER

Two new additions to the station are Special Unit 79 and new inflatable boat 791.

TIMOTHY COOVER

ANTHONY MICCICKE

House Burns in Exeter Township Exeter Township, PA - On Sunday, March 5th, the Berks County Department of Emergency Services began receiving calls reporting smoke coming from a home along Route 422. Companies were dispatched to 6304 Perkiomen Avenue. Engine 25 arrived at a home with a long driveway and an inadequate bridge. A decision was made to stop and make room for a smaller apparatus to continue to the home. A brush unit from Monarch Fire Company would eventually be used as the fire attack unit, which was fed through Engine 25 from a tanker fill site on Perkiomen Avenue. Several hose-lines were stretched to fight the fire. No injuries were reported. Fire Companies from Monarch, Amity, Birdsboro, and Mount Penn provided assistance.

Tanker 79.

TIMOTHY COOVER

1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

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May, 2017

IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our “In Service” feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

LOWER BURRELL VOL. FIRE CO.

Firefighters make entry through a crawl space to access the fire.

CURTIS BRYAN

Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company #1 operates this 2017 Freightliner/4 Guys Pumper Tanker, designated as Pumper Tanker-54.

Firefighters Find Working Fire in Crawl Space Under House Peters Twp., PA - On the morning of Thursday, March 9th, emergency crews due on Box 9-18 were dispatched out for a reported house fire in Peters Township. Franklin County 911 received a call reporting a possible basement fire, with the house quickly filling with smoke.

MMP&W Fire Company 9, out of Mercersburg, was quickly dispatched out for the call with multiple neighboring departments at 8:58 A.M. to 5220 Mercersburg Road.

Engine 92 from MMP&W was the first unit to respond within minutes after dispatch. All occupants were advised to evacuate and wait outside for the fire department. Engine 92 arrived on the scene within five minutes of dispatch to find smoke showing from the "Delta" side of a one-and-a-half story residential structure. The Engine 92 officer took a crew and made entry as the Engine 92 operator established Command.

The interior firefighters walked around to the side of the structure to find smoke coming from the crawl space as Chief Carbaugh of MMP&W arrived and assumed Command. Interior crews made entry and reported heavy smoke conditions within the crawl space as fire

JUMP TO FILE #031017132 began to show on the exterior of the house on the "Delta" side. Once entry was made to the crawl space, firefighters were met with extreme heat conditions as they worked to locate the fire.

Command was concerned with deteriorating conditions and made the request for the Working Fire dispatch to be started. Interior crews in the crawl space continued to battle the high heat and heavy smoke conditions as they searched for the fire, as firefighters on Division 1 reported that the floor appeared to be weakening on the "Alpha/Delta" corner of the structure.

Interior firefighters in the crawl space were finally able to find the fire that was weakening the structure on the opposite side of the house from where they made entry. Firefighters were faced with heavy fire conditions, but were able to conduct a quick knock down on a bulk of the fire once it was located. Interior reported the fire as knocked to Command at 9:28 A.M. With the fire knocked down, Command began to cut back on the assignment, cancel-

ing all incoming units with the exception of Franklin County’s Air 10.

The residence on Mercersburg Road sustained moderate heat and smoke damage. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called in to investigate the cause of the morning blaze, which has not yet been released. All occupants were able to safely evacuate the home and no injuries were reported during the incident.

Mercersburg MMP&W Co. 9 responded out, receiving additional assistance from St. Thomas Fire Co. 18, Greencastle Rescue Hose Co. 3, Franklin Station 4, Marion Fire Co. 8, Fulton County’s McConnellsburg Fire Co. 56, Washington County’s Maugansville Fire Co. 13 and Franklin County Air 10.

Additional crews from Washington County’s Longmeadow Fire Co. 27, Pleasant Hall Fire Co. 11, Fayetteville Fire Co. 7 and Fulton County’s McConnellsburg Fire Co. 56 responded out to assist with station fill-ins as crews were committed on the scene. Command was terminated and remaining units were able to clear the scene shortly after 10:30 A.M. - WILLIAM KING

KEN SNYDER

Rescue 29 of the Barren Hill Fire Co. is a 2000 E-One Saulsbury.

DALE FEEHRER

The Rawlinsville Fire Department operates this 1992 Pierce Dash engine (1500/500) as Engine 58-2.

DALE FEEHRER

The Western Berks Fire Department operates this 2016 Pierce Velocity (2000/500/105') as Ladder 18.

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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA

FUTURE FIRST RESPONDERS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Future First Responders” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

MATT AZROLAN

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Chambersburg, PA - Liliana Shifflett in Squad-41. Liliana is the daughter of Firefighter/Fire Photographer Shane Shifflett, who is also a 1st Responder News correspondent.

The Reading Act 47 Hockey Team, comprised of firefighters and police officers. The team name comes from Reading's distressed city status.

Reading Fire and Police Members Compete in Hockey Tournament

Reading, PA - Earlier in the month of April, the Reading Act 47 Hockey Team (combined Fire and PD), competed in the DC Firefighters' Burn Foundation Hockey Tournament. This tournament raises money to help in the recovery and rehabilitation of injured firefighters and burn patients in the DC Metropolitan area. The Reading 47 team is comprised of members from the Reading PD and Reading FD. The 47's beat teams representing the Washington DC Metro Police, the the City of Harrisburg FD and the Washington DC FD, winning their second straight division championship. RFD members included Matt Azrolan, Ken Kise, Erik Hirner, Andrew Rebuck and Jim Salanik.

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May, 2017

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