Company
News
May
7, 2008 - At 0352 hours Ladder 15
was requested to assist Station 22 (Barto) at a
possible structure fire at the Woodside Villa on
Route 100 in Washington Twp. The Ladder responded
with a full crew of eight arriving at 0403 and was
requested to setup positive pressure ventilation
as the fire was out with a smoke condition in the
structure. The personnel assisted in setting up
mechanical ventilation and after the smoke was cleared
the company was available and at station at 0444
hours.
May
4, 2008 - At 1812 hours the Fire
Police were requested to assist at a police incident
involving a double shooting on Laurel Valley Lane
in Douglass Township. Fire Police Captain Richards
assumed command and shut down the area surrounding
the incident. At 2126 hours the police requested
the Rescue and Utility for lighting of the scene
to continue with their investigation. The rescue
and utility arrived and setup lighting of the crime
scene and assisted the police with gaining access
to the roof of the residence. After a long night
the police completed their investigation and the
rescue and fire police were available and at station
at 0218 hours.
May
3, 2008 - This evening Deputy Chief
Glenn Trate was honored along with other recipients
for the annual Boyertown Jaycees and Berks-Mont
Newspaper Citizen of the Year Banquet. Each year
the committee picks a Citizen, Firefighter/Ems,
Educator, Student, and Law Officer of the Year.
At a packed firehouse of over 300 attendees the
recipients were presented with awards and Citations
from Local Representative Kessler, Berks County
Commissioner Leinbach, and Senator Michael O'Pake.
In addition the apparatus crew presented Deputy
Trate with a Firefighter Watch from the Swiss Watch
Company. Congratulations to Deputy Trate on a well
deserved honor and we are proud to serve under your
command.
April
28, 2008 - At 2200 hours the rescue
assignment was sent to assist Station 17 (Liberty)
at a vehicle accident with entrapment on Route 73
in front of the Colebrookdale Police Station. Police
on location reporting three subjects trapped in
a vehicle with a utility pole sheared. The rescue
responded immediately with a crew of nine and arrived
at 2205 hours to a one vehicle accident with one
person self extricated and two patients still trapped.
The vehicle sheared a large utility pole with high
voltage lines causing a wide spread power outage.
The vehicle was stabilized and a simultaneous two
side rescue was started. Both doors were removed
and the passenger was extricated in less than 10
minutes. The roof was then removed to assist in
extricating the driver and the rescue was complete.
The crews were then required to stand-by until the
utility company could ground the high voltage lines
and assure that no power would return to the affected
pole. After securing all the equipment the company
was available and at station at 0107 hours.
April
28, 2008 - At 0759 hours Stations
15 and 16 were sent to Farmington Avenue for a vehicle
accident unkown injuries. The rescue arrived to
a one vehicle rollover accident with the driver
self extricated and no injuires. The vehicle was
stabilized and powered down and after an extended
wait for the State Police the company assisted the
towing company and was available and at station
at 0926 hours.
April
27, 2008 - At 1258 hours Stations
15 & 16 and Station 49 (Amity) with one engine
were sent to the 500 block of Colebrookdale Road
in Douglass Twp for a possible structure fire. Additional
was given as a fire in the breaker box in the basement.
Deputy 49 arrived and reported flames from the box
with a light smoke condition. Engine 15 arrived
under the command of Assistant 15 assuming first
in and the crew was sent to the basement. The fire
burned itself out and the structure was ventilated.
Crews checked the area around the breaker box and
also crews were sent to check the first floor for
extension. The power was secured and the homeowner
contacted an electrician for repairs. The companies
were available and at station at 1402 hours.
April
26, 2008 - The Company was requested
by the St. John's Lutheran Parish Nurses to participate
in their annual Kid Safety Awareness Days held at
the Boyertown Junior High West. The company took
the entire fleet of apparatus and also manned the
Berks County Kids Safety House from the Burn Prevention
Foundation. There was plenty of interactive displays
for the kids to participate in including a DUI driving
course which simulates a person's reaction while
being impaired. Good job to Junior Firefighter E-Man
for trying his luck on the course.
April
25, 2008 - At 2259 hours Rescue
15 was requested to assist Station 19 (Earl Twp)
at a motor vehicle accident with injuries on Route
73 at Little Getting Lane. Upon arrival it was determined
to be a two vehicle head-on collision. Chief 19
requested personnel to assist with the driver of
their vehicle. After all the occupants refused EMS
treatment and due to the distance between the two
vehicles Chief 19 requested the rescue crew to handle
one vehicle while his company handled the other.
Absorbant was spread on the large amount of fluids
on the roadway and after assisting the towing company
the company was available and at station at 0122
hours.
April
19, 2008 - At 1504 hours while returning
from the previous woods fire, the Berks County Communications
Center contacted Chief 15 and advised of an accident
unkown injuries on Route 73 and Merkle Road in Earl
Township and requested the Company respond covering
for Station 19 (Earl Twp). The Engine responded
immediately and the crew from the Utility returned
to respond with the Rescue. The units arrived and
found a one vehicle accident with a utility pole
sheared and the vehicle into the woods over an embankment.
A Fire Police from Station 19 was on location reporting
the driver still in the vehicle with minor injuries.
The crews accessed the driver and the vehicle was
stabilized and assisted the driver who was now refusing
EMS treatment out of the vehicle. The vehicle was
then powered down and the utility company was contacted.
The company secured the scene till being relieved
by Station 19 and was available and at station at
1617 hours.
April
19 , 2008 - At 1420 hours the station
was requested on a first alarm brush assignment
to assist Station 19 ( Earl Twp.) on a woods fire
on Vale Drive. The engine went responding almost
immediately full crew and arrived at 1432 hours.
The crews assisted in containment, extinguishment,
and overhaul of the burnt areas. The company was
available at 1458 hours.
April
10 , 2008 - At 2146 hours Stations
15 & 16 (Keystone) and Station 17 (Liberty)
for one engine were sent to the rear of 18 South
Reading Avenue for a vehicle fire. Chief 15 arrived
and reported a working fire in the engine compartment.
Engine 15 arrived and pulled the piercing nozzle
preconnect and attacked the fire by piercing through
the hood. A second backup line was pulled but due
to a quick knockdown by the piercing nozzle the
backup line was not required. Engine/Tanker 16 arrived
and setup to supply Engine 15 with water and their
crew assisted with overhaul. Engine 17 arrived and
their crew was held at the apparatus. After overhaul
and assisting the towing company with the vehicle
removal the companies were available and at station
at 2249 hours.
April
3, 2008 - At 0927 hours the rescue
assignment was sent to assist Station 17 (New Berlinville)
to Franklin Road and Hilltop Road in Colebrookdale
Twp. for a vehicle accident with entrapment. The
Rescue arrived with a vehicle that hit a tree and
the driver was trapped. Station 17 setup a landing
zone for a medical helicopter and pulled a protection
line as the crew from the rescue stabilized and
began a roof and driver's side removal. The patients
foot was also pinned between the floor and dashboard.
After performing the above the patient was removed
and flown by aeromedical. After the rescue was complete
the company assisted the towing company with debris
cleanup and was available and at station at 1056
hours.
March
22, 2008 - At 0250 hours Engine
and Rescue 15 were requested to relocate to Station
49 (Amity) for a working structure fire in Birdsboro
Borough. The units stood-by until 0507 hours when
the company was requested by Birdsboro Command for
Ladder 15 to assist at the fire in the 200 block
of Furnace St. The ladder would be the sixth due
aerial device at the apartment building fire. The
company responded with 20 personnel and were instructed
to side "C" of the building. The ladder
arrived at 0520 and backed down two blocks of narrow
alleys to setup in the rear of the building by Ladder
1 (Mt. Penn). The crews assisted in extinguishment
and overhaul of the two involved buildings. The
company was available and at station at 0909 hours.
March
21, 2008 - At 1357 hours Stations
15, 16, & 17 were sent to a beauty salon on
S. Reading Avenue in the Borough for a possible
structure fire. Chief 15 arrived and reported the
fire possibly out with alarms activated and a light
smoke condition in the building. Engine 15 arrived
and the crew investigated and reported a ceiling
track mounted light system that shorted and the
salon owner used a fire extinguisher to contol the
fire before arrival. The crew from Engine-Tanker
16 went to the apartment above the fire room to
check for extension. Finding no extension power
was secured to the lights the building was ventilated
and the alarm was reset. The companies were available
and at station at 1439 hours.
March
19, 2008 - At 0822 hours Stations
15 & 16 were sent to West Philadelphia Ave.
and Second St. in the borough for an accident with
injuries. Assistant 15 (Bingaman) arrived and reported
a vehicle into a utility pole which was sheared
and the patient self extricated. Rescue 15, Utility
15, and Engine-Tanker 16 arrived and stabilized
and powered down the vehicle. The area was secured
and the utility company was contacted. The companies
assisted the towing company with debris cleanup
and as soon as the utility company arrived the scene
was turned over to them and the company was available
and at station at 0915 hours.
March
17, 2008 - Ladder 15 assisted the
Pennsburg Fire Company with remembering past Fire
Chief and Life Member John "Jack" Mensch.
Jack passed away this past week. The ladder setup
a memorial arch with Montgomery County Station 38
(East Greenville) at the "Square" in Pennsburg.
It was an honor to participate in remembering Jack
and the Friendship Hook & Ladder Co. sends our
condolences to the Mensch family and The Pennsburg
Fire Company.
March
16, 2008 - At 2026 hours Ladder
15 was requested to assist at a structure fire with
possible entrapment. Chief 5 arrived and reported
a working fire. The station responded full company
with 29 personnel. The Ladder arrived and was instructed
to the roof for ventilation. All searches proved
negative and the crews cut several ventilation holes
and assisted with extinguishment and overhaul. The
company was available and at station at 2250 hours.
March
16, 2008 - At 1241 hours the station
was dispatched on automatic aid with Station 19
(Earl Twp.) for a vehicle accident with injuries
on Route 562 at Fancy Hill Rd. The rescue arrived
at 1251 with a crew of nine and stabilized both
vehicles, and assisted EMS with patient removal.
The companies spread absorbant on the fluids and
assisted with debris cleanup and were available
and at station at 1405 hours.
March
16, 2008 - After returning from
an automatic fire alarm at Walnut Woods, at 0826
hours Stations 15 and 16 were sent to the 2200 block
of Farmington Ave. for an accident with injuries.
Chief 15 arrived with one vehicle that struck the
bridge and went over the embankment landing on it's
side. Engine-Tanker 16 and Rescue 15 arrived and
the vehicle was stabilized and was powered down.
The units assisted the towing company with removing
the vehicle and debris cleanup and were available
at station at 1002 hours.
March 10, 2008 - At 1112 hours Ladder
15 was requested on automatic dispatch for a possible
structure fire on Lindy Lane in the Brookview Development.
The ladder was first in with nothing showing. Access
was made difficult due to placement of other emergency
vehicles in front of the driveway. The crew investigated
to find a melted belt on the washing machine. Power
was shut down to the washer and the company was
available and at station at 1151 hours.
March
9, 2008 - At 1919 hours Station
15 was requested full company to assist Montgomery
County Station 67 (Gilbertsville) on a working structure
fire with possible entrapment in the 700 block of
East Philadelphia Ave. Ladder 15 responded full
crew and arrived second unit in at 1925 hours. The
crew was split with two assisting with fire attack
and the balance search. Chief 15 was given operations
on side "D". A solder joint on a copper
heater line melted creating a sprinkler system type
which helped keep the fire in check. The attack
crew completed the knockdown and all searches proved
negative. Ventilation was setup on all three floors
while overhaul was performed. After assisting with
operations the company was available and at station
at 2204 hours.
March
8, 2008 - At 0326 hours Station
15 and Montgomery County Station 67 (Gilbertsville)
were requested by Chief 17 to assist Station 17
(Liberty) at a motor vehicle accident with injuries
on Route 100 in front of Wal-Mart. Chief 17 arrived
and had a vehicle into a residence with structural
damage. Rescue 15 arrived and Chief 15 and Assistant
15 entered the building to investigate the structural
damage and determine if shoring of the wall was
necessary. The Chiefs from all three companies determined
to have the vehicle removed and recheck the structure.
The crews assisted the towing service with removing
the vehicle. After a second check and assured the
power was shutdown to the affected room it was determined
to release the building to the homeowner and contact
a contractor for repairs. The company was available
and at station at 0444 hours.
March
4, 2008 - This evening it was with
great pleasure to host the Hawk Mountain Council
Boy Scout "Good Scout Dinner" which is
a major fund raising event for the scouts. The apparatus
crew hangs up their bunker gear for the evening
and becomes the servers for the dinner. With over
100 very prominent citizens in attendance, the crew
shined as volunteers serving the crowd their dinner
and dessert. The guest speaker for this years event
was former Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Dick Vermeil.
Mr. Vermeil took a few moments out of his busy schedule
to talk to the crew and look at our equipment. His
speech to the attendees promoted teamwork and responsibility
toward scouting. The Fire Company thanks the Hawk
Mountain Council for their continued support and
to Mr. Vermeil for stopping by and spending some
time with us. We look forward to having the scouts
again next year.
March
4 , 2008 - At 1551 hours Stations
15 and 16 were sent to Englesville Hill Rd in Douglass
Twp. for an accident unkown. Chief 15 was given
the additional of two vehicles at the sharp bend.
Utility 15 with the "Tiller Rescue" trailer
running because of the Rescue being out of service
responded with a full crew and arrived with one
vehicle with air bag deployment and the driver with
minor injuries. The vehicle was stabilized and powered
down and the companies assisted the towing service
with debris cleanup. The companies were available
and at station at 1650 hours.
March 3, 2008 - At 1612 hours Stations
15, 16 & 17 were sent to the 400 block of E.
Third St. for a residential fire alarm. Engine 15
under the command of Chief 15 arrived at 1618 hours
and were confronted with a smoke condition in the
structure. The interior crew reported a pot of food
on the stove with the fire out and checking for
extension. Engine 17 arrived and took the hydrant
on the corner. Ladder 15 arrived and setup positive
pressure ventilation. At 1616 hours Chief 15 was
contacted by the borough police during response
for an engine at an accident on W. Fifth St. Chief
15 redirected Engine-tanker 16 to the accident under
the command of Chief 16. At the accident crews powered
down the vehicle and checked the vehicle to assure
no fire services were required. At the fire scene
Chief 15 reported the fire out and ventilation in
progress. All units cleared both calls and were
at station at 1714 hours.
March 2, 2008 - While returning
from the previous brush fire at 1407 hours Stations
15 & 16 were dispatched to E. Philadelphia Ave
and Monroe St. for a vehicle accident with injuries
reported to be a vehicle versus a motorcycle. On
arrival a motorcyclist was down and fluids and debris
on the roadway. Personnel began patient care and
Chief 16 put a helicopter on stand-by. Upon evaluation
the helicopter was stood down due to insufficient
injuries. Personnel assisted with patient packaging
and debris cleanup and the company cleared and was
at station at 1519 hours.
March
2 , 2008 - At 1326 Stations 15,
16, and 17 were dispatched for a possible brush
fire on Chapel Lane in Douglass Twp. Engine 15 and
Brush 16 arrived with a small area burnt started
by the homeowner dumping his fireplace ashes. The
area was overhauled by the crews from the brush
and engine and the rest of the assignment was returned
by Chief 15. After raking and wetting down the area
the company was cleared at 1407 hours.
February
22, 2008 - At 2045 hours Stations
15 and 16 ( Keystone) were sent to Route 562 and
Maple Ave in Douglass Twp for a vehicle accident
with possible entrapment. Upon arrival a one vehicle
accident that slid across a field and went airborne
into a tree. The crew from the rescue stabilized
the vehicle and opened and extended the drivers
door. Assisting EMS with patient packaging the female
driver was extricated at 2105 hours. The crew from
Engine 16-2 maintained fire protection during the
rescue. The crews assisted the police department
with scene lighting and assisted the towing company
with debris cleanup and were available at station
at 2234 hours.
February 21, 2008 - At 2300 hours
Station 15 was requested on the 1st alarm to assist
Station 19 (Earl Twp) at a dwelling fire on Woodchoppertown
Road. Ladder 15 responded with a full crew and was
the third piece of apparatus to arrive. The driveway
to the residence was long and steep and Engine 19
laid a 5" supply line to the residence. The
crew from the ladder walked the drive and met with
15-10 (Neubauer). The crew from Engine 19 was attacking
the fire with CAFS and 15-10 was given orders to
send crews for a primary search. The crew from the
ladder was split in two and entered the building
through bedroom windows on two sides of the residence.
The first crew of two firefighters located a female
victim in the hallway outside the bedrooms and began
a rescue effort. The second crew cleared a path
through the bedroom to 15-10 waiting at the window.
The victim was removed and handed to EMS where efforts
to revive her were started. Unfortunately the victum
succumbed to her injuries. The crews reentered the
structure and completed a primary search of the
residence. Other crews assisted with ventilation
on the roof and overhaul. The company was available
and at station at 0247 hours.
February
20, 2008 - At 2122 hours Stations
15 and 16 (Keystone) were sent to South Reading
Ave and Farmington Ave for an accident unkown. 15-10
(Neubauer) arrived and reported a two vehicle head-on
collision with both drivers self extricated and
one vehicle smoking with fluids and debris on the
roadway. EMS was requested to continue in for patient
evaluations. Rescue 15 responded with a crew of
nine and upon arrival stabilized and powered down
both vehicles. Engine 15 and Engine 16-2 arrived
and crews assisted with spreading absorbant and
cleaning up debris. Both companies were available
and at station at 2216 hours.
February
13 , 2008 - At 1556 hours Station
15 was dispatched with Station 19 (Earl Twp.) for
a possible structure fire on Spring Drive. 15-12
(Bingaman) arrived and reported from the homeowner
that the water heater exploded with a possible gas
leak in the basement of an old farmhouse. Engine
15 responded with a full crew and arrived assuming
first in duties. The crew went to the basement and
discovered a water heater that the control box and
exhaust fan had exploded due to a short from flooding.
The gas service and electric was shut down to the
heater and the area was checked with a thermal camera
and mutli gas meter with no extension and no gas
leak. The company was released by command and was
available at station at 1647 hours.
February
13 , 2008 - With a winter storm
that blanketed the area with two inches of snow,
1/4" of ice, and 1-2" of rain at 0357
hours Ladder 15 was requested to assist Station
14 (Bally) on a structure fire. 14-13 (Mutter) arrived
and reported a working basement fire n a residential
dwelling. The ladder arrived and manpower was requested
to the first floor with thermal cameras to check
for extension. Engine 14's crew did a quick knock
on the fire and the crews assisted with ventilation
and overhaul. The Ladder was available and at station
at 0529 hours. While at the structure an assignment
was dispatched at 0408 hours for a fire alarm at
the Franklin Court Apartments in the Borough. Engine
15 with 15-11 (Trate) responded immediately along
with Station 16 (Keystone) and Station 17 (Liberty).
The engine arrived and investigated a water condition
from a roof leak through a smoke detector on the
third floor. The alarm system was secured and units
were made available and at station at 0443. At 0529
the accident assignment was dispatched for the 2100
block of Farmington Ave for an accident with injuries.
15-10 (Neubauer) arrived and had one work truck
over an embankment into a tree. The rescue arrived
and the crews stabilized and powered down the vehicle
and started patient care until the arrival of EMS.
The scene was secured and turned over to the police
and the company was available at station at 0615
hours. Lastly at 0830 hours an accident assignment
was again sent to Greshville Road off Route 562
for a vehicle accident. 15-12 (Bingaman) arrived
and had one vehicle over an embankment with the
tow service already on location with no injuries.
It was determined no fire services required and
the assignment was recalled and the company was
available at station at 0850 hours.
February
1 , 2008 - As an ice storm was rolling
through the area, the calls started at 0602 with
the Fire Police sent to assist Station 17 (Liberty)
at an accident. Two minutes later Station 15 and
Station 16 (Keystone) were dispatched to a motor
vehicle accident in the 2200 block of Farmington
Ave. 15-10 was given the additional of multiple
calls reporting multiple accidents. Upon arrival
there was a head-on collision with one female requiring
treatment. A secondary accident occured when two
stopped vehicles were struck by another vehicle
that could not stop. While powering down the vehicles
the one started on fire which was quickly extinguished.
Fire Police were notified of more accidents on Englesville
Hill Road reporting a vehicle into a utility pole.
15-10 responded and found three seperate minor accidents
with no injuires and no fire services needed. Again
Berks Communications contacted 15-10 for another
accident on Grist Mill Road with injuries. Upon
arrival a two vehicle minor accident with one male
with a laceration above his eye. EMS treated and
15-10 determined no fire services required. Throughout
the day the station ran an assist to Station 14
(Bally) for a possible structure which was an oil
burner malfunction and was recalled during response.
There was also an odor of gas in the 500 block of
E. Philadelphia Ave. which upon investigation was
a person that overfilled a lawn mower causing a
gas odor in the area. In all the company ran nine
calls in just over ten hours.
January
29 , 2008 - At 1346 hours Stations
15, 16 (Keystone) and 17 (Liberty) with one engine
were sent to the 2100 block Farmington Ave. in Douglass
Twp. for a vehicle accident rollover with entrapment.
The rescue responded and arrived to a vehicle with
the male driver still in. The drivers door had been
opened by concerned citizens but EMS requested the
roof and passenger side be removed to extricate
the patient. The crew was split and a simultaneous
roof removal was performed. The passenger side had
extensive damage and a full side removal was performed.
Engine 16-2 pulled an 1-3/4" protection line
and Engine 17-2 setup a landing zone for the helicopter.
The rescue was complete at 1412 hours and the company
assisted the police department and towing company
with debris cleanup, cleared and was at station
at 1522 hours.
January 29, 2008 - At 1000 hours
Rescue 15 was requested to assist Company 19 (Earl
Twp) covering for Company 5 (Oley) who was on another
rescue for an accident with injuries on Oysterdale
Road in Pike Twp. Engine 19 arrived at two seperate
accidents, one vehicle into a tree and the second
being a vehicle on it's side. Rescue 15 was directed
to the second accident. A pickup was on it's side
with the uninjured driver self extricated. The company
stabilized the vehicle from rolling over and stood
by and assisted the towing company uprighting the
vehicle. The company cleared and were at station
at 1145 hours.
January
26, 2008 - At 1318 Ladder 15 was
requested to assist Pottstown Station 69 on a building
fire in the 200 block of E. High St. Ladder responded
immediately with a crew of 8 and were directed by
command to setup on the east side of the fire. Upon
arrival the ladder pipe was put into service on
the delta exposure building to stop the fire progression
into the next building which contained a furniture
store. Engine 15 was directed to reverse lay from
the fire scene to a hydrant on Industrial Blvd.
The engine laid 800' of 5" and supplied Engine
67, Gilbertsville which supplied Ladder 15. The
crews from the ladder and engine were put to work
doing numerous tasks assisting in extinguishment
and overhaul operations. The company was released
and at station at 2134 hours.
January 5, 2008 - At 1516 hours,
Companies 15, 16 & 17 were dispatched to West
Motor Freight for a vehicle fire. Engine 15 arrived
on location to a working engine compartment fire.
Crews from Engine 15 stretched a 1-3/4" line
and knocked the fire. Crews from Ladder 15 and Engine
16-2 assisted in overhaul operations. All companies
were made available and company 15 was at station
at 1603 hours.
January
5, 2008 - A new year brings a fresh,
new start to the Friendship Hook & Ladder Fire
Company. Due to several EXTREMELY busy last couple
months, the website was, unfortunately, not updated.
We apologize for this lack of new information, however,
with the new year we are committed to bringing you
the latest information as soon as we can on this
website. We thank you for your continued support
and look forward to keeping you up to date with
what is going on at the Friendship Hook & Ladder
Fire Company. Please stay tuned...
October
1, 2007 - At 1406 hours, Company
15 was dispatched for RIT to assist Montgomery County
Station 65 (Pennsburg) on a working structure fire.
All four trucks responded, led off by the Ladder,
arriving on location at 1426 hours. RIT was initially
established to the rear of the building. Shortly
after arrival, the fire became out of control, forcing
initial crews out of the building, and the evacuation
was toned. Crews were shortly thereafter relieved
by Montgomery County Station 37 (New Hanover), and
were then instructed to assist in master stream
operations. Ladder 15 set up the main and began
flowing water into the well-involved structure,
along with 4 other aerial master streams and several
other lines. Crews then split up and another RIT
was established at the front of the building. Company
15 remained on-scene for several hours until being
released by command. Company 15 went available and
was at station at 0044 hours. Special thanks to
Companies 2 (Reiffton) and 49 (Amity) for standing-by
at our station while we were at the fire!
August
10, 2007 - At 1851 hours, Rescue
and Engine 15 were dispatched to assist Company
17 on a motor vehicle accident with injuries and
entrapment at Route 73 and North Ironstone Drive.
Both pieces of apparatus responded with full crews,
arriving on location at 1856 hours to a head-on
style collision of a pick-up truck and a passenger
car. Crews immediately stabilized the vehicle while
EMS began patient assessment. It was confirmed that
the unrestrained driver of the vehicle was heavily
entrapped, and that the crew from the Rescue was
to go in service with hydraulics tools. Crews pulled
the Maverick and X-Tractor and began dual side removals
and a roof flap. There was a possibility of additionally
performing a dash roll, but once the patient was
accessed, it was confirmed that he was not pinned
under the dash. Fire personnel and EMS rapidly extricated
the severely injured male and transported him to
the nearby landing zone, handled by Company 17.
After the patient was extricated, crews secured
the scene while PD investigated the accident. After
that, crews cleaned up debris and fluids, and Company
15 was placed available. The Company was at station
at 2025 hours.
Congratulations
and great job to firefighter Ethan Miller for using
the hydraulic rescue tools for his first time!
July 6, 2007 - At 1528 hours, Ladder
and Rescue 15 were requested by 3-12 (Rhoads) to
assist Companies 3 (Stonersville) and 2 (Reiffton)
on a working structure fire at 5451 Oley Turnpike
Road in Exeter Township. Ladder and Rescue 15 both
went responding with a sizeable crew, arriving on
location at 1545 hours. Crews were instructed by
3-12 to don SCBA and take tools and a thermal imager
camera into the upper floors and basement to check
for extension, since the fire was in a first-floor
bathroom. Crews spent some time opening up walls
and the floor above the fire and found minor extension,
which was then extinguished. When the fire was deemed
out and overhaul was complete, Company 15 was released
by Command. Company 15 was at station at 1719 hours.
July 4, 2007 - At 1928 hours, Ladder
15 was requested to assist Montgomery County Station
67 (Gilbertsville) on a building fire at the Almont
Manor Apartments at 700 Sweinhart Road. Ladder 15
responded with a full crew, followed by Engine and
Rescue 15, and arrived on location at 1932 assuming
first in apparatus. The crew entered the building
to meet Deputy 67, with an odor of something burning
and a light smoke condition in the third floor.
The crew forced entry and encountered heavy smoke
in the apartment unit. Crews immediately donned
SCBA and located the source of the fire. A melted
pot was found on a live burner on the range in the
kitchen. Crews cut off power to the unit, removed
the burned pot, and performed negative pressure
ventilation to remove the smoke from the apartment.
After the apartment was ventilated, crews secured
equipment and all units were placed available. Company
15 was at station at 2031 hours.
July
4, 2007 - Today, Ladder 15 traveled
to Pottstown to be a part of the annual Fourth-of-July
Parade. Each year, Ladder 15 parks along High Street
and sets up a ladder arch with Humane Fire Company
of Royersford (Montgomery County Station 84). This
year was no different. Company 15 came out with
a large crew and their families, which made the
day lots of fun, while we all showed our support
for everyone involved in the parade. We look forward
to coming out to Pottstown next year for the next
Fourth-of-July Parade!
June 29, 2007 - At 1637 hours, Companies
15 and 16 (Keystone) were dispatched to the intersection
of Madison and Second Streets, Colebrookdale Township,
for a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Rescue
15 responded and arrived on location at 1640 hours
to a vehicle versus a tractor-trailer with one male
seriously injuried and entrapped. Engine and Utility
15 also responded with manpower, and Engine 16-2
set up a landing zone in the nearby Junior High
parking lot. Crews went into service with cutters
and did a roof flap to allow more space to extricate
the patient. Crews also assisted EMS in the extrication
process. The patient was transferred to EMS once
removed from the vehicle, and trasported to the
landing zone. Crews remained on-scene for approximately
4 hours while the police department conducted an
accident reconstruction. The tow company arrived
on-scene and removed the vehicle, while remaining
crews cleaned debris from the roadway. All units
went available and Company 15 was at station at
2105 hours.
June 10, 2007 - At 1528 hours, Companies
15 and 16 (Keystone) were dispatched to the main
intersection in town for a motor vehicle accident
with injuries. Rescue 15 responded, arriving on
location at 1531 hours, to a two-vehicle head-on
type collision, with one injury being tended to
by EMS. Crews stabilized and powered down the vehicles,
and controlled fluids. Once the tow company arrived
on location and secured the vehicles, all units
were placed available, and Company 15 was at station
at 1631 hours.
June 8, 2007 - At 1111 hours, Companies
15 and 16 (Keystone) were dispatched to the intersection
of North Sunrise Lane and Fern Drive in Douglass
Township for a motor vehicle accident with injuries.
Additional was given for one vehicle into the woods
with one male injured. Rescue 15 responded and arrived
on location at 1119 to a motorcycle accident off
the roadway, with EMS requesting the patient be
flown by aero-medical. Engine 16-2 and Utility 15
established a landing zone on Route 562 approximately
a mile away, while the crew from Rescue 15 assited
EMS with patient care. The patient was loaded into
Med-Evac, and then Utility 15 reported to the scene
of the accident. Crews stood by until the motorcycle
was secured by the tow company, and then went available.
Company 15 was at station at 1238 hours.
June 3, 2007 - At 1229 hours, Companies
15 and 16 (Keystone) were dispatched to a motor
vehicle accident on Route 562 in the area of the
Wilcox Farm. Rescue 15 responded and arrived on
location at 1234 hours to find a two-vehicle rear-end
collision. EMS tended to on minor injury, while
crews powered down the one vehicle, controlled fluids,
and cleaned up debris. Once the tow company arrived
and secured the vehicles, Companies were available
and Company 15 was at station at 1335 hours.
May
28, 2007 - At 1724 hours, Companies
15 and 16 (Keystone) were dispatched to an unknown-injury
motor vehicle accident at East Philadelphia Avenue
and Madison Street in the Borough. Rescue 15 responded
and arrived on location at 1729 hours to a two-vehicle
accident in the intersection. EMS arrived on location
simultaneiously and treated a minor injury. Crews
stabilized and powered down the vehicles, conrolled
a minor fluid leak, and cleaned up debris, while
they awaited the arrival of the tow company. Once
the vehicles were secured, Company 15 was available
and at station at 1834 hours.
