VOLUME 6, NO.2
W W W .FIRENE WS .COM
Serving Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes Since 1973 MAY 2016
Story on page 48. -Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
LODD: Hanover FD Mourns the Passing of Earl Shoemaker See Story on page 8. -Pennsylvania Edition-
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 3
In this issue... LODD: Earl J. Shoemaker On March 12, 2016, Eagle FC’s Earl Shoemaker died from a heart attack while responding to a fire. See story page 8
2 FFs Injured at Penbrook Fire On February 19, 2016, Box 302 sent various companies to Canby Street in the Borough of Penbrook for a reportSee story page 9 ed house fire.
A Service for Pennsylvania Firefighters and EMS Providers Founded 1973
146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Asst. Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales CLIFF CHIESA, Art Director, Production Manager
4-Alarmer Leaves 9 Homeless in Lancaster One person was rescued from a fouralarm fire at a row home in Lancaster City. See story page 16
No Good Deed Goes... Highland Park Engine 4 and Fame EMS responded to a Nazareth Ambulance, which caught fire while on a transport on US Highway 322. See story page 20
Advertising Sales: BARBARA CONNOLLY, EVELYN ALOISIO Graphic Artists: LYNN SEDLER, GREG JONES CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS DAWN ALTSTATT, TED AURIG, LAUREN CARPENTER, JASON COLEMAN-COBB, N. GRISWOLD, ALEX LLOYD GROSS, CURTIS JURY, KEN LAGER, GREG LEAMAN, ARTIE OSNIAK, STEVE ROTH, PATRICK SHOOP, JAYSON WAGNER, ASHLEY WALTERS, DENNIS WETHERHOLD, JR. COLUMNS KRAIG HERMAN, TIM SOLOBAY COPYRIGHT 2012, THE FIRE NEWS LLC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Residents Displaced Despite Quick Response On March 7, 2016, York County Box 4605 was struck for a reported structure fire on Carlise Street in Hanover See story page 33 Borough.
Making the Best of a Good Day Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon and Dormont FDs took advantage of a rare warm February day to train together. See story page 37
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HOSE CONNECTIONS
From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor
Cancer: Are You Concerned? Periodically, I like to remind everyone about the issues in the fire service that are addressed by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and other organizations in the fire service that we take for granted. If you visit CFSI.org, you will find their 2016 Legislative Outlook. The data in this outlook comes from the National Fire Protection Association and is quite comprehensive. CFSI’s document is a synopsis of the critical issues in the fire service that will be considered during the Second Session of the 114th Congress. I am only going to talk about one concern that is personally important to me. (Visit www.cfsi.org for the full report, which covers all areas of importance to the fire-rescue and emergency services.) One of the issues discussed in the Legislative Outlook is cancer. Recently, I have attended two fire association meetings on this topic. (On a side note visit YouTube and do a search for “Fighting Fires Fighting Cancer: FASNY Members Share Their Story.”) Each time I heard the presentation, I sat back and wondered where my life altering cancer came from. Was it something I did wrong? Could I have prevented it? I will never know the answer to these questions. When I was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine cancer, I was told, that I was born with this dormant cancer, and doctors have no idea what woke it up. But let’s face it; the heightened risk of cancer among firefighters has been attributed to their frequent exposure to a range of harmful toxins. Was this my trigger? When I listened to ex-Chief Tony Cruz of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) speak, I realized that I may have put my own personal safety at risk by not wearing my mask when I should have, or by not cleaning my equipment as much as I should have. It has only been over the past few years that we have realized that we, as firefighters, are coming down with this dreaded disease in alarming numbers. I hope it never happens to you, but when you sit down with your doctor and you are told that you have cancer, you will go home and rack your brain trying to figure out how you got it and if you will survive. What can you do to lessen the chances of contracting cancer? Watch the video. Learn from my friends who walked down the dark hallway of cancer. On a positive note, I am now seeing firerescue personnel taking the time to thoroughly clean up after calls. This past weekend I stopped by a firehouse in NYC. When the company backed into quarters, I observed a member take the time to clean off his helmet so that it was free of contaminants and clean for the next call. Take the time to do one thing; watch the aforementioned FASNY video. I sincerely thank the members of the FCSN for being there for me and my family and for reaching out to all responders to educate them about cancer. ... Dennis
A Troubling Issue Firefighter Suicide by Steve Austin “If I had only…” When something as tragic as the self-inflicted death of a brother or sister in the fire service happens, close friends ask this question to themselves and may continue to do so for the rest of their lives. When someone who has pledged to save the lives of others becomes so conflicted as to take their own life, the impact of that death ripples across the entire fire service. It is unfortunate but most, if not all of us, know a fellow fire service member who took their own life. We are all saddened and left with the pain of watching the members of the surviving family grieve the loss of a loved one. Studies indicate that the exposure firefighters have to some of the most horrendous events in life play a role in causing depression that could lead to the worst. Earlier this year, a husband and wife connected with the volunteer fire service in Maryland took their own lives within a week of one another leaving their two-month old child. Unfortunately, there are events like this taking place all across the country. Family survivors and fire service family members are left numb by these events. The data is not complete but there is a clear trend emerging that captures over 100 such events over the past few years. The trend appears to be upward. Few in the fire service family are equipped with the professional training to spot potential behavior that could lead to a fellow member taking their own life. That is why some progressive departments, private concerns and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation have dedicated resources to tackling this issue. For starters, Provident Insurance, which insures most of the firefighters in Delaware for accidents — without fanfare — rolled out a First Responder Assistance Program. Any member or m e m b e r ’s f a m i l y c a n c a l l , confidentially, to seek help for problems including stress management, depression, family conflict, anxiety, grief and loss, relationships, financial or legal,
addictions, problem gambling, child and elder care, etc. Often these problems are a precursor to suicidal thoughts. Many stations already have posted the instructions for accessing this service. The confidential nature of the program ensures that no one in the fire department knows that a call has been placed. A number of forward thinking companies have established Employee Assistance Programs as part of their member services, as well. Often counseling on life’s problems are included. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is aggressively attacking the problem through the Everyone Goes Home program. Firefighter Life Safety Initiative #13 states, “Firefighters and their families must have access to counseling and psychological support.” The Foundation has done much work in suicide prevention for firefighters. There are a number of White Papers and reports that are very helpful in identifying depression and other behavior that might lead a fellow responder to have suicidal thoughts. There is an excellent guide for Chiefs that reinforces that, “suicide is preventable and there are interventions that can make a difference.” Officers, both fire line and administrative, should avail themselves of this information. It is time for an open discussion in our firehouses about this problem. We owe it to ourselves and our brothers and sisters. We never want the phrase, “if I had only…,” haunt us for the rest of our lives.
Page 6, Fire News, May 2016
PENNFIRS By Tim Solobay Happy Spring! As the warmer weather is beginning, it makes us all start thinking about summer, vacations, great weather (hopefully) and a changeover of sorts of fire call types. Brush fires and forest fires are a major concern as the brown grasses of winter start their rebirth and greening up. Hopefully the heating and CO calls go to the wayside for a while, but with these warmer weather calls goes the need of good hydration and rehabbing your forces. I know we are all tough macho men and women and don’t need rehab, but as we have talked many times over the years, we are an aging population in many places and the body doesn’t handle things the way it may have 20 years ago. So please, please, please take care of your members and have a safety officer who can watch over things since other officers get too busy with the many other duties on a fire scene. You have heard me, and Kraig Herman from my office who handles the PENNFIRS, talk about getting signed up with your department. We went from about 20 percent reporting to almost 55 percent- give or take - over the past eight months. Incident reporting is a mandated requirement in the grant program and although it hasn’t been strongly enforced in the past because of problems with the previous system, we now seem to have gotten that all straightened out. Whether you have decided to stay with the Firehouse or have switched to Emergency Reporting, you will have to be signed up by this year’s (2016-17) 30 Million Dollar Grant Program by September 2016 (as long as it’s reauthorized and reporting stays in the legislation as the mandate it has always been). In addition, you will then have to maintain a monthly record of reporting by the following grant year (2017-18) to be eligible to receive your grant come the 2017/18 grant year! You are probably saying “WHAT?” Yes, by order of the legislation that provides the grants you MUST be reporting and have been reporting for the previous year in September of 2017 and sending the reports in to us to be eligible to qualify for grant funds. We have told you this was coming since the switch was made in July 2015, and it’s not because we are trying to be mean or anything, but our Career Department partners have been doing this all along. Here is another very important reason for the mandate and I think it’s even more important than money. With the Cancer Presumption Law that was passed several years ago, God forbid you develop some type of occupationally caused cancer, the insurance companies will go back and check your company’s PENNFIRS reports to see if you have been in incidents where this cancer could have occurred. If you aren’t a company reporting and documenting properly, they will refuse the claim and you or your member will be out of luck receiving benefits. So there are two major reasons that compliance to this is mandatory. You will be getting many reminders in the coming months because the last thing I want is for anyone to be hurt by this. Since becoming Commissioner I have been putting many miles on the vehicle trying to get around to as many places as possible. Not only do we want to meet folks, show them who we are and what we are working on for them but, more importantly, that we are listening to them on issues with which they’re concerned. Three major issues that kept coming up from the volunteer and career firefighter perspective have been funding, manpower and how can we provide training in a more convenient way. There were others but these have been the most prevalent. We weren’t surprised, because these have been the major issues for a long time now. Over the next few months I am going to focus on these issues and share with you some of the solutions I have found that folks have done to correct them in their particular department. We are also attempting to get the Legislature and local government officials on board in recognizing and helping solve the problems in the fire service with which all of you are concerned. We will again be at the Fire Expo in Harrisburg at the Farm Show Complex as will our reporting partners, Emergency Reporting. Their booth will also be close to ours and we are also working on space where they will be doing mini seminars on the system. If you are not yet registered in the system, you will also be able to get that done at the Expo. Hope to see you there. Please stay safe and smart as you provide the vital service to your communities. Safety begins with you and should be an example to others on each and every call so that “Everyone Goes Home.” See you next month. -Tim
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As The Pennsylvania Fire Service Turns…
By Kraig E. Herman, IAAI-CFI Public Education Specialist / NFIRS State Program Manager Office of the State Fire Commissioner In mid-March, I had the opportunity to attend the Vision 20/20 Model Performance in Fire Prevention Symposium held in Fairfax, Virginia. I would love to share everything I learned over the course of three days, but for now I’ll just say that I was filled with a entirely new outlook on what I need to do when it comes to fire prevention. We have a lot more we can be doing and I am here to urge anyone that handles fire prevention activities for your department to reach out to me for a partnership. We cannot do things alone! I have been working on our Fire Prevention and Safety grant (which by the time you read this will be open) and I had to compile some statistics to show why we need the items for which I am submitting. From 2013 through 2015, Pennsylvania experienced 402 civilian fire deaths in residential homes. I was afraid to see how that ranked us among other states, but it is safe to say we are in the top five, and one year we were actually in third place.
2013 - 2015 AGE GROUPS
TOTAL COUNT
0-19 20-59 60-100 Unknown
55 126 158 63
OVERALL PERCENTAGE 13.7% 31.3% 39.3% 15.7%
SMOKE ALARM INFORMATION SMOKE ALARM USAGE Present/Working Not Present/Working Not Reported
TOTAL COUNT
OVERALL PERCENTAGE 2.0% 7.0% 86.3%
8 28 347
Based on the information in the first chart, it’s fairly easy to see the trend that shows what age group we should be targeting with our fire prevention messaging. But the second chart shows a more disturbing trend, and this time we have only ourselves to blame. We cannot go to our target age group and tell them with any certainty or credibility that smoke detectors save lives. Why? Because we don’t have the proof to back up our claims. The chart shows that in 347 cases of civilian fire deaths, the status of smoke alarms in the incident was not reported. If we care about the public we serve, we need to provide documentation that supports our messaging. The fire service is responsible for reporting this information, and I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that it’s readily available from NFIRS for anyone who wants to take the time to find it. To the public, municipal leaders, elected officials, etc., “Not Reported” doesn’t mean the same thing as “unknown” - there’s a difference, and it’s up to us to make this documentation a priority. As more proof we’re not taking incident reporting seriously, look at this:
FIRE CAUSES
RESIDENTIAL FIRES WITH CIVILIAN FIRE DEATHS CAUSE Smoking Electrical Cooking Open Flame Equip. Malfunction Heating Playing Natural Under Investigation
2013 6 6 10 1
2014 4 6 1 1
2015 9 4 6 2
TOTAL 19 16 17 4
% 4.7% 3.9% 4.2% .99%
1
3
0
4
.99%
3 0 1 99
4 1 0 123
6 0 0 105
13 1 1 327
3.2% .2% .2% 81%
continued on page 54.
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 7
Close Call in Paradise
York County Box 33-101 was struck on March 23, 2016, for a house fire in the 8500 block of Maple Grove Road in Paradise Township. Units from Adams and York County arrived to a working fire in a single-family dwelling about 1000 feet up a very steep driveway. Engines 33-2 and Engine 11-1 began an attack on the fire on the
Alpha-Bravo side (an attached garage). The fire spread rapidly into the house. About 20 minutes into the fire, the front wall of the garage collapsed outward just narrowly missing a group of firefighters. Command ordered everyone out and off the house, and exterior operations continued. - Fire News photo by 911 Photography
Page 8, Fire News, May 2016
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LODD: Eagle FC’s FF Earl J. Shoemaker
On March 12, 2016, York County Box 52-13 was struck for the possible house fire on Pumping Station Road in West Manheim Township. The Pleasant Hill Fire Department along with mutual aid companies from Hanover and Penn Townships responded to a fire in a duplex home, with heavy fire on arrival. Air 46, of the Eagle Fire Company #2, was assigned on the box. Firefighter Earl J. Shoemaker, a 43-year veteran volunteer firefighter responded as the driver and lone firefighter on Air 46 as a support unit to fill air cylinders. En route, Firefighter Shoemaker suffered a coronary event, crashed through a barrier and traveled some 600 feet through a field before coming to a stop. MICU 49, while responding to the previously dispatched fire, came across the crashed air unit and reported to York County 911 Center. Extensive life saving measures were performed by a fast acting EMS crew, but sadly, Firefighter Shoemaker succumbed. On Saturday, March 19, 2016, friends, family, and hundreds of firefighters came out to celebrate Firefighter Shoemaker’s life at a full honors service and burial. Firefighter Shoemaker leaves behind a wife, three adult children and several grandchildren. - Fire News photos by 911 Photography
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 9
2 FFs Injured at Penbrook Fire
On February 19, 2016, Box 302 sent Company 30 (Penbrook), Engines 31 (Edgemont), 32-1 (Progress), Wagon 4 (Harrisburg), Truck ), Tower 1 (Harrisburg), Rescues 40 (Paxtang), 44 (Lawnton) to Canby Street in the Borough of Penbrook for a reported house on fire. Engine 32 reported a 2-1/2 story duplex with smoke showing on the second floor attic side A, and fire showing on the second
Announcement
THE KEYSTONE FIREFIGHTER CONFERENCE JULY 15-17, 2016
We have lots in store for you again this year. Our training sessions start on Friday, July 15, 2016, at 0900 with a forcible entry seminar by the Traditions Training staff. Fire Ground Leadership for command and company officers commences at 1300 with Joe Pronesti and Chris Naun. The exhibit floor will be open from 1600 to 2100 and our keynote speaker, Mike Dugan, will speak at 1900. Antique fire apparatus will be on display in the exhibit hall, as well. Saturday starts at 0800 and continues until 1800 with training on a wide variety of scenarios presented by Tony Tricarico, Richard Ray, Jimmy Smith, the Traditions Training Group, Joe Pronesti and Chris Naun, and Bobby Halton and Mike Dalton. And we still have lots of other things going on for you to enjoy. New for 2016 will be our Junior Firefighter/Explorer competition sponsored by VFIS from 1100 to 1400. Bring your boys and girls to see how they fair against other departments. From 1000 to 1400 we will have antique and modern apparatus on display in the parking lot all shined up and ready to be judged; we are offering over $2100 in prize money. Also, we have invited the Selden (NY) Fire Department Slowpokes Drill Team to display their Class B and C rigs, which they use for racing. On Sunday, July 17, the exhibit hall will be open from 0900 to 1400 with activities planned outside and inside. We will be having a chili cook off contest judged by Ray Cooney, chef of TV’s Firehouse Kitchen fame. Bring your best crockpot of chili to be judged by him and his staff. The winner of the contest will receive a $100 gift certificate donated by the Fire Store. Once again our friends from VFIS are sponsoring a fire apparatus rodeo. Bring a rig and see if you are the best on the course. Awards will be presented by VFIS for the winners. We hope that you can join us for the second year of the Keystone Firefighter Conference. We are sure that you will find enough to keep you busy, whether you join us for one day or all three. Please visit our website www.keystonefirefighterconference.com for more info; or contact Bob Romig via e-mail at bobrfire17@aol.com. See full conference schedule on page 52.
floor side D. Harrisburg Captain 2 (Wise) assumed command. Tower 1 arrived and set up on side A. Captain 2 reported significant fire on the second and third floor rears. Chief 30 arrived and assumed command. Two firefighters were injured. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Page 10, Fire News, May 2016
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RR Brush Fire in Catasauqua
Members of the Catasauqua Fire Department were called out on March 12, 2016, for a reported brush fire along the Norfolk Southern Railroad Tracks. This area is prone to numerous brush fires due to a large homeless camp in the area. Responding units were met with thick black smoke. Arriving chiefs found numerous brush fires in the wooded area along with rubber tires burning. A request was made for numerous brush trucks to assist with containment. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
Lehigh Co. 2-Alarm House Fire Firefighters responded to a two-alarm house fire on Susan Road in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County on January 28, 2016. - Fire News photo by Jayson Wagner
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3-Alarmer Needs Foam
On March 26, 2016 firefighters responded to Allegheny River Boulevard in Penn Hills near Pittsburgh at the former location of Vicino’s Restaurant. A third alarm was called when crews had trouble establishing a water supply because of problematic hydrants
and fire in a sub-basement. Tankers came to help from as far as 20 miles away, and the stubborn fire was finally defeated with the help of the high expansion foam truck from the Greensburg Fire Department. - Fire News photos by Ken Lager
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 13
Bullskin Easter House Fire
On Easter Sunday 2016, Station 45 of the Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Department was alerted along with Station 14 (Everson), Station 7 (Connellsville), Station 37 (South Connellsville VFC RIT Team) and Fayette EMS for a house fire on Route 982 in Bullskin Township. Upon arrival, units confirmed a working structure in a single-story ranch. Residents of the structure were evacu-
ated from the house upon firefighters’ arrival. Crews went to work using multiple handlines and made an aggressive interior attack. RIT from Station 37 staged at the Alpha/Delta side of the structure. The fire was knocked down and extensive overhaul was required. - Fire News photo by Artie Osniak
Page 14, Fire News, May 2016
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Coopersburg 2-Alarm Garage Fire
Companies arrived to heavy fire showing from a two-story pole barn and quickly requested a second alarm. Multiple departments battled the fire before it was brought under control. - Fire News photo by Jayson Wagner
2 Saved in Harrisburg Blaze
On April 19, 2016, Harrisburg City Wagon 3, Squad 8, Towers 1 and 2, and Captain 1 dispatched to North 2nd Street in the Uptown neighborhood for a fully involved structure fire in a three-story, brick, single dwelling with reports of entrapment. Captain 1 requested the first alarm assignment en route, bringing Wagon 4, Rescue 69 (York Co. DLA), and Air 13 (West Shore) to the scene. Tower 2 arrived to heavy fire showing from the rear with exposure issues, and an adult and a child on the front roof. Squad 8 laid a supply line to the rear and led off with a deck gun. With fire extending to exposures on both sides, a second alarm assignment was transmitted consisting of Engines 30 (Penbrook), 37 (Susquehanna Twp), Truck 50 (Steelton), Truck 32 (Progress), and Rescue 44 (Lawnton). Multiple lines were stretched into the exposures and crews were able to safely remove the trapped occupants. Squad 8 supplied Tower 1 in the rear as heavy fire consumed all floors. The bulk of the fire was knocked down in about 30 minutes with extensive overhaul required in three buildings. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 15
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4-Alarmer Leaves 9 Homeless in Lancaster
One person was rescued from a four-alarm fire at a row home in Lancaster City on April 16, 2016. Lancaster Township firefighters encountered heavy fire from the interior and exterior of the Marietta Avenue home on arrival. Initial reports from Lancaster County Wide Communications stated a woman had escaped onto the roof. Mervin Gonzalez, a former New York firefighter who lived next door, told a neighbor to call 911. Meanwhile, he was able to talk the woman down and helped her to the ground. The fire started at the rear of the home, igniting the vinyl siding and traveling up the
side of the house and into the roof. Flames ran through a common roof space and into two adjacent homes, but were contained to the roof area in those structures. Three families were displaced by the blaze. American Red Cross responded. Assisting were Lafayette Fire Company, Manheim Township Fire Rescue, Willow Street Fire Company, Mountville Fire Company, LEMSA EMS and the American Red Cross. - Fire News photos by Greg Leaman
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 17
Mulch Fire in Granville Twp.
On March 24, 2016, fire companies from Granville Township and Hollenbaugh’s Wood Recycling on Industrial Park Road. the surrounding area responded to a large mulch pile fire at - Fire News photo by Patrick Shoop
Page 18, Fire News, May 2016
6-Alarmer in Philadelphia
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Firefighters in Philadelphia had to contend with below freezing SEPTA Market-Frankford line being closed. Several stores and temperatures in February 2016, when they did battle with a six- businesses were destroyed, as over 100 firefighters were called to the alarm fire in the city’s Fankford section. The blaze, which was scene. - Fire News photo Alex Lloyd Gross located on the 4600 block of Frankford Avenue, resulted in the
Page 20, Fire News, May 2016
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6 Displaced, 2 Injured in East Pennsboro Twp. Fire On March 26, 2016, companies from Summerdale, Enola, Creekside, Northeast and Hampden Township, responded to the 300 block of W. Shady Lane for a building fire. Chief 5A arrived to find a two-story, apartment building with fire showing. A second alarm was requested, bringing units from West Shore, Marysvill, Susquehanna Twp., York Co. DLA and Creekside. Crews rescued an occupant trapped in an apartment on the opposite side of the fire. Two occupants were hospitalized and six were left homeless. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
No Good Deed Goes ‌. On April 13, 2016, Highland Park Engine 4 and Fame EMS responded to a Nazareth Ambulance, which caught fire while on a transport on US Highway 322 West in Derry Township, Mifflin County. - Fire News photo by Patrick Shoop
Nice Save in Upper Darby On February 19, 2016, the Cardington-Stonehurst Fire Company (Upper Darby) responded to a multi-alarm fire with special calls on Overhill Road in Upper Darby. On arrival, crews found a man yelling from a third-floor window. Firefighter Brian Ganley put up a ladder, gave the victim his mask and assisted the man down to awaiting paramedics. The fire, on the second floor rear bedroom, was pumping out flames and heavy smoke. The attack went defensive as conditions rapidly deteriorated. Assisting at the scene were companies from Garrettford-Drexel Hill, Highland Park, Upper Darby and Primos-Secane. - Fire News photo by Lauren Carpenter
Chimney Fire in Pequea Township Two people were displaced by a fire that started in the chimney and spread to the attic of a Pequea Township home early on April 2, 2016. New Danville firefighters were dispatched to Brenneman Road, arriving to find smoke and fire in the attic on the chimney side of the single-story house, according to New Danville Fire Chief Brad Shenk. The fireplace wasn’t used very often and a weak spot in the chimney allowed fire to spread into the attic, Shenk said. The fire was well contained, but the house was rendered uninhabitable. Assisting were Lancaster Township, West Willow, Willow Street and Conestoga fire companies. - Fire News photo by Greg Leaman
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 21
Possible Arson in Colwyn Blaze
On March 8, 2016, firefighters responded to a late night multiple cars on fire. Drums of chemicals found in the building fortunately alarm call on Ellis Avenue in Colwyn. Residents reported explosions did not explode. The fire was believed to be arson. The DEA, among at the Delaware County Business Plaza address. Darby 04 was first others, was investigating. - Fire News photo by Lauren Carpenter due and encountered an auto body repair shop with over a dozen
Page 22, Fire News, May 2016
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Multiple Bldg. 2-Alarmer
On April 25, 2016, units from Highland Park, East Derry and Fame Bill Fike quickly called a second alarm that brought units from EMS were alerted for a building fire with explosions in the 400 Lewistown Borough and Granville Township. - Fire News photos by Patrick Shoop block of Columbia Street in Derry Township, Mifflin County. Units arrived to find multiple buildings well involved. Command Chief 4
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 23
Pittsburgh Responds to 2-Alarmer
On March 20, 2016, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire responded to a two- both sides made for a difficult fight. - Fire News photo by Ken Lager alarm fire in a vacant apartment building in the Carrick section of town. Water supply issues and limited access to the structures from
Page 24, Fire News, May 2016
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Here We Go Again in Abbottstown
Adams County Box 33-12 was struck for the commercial building fire at Hoke Mills in Abbottstown Borough. Units arrived to find a small fire in a grain silo. This is a location firefighters respond to several times a year for fires. - Fire News photo by 911 Photography
Harrisburg Brush Fire On February 28, 2016, Box 1-5 sent Squad 8 and Tower 1 to S. 13th and Paxton Streets in Harrisburg City for a 50- x 25-foot brush fire along the railroad tracks. Squad 8 arrived and requested that Norfolk Southern Railroad shut down traffic in the area. Wagon 4 was special called to the scene, connected to a hydrant at the S. 13th Street overpass, and dropped a three-inch line with a gated Y down to the members below. Wagon 4 also used the deck gun to knock down hot spots. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 25
Page 26, Fire News, May 2016
House Destroyed in Upper Saucon Township
- Fire News photo by Jayson Wagner
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Fire News, May 2016, Page 27
Wilson Boro. 4-Alarmer
Numerous companies operated at a four-alarm blaze in Wilson Borough on February 19, 2016. - Fire News photos by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
Page 30, Fire News, May 2016
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Quick Stop Saves Houses in Bethel Park
On March 16, 2016, firefighters responded to a fire in a detached garage in Bethel Park, south of Pittsburg. Two vehicles in the garage were fully involved on arrival, but quick work held all of the exposure buildings to minor damage. - Fire News photo by Ken Lager
Swatara Twp. 2-Alarmer On March 3, 2016, Dauphin County Box 456-2 dispatched for a report of a garage fire on Acorn Drive in the Chambers Hill section of Swatara Township. Units initially dispatched were Company 456 (Chambers Hill), Engines 41 (Bressler), 44 (Lawnton), 45 (Rutherford), Truck 48 (Hershey), Rescue 49 (Swatara Township), and Air 41 (Bressler). Chief 456 arrived and reported a fire in a twostory single-family dwelling with an attached garage. A first alarm assignment was requested bringing Rescues 88 (Middletown) and 35 (Linglestown) to the scene. While companies were stretching lines, heavy fire started to consume the garage. Engine 41’s crew stretched an attack line into the front door to try and cut off fire spread that was occurring in the kitchen area. Heavy fire consuming all floors on the C/D corner forced companies to evacuate and go defensive. Command 456 requested a second alarm consisting of Engines 40 (Paxtang), 59-1 (Lower Swatara), 45-1 (Rutherford),
Truck 88 (Middletown), Rescue 46 (Hummelstown), and Air 35 (Linglestown). Blitz fires and handlines were used to knock down the bulk of the fire in the garage, complicated by hoarding conditions. One firefighter was injured and transported. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
4 Injured, 19 Displaced in Lebanon Blaze On March 9, 2016, Box 15-06 the City of Lebanon, sent Engines 17, 21, and Truck 20 to N. 7th and Maple Streets for a dwelling fire. Incoming units reported a column of smoke in the area and requested the second alarm bringing Engine 14 (Neversink), 39 (Speedwell), Tower 9 (Ebenezer), Truck 18 (Lebanon City), Rescue 42 (Glenn Lebanon), and Squad 58 (Annville) to the scene. First arriving crews had heavy fire to the rear of three, two-story, attached frame dwellings with two adults and a child trapped on the front porch roof. Those occupants were quickly rescued via ground ladders. Companies stretched a blitz fire to the rear where heavy fire consumed all floors in the rear with extension to the exposures. Several handlines were also deployed into the fire building and exposure. Primary and secondary searches were negative. The stubborn fire took about an hour to bring under control and heavily damaged the fire and exposure homes. Three occupants and a firefighter were injured and 19 people left homeless. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Page 32, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
New Oxford Bldg. Burns
Adams Box 33-6-30 was struck on February 20, 2016, for a building fire at the Brethren Home Complex, an assisted living facility. Eastern Adams Regional Police reported a large commercial building under construction was fully involved. Chief 33, Steve Rabine, assumed command on arrival, and confirmed a 300- x 300-foot building fully involved with multiple exposures and flying embers. Engine and Truck 33 arrived and were hampered with positioning close enough due to soft, snow-covered ground and a fence. Multiple explosions rocked the fire ground when propane cylinders exploded inside the structure. Several departments from Adams and York County assisted with this multiple alarm fire. - Fire News photo by 911 Photography
Quick Work in Susquehanna Twp. On April 10, 2016, Dauphin County Box 37-5 sent Company 37 (Rescue - Susquehanna Twp.), Engines 31 (Edgemont), 32-1 (Progress), and Rescue 40 (Paxtang) to a Rome Terrace address for a reported structure fire. Reports indicated a bedroom on fire with occupants out. Chief 37-2 arrived to find a two-story, residential dwelling with heavy smoke showing from the second floor. Engine 37 laid a supply line in to side A where an attack line was stretched to the front door. The bulk of the fire was knocked down in about 10 minutes. Rescue 44 (Lawnton) was special called to the scene for manpower. A secondary attack line was stretched to the first floor. Primary and secondary searches were negative. Minor extension was reported to the attic area. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Bethlehem 3-Alarmer
A three-alarm fire on March 10, 2016, in the City of Bethlehem destroyed four homes. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 33
Residents Displaced Despite Quick Response
On March 7, 2016, York County Box 46-05 was struck for a report- ered a well involved apartment building fire. Firefighters made a ed structure fire on Carlise Street at Niki's Sports Nook in Hanover fast knock of the fire, but several people were left homeless. - Fire News photo by 911 Photography Borough. Hanover firefighters on Engine 46-1, stationed just three blocks away, arrived to the rear of the bar in the alley and discov-
Page 34, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
6th Multi-House Floor Fire in Lemoyne Apt. Fire Allentown firefighters were called out to a Hamilton Street address on February 29, 2016, for an apartment fire. Responding companies were met with fire showing from the top floor of a sixstory apartment building. Companies went in service using the stand pipe system and stretching hose from high rise packs to the fire apartment. The crews were able to hold the fire to a single apartment but smoke and water damaged the sixth floor along with floors below. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
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On March 9, 2016, Cumberland County Box 113-02 dispatched units from New Cumberland, Lower Allen, West Shore, Camp Hill and Bressler for a house fire on Bosler Avenue in the Borough of Lemoyne. Chief 2-13, while en route, requested apparatus from York DLA and Harrisburg. Headquarters advised that two buildings were on fire and there was a possible entrapment with a male on the roof. Police were able to rescue that occupant via ground ladder prior to arrival of fire units. Chief 2-13 requested asecond alarm due to a heavy smoke that could be seen for miles around the Metro Harrisburg area. Creekside, Hampden Twp., Fairview Twp., New Cumberland, Lower Allen), Northeast-East Pennsboro Twp., and Harrisburg made up the second alarm. Heavy fire involved all floors of the three-story duplex and an unattached 2-1/2-story, single-family dwelling. The fire also extended to a one-story, unattached garage. Eventually, companies evacuated the building. Crews battled the fire for over an hour before the fire was placed under control. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
FireNews.com
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CVVFA By Claudia Garner and Candice McDonald
CVVFA 115th Annual Convention
August 3-6, 2016 Hosted by Hartford/Cecil Volunteer Firemen’s Association
Schedule of Activities
12:00 16:00 16:00 18:00 19:00
Wednesday August 3, 2016 Golf outing location TBA Registration Hospitality Meet the Host Board of Directors
Thursday August 4, 2016
Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel
09:30 Training Leadership Challenges in Today’s Volunteer Emergency Services Organizations Dave Lewis, Instructor 12:00 Lunch 13:00 Presidents Council reconvenes 14:30 Business session #3 16:00 Hospitality/social Hotel 18:30 Banquet Joppa VFC Social 30 minutes prior Vans leave hotel 17:45 21:30 Hospitality/social Hotel
08:00 Registration Level VFC 08:00 Coffee & donuts 09:00 Memorial service Hopewell UMC 09:00 Ladies Activities TBA 10:30 Opening ceremonies Level VFC Saturday August 6, 2016 11:00 Business session #1 08:30 Prayer breakfast Abingdon FC 12:15 Lunch 13:00 Parade Singerly/Elkton 13:00 Business session #2 15:00 Parade award presentation 13:30 Keynote address 14:00 Nominations 18:30 Picnic Perryville VFC The Harford/Cecil Volunteer Firemen’s Vans leave hotel at 18:00 Association would like to thank our members 21:00 Hospitality/social Hotel and companies that are assisting with the CVVFA convention. Without your support, Friday August 5, 2016 we would not be able to host such an event. 08:00 Registration Level VFC We also gratefully acknowledge the support 08:00 Coffee & donuts given by our ladies auxiliary groups across 09:00 Ladies Activities TBA the two counties. 09:00 Presidents Council Please enjoy yourselves as you visit with us. 09:30 Youth activities
CUMBERLAND VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION August 3-6, 2016 hosted by Harford/Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention Registration/ Event/ Souvenir Form Name: _____________________________________ Affiliation: ___________________________________ Address: ___________________________________ ___________________________________________ Contact Info: cell_____________________________ email_______________________________________ ************************************************************** Special Event Tickets Thursday Aug 4 picnic at Perryville VFC #______ tickets @ $6.00 each Total __________ Friday Aug 5 banquet at Joppa Magnolia VFC #______ tickets @$10.00 each Total __________ ************************************************************** Souvenirs Convention ceremonial mug #______ @ $10 each Total _______ T-shirt @ $20 each #______ small #______ medium
#______ large #______X large #______ 2X large Total _______ Total enclosed __________ ******************************************************** Make checks payable to: Harford/Cecil Volunteer Firemen’s Association Mailing Address: Harford/Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Association 2220 Ady Road, Forest Hill, MD, 21050
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 37
Learning the Ropes in Kirwin Hts.
Firefighter Survival training, including how to bail out from the second story window, was taught by Chief Nicholas Sohyda at the Kirwin Heights Fire Company on March 13, 2016. - Fire News photo by Ken Lager
Making the Best of a Good Day Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon and Dormont Fire Departments training together on February 22, 2016, take advantage of a rare opportunity to flow water during a warm February training session. - Fire News photo by Ken Lager
Training Should Be a Little Fun! The Kirwin Heights Fire Department added a little fun to SCBA recertification with a dodgeball drill on February 16, 2016. - Fire News photo by Ken Lager
SHACOG TRT Trains On March 23, 2016, the South Hills Area Council of Government Technical Rescue Team (SHACOG TRT), did water training south of Pittsburg, along with the help of Kirwin Height Fire Department. - Fire News photo by Ken Lager
Page 38, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
MVC in Lancaster Twp.
On March 26, 2016, Lancaster Township Fire Department was dispatched for a vehicle accident with entrapment at Spencer Avenue and Hamilton Park Drive. Two people were injured in the SUV/car accident. A third person was injured but refused medical treatment. A 69-year-old female was experiencing chest pains and was briefly confined in her vehicle. A second person complained of a leg injury. The driver of the SUV refused medical treatment along with her dog. Lancaster Township Firefighters firefighters assisted EMS with patient removal and provided spill control. - Fire News photo by Greg Leaman
3 Injured in MVA Three people were hurt seriously when a vehicle in a funeral procession was slammed by an SUV in January 2016 at Tyson Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia. The SUV flipped onto its side, trapping two people. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 39
Page 40, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
5 Injured in Mansfield Head-on
On April 24, 2016, Mansfield Hose Company along with Mansfield Firemans Ambulance and Wellsboro ALS were dispatched to Route 6 near the Old Mainesburg Road intersection for an MVC with reports of multiple people injured. Engine 2-2 arrived to find a two-vehicle head-on crash between a sedan and a minivan. Upon further inspection it was determined there were four patients in the minivan and one in the sedan with both drivers trapped. Additional ambulances and a medevac were requested. Using the hydraulic spreaders crews worked to meticulously remove the sedan driver’s door without encroaching on the patient. They then had to utilize rams to create enough room to remove the patient’s legs from under the dash. All were removed to waiting ambulances and transported to various hospitals. The driver of the sedan was transported to a waiting medevac and flown to a trauma center. Engine 2-1 responded to the LZ and stood by for Life Flight. Also responding were Wellsboro ALS, Western Alliance ALS, Life Flight Medevac, and Mansfield Borough Police. - Fire News photo by N. Griswold
Take Me Out of the Ball Game Middletown in Bucks County was the scene of a rescue when an elderly woman drove her car through a fence at a Little League ballpark. She was not seriouly hurt but her vehicle was down a small embankment. Rescue 8 responded. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
Ambulance Hit on Roosevelt Blvd. In January 2016, a private ambulance was waiting to make a turn on to Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia when an errant driver caused another car to slam into the side of the rig. None of the ambulance crew sustained injury, but two people were taken to area hospitals as a result. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 41
Edgley Extricates
In January 2016 two vehicles collided at Route 13 and Edgley Road in Bristol Township. A woman was trapped and the Edgley Fire crews extricated her. The woman’s injuries were serious but not life threatening. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
Rollover MVC in Decatur Twp. On March 30, 2016, units from Decatur, Junction and Fame EMS responded to a vehicle rollover with one person pinned at the intersection of Anook and Hoffman Roads in Decatur Township. The person was extricated and flown to UPMC-Altoona by Life Flight. - Fire News photo by Patrick Shoop
Page 42, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
Truck Into Home In Pequea Twp. Early on April 27, 2016, a tractor-trailer lime hauler crashed through a home along Route 741 in Pequea Township. The empty Martin Limestone truck went through two walls of an attached garage on Long Lane. The crash startled a sleeping family in the home, but no one was seriously injured. A woman was driving a car west on Long Lane. A trash truck was stopped in the westbound lane while picking up recyclables. The woman entered the eastbound lane to pass the truck and collided with a tractor-trailer limestone hauler, damaging the truck’s steering. The truck veered
off the road, up a slope and struck the southeast corner of the house and two parked vehicles. The driver of the car was uninjured; the truck driver suffered facial cuts and was taken by ambulance to Lancaster General Hospital. Volunteers with the New Danville, West Willow and Willow Street fire companies helped at the scene and fire police detoured traffic. The Lancaster County Rescue Task Force 36 responded to stabilize the house before the truck was removed. - Fire News photo by Greg Leaman
Recovery in Bristol Bristol Fire crews were busy in March 2016 when someone drove their car into Silver Lake . Marine units arrived and did a search and body recovery. - Fire News photo by Dawn Altstatt
Worker OK After Trench Collapse One worker was injured in a trench collapse in Philadelphia in January 2016. The incident happened near 3rd and Market Streets in the historic district, just a few blocks from the Liberty Bell. His injuries were not life threatening in spite of being trapped for over two hours. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 43
Looking Back to 2015 Allentown FD frees tra
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- Fire News photo by Daw
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2 Men Stranded in Pickup Truck in Lancaster Township, February 2015
- Fire News photo by Den
nis Wetherhold, Jr.
- Fire News photo by Greg Leaman
Page 44, Fire News, May 2016
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Looking Back to 2015 Dwelling Fire Glenolden, PA December 31, 2014/January 1, 2015. Mifflin KOs Car Fire,
November 2015
- Fire News photo by Cur
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- Fire News photo by Lauren Carpenter
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- Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
- Fire News photo by Jay
son Wagner
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 45
Up Close & Personal
Sandy Township Volunteer Fire Departments in Dubois, during a practice burn. - Fire News photo by Ashley Walters Member of the Greenawalds Fire Company operating as RIT at a working dwelling fire in Catasauqua on February 6, 2016. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
Members of the Montgomery County Police & Firefighters Pipes & Drums band are joined by The Fire Brigade and NE Virginia Emerald Society Pipes and Drums after a service for Eagle FC’s FF Earl J. Shoemaker - Fire News photo by 911 Photography
On March 8, 2016, firefighters responded to a late night multiple alarm call on Ellis Avenue in Colwyn. - Fire News photo by Lauren Carpenter
Page 46, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
Up Close & Personal
Highland Park Command Chief 4 Bill Fike on the scene of a building fire with explosions in the 400 block of Columbia St. in Derry Township on April 25, 2016. - Fire News photo by Patrick Shoop
Allentown Assistant Chief Chris Kiskeravage arrives on the scene of a working dwelling fire on Ridge Avenue on February 17, 2016. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
Lancaster Township Fire Department Firefighters Pat Egan, Chris Mosso and Jason Snyder atop Truck 66 after a building fire in Sterling Place in Lancaster Township. - Fire News photo by Greg Leaman
Assistant Chief 35-2 with the aid of Engine 33 firefighter work the Lower Paxton Township house fire on February 20, 2016. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon and Dormont Firefighters training together on February 22, 2016, take advantage of a rare opportunity to flow water during a warm February training session. - Fire News photo by Ken Lager
Firefighters in Philadelphia contended with below freezing temperatures in February 2016, when they did battle with a six-alarm fire in the city’s Fankford section. - Fire News photo Alex Lloyd Gross
FireNews.com
Up Close & Personal
Mayor Micozzie, Chief McAfee, and Brian Ganley after February 19, 2016, house fire on Overhill Road in Upper Darby. - Fire News photo by Lauren Carpenter
Firefighter Nathan Whoric from the Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Department exiting the structure of an Easter house fire. - Fire News photo by Artie Osniak
A special bonding moment captured as Jeremy Renoll and his son watched his department fighting a fire, hopefully getting a head start on the next generation of Renoll firefighters. - Fire News photo by 911 Photography
Sandy Township Volunteer Fire Department from Dubois. - Fire News photo by Ashley Walters
Fire News, May 2016, Page 47
Page 48, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
Cover Story
60 Displaced in Middletown Conflag
On April 3, 2016, Middletown firefighters were toned out for a reported apartment building on fire at the Holly Hall building in the Village of Pineford. Units on the initial assignment were Company 88 (Middletown), Engines 54 (Londonderry), 59 (Lower Swatara), 74-1 (Elizabethtown), and Truck 46 (Hummelstown). Upon receiving information of smoke and fire, Chief 88 requested Engine 55 (Highspire), Rescues 40 (Paxtang), 59 (Lower Swatara), and Air 41 (Bressler) to the scene. Chief 88 arrived to find an occupied, five-story, mid-rise with fire showing from the top floor middle-of-the-row. Engine 71 (US Air Force) from nearby Harrisburg International Airport were dispatched to the scene. Interior crews reported light smoke on the fourth floor and heavy smoke on the fifth and attic as primary searches were performed. Chief 88 reported fire involved half the roof and fifth floor and requested a second alarm. As conditions rapidly deteriorated, Command 88 evacuated the fifth floor and put ladder pipes into operation. High winds were fanning the flames across the entire fifth floor and cockloft with reports of the roof collapsing. Within 20 minutes of dispatch, the entire building was evacuated and exterior truck operations were set up. Additional special calls were made including tankers to supplement water supply operations as the borough water system was being taxed. Truck companies 88, 50, 46, and 74 all set up and flowed water in addition to a blitz fire being set up on side D. Companies continued to pour water on the top floor for over an hour before the fire started to darken down. The fire was placed under control in about two hours with companies performing extensive overhaul. The fire left 60 residents displaced and was caused by careless smoking. - Fire News photos by Jason Coleman-Cobb
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 49
Surprise Visit to the FC’s Office
Lancaster Twp. FC Celebrates It’s 25th
In honor of his 65th birthday, Sparky came by on his national bucket list tour to say hi to the crew at the PA Fire Commissioner's Office. - Submitted by Tim Solobay
The merger of Bausman Fire Company and Wheatland Fire Company combined forces in April of 1991 to form the all-volunteer Lancaster Township Fire Company. The department operates from two stations located in the northern and southern portions of the township and celebrated its 25th anniversary on April 4, 2016. Lancaster operates a fleet of three pumpers, an aerial ladder platform, heavy rescue, two water rescue boats, one Duty-Chief vehicle, one squad and two fire police vehicles. Glenn Usdin from Wheatland Fire Company was appointed the first Chief of the new department. Thomas Schaller from Bausman Fire Company was appointed Deputy Chief. The first meeting of the Lancaster Township Fire Department was called to order by President Ronald L. Comfort, Sr., on April 4, 1991 at 1900 hrs. President Comfort started the meeting by introducing the members of the LTFD Executive Board to the membership: Steve Roy, Vice President; Rick Miller, Secretary; Jeff Reitschey, Treasurer; Greg Kolb, Director; Mike Pickard, Director; Dennis Zipp, Director; and Mike Aponte, Director. Fire Chief Ron Comfort, Jr., currently leads approximately 50 volunteer firefighters housed in the two stations; one at 125 Fairview Avenue in the village of Bausman and the other at 1250 Maple Avenue in Hamilton Park.
Page 50, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
The Hanover Fire Department Museum
The Hanover Fire Department Museum is currently located at 241 North Franklin Street in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in the old boiler room of the Hanover Shoe properties, which was built in 1912. The museum preserves the heritage of nearly 200 years of firefighting from the greater Hanover area. The three original volunteer fire companies, as well as the career side of the Hanover Fire Department, the four original Penn Township volunteer companies and the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Company are represented here. The Hanover Fire Department Museum is a continuing effort; a project of memorabilia and apparatus collecting to showcase the history of the Hanover area fire services. Our Discovery Room is just one of the many educational displays available to all visitors. The beautiful turn-of-the-century building creates the perfect atmosphere for the many exciting displays. Visitors will see how firefighters progressed from the early leather bucket brigades, to hand drawn carts and pumps, to horse drawn apparatus, and finally to motorized equipment. The equipment here is real, and served the greater Hanover area throughout the past two centuries. Visitors can pull an actual fire alarm box and see and hear an origi-
nal Game Well Fire Alarm System from 1911, which served the Hanover Borough community. See photos and read the names of the old fire horses that served the Hanover Fire Department. Exhibits showcase fire vehicles of all types, including an 1882 Silsby Steamer, hand-pulled pumps and a coffee grinder-type fire pump. Awards, ribbons, badges, helmets and many types of firefighting tools are beautifully showcased throughout the museum for your viewing pleasure. Our staff is all past volunteer or career firefighters with the departments and are very knowledgeable of the items on display. Firefighters, past and present along with family and friends, will enjoy the time spent reminiscing. Please plan a trip to our beautiful museum and learn about the history of firefighting in the greater Hanover Pennsylvania area. The Hanover Fire Department Museum at 241 North Franklin Street in Hanover (717-637-6671; www.hanoverfiremuseum.com), is currently open for visiting and tours the following days: Tuesdays 0900 to 1500 hours and the first and third Saturdays of each month 0900 to 1500. Private tours are available by appointment only. We are closed on major holidays. - Fire News photos by 911 Photography
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 51
Lancaster CFA & Union FC Fire Prevention and Technology Awards
The Lancaster County Firemen’s Association, joined by the Union Fire Company No. 1, sponsored first and second place fire prevention and technology awards at the 2016 North Museum Science & Engineering Fair in Lancaster. Jack Gardner and Ronald Hammons of the Union Fire Company No. 1 reviewed the entries and named the award winners. The association provided $100 for first place in each category and $50 for second place in each category. Union Fire Company No. 1 provided a certificate and a gold medallion to each of the winners. Junior and senior high school students were eligible. The following week on March 30, Lancaster County Firemen’s Association and the Union Fire Company No. 1 invited the winners to
the Lancaster County Firemen’s Association headquarters to receive their awards. Only the senior award winners were present for the presentation. Jack Gardner and Ronald Hammons of the Union Fire Company No. and Lancaster County Firemen’s Association President E. Roger Noll presented the awards. Senior award winners were: first place winner/$100 Jonathan Bowe from Ephrata High School for his project titled “Smokin’ Hot Detector,” and second place winner/$50 Samantha Borry from Ephrata High School for her project titled “The Flammability Of Various Fabrics.” - Fire News photos by Greg Leaman
Page 52, Fire News, May 2016
FireNews.com
New Commish for Philadelphia
Adam Thiel was introduced as the new Philadelphia Fire Department Commissioner on April 11, 2016. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
Looking Back The Philadelphia Fire Boat shows off during the Tall Ships parade along the Delaware River in June of 2015. - Fire News photo by Dawn Altstatt
Keystone Firefighter Conference Schedule FRIDAY JULY 15, 2016
1200 - VFIS Junior/Explorer Firefighter Competition
FORCIBLE ENTRY ACADEMY 0800 - Traditions Training - Duration: 8 hours
THE PRIMARY SEARCH: “FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THROUGH THE WINDOW” 1130 - Jerry Smith - Duration: 2 hours
FIREGROUND LEADERSHIP FOR COMMAND & COMPANY OFFICERS 1300 - Christopher Naum / Joseph Pronesti - Duration: 4 hours
COMBAT READY 0800 - Traditions Training - Duration: 2 hours
2016 KEYNOTE ADDRESS & EXHIBITS The 2016 Exhibit Floor will open at 1600. The Keynote festivities will take place on the exhibit floor starting at 1900. Food and refreshments will be served.
FIREGROUND OPERATIONS AT BUILDINGS OF ORDINARY & HEAVY TIMBER CONSTRUCTION 1300 - Christopher Naum / Joseph Pronesti - Duration: 4 hours
SATURDAY JULY 16, 2016
AMERICAN COMMAND 1400 - Bobby Halton / Mike Dugan - Duration: 4 hours
ELEVATOR EMERGENCIES & RESCUES 0800 - Tony Tricarico - Duration: 2 hours ENGINE COMPANY EXCELLENCE 0800 - Richard Ray - Duration: 2 hours PRIDE & POLISH Your admission to the conference will also give you access to our Pride & Polish Show. Come and see antique and modern apparatus of all types. EXHIBIT FLOOR Open from 1000 - 1700 PRIORITIZING THE FIREGROUND 1030 - Richard Ray - Duration: 2 hours JUNIOR FIREFIGHTER COMPETITION
MOVIN’ ON UP 1300 - Traditions Training - Duration: 4 hours
SUNDAY JULY 17, 2016 COMMAND CLASS 0830 - Robert James - Duration: 2 hours EXHIBIT FLOOR Open from 0900 to 1400 PUT IT IN THE RIGHT PLACE AERIAL CLASS 0900 - Traditions Training - Duration: 2-hours FIRE TRUCK RODEO FIREHOUSE CHILI COOK-OFF LEADERSHIP CLASS 1100 - Robert James - Duration: 2-hours
FireNews.com
Fire News, May 2016, Page 53
AKRON BRASS DEBUTS LED TACTICAL SCENE LIGHT AND MORE AT FDIC INTERNATIONAL 2016 Akron Brass showcased its latest product this year at FDIC: The Revel Scout LED tactical scene light. Visitors to the Akron Brass booth were able to demonstrate the battery-powered Revel Scout, testing its many features for themselves. They also had a daily chance to take home a Revel Scout for their department. The Revolution Intake Valve, Aeromaster12 Monitor, Revel LED DC Scene Light and Link2 Mobile App were also on display for guests to see, with Product Specialists nearby to answer questions. Many featured products were on display in Akron’s booth, but the Revel Scout LED Scene Light was the star of the show. This tactical LED scene light frees you from heavy generators and cumbersome cords. Weighing only 12 pounds, this portable light is much simpler to deploy than other brands. The rechargeable battery can last up to seven hours. A combination of flood and spot-light LED optics increases overall visibility. The Revel Scout has versatile placement options, making it perfect for any scene - set on a flat surface, hang on a door, strap to a ladder or attach to drywall with its integrated spike. The Revolution Intake Valve brings simplicity and power to any apparatus. Its aluminum and stainless steel body features an easy-touse handwheel for simplified valve operation. The Revolution’s space-saving design provides easy access to pump operations, while flowing up to 2000 gallons per minute. The Aeromaster12 Monitor flows up to 3000 gpm and features a 355 degree rotational range. The Aeromaster12 comes with CAN multiplexed controls for “plug and play” installation. User-programmable obstacle avoidance, stow
and deploy positions, soft stops, and auto oscillation make this monitor easy to setup and leave alone. The Revel DC Scene Light Head can be surface mounted to your apparatus or placed on many of our different elevated mounting options. This LED light is available in 14,000 or 28,000 lumens, fully covering any dark scene in bright light. Unique cooling fins provide optimal thermal management to help prevent overheating. The Link2 Mobile App enhances the Link2 system by giving you access to your vehicle information in the palm of your hand. While the system allows quick access to the inner working of the apparatus, the app puts the information at your fingertips. Monitor vehicle operations and schedule maintenance from your own mobile device. All Link2 users can download the app for free in the iTunes store or Google Play store. Also at this year’s FDIC, Akron Brass made its own debut as a unit of IDEX Corporation, joining leading brands within the Fire Suppression Group of Hale, Class1 and Godiva. Visit akronbrass.com for more information on Akron’s latest product innovations.
Page 54, Fire News, May 2016
Firehouse Kitchen
FireNews.com
With Firehouse Kitchen Host Ray Cooney
We got FDNY in the house today! Firefighter Chris Landano and Firefighter Jesus Marcano from Engine 326 in Queens, made it a point to include the name of the truck in their house, Ladder 160. When you read the name ‘Ladder 160,’ you pronounce it ‘one-sixty.’ Firefighter Marcano was quick to correct me and say, “No, it’s Ladder One, Six, Zero.” This is running joke between the engine and the ladder companies in this house (as any firefighter can attest, this goes on in their firehouses as well). These firemen were a blast to cook with. It began with calling the meal, ‘Irish Enchiladas,’ in celebration of my heritage, to Firefighter Marcano calling FF Landano by his nickname in the firehouse — Lan-do-nothing. Jokingly, FF Marcano was in awe of all the work Fighterfighter Landano was doing on the show because it was the first time he’d ever really seen him work! On to the meal. The table looked like a Christmas tree with all the different colors of food. These Irish Enchiladas were accompanied by beans and rice and homemade guacamole. Jesus was the head chef on this meal. He was sure to remind us all that the recipe belonged to his mother-in-law and doing what any good son-in-law would do, he made sure to give her a shout out!
Chris made a comment that Jesus was being a kiss-up. I informed Jesus that I understood his devotion to his mother-in-law. Heck, I had my fatherin-law on three shows! Well, I can’t say that I had to have him on the show. The show received so many compliments on him, that I was afraid I would loose viewers if I didn’t have him back on! My fire fact on this show was based on something that FF Landano invented. It is called the Trak Belt 360. This belt allows the firefighter to move the pockets, on the work belt, 360 degrees around your waist. This is helpful for EMS and firefighters because it allows their tools to be readily available. Being able to slide the pockets around makes climbing ladders safer and is handy in a ‘reduced profile’ situation. You can visit the website for this device at trakbelt360.com. I enjoyed cooking with these Queens firemen and shared many laughs. These two guys reminded me what I missed most about cooking at the firehouse — the camaraderie and sense of family you feel is unexplainable. I had a pinch of sadness when the day was over. To find out more about Firehouse Kitchen or how to become a sponsor or guest, visit firehousekitchenshow.com or call 631-514-5859.
IRISH CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
Chicken breast Onions Green and red peppers Tomatoes Jalapenos Cheddar cheese Sour cream 1 can crushed tomatoes 1/4 cup of half-and-half cream 1 cup chicken broth Flat, soft tortillas
Using a baking tin, fill with a half-inch of water. Lay chicken breast in tin and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Combine crushed tomatoes, half-and-half and chicken broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 30 minutes. Chop onions, peppers, tomatoes and jalapenos. When the chicken is ready, pull apart with a fork. Lay pieces of chicken on top of the tortilla shells. Add beans, rice and all chopped ingredients. Roll the tortilla closed. Layer with sauce and cheddar cheese. Place in baking tin and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Sour cream and guacamole can be added to your taste after the tortillas are done baking. Enjoy!
As The Pennsylvania Fire Service Turns… continued from page 6. Out of 402 civilian fire death cases, 327 are “still under investigation.” OK, a thorough investigation takes time, but two years? I have a strong background in fire investigations and I do not know of any cases where it took two years to determine a cause. I can understand two years to go to trial or maybe a year to get a pathology report back on bones that were found, but over a year to determine why and where this fire started? Work with your local fire marshals or whoever does your fire investigations to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Follow up with them to get information for your report. Just because you did not do the investigation, does not mean you cannot include it. Just document where and who the information came from. I have fielded many calls in my short time of being a part of OSFC, primarily chiefs complaining that “you are making us complete the reports and we’re just a small volunteer department and I am not a computer person and this and that…” I understand and agree with all that, and I wish I could make it easier. But how can we educate the public on the importance of smoke alarms and common causes of preventable fires when we do not have the proof in our own numbers? We all benefit from having a clear picture on fire statistics and hard facts, rather than relying on anecdotal evidence and memories that can grow fuzzy over time. I admit I don’t get to volunteer much these days due to personal obligations, but my job here at OSFC allows me to continue my passion to serve the fire service and the public in other ways. I will do anything in my power to help each of you help the public understand fire safety and prevention. I learned last year to set reasonable goals (if you want to know the story, contact me, it’s a funny one!) The first goal is to get our yearly total of fire deaths below 100. To accomplish this, we need to start with our incident reporting and better document the fires we respond to. The
next step is to analyze the information so we can see how fires are starting, and credibly prove smoke alarms and fire sprinklers do save lives and reduce fire loss. Having this data will also prove to our target audiences we are not just talking off the top of our heads and that the Pennsylvania Fire Service does care about their respective communities. In the last issue of PA Fireman, Commissioner Solobay and I mentioned the importance of documenting burning materials in our fires. This has to do with the Cancer Presumption Act that was signed in 2011. In an effort to make things easier for you, I will be working with the staff at Emergency Reporting to hopefully have this information become part of the report you complete so that it can be “searchable information.” I have begun some research already on firefighters and cancer, but nothing mentions what should be documented so firefighters can be covered by the presumption. It is looking like Pennsylvania will be going into uncharted territory on this issue of documentation when it comes to firefighter cancer exposure. As I said in the last issue, we will share more as it becomes available. In the meantime, please document what materials may be involved in fires in the narrative portion of your incident report. Earlier I mentioned about reasonable goals. I came up with two. The second one is having at least one smoke alarm installation program in each county. I did ask on our Facebook page what counties have one in place; 27 out 67 counties are represented. That’s an awesome feeling! There is still a lot more work to be done with this goal, but if you know there is nothing like this in your county, and you are interested in forming a program, please contact me. Plans haven’t been finalized yet, but I envision a statewide initiative on pre-determined days where we can get out to neighborhoods to provide fire safety education, install smoke alarms and build a strong bond with our communities. I have some partnerships in mind to help with this endeavor. Hopefully I will be able to share more on this goal in next month’s article. Until then, be safe and remember, Everyone Comes Home.