Fire news pennsylvania 11 17

VOLUME 7, NO. 5

W W W .FIRENE WS .COM

Serving Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes Since 1973 NOVEMBER 2017

Story on page 29.

-Fire News photo by Ken Lager

Happy Holidays to All Our Readers -Pennsylvania Edition-

Page 2, Fire News, November 2017

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 3

In this issue...

Building and Camper Well Off Lewistown Engines 11 and 13, Rescue 14, and Trucks 11 and 14 arrived to to find a camper and multiple out buildings well involved.

See story on page 7

East Pennsboro Twp. Blaze Engine Companies 20, 17 and 21; Squad 20; Truck 17; Rescue 20; and Tanker 20 responded to Lafayette Street for a house fire.

See story on page 8

Deja Vu in New Kensington New Kensington Fire Department was called for a commercial structure fire at the same location as a fire on June 2, 2017.

See story on page 11

Brownstown 2-Alarmer West Earl firefighters responded for a two-alarm fire at a Brownstown auto dealership on Oregon Pike on October 22, 2017.

See story on page 12

Pennsylvania in Training Fire News coverage of drills and training exercises accross the state.

See story on pages 18 & 19

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum Enhances Education Programs See story on page 25

PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 4 Commisioner’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 6 As the PA Fire Service Turns . . . . . . . . . .page 6 Up Close & Personal . . . . . . . . . .pages 16 & 17 PA Fire Service in Action . . . . . . .pages 20 & 21 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 31

A Service for New Jersey Firefighters and EMS Heroes 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 LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager Advertising Sales: BARBARA CONNOLLY, EVELYN ALOISIO Graphic Artist: GREGORY JONES FIRE NEWS NEW JERSEY PHOTOGRAPHERS Chad Aaronson, John Axford, Keith Addie, Adam Alberti, Ted Aurig, Kenneth E.Badger, Dick Berry, Tommy Bilancia, Thomas Bischoff, James Bonner, Joseph Brecko, John Buttino, Bob Chester, John Clark, Michael J. Coppola, Alex Coulter, Carl Crossman, Damien Davis, Chris Denton, Alan Dumoff, Brian Duddy, Brett M. Dzadik, Dan Eckert, Doug Fenichel, Tom Finnegan, Joe Fortunato, Liam Glinane, Israel Goldstein, Thomas Hayden Jr., David Hernandez, Robert Halberstadt, Roman Izaryk, Erica Jacoby, Jeffrey Konya, Kevin Maloney, Robert Munson, Paul Newborn, Robert F. Newkirk, Denis Niland, Mike Nowacki, Elvin Padilla, Ed Pinkevicz, Dane Policastro, Michael Ratcliffe, Joe Repici, Paul Rodriquez, Mark Rosetti, Chris Saraceno, Robert Scollan, Dennis C. Sharpe, Steve Sperlak, Steve Skipton, Matt Spadaro, Danielle Tagerty, Tim Sullivan, Robert Tallaksen, Wayne Tasaki, Giuseppe Tartaglia, Jim Trepeos, Gregory Taylor, Ron Trout, Ken VanPelt, Kevin Umbach, Jose Vazquez, Ronnie Viola, Tom Vogel, Tom Walker, Mike Wallace, Chris Whitam, Wells P. Wilson, Gerald Wyhopen, Jr., Peter Danzo. Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka, Billy Goldfeder.

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Page 4, Fire News, November 2017

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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor

Are You Prepared?

As a first responder, have you ever been involved with a mass casualty incident, a terrorist attack, or an active shooter event? Sadly, I can say that, indirectly, an active shooter changed the lives of so many people in a community I worked in for 33 years. One morning Father Larry Penzes, who was a priest in Lynbrook, New York, at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church, lost his life while conducting morning mass. I worked a block away from the church at a local school.

Swiftly the day changed at North Middle School, as we immediately went into a lockdown. This was something we had prepared for over the years. Our “go box” came out of the vault and our school prepared for a worstcase scenario as the shooter escaped and barricaded himself nearby. Other than the loss of Father Larry, the outcome was positive due to previous actions of an administration that took the time to train its staff yearly on what to do in this exact scenario.

As a first responder, have you trained how to handle an MCI involving a terrorist attack or active shooter? Watching the horrible attack of a deranged shooter in Las Vegas, I realized how well the Las Vegas Police Department was prepared for this event. I saw responders

immediately donning protective vests and helmets and working together to stabilize a very “hot” situation.

What could complicate the attack by a terrorist or active shooter? Yes, fire.

Approximately 100 incendiary devices were found at the Columbine shooting and in 2008, fire caught our attention in Mumbai, India. On the home front, fire ended the Waco hostage situation, an ex-con set a car and a house ablaze in his lakeside neighborhood in Webster, N.Y. to lure firefighters, then opened fire on them, killing two, engaging in a shootout with police and committing suicide while several homes burned. Fire ended the Waco hostage situation and in Center Moriches (New York) an individual attempted to set fire to a church where he had holed up before committing suicide.

Police throughout the country do an excellent job in protecting us and defusing hostage situations. The question is, are they prepared to fight fire should fire complicate their situation? Are we prepared to sit and watch a fire grow with innocent victims inside of the building? I thought about this after the hostage situation in my area. All of us know the flames we see in the movies do not depict real-life sit-

uations. Police officers should be familiar with the four stages of fire growth. They need to know that if they arrive to a situation where fire is present, how much time they have to execute a safe entry to save a life before conditions can instantly change and compromise their own safety.

With active shooters and terrorist situations occurring more frequently, all responders must regularly train together so that everyone goes home safely. Pray for the 59 killed in Las Vegas and pray that none of the 527-wounded pass away. Although this was a horrible tragedy, I feel the Las Vegas responders did an outstanding job handling it. My question to you is; are you prepared for a similar situation? ... Dennis

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PA F I R E C O M M I S S I O N E R

Commissioner’s Corner

by Tim Solobay Hello all and welcome to another month of Commissioner’s Corner.

We start the article on a somber note. Lieutenant Ken Greene of the Philadelphia Fire Department passed away last month while on duty.

Ken is the fifth Line of Duty Death this year and we pass our deepest sympathies to the Greene family and to our brothers and sisters of the Philadelphia Fire Department. A wonderful service was conducted at the end of the month celebrating his life and service.

The application period for this year’s $30-million grant program has come and gone. Hopefully you got your application in on time. The next step will be to review all the applications and verify information so that the award amounts can be determined. Then, come the middle of January, award amounts will be announced and you will be notified to submit your grant agreement and receive your funds.

The budget process is still ongoing, but it appears that funding to the loan program and 911 Fund will not be impacted. Other legislation includes expanding the sale of consumer fireworks to Pennsylvania residents, which we are advocating for. The legislation would impose a surcharge on the sale of these fireworks. Revenue generated from this bill should be directed to emergency services, who will see the biggest impact with additional runs and responsibility. We have asked that the funds be dedicated to: on-line training development and operation, physical training reimbursement fund, some additional money to the EMS portion of the grant fund, and the development of a career department grant program that will add money to fire grants for both career and volunteer departments. If the bill becomes law, it only seems fair that the revenue generated support the fire services.

The SR 6 committee is hoping to start up with their meetings, which will, hopefully, bring over 16 to 17 initiatives to aid the fire and EMS services. Many of these initiatives are ones that many of you have sub-

mitted over the months. We are also getting good vibrations from municipal governments that are looking at implementing some portion of Act 172, the EIT and Property Tax, if not all of it. I know we have been discussing a lot of things, but now is the time to contact your local representative or senator and ask them to sign on and support the SR 6 initiatives. We have 15 more months in this legislative session, so the time to reach out is now.

We continue to work on filling some of the positions at the Academy and the Harrisburg office because of retirements and transfers. I am happy to announce that Bruce Trego will be the new Administrator at the Academy with the departure of George Stapleton to South Carolina.

Gerry Bimle has accepted position as the Supervisor in the Alternative Energy Program with the retirement of Pat Pauly, and Letitia Sinclair will be taking over as the Supervisor of the Grant and Loan program with the departure/transfer of Scott Steffan. We will be looking for a new Assistant Administrator at the Academy, as well as replacements for Gerry and Letitia’s previous positions. We hope to be fully staffed by the end of the year.

Winter weather and the challenges it creates is only a few short weeks away so make sure to prepare and be ready for what Mother Nature may have in store for us. If it is anything like the hurricane season has been, we better brace for a few tough months. I’m sure it will be met with a ready staff of firefighters and other emergency service workers ready to handle anything thrown at it.

Good luck and till next month remember, “Everyone Goes Home.”

As the Pennsylvania Fire Service Turns It has been quite the hectic month-and-a-half here in the OSFC Public Education Division between “Remembering When” presentations, having booths at senior expos and getting ready for the Fire Safety Summit. But let’s see what I can share with you this month…

FIRE SAFETY By the time you read this, Fire Prevention Week will have passed. A lot of departments created Facebook events promoting open houses during FPW at which I tried to share all that I saw on the @PAOSFC page. My wish is that each department that held some type of FPW event had success in sharing the importance of being fire safe. I know some departments ran into problems receiving materials due to things being on backorder and I tried to help as many as I could. For those that reached out, I truly hope my assistance helped you!

As I type up this month’s article, it is Tuesday of FPW and I love seeing the pictures being posted on Facebook from the events departments are doing. I noticed in different areas of the Commonwealth that this past Saturday, fire departments that have a Home Depot in their first-due area participated in a Safety Day. It is nice to have a specific day set aside for this to happen, no matter what Home Depot you go to. As I see pictures from events being completed, I will try and share them on the OSFC page.

In my opening I spoke about next month’s Fire Safety Summit. There is still time to sign up for this FREE fire safety learning event. No matter which session you attend, Thursday evening Night School or Friday’s Daytime Session, you will get free food! If you have yet to sign up, please e-mail me ASAP! There will be presentations on Pennsylvania’s Fire Data, NFPA’s “Remembering When”, Smoke Alarm Installation programs and Home Fire Sprinklers, to name just a few. My goal is to build upon this and continue this summit for years to come, even possibly holding it in different areas of the Commonwealth.

You also may have noticed lately the Underwriters Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI) has been promoting the “Close Before You Doze” program as a reminder to not only sleep with your doors closed but also to remind people to close doors as they leave a house. They have some outreach materials you can download and/or purchase off their website — www.ulfiresafety.com. I strongly urge everyone to check this out and promote it within your communities.

I want to close the fire safety section by once again mentioning about NFPA’s “Remembering When” program OSFC is promoting. I have shared many times how at least 50 percent of all fire deaths in Pennsylvania for the past three years have been older adults, aged 55 and over. Consistently over the same time period, Pennsylvania ranks in the top three when it comes to total number of fire deaths and the number of older adults killed in a fire. I know we will never have zero fire fatalities, but we have to work together to set a goal to decrease the number, particularly when it comes to older adults. Since OSFC adopted “Remembering

When” in late 2015, we have presented the program to 702 older adults and distributed packets of fire safety information from “Remembering When” at senior expos to approximately 2400 older adults. A majority of the presentations and expos are in close proximity to the Harrisburg area, but if you know of any event geared towards older adults, please contact me so we can expand the program to other areas of the Commonwealth. In particular, I would like to organize some presentations in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas (areas with the highest number of older adult fire deaths), perhaps work it out where we can be in the respective area for a few days at a time giving the presentation two to three times a day. Again, if you have any interest in this, reach out to me. I cannot do this alone!

INCIDENT REPORTING Once again, I have been getting e-mails and phone calls asking for me to reset passwords. As I have shared before, I do NOT have the ability to reset passwords nor do I have the ability to unlock accounts. If you have either of these situations, you must contact Emergency Reporting Support directly at support@emergency reporting.com. Whatever login you use, assign an e-mail to that login by going to the personnel list, double clicking on the user, then under the security tab, “had an e-mail.” You can also add the e-mail by going to “My Profile.” Once you add an e-mail to your login, you will be able to reset your password yourself. For more detailed information on this, I strongly recommend you visit the “Support” tab of ER and in the “Knowledge Base” area read the articles and links pertaining to this.

For those still using Firehouse, we received an e-mail last week that Firehouse Software was, or will be, bought out by ESO Solutions. I am hopeful you will receive notification on this concerning any changes that will take place. If you were not aware of this, I suggest you contact a representative for more information.

I am continuing to export incidents from Emergency Reporting each Friday and sending them to NFIRS. After the 15th of each month, we will update the incident count report on our website. ER Support is in the process of updating and moving reports for me, so once that is completed, we will post additional reports on our website for you to peruse.

Until next time, be safe out there and as always, LET’S MAKE PENNSYLVANIA FIRE SAFE AGAIN! #LMPaFSA Kraig E. Herman, IAAI-CFI Public Education Specialist/NFIRS State Program Manager Office of the State Fire Commissioner e-mail:krhermanpa.gov

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 7

Building and Camper Well Off

On September 20, 2017, Lewistown Engines 11 and 13, Rescue 14, address to find a camper and multiple out buildings well involved. and Trucks 11 and 14 arrived to the rear of a West 4th Street - Fire News photos by Patrick Shoop

Page 8, Fire News, November 2017

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East Pennsboro Twp. Blaze

On October 4, 2017, Box 5-05 sent Engine Companies 20, 17 and 21; Squad 20; Truck 17; Rescue 20; and Tanker 20 to Lafayette Street for a house fire. Officers en route reported a smoke column visible.

Chief 5 requested RIT (Rescue 69) and arrived moments later reporting a working fire. The fire building was a 1-1/2 story, singlefamily, occupied dwelling with heavy fire showing from sides B and C. A 2-1/2 and a 1-3/4 inch line were stretched from Engine 17 to

knock down the main body of fire. A second alarm was requested, bringing Engine 6, Engine 2-13, Squad 30, Truck 30, Rescue 37, Tanker 17 and Air 13 to the scene. Companies made an aggressive interior attack, knocking down all visible fire in about 15 minutes.

Extensive overhaul was required before the fire was brought under control.

- Fire News photos by Jason Coleman-Cobb

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 9

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Heller Road Barn Fire

On October 2, 2017, Station 15 Saxonburg, Station 11 Penn Township and Saxonburg Ambulance Station 45 were dispatched to Heller Road in Jefferson Township, Butler County, for a reported barn fire.

Upon Chief 15’s arrival, he reported a working barn fire. Additional units came from South Butler Station 7, Herman Station 10, and Winfield Township Station 46. Command 15 advised that the barn was on the ground and help was needed to contain the fire surrounding the structure. Fire crews went to work extinguishing the fire while tankers from Saxonburg, Penn, Herman and Winfield Townships responded.

Overhaul was done and all units cleared the scene without injury. Additional units were placed on standby to cover stations.

- Fire News photo by Artie Osniak

8 Homeless in Manor Township Blaze

Blue Rock Fire Rescue was dispatched on October 19, 2017, for a dwelling fire on Bermuda Road in Manor Township. First arriving units reported heavy fire through the roof. One of the residents had discovered the fire after returning home. EMS personnel carried two dogs to safety. No one was injured, but eight residents — six

adults and two children — were left homeless. A state police fire marshal determined the fire was accidental and caused by discarded cigarettes. Damage was estimated at $100,000. Crews from Roherstown, Mountville, Lancaster Township and Manheim Township Fire Rescue assisted. - Fire News photos by Greg Leaman

Combine Fire Snuffed Members of the Whitehall Fire Department’s Egypt and Cementon Stations were dispatched to Scheidy’s Road for a combine fire. Additional information reported the combine would be better accessed from N. Church Street. Engine 3911 and Brush 3961 arrived on scene and Assistant Chief Ray Dankel reported a well involved combine. West Catasauqua Brush 3761 was requested to respond as well. The fire was quickly knocked down.

- Fire News photo by Geoffrey Wetherhold

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 11

Deja Vu in New Kensington

On September 30, 2017, New Kensington Fire Department was called for a commercial structure fire at the same location as a fire on June 2, 2017. Crews cut away the metal shell to expose the fire and set an attack.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Hanover Boro 2-Alarmer Hanover Borough career fire Captain Doug Kemmerly works on opening up around a window during overhaul stages at a secondalarm garage fire on East Chestnut Street in Hanover Borough, York County on October 3, 2017. The fire was ruled arson by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal.

- Fire News photo by Steve Roth

Page 12, Fire News, November 2017

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Brownstown 2-Alarmer

West Earl firefighters responded for a two-alarm fire at a Brownstown auto dealership on Oregon Pike on October 22, 2017, which was sparked by an electrical short in a power conduit. Damage was contained to the service bays at John Sauder Chevrolet. The fire was placed under control in about an hour, said West Earl Fire Chief Nate Stoltzfus. Some plastic barrels containing waste oil melted from the fire, causing leaks.

Lancaster County HazMat team was dispatched to dispose of the oil.

Assisting were crews from Manheim Township Fire Rescue, Farmersville, Rothsville, Akron, Upper Leacock, Lititz, Bareville, Ephrata and Lincoln. Rothsville EMS and the state fire marshal were also on the scene.

- Fire News photo by Greg Leaman

Allentown 3-Alarmer The Allentown Fire Department was alerted for a fire on N. 3rd Street in the city of Allentown. Companies arrived to heavy smoke showing from a row home.

The fire spread to three homes and reached a third alarm before being brought under control.

- Fire News photo by Jayson Wagner

E. Pennsboro Twp. MVA, House Fire On October 1, 2017, Engine Companies 17, 20 and 21; Squad 20; Truck 17; Rescue 20; and Tanker 17 were dispatched on Box 5-04 on S. Enola Drive for an auto accident with a vehicle into a building. Chief 5A advised of multiple calls, an occupant reported out of the vehicle, and police on scene, with a vehicle into a shed and on fire.

Rescue 69 (RIT) and Truck 30 were added to the box. Units arrived to a well involved shed adjacent to a three-story, wood frame dwelling. Interior attack efforts into the dwelling were hampered by hoarding conditions. The fire gained access to the void areas and, with no access to the first-floor interior, companies had to open up from the exterior. Tanker 6, Rescue 14 and Air were special called to the scene and shortly after the balance of the second alarm brought Engines 2-13 and 37 to the scene. The fire was placed under control in about an hour and primary searches were negative.

- Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb

Good Stop Near Gettysburg Firefighters were alerted to an apartment fire outside of historic Gettysburg on October 2, 2017. Police officers arrived to a heavy fire in a single, middle-of-the-group of a seven-unit-row home. Police evacuated residents prior to fire department arrival. Gettysburg and mutual aid Adams County companies made quick work of the rapidly spreading fire, holding the fire to the original unit.

- Fire News photo by Steve Roth

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 13

Quick Stop in Bensalem

Firefighters in Bensalem made quick work of a house fire on Bensalem Boulevard recently. The fire started in, and was confined to, the garage. Upon arrival, flames were shooting out of the dwelling with no immediate exposure concerns.

- Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross

Fenton Road House Fire Early on October 5, 2017, the Glenside Fire Company was dispatched to a house fire in the 8100 Block of Fenton Road. The fire was placed under control in 25 minutes and there were were no injuries. Assisting Glenside were Wyndmoor, LaMott, Ogontz, Edgehill, Barren Hill, Weldon and Cheltenham EMS. - Submitted by Bob Scholly Jr, photo by Bill McCann

Page 14, Fire News, November 2017

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2 Cars, 2 Entrapments, 30 Min.

On September 20, 2017, the United Hook and Ladder Fire Department were alerted for a two-car MVA with reported entrapment. Chief 33 arrived and confirmed the dispatch with double entrapment, one in each vehicle. Rescue 33 arrived, split their crew and performed two extrications simultaneously extricating both

heavily entrapped drivers in under 30 minutes. One occupant was flown via Stat 13 helicopter, while Engine 14 from the Irishtown Fire Company provided a safe LZ. The other occupant was transported via ambulance to a local trauma center.

- Fire News photos by Steve Roth

Car versus Tree. Tree Wins Stations 101 and 51 responded to a single-vehicle MVA, vehicle into a tree.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Parking Lot Hit

Franklin County Communications alerted St. Thomas Fire along with Chambersburg EMS and Medic 1-18 for a pedestrian struck at the Uni-Mart on Lincoln Way East. Medic 1-18 arrived and found a male struck by a vehicle which had been backing out of a parking spot. Lifenet 81, out of Maryland, was alerted and arrived on scene. The person was flown to York Hospital.

- Fire News photos by Shane Shifflett

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 15

Mauch Chunk Road MVA

Emergency services personnel were dispatched to the 1500 Block of Mauch Chunk Road recently for reports of an accident with rescue. One female was found confined in a vehicle and extricated by firefighters.

- Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.

Truck-Car MVA on 322 On September 11, 2017, Fame EMS and the Lewistown Fire Department managed an MVA on US Highway 322 east, in the area of the Walnut Street overpass. The MVA involved a tractor-trailer and car.

- Fire News photo by Patrick Shoop

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Up Close & Personal

A firefighter from the Barlow Volunteer Fire Department operating a handline during exterior operations at a fully involved house fire on Hospital Road in the Barlow area of Gettysburg in Adams County on October 4 2017.

- Fire News photo by Bryan Felix

Kyleigh MacGregor from Arnold Volunteer Company 2 at an October 14, 2017, garage fire in Arnold.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

On October 8, 2017, Squad 20 member and Duty Chief 30 arrived at a two-story unoccupied dwelling with fire through the roof in the 5900 block of Eberly Drive.

- Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 17

Up Close & Personal

Allentown firefighters battled a three-alarm fire on October 1, 2017.

- Fire News photo by Geoffrey Wetherhold The Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon and Dormont Fire Departments held their annual Citizens Fire Academy in which residents get the chance to try out being firefighters.

- Fire News photo by Ken Lager

On October 7, 2017, New Kensington Stations 56-1 and 5 participated in an advanced burn training drill.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Lancaster Township Firefighter Melvin Reyes gathering wood cribbing. A driver was extricated after the driver smashed into a movie theater in Lancaster Township.

- Fire News photo by Greg Leaman

Page 18, Fire News, November 2017

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Training

New Kensington Burn Drill

On October 7, 2017, New Kensington Stations 56-1 and 5 participated in an advanced burn training drill.

- Fire News photos by Steven Matto

YardleyMakefield Trains Yardley-Makefield Fire Company firefighters recently participated in a vehicle fire refresher class at the Bucks County Public Safety Training Center in Croydon; Probationary Firefighter Luke Stapleton (nozzle) extinguishing the fire.

- Fire News photo by Jeff Goldberg

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 19

Training

Forcible Entry Training at LCFA Fire School

Lancaster Township Fire Department firefighters travelled to Lancaster County Firemen’s Association Fire School in West Lampeter Township on September 18, 2017, to use the new forcible entry simulator purchased by the Lancaster County Firemen’s Association for the school. The simulator provided realistic and ver-

satile forcible-entry training. Firefighters practiced forcing inward- and outward-opening doors, left- and right-hand swinging doors, and using Halligans and flathead axes and mauls.

- Fire News photos by Greg Leaman

Page 20, Fire News, November 2017

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Pennsylvania Fire Fighters in Action

ns 285 and 227 2017, Verona Statio al structure.

On September 29, rci me com a o icle int were called for a veh photo by Steven Matto - Fire News

On September 28, 2017, Stations 216, 233, 234 and 285 were called for smoke in a commercial structure at the Longwood Care Home in Oakmont.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

On October 8, 2017, Allentown firefighters were dispatched to N. 6th Street for a dwelling fire.

- Fire News photo by Geoffrey Wetherhold

On October 8, 2017, Box Squad 20, Engine 1-2 30-08 sent Engine Company 30 and 31, 8, Truck 30, Rescue 30, Squad 31 and 33 (RIT), and Tanker 31 to Ow - Fire News photo by l Court for a house fire.

Jason Coleman-Cobb

Department On October 11, 2017, the Unity Volunteer Fire due to wet roads. responded to a six-vehicle accident reportedly - Fire News photo by Steven Matto

On September 20, 2017, Box 1-2 sent Squad 8, Wa Towers 1, and Chief 4 (Wise) to State Street for gon 4, a kitchen fire with possible ent - Fire News photo by Jas rapment. on Coleman-Cobb

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 21

Pennsylvania Fire Fighters in Action

r rs Station 38, Butle d n 1, Veterans Affai an City of Butler Statio Ladder, Butler Ambulance Service ict 3 17, Township Fire Distr were dispatched on September 23, 20 Arbors. r tle Bu the Butler City Police of or e on the fifth flo for a smell of smok ws photo by Artie Osniak - Fire Ne

On September 16, 2017, firefighters responded to the Millersville Pike and the Regal Cinemas Theater at the Manor Shopping Center for a crash with entrapment.

- Fire News photo by Greg Leaman

On October 8, 2017, emergency services personnel responded to - Fire News photo by an MVA. Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.

to fire On September 5, 2017, firefighters responded in the walls of a vacant house in Arnold.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Page 22, Fire News, November 2017

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Yardley-Makefield Open House

Pirates’ FF Appreciation Night

The Yardley-Makefield Fire Company hosted its 2017 Fire Prevention Community Open House on October 13, 2017.

Firefighters Matt Berry (nozzle) and Alec Ryan demonstrated how to extinguish an automobile fire.

- Fire News photo by Jeff Goldberg

First pitch team at Pirates Firefighter Appreciation Night. (Left to right): Tom Lawrence, Chief of Canonsburg VFD the first pitch thrower; Ed Povric, Cecil Township Chief and American Legion Statewide Firefighter of the Year; Tim Solobay; Chief Darryl Jones, Pittsburgh Fire Chief; and the catcher, Darrin Kelly, a Pittsburgh Firefighter.

- Submitted by Tim Solobay

Terry Smith Retires

Firefighter Terry Smith retired from the Hanover Fire Department after a 38-year, four-month career.

- Fire News photo by Steve Roth

Pennsylvania State Weekend Memorial Team

The team that put on memorial service in Emmitsburg during the 36th Annual Pennsylvania State Weekend in July 2017.

- Submitted by Tim Solobay

Clousher to Be Chief of Merged Departments Newly appointed Chief Tony Clousher speaks with one of his captains after a recent kitchen fire in Hanover Borough in York County. Clousher currently holds the position of Chief of the Hanover Fire Department, which has begun the process of merging with the Penn Township Fire Department.

Chief Clousher will be the Chief of the merged department beginning in 2018, and is currently holding the title of Chief 79, the number chosen to be the new department’s designation. The merge will consist of volunteers and career firefighters from York County Fire Stations 46 and 49.

- Fire News photo by Steve Roth

Wedding Bells: Fisher and Chamberlain

Yardley-Makefield Fire Company Captain Colby Fisher and Firefighter Amy Chamberlain were recently married. The officers and members of the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company congratulate the new Mr. and Mrs. Colby Fisher.

- Fire News photo by Jeff Goldberg

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 23

West End Fire Prevention Week

- Fire News photos by Jayson Wagner

Page 24, Fire News, November 2017

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Citizens Fire Academy

The Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon and Dormont Fire Departments recruitment tool for all three departments.

- Fire News photos by Ken Lager held their annual Citizens Fire Academy in which residents get the chance to try out being firefighters. It is a great public relations and

Annual Bucks County Memorial

(Above) Yardley-Makefield Fire Company Fire Police Captain Larry Schwalm places a carnation at the memorial of the Bucks County Fallen Firefighters, EMS and Fire Police during the annual ceremony held on October 1, 2017. (Right) An unidentified firefighter kneels at the base of the memorial during the 2017 Annual Fallen Firefighters, EMS, Fire Police Ceremony held in Doylestown.

- Fire News photos by Jeff Goldberg

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 25

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum Enhances Education Programs

John Bruetsch, Fire Museum Treasurer The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum will enhance its educational exhibits and programs with support from AT&T. With a $25,000 contribution from AT&T, the Museum will inspire more young Pennsylvanians to consider serving as volunteer or professional first responders.

The new exhibit and programs also will show how our first responders use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to keep Pennsylvanians safe. The support was announced during a special event at the museum that included executives from AT&T, officials from the office of the Pennsylvania’s Fire Commissioner, state legislators and first responders.

“The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum is an extraordinary place where people from across Pennsylvania — and even around the world — visit to learn more about the rich history of fire fighting in Pennsylvania,” said David Kerr, regional vice president for AT&T in Pennsylvania. “Our contribution will help the museum reinvigorate its educational pro-

Kraig Herman, Pennsylvania Deputy Fire Commissioner

gramming to inspire young Pennsylvanians to consider giving back to their communities by becoming first responders.”

Kerr added that the museum also will address science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills in its educational materials — skills that are important for students’ future success in almost every industry and a cornerstone of AT&T Aspire, the company’s initiative that creates connections that drive innovation in education.

The announcement coincided with Governor Tom Wolf’s team’s focus this week on highlighting the work Pennsylvania has done with STEM education and careers over the past few years.

“Our younger generation will help fill the ranks of our volunteer and career firefighter departments. Efforts to educate and inspire these young people on the fire service’s past and present will help to increase the possibility of them being part of its future,” said Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Timothy Solobay.

PA State Rep. Steve Barrar

John Bruetsch, treasurer of the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, said the museum will be working with AT&T to upgrade existing displays, allowing it to expand on the messages of fire safety for all ages, from children to older adults, who each have their own specific areas of risk.

“This contribution will also enable us to offer new curriculum to the large number of school-aged children touring the museum, by adding fire-related subjects such as hydraulic engineering, chemistry, math, and other technologies, under the umbrella of STEM,” Bruetsch said. “It is our hope that these children will become more familiar with career opportunities in the STEM related fields, including emergency services. The museum is 100-percent volunteer run and depends on donations from individuals and corporations, such as AT&T, to allow us to continue our mission to serve the public.”

For more information about the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, visit www.pnfm.org. - Fire News photos provided

Brian Enterline, Harrisburg Fire Chief

Page 26, Fire News, November 2017

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PA State Convention Parade

On September 23, 2017, the Pennsylvania State Convention Parade was held in Penn Hills.

- Fire News photos by Steven Matto

Borough of Chambersburg Fire

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

Philadelphia SpecOps Deploys for Irma

Philadelphia Special Operations deployed to Robins Air Force Base in Georgia for Hurricane Irma.

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 27

9/11 Ceremony at Robins AFB

Several team members from the Harrisburg area, including New Maryland, Massachusetts, Georgia, Nevada and Washington State Cumberland Co. 69 DLA Fire Department, Pennsylvania TF-1 hold a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Robins Air Force Base before - Fire News photos by Shane Shifflett Urban Search and Recovery teams, along with members from deploying to Florida.

New 9/11 Monument in Lower Burrell On September 11, 2017, departments from Lower Burrell, New Kensington and Vandergrift joined at the Lower Burrell American Legion for an unveiling of a new 9/11 monument in Lower Burrell, which featured an encased piece of the World Trade Center.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Washington County FF Memorial Service A Washington County Firefighter Memorial Service with the Red Knights Chapter 13 Honor Guard, held on October 8, 2017.

- Submitted by Tim Solobay

Page 28, Fire News, November 2017

Hero Scholarship and Thrill Show

Fire News photographers Carl Crossman and Dennis Sharpe travelled to Philadelphia on September 23, 2017, for the annual Hero Scholarship and Thrill Show put on by the City of Philadelphia Police and Firefighters. The police motorcade consisted of law enforcement from the Tri-State area of Pennsylvania, Delaware and

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New Jersey, and performed various stunts with their motorcycles.

The firefighters demonstrated their skills with two teams of firefighters performing confined space, advancing hose lines, rescuing a person from a structure fire, raising a ladder, and bailing out techniques.

- Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

Lieutenant Keith Rankin Memorial Brick Dedicated

Lancaster Township Fire Department dedicated a memorial brick in memory of Lancaster Township Fire Department Lieutenant Keith Rankin. The September 25, 2017, ceremony was held on the 6th anniversary of Lieutenant Rankin’s line of duty death and was attended by 30 members and friends.

Lancaster Township Fire Department fire chief Ron Comfort, Jr.; Deputy Glenn Usdin; Lt. Greg Leaman; and firefighters Chris Mosso and Irene Fitzkee; shared their memories of Lt. Rankin during the ceremony.

The brick was designed by Lancaster Township Fire Department Lieutenant Greg Leaman.

The brick was placed in the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center Memorial Park next to firefighter Jeff Jones’ brick. Jones died in a confined space abandoned septic tank rescue of an eight-year-old boy in 1981.

Lt. Rankin died September 25, 2011, after collapsing during a live burn training exercise at Lancaster County Firemen’s Association’s training facility in West Lampeter Township.

Rankin, a 23-year volunteer with Lancaster Township, worked full-time as a constable. He was survived by his wife, Abby, and two stepdaughters.

- Fire News photo by Greg Leaman

Penn Hills Fireman Appreciation Day

On September 16, 2017, Fireman Appreciation day was held in prizes, and entertainment were provided to showcase Penn Hills fire Penn Hills. Touch-a-Truck, bucket rides, demonstrations, food, departments.

- Fire News photos by Steven Matto

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Cover Story

Dormont 2-Alarm Fire

Fire crews responded to a second alarm fire on Dormont Peermont Avenue in Dormont, south of Pittsburgh.

- Fire News photos by Ken Lager

Fire News, November 2017, Page 29

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Washington Twp. Safety Day

On September 29, 2017, Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department Station 102, LifeFlight, Washington Township Police, Murrysville Medic One, and Alcoa Fire Department held a Safety Day at Washington Township Upper Elementary School. Sixth graders got to see and handle the tools of the fire, police and EMS responders. Safety practices were introduced and discussed, and there were plenty of demonstrations to keep the kids in awe.

- Fire News photos by Steven Matto

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Fire News, November 2017, Page 31

VP PENCE VISITS PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGE

On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Performance Advantage Company (makers of PAC brackets and tool boards) was the proud host of Vice- President Mike Pence and Congressman Chris Collins.

Vice-President Pence was on a tour promoting small businesses, as well as spreading the President’s message on tax reform.

PAC is a member of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association (FAMA) as well as the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association (FEMSA). PAC was founded by Dick Young.

Mr. Young was the President of Young Fire Equipment, an innovative fire apparatus builder in Lancaster, New York. PAC also resides in Lancaster, an area rich in fire history. Dick’s father Lester was a founding member of FAMA. Dick’s grandson, Greg Young, continues

participation in FAMA as Vice-President of PAC. During the visit, invitees listened to concerns of area small business owners. Topics ranged from regulations and taxation to aspirations of expansion.

America’s largely volunteer responder community must pass continual training and certifications, take time away from home or work and even risk life and injury. Vice-President Pence specifically mentioned his support for our first responders!

Encourage your local representative to support the AFG and SAFER grants. Our first responders need our support to continue keeping Americans safe.