Fire news penn 3 17

VOLUME 7, NO. 1

W W W .FIRENE WS .COM

Serving Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes Since 1973 MARCH 2017

Story on page 26.

-Fire News photo by Ken Lager

Fire News Welcomes All to the Pittsburgh Fire Expo -Pennsylvania Edition-

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 3

In this issue...

4 Hour House Fire Fight Just after midnight on January 2, 2017, the Prospect Park Fire Company was dispatched for a building fire.

See story page 8

3 Escape E. Tarentum Blaze

On December 17, 2016, firefighters responded to a house fire on 3rd Avenue in East Tarentum.

See story page 14

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 Advertising Sales: BARBARA CONNOLLY, EVELYN ALOISIO

Quick Work in Colwyn On November 12, 2016, companies dispatched for a dwelling fire on South 2nd Street in Colwyn.

See story page 18

Washington County House Fire Franklin County’s Blue Ridge Summit Fire Department operated at a Washington County house fire.

See story page 22

3 Displaced in Susquehanna Twp. Blaze On December 26, 2016, numerous companies responded to Laurel Drive in Harrisburg for a living room fire.

See story page 24

Remembering Past-Chief Nelson ‘Snooky’ Margerum See story page 34

PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 4 Training

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pages 30 and 31

Up Close & Personal . . . . . . . .pages 36 and 38 Industry News

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Special Features

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Graphic Artists: LYNN SEDLER, GREG JONES, SHANNON GRAHAM CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS DAWN ALTSTATT, TED AURIG, LAUREN CARPENTER, JASON COLEMAN-COBB, JEFF GOLDBERG, N. GRISWOLD, ALEX LLOYD GROSS, CHRIS HALDEMAN, CURTIS JURY, KEN LAGER, GREG LEAMAN, ANDY MARSH SR., STEVEN MATTO, ARTIE OSNIAK, STEVE ROTH, PATRICK SHOOP, DONALD THOMA, JAYSON WAGNER, ASHLEY WALTERS, FRANK WESNOSKI, DENNIS WETHERHOLD, JR. COLUMNS KRAIG HERMAN, TIM SOLOBAY, SHANE SHIFFLETT, GEORGE STAPLETON COPYRIGHT 2017, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Six Editions Serving Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania Proud Member Of: Letters to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements. The placing of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement. Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News Inc, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.

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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor

A PIO is A Must Let’s face it, the public has always been interested in what is going on in their community. When they see or hear fire apparatus going through the community, the residents we serve become curious and want to know what is happening. I am sure that if you returned home and found a police car parked in front of your neighbor’s house, you, too, would want to know what’s up. Yes, there is a need and an obligation for information to be preented to the public.

Believe it or not, the PIO is part of the Incident Command System (ICS) command staff and reports directly to the incident commander (IC). The assignment of being your departments PIO is not a simple task and not limited to calls. During a call, the PIO may have to establish, develop and maintain contact with media, professional and civic organizations and other special interest groups to promote agency programs. The PIO prepares, edits, coordinates and distributes news releases. On the flip side, the PIO is responsible to develop special educational and promotional materials for presentation at exhibits, fairs, festivals, conferences and schools. They can also help conduct tours of

your fire department.

The PIO can also serve as the photographer for an agency. Keep in mind the military has been documenting activities since the mid 1800s and continue to do this today.

There are photographs of the Fire Department of the City of New York that also date back to the 1800s. Many other fire and law enforcement agencies have documented their history from their formation. If your department isn’t documenting your departments activities, ask yourself why.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other forms of social media are tools that your department can use to its benefit. For instance, if you have a major incident and want to get the word out that roads are closed in an area, utilizing social media will let the public know that they need to use alternate routes. This cuts down on the traffic flow to a blocked area. How about your department community events? Get the word out to your community through social media that your local firehouse will be open for Fire Prevention Day. Department PIOs should build a positive relation with local newspapers and TV and

radio stations. Let the public know what you do 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When they have a question for your department, do they know who to ask to get factual information?

As for Fire News, send us your stories and photographs so other departments see what you do. You can submit stories and photographs to us through a link at www.FireNews.com. Or you can send them directly to me through e-mail. Each of the six editions of Fire News has an e-mail address listed on page 3. Two to four photographs should be accompanied by a short write up about your event. If you have questions regarding how to submit stories, e-mail me at LI@FireNews.com. Be proud of what you do and let your community and the fire service know about it.

Dennis

Page 6, Fire News, March 2017

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

Commissioner’s Corner

by Tim Solobay Hello! Ole Punxsutawney Phil says we have six more weeks of winter and based on how it has been so far, I guess we can handle that. First thing if you haven’t already heard by now: the grant agreements for this year’s $30 million grant program have been approved by the governor and are ready for you to download, get signed and returned to us so that you can get your money.

Thanks to a few changes in the reauthorization language, we have been able to actually get some departments to the full $15,000.

Remember that once you have received your funds and made your purchases on your project(s), please get your final report in as soon as possible so it does not slip your mind and you forget the deadline. Failure to get the final report in by the deadline results in your department getting shut out of next year’s (September 2017) grant application period. We will continue to remind all of you to meet the required deadlines throughout the year, via Facebook, our website and your local House or Senate members. Please, please, please do not wait till the 11th hour to call us or submit, because once certain deadlines have come and gone, our hands are tied.

On January 23, 2017, I stood along with the four House and Senate Chairs of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Service committee, its members, along with many other fire and EMS folks to announce the introduction of SR 60. It is a rebirth of the former SR 60 group, which, if you remember, was a 23-item report of emergency service initiatives that were brought forward at that time. Some were passed and others did not see the light of day, but I am extremely encouraged by the commitment shown over the past few months and especially at this press announcement of the plans to make emergency service legislation the primary goal of the committees over this next two-year session period.

Highlights of the different legislation will be explained and reviewed with all of you over the next few months, but it has a lot of different topics that hopefully can get passed and initiated. There will also be other pieces that will be introduced over the next two years and I hope that we can move a majority of them in a timely matter. It is very important for all of us to engage our own legislators — whether on the committee or not — to rally them for support of these pieces of legislation. Whether the legislation is directed to career, volunteer or both, we all need to rally behind these bills as they begin to surface. We are all in this together and a unified front is always a more powerful voice to getting things passed into law.

Each month you will also hear me remind everyone about monthly incident reporting. This upcoming new grant application period, beginning in September, will not only be checking to make sure your final report has been completed but that you also have actively reported as of June 1, 2017, and continue to report on a monthly basis. It is the law, folks, and we all need to comply. There are just shy of 100-plus departments left to get signed up and reporting. This is fantastic considering just a couple of years ago we barely had 20 percent reporting. The last thing we want to do is shut anyone out, but we do have rules to follow.

Before anyone says it, I know we are volunteers, however, you volunteered to walk in the door for the first time, and after that you became part of an organization that has processes, rules and responsibility. While you do not get a paycheck for being a volunteer, it does not remove the fact this is a business and has to be treated as such.

Once the threat of bad weather has passed, I am sure that Kraig and Chris will be on the road again going around and doing training for Emergency Reporting. Speaking of that, I know many of you have asked about our goal of getting the CAD Interlink to all the 911 centers to help start to populate incidents right from the beginning of the call. We are still working to get the funds necessary to get that program going. I know some counties have bitten the bullet and started to get that done. I am optimistically hopeful that we can get that accomplished before the end of the year. It is going to take around $260,000 for the initial year, then about $80,000 each year after for upkeep. This would be added to the $120,000 the state already pays each year for providing Emergency Reporting. It is not cheap, but definitely will take some of the burden off departments by helping start the reporting process.

We have had the opportunity already this year to travel to many of your areas to speak at monthly meetings and dinners and will continue to do so. I like to mention that we need to work together to educate local elected officials about the importance of supporting both volunteer and career fire departments.

Stay safe and we’ll catch up with all of you next month.

Tim

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As the Pennsylvania Fire Service Turns

By Kraig E. Herman, IAAI-CFI Welcome back to another month of “As the Pennsylvania Fire Service Turns.” I have a lot to cover so let’s just get right into it.

INCIDENT REPORTING The week of January 23 was quite the busy week for helping departments get an account for Emergency Reporting or assisting departments with getting their incidents submitted via e-mail or FTP. In a matter of days, our list of non-reporting departments went from close to 300 to approximately 180.

Before I go any further, I feel the need to explain how the list of nonreporting departments came about. Believe it or not, until early 2015, OSFC did not have a clear, concise list of all fire departments in the Commonwealth. Since we were waiting on the contract approval with Emergency Reporting and the fact that ER Staff committed to establish an account for every fire department in the Commonwealth, we needed a list. So I spent weeks doing internet searches by county, utilized triennial plans submitted to PEMA, and even Facebook, to identify close to 2,400 fire departments. As time passed, I would learn some departments closed or merged and the list is now between 2,200 and 2,300. As fire departments contacted me to get Emergency Reporting or advise their intentions of continuing to use Firehouse or another program, I had their information verified. At the same time — as I received incidents via email or FTP — I would color code that department telling me they are reporting and what program they use.

As I have mentioned in previous articles, OSFC is not notified “officially” when departments are closed or de-certified. Some have poked fun at us because we show departments that have been closed for years on our non-reporting list. Unless we are given the information, we do not know. Please, take a look at the list and if you see departments no longer operating or which have merged, please let me know.

If your department is not reporting your incidents to OSFC (Pennfirs) then you are not getting color coded, therefore you are on the non-reporting list. As I post the non-reporting list to our website and Facebook page, I get quite a few departments contacting me saying they submit to their respective county and assumed the files were being transmitted to us, when in all reality it was not being done that way. I have instructions I can e-mail you showing how to submit via FTP or you can simply email me the files. Either way works and will get you off the non-reporting list, which leads me to another issue.

A comment was made to OSFC stating that all you have to do is register for Emergency Reporting and you are considered as reporting, even though you do not bother entering any of your calls. This is not entirely true. If you signed up for Emergency Reporting, we do consider you reporting because for a while there was an issue with the exports working with the NFIRS database and our report feature within Emergency Reporting was not built out. The issue between ER and NFIRS has been corrected and our report feature will be completed very soon. So we expected that since you registered for ER and received your login credentials, you would use it; especially if you were not previously reporting. I also want to remind everyone that the period where you MUST be reporting has not begun yet.

Starting June 1, 2017, you MUST report in order to get the 2017-1018 grant!

Commissioner Solobay has identified “actively reporting” as reporting on a monthly basis. We will begin to monitor this VERY closely starting June 1, 2017. I am certain that starting in April, I will start to post reports after the 15th of each month showing who is reporting and who is not as another reminder.

If you know your department is not reporting, please contact me via e-mail (krherman@pa.gov) to get your free Emergency Reporting (Pennfirs) account.

For those using Emergency Reporting, here are some points I have shared in the past: - The system is designed to give every member of your department access and then set their permissions for what they can access and cannot.

- We recommend having two (2) administrators for each department.

- If you need password reset, you must contact support@emergen cyreporting.com OSFC does not have the ability to reset passwords.

- Only incidents in REVIEWED STATUS will be exported. Calls that show COMPLETED still need to be reviewed in order to be counted/exported.

- OSFC exports from Emergency Reporting on a weekly basis (usually Fridays).

Before closing out this section of my article, I want to again mention that fire departments can use any reporting system that is available. We just want you to report your incidents to us so you can remain eligible for the yearly FCVASGP. continued on page 18.

FireNews.com

Fire News, March 2017, Page 7

Can You Say “Christmas Vacation�

On January 01, 2017, firefighters responded to a fire on Penn imitating art, it was believed cats playing with Christmas lights Avenue in Parks Township (Armstrong County). In a case of life caused the fire.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Page 8, Fire News, March 2017

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4 Hour Fight

Just after midnight on January 2, 2017, the Prospect Park Fire Company (8) was dispatched to 14th Avenue for a building fire.

Snozzle 8 arrived to a three-story, single-family dwelling with fire showing on division 1, sectors B and C. A second alarm was struck because fire rapidly spread to the floors above due to the home’s balloon frame construction. Crews put five lines in service, did primary searches, ventilated and overhauled. Crews worked on scene

for approximately four hours. Assistance came from Norwood (02), Ridley Park (07), Eddystone (12), Tinicum (48), Holmes (43), Sharon Hill (09), Leedom (70), Milmont (49), Llanerch (34), and Brookhaven (52). Crews from Darby (04), and Morton-Rutledge (13) stood by Station 8.

- Fire News photos by Lauren Carpenter and Frank Wesnoski

Allentown Bathroom Fire

Allentown firefighters responded to a two-alarm apartment build- Marshal’s office was investigating the cause, but the fire appeared ing fire on Vine Street in the Brandywine Village Apartments on to have started in a bathroom fan.

- Fire News photos by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr. January 8, 2017. Firefighters arrived to find fire in the roof of the and Jayson Wagner building and quickly struck a second alarm. The Allentown Fire

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 9

Good Save in Harrisburg

On February 2, 2017, Box 1-4 sent Squad 8, Wagon 4, Towers 1 and 2, and Captain 1 (Bradford) to Kittatinny Street in Harrisburg for a building fire. Police confirmed the fire with possibly one person trapped on the first floor. Squad 8 was met with visible fire from the first floor of a two-story brick, row apartment building. Captain 1 requested the first alarm en route, bringing Wagon 3, Rescue 69,

and Air 13 to the scene. Rescue 44 was special called as RIT. One line was stretched, quickly knocking down the fire with no extension. Squad 8’s crew successfully rescued an occupant from the first floor. The person was transported to a medical facility with non-life threatening injuries.

- Fire News photos by Jason Coleman-Cobb and Shane Shifflett

Page 10, Fire News, March 2017

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 11

1 Dead in Bensalem House Fire

On January 31, 2017, firefighters in Bensalem responded to a house fire on Byberry Road, and were greeted with heavy smoke. An elderly female was rescued from the house but was pronounced dead at the hospital, while another person received serious injuries in the fire. Firefighters were hampered by a large amount of clutter in the home.

- Fire News photos by Alex Lloyd Gross and Dawn Altstatt

Page 12, Fire News, March 2017

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Butler City Knockdown

On December 6, 2016, Butler City Station 1, Veterans Affairs Fire Department Station 38, Butler Ambulance Service Station 38 and Butler City Police was dispatched to Standard Avenue in the City of Butler for a house fire. Firefighters arrived to fire on the second division and reports of people trapped. Butler City units requested one of the off-duty shifts along with Butler Township Fire District Station 3 and South Butler Station 7. Crews advanced lines to the second floor and darkened down the fire as salvage and overhaul was done. No injuries were reported and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal was called to the scene.

- Fire News photo by Artie Osniak

Car Fire Snuffed Firefighters from the Yardley-Makefield F i re C o m p a n y a n d M o r r i s v i l l e F i re Company were recently dispatched to an automobile fire on Kathy Drive in the p a r k i n g l o t o f Ya r d l e y C ro s s i n g Apartments. (Right): YMFC Firefighter Tom Campbell knocking down the fire.

- Fire News photo by Jeff Goldberg

And Another Year Begins Volunteer firefighters from several Adams County departments battled a fire in a small commercial Building on New Year’s Day 2017 near Cashtown.

- Fire News photo by 911 Photography

Page 14, Fire News, March 2017

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City of Chester 2-Alarmer

On January 26, 2017, companies were dispatched for a vacant building fire in the area of 8th and Barclay. C11 called a second alarm when he arrived at a three-story twin with one side fully involved. Crews made a search of the exposure dwelling due to a report of possible squatters. Crews used two elevated master streams and several portable guns in a defensive attack. All searches were negative.

- Fire News photo by Frank Wesnoski

Barn Fire Kills 2 Horses Forty-plus-year Firefighter and past-Chief of Department Dan Poist uses a handline at a small barn fire recently in New Oxford, Adams County, in which two miniature horses perished.

- Fire News photo by 911 Photography

3 Escape East Tarentum House Fire

On December 17, 2016 firefighters responded to a house fire on 3rd Avenue in East Tarentum (Allegheny County). Three people and a dog were able to escape unharmed. Firefighters arrived to flames coming out the windows of the two-story home.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Announcements FARREL FUND SPONSORSHIP TO ATTEND ART OF FIREMANSHIP DAYS

The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund will be sponsoring two (2) firefighters to attend the Art of Firemenship Days in Harrisburg, PA on May 19 and 20, 2017. Hotel included.

A typed letter must be sent to 510 Grumman Road West, Bethpage, NY 11714, by March 20, 2017 (NO EXCEPTIONS!). Letter must include: Name of department,rank, and why they deserve to be chosen.

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Pittsburgh 2-Alarm

On January 29, 2017, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire crews battled a second-alarm fire on a cold night in the Joe Hammer Square area of town.

- Fire News photo by Ken Lager

Lower Paxton Garage Fire

On December 19, 2016, Box 33-5 dispatched Company 33 (Colonial Park) and Engines 34 (Paxtonia), 35 (Linglestown) to the area of Colleen and Sumner Drives for a garage fire. Engines 33 and 34 arrived with heavy fire in a garage attached to a single-family dwelling. The first alarm assignment brought Engine 32, Truck 34, and Rescue 40 to the scene. Handlines were stretched to the interior and outside garage. The fire did extend to a portion of the house before being brought under control.

- Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb

Fire News, March 2017, Page 15

Page 16, Fire News, March 2017

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Heckuva’ Way to Start the Year

On January 1, 2017, at approximately 0100, companies were dispatched for a reported mulch fire with extension to a structure on Old Forge Road in Middletown Township (Delaware County). Upon arrival, companies encountered fire in the mulch in the front of the house with a heavy smoke condition inside.

Companies stretched a line into the first floor where crews found fire in the walls.

An additional crew stretched a second line into the basement encountering a well advanced fire. Crews were evacuated for a PAR check and then renewed an interior attack in the basement. Fire extended into the first and second floors of the house and also into the attic. Multiple handlines were used to control the fire.

No injuries were reported.

- Fire News photo by Frank Wesnoski

Truck Fire On December 17, 2016, crews responded to Ludwig Road in Murrysville (Westmoreland County) for a fire when a diesel truck against a house caught fire while charging.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Bristol Fatality On December 20, 2016, Bristol firefighters responded to a fire at a fatal accident on State and River in Bristol. Alcohol was suspected to have played a part; a 20-year-old female was killed.

- Fire News photo by Dawn Altstatt

1 Injured at Springdale Fire On December 29, 2016, firefighters responded to a fire on Butler Street in Springdale (Allegheny County). On arrival the back of the home was fully engulfed. One woman was taken to the hospital with minor burns.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 17

Page 18, Fire News, March 2017

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Quick Work in Colwyn On November 12, 2016, companies dispatched for a dwelling fire on South 2nd Street in Colwyn. Companies from Darby, Collingdale, Yeadon and Prospect Park responded to find fire showing from the second floor of a single-family dwelling. Crews made a quick knockdown with extensive overhaul required.

- Fire News photo by Frank Wesnoski continued from page 6.

FIRE SAFETY I do not remember what I mentioned in last month’s article about our Farm Show experience but I am deeming it a success!

We were able to put 1,301 bags of fire safety information into the hands of children and adults. Sparky the Fire Dog even took time out of his schedule to visit throughout the week much to the delight of the kids … and adults!

I found something interesting that, frankly, did not even cross my mind. Last year when I was perusing a catalog to order giveaways for the Farm Show, I came across Tot Finders. To be honest, I did not even know they were still made. However, now they go on bedroom doors and are reflective. So we purchased some and handed quite a few out. A gentleman, a retired career firefighter, stopped to chat with us one day and he was kind of shocked we were promoting the tot finders. After we chatted and I told him where we recommend the stickers be placed, he went on his way and I was left to wonder, perhaps I should have made it known to the Commonwealth’s fire departments that OSFC is “promoting” the use of these stickers. However, stress the importance of putting them on bedroom doors. There are instructions on the back showing a recommended spot to place them.

As soon as I finish with this month’s article, I will be reaching out to those that showed interest in the Pennsylvania Fire Safety Coalition to get

that rolling. Again, if you have interest in joining us, drop me an e-mail.

I envision the group will come together and work to put on conferences pertaining to fire and life safety, promote fire safety throughout the Commonwealth and whatever we can come up with!

We finished 2016 with 124 civilian fire deaths in Pennsylvania. I did not see where that ranks us; to be honest I am afraid to look. I will share that once again, older adults (aged 55 and over) accounted for the highest percentage of civilian fire deaths at 52 percent. That’s over half of all civilian fire deaths! If you are wondering what group to focus on with fire safety, there you have it; the older adult population. I’ll be going back through the information to see what areas these deaths come from and then see about getting NFPA’s Remembering When program to those areas as soon as possible.

Continuing to look at 2016 stats: cooking area-kitchens again rank first in area of origin with 744 incidents (out of approximately 6090) — or 12.22 percent of all fires — with a total estimated loss of $6.05 million and 11.32 percent of all fire losses.

As the numbers show, we have some work to do. We know what target population we need to educate, we know what topics to talk about, all the while sharing how much money could be saved by becoming fire safe.

I will close out this month’s edition by saying, Let’s Make Pennsylvania Fire Safe Again!

Page 20, Fire News, March 2017

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Hampden Twp. House Fire

On January 17, 2017, Box 30-07 toned Engines 30, 37, 31 and 28; Truck 30; Rescue 27 and 30; and RIT 33 to Deerfield Avenue for a kitchen fire. Chief 2-30 arrived to find a two-story residential structure with heavy fire on side A of the first floor. Engine 1-30 stretched two lines and knocked down the bulk of fire in 15 minutes with extensive overhaul. Engine 12 and 22, and Rescue 31 were special called to the scene for manpower.

- Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb

Silver Springs Twp. Garage Destroyed On February 6, 2017, Cumberland County 911 Communications alerted companies 33, 31, 127, 125; Truck 28; Squad 33; Rescue 31; Tanker 31; Tanker 33; and Ambulance 72 for a house on fire on Ridge Hill Road. Chief 33 (Curtis Hall) was in command. All occupants were out. Crews made an aggressive attack and extinguished the fire within minutes but encountered an extensive overhaul. Two vehicles were inside the double garage, along with the homeowner’s belongings. Firefighters vented the home using fans while additional crews pulled siding off the damaged wall, checking for extension.

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 21

Lower Milford 3-Alarmer

On January 3, 2017, the Lower Milford Township Fire Company, along with several other mutual aid companies, were dispatched to the Dan Schantz Farm and Greenhouse on Spinnerstown Road for a structure fire. Chief 1301 arrived and reported fire venting through the roof and ordered a second alarm. Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, a tanker task force was requested. A third alarm was struck as the fire gained headway and continued to burn through numerous greenhouses as well as a warehouse. Throughout the night additional companies were requested to the scene. Companies from Lehigh, Bucks, Montgomery, Berks and Northampton assisted. Early on January 4, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control.

- Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.

Cold Baldwin 2-Alarmer On January 8, 2017, a second alarm fire on Penn Street in Baldwin, south of Pittsburgh, kept crews busy on a cold Sunday morning.

- Fire News photo by Ken Lager

Page 22, Fire News, March 2017

Penbrook House Fire

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On January 17, 2017, Box 302 toned sending Company 30 (Penbrook), Engines 31 (Edgemont), 32 (Progress), Wagon 4 (Harrisburg), Truck 32 (Progress), Tower 1 (Harrisburg), and Rescues 40 (Paxtang), 44 (Lawnton) to 29th and Walnut Streets for smoke coming from a building. Engine 32 arrived, laid in and reported smoke showing from a three-story residential.

Wagon 4 and Tower 1 arrived and took a position on side A. Truck 34 dispatched to the scene in place of Truck 32. Two lines were stretched with one in operation to quickly knock down the fire with no further extension. Air 41 (Bressler) and 45-1 (Rutherford) were special called to the scene.

- Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb

Washington County (MD) Blaze Recently, Franklin County’s Blue Ridge Summit Fire Department operated at a Washington County house fire on Military Road.

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

Bushkill Multi-Alarm Firefighters from Bushkill Township and surrounding communities responded to a multiple alarm dwelling fire on Old Allentown Road on January 7, 2017.

- Fire News photo by Geoffrey Wetherhold

Springfield Knocks Out Car Fire - Fire News photo by Frank Wesnoski

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 23

Long Lay in Edgemont Township

On November 8, 2016, Companies dispatched for a house fire in Edegmont Township (Delaware County). Chief 64 arrived to find a large multi-story, single family dwelling well involved. Crews had a fairly long lay to the hydrant and had poor water pressure.

Crews used several handlines and an elevated master stream to control the fire.

- Fire News photo by Frank Wesnoski

Good Job in Allentown

Allentown firefighters were dispatched to Washington Street on February 5, 2017, for a dwelling fire. Dispatched on the initial response were Battalion 43 (Atiyeh); Engines 6, 4 and 9; Truck 2; and Engine 13 on RIT. The 911 Communications center advised responding units that video from a nearby surveillance camera showed a well involved house with “flames coming from everywhere.” The 9-1-1 Center also advised they were receiving reports of person(s) trapped inside. Two EMS Units and an EMS Supervisor were dispatched. Engine 6 (Lt. Macguire) reported a working fire while still crossing the Tilghman Street Bridge. Battalion 43 ordered a second alarm struck. Dispatched were Engines 14 and 10. Engine 6’s crew went to work with a 2-1/2 inch blitz line. Additional companies stretched backup lines as well as lines into the exposure. Crews knocked down the fire within minutes but remained on the scene for over an hour hitting hot spots and opening up. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

- Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.

Page 24, Fire News, March 2017

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Carlisle Pickup Fire

Cumberland County Emergency Communications Center alerted Company 41 and 45 to Masterbrand Cabinets on Allen Road for a truck on fire. While apparatus were inbound, 911 began receiving multiple calls of a pickup truck well involved with explosions. Crews arrived and extinguished the fire. The explosions were a result of the tires blowing during the fire. The fire was under investigation.

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

Aston Township Townhouse Blaze On November 15, 2016, in Aston Township (Delaware County), companies were dispatched to the area of Linda Lane and Birney Highway for a working fire. Command was met with heavy fire showing from two threestory town homes in the middle of several units. Crews were ordered to a defensive attack on the units, while crews advanced handlines into the exposures. A second alarm was struck along with several special calls. Two buildings were destroyed and the remainder were damaged. One firefighter was injured and a civilian was evaluated.

- Fire News photo by Frank Wesnoski

3 Displaced in Susquehanna Twp. Blaze On December 26, 2016, Box 37-3 sent Company 37 (Rescue - Susquehanna), 31 (Edgemont), 38 (Dauphin Middle Paxton), Truck 32 (Progress) and Rescue 35 (Linglestown) to Laurel Drive in Harrisburg for a report of a living room fire. Chief 37 arrived to smoke showing from an occupied, two-story, single-family dwelling.

Engine 37 and Truck 32 set up in the driveway on the A/D side and Engine 37-1 staged at the end of the driveway to set up a portable pond. Engine 38 set up a secondary portable tank. Companies stretched lines into the first and second floors and knocked down the initial bulk of fire. Command 37 requested the first-alarm assignment. The fire quickly travelled through the walls and eventually broke through the roof, forcing an evacuation of the structure and a second alarm for tankers. Master streams and handlines knocked down the visible fire from the exterior before crews went back to offensive operations. The fire was placed under control in about an hour with extensive overhaul required. The home was extensively damaged and left three occupants homeless.

- Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb

City of Chester 2-Alarmer On November 18, 2016, the Chester Fire Department was dispatched for a building fire in the area of 2nd and Jeffrey.

Companies arrived to a 2-½ story twin well involved. C11 requested a second alarm, which brought Chester call-backs and mutual aid from outside the city. The building was vacant and the fire required several handlines and master streams to bring under control.

- Fire News photo by Frank Wesnoski

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 25

Quick Work on Christmas Eve

On December 24, 2016, crews responded to a fire on Charles Avenue in New Kensington (Westmoreland County). The electrical fire started behind a vanity in a bathroom while the owner was at a neighbor’s house.

The fire was quickly extinguished.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Heavy Damage in Mount Joy Twp. Early on December 16, 2016, Lancaster County Communications dispatched Engines 74-2 (Elizabethtown), 701 (Rheems), 27-1 (Mastersonville), 71-2 (Bainbridge), 75-2 (Mount Joy), Squad 74-1 (Elizabethtown); Tankers 70 (Rheems), 27 (Mastersonville), 3 (Lawn); and Trucks 74 (Elizabethtown) and 88 (Middletown) to Mt. Gretna Road at the Black Gryphon in Mount Joy Township for a building fire. Engine 74-2 arrived to smoke and fire showing from the first and second floors, and requested a second alarm.

Multiple handlines were used to knock down the bulk of the fire but it required extensive overhaul. Approximately 50 firefighters from over a dozen companies from three counties responded to the scene. The building was extensively damaged.

- Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb

Page 26, Fire News, March 2017

Cover Story

Collier Twp. 2-Alarmer

On January 13, 2017, firefighters battled a two-alarm house fire on McMichael Road in Collier Township, south of Pittsburgh.

- Fire News photos by Ken Lager

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 27

Car Overturn in Bethlehem - Fire News photo by Jayson Wagner

Bristol Head-On Rescue workers removed injured people from a two-car accident in Bristol Borough in late January. Three people were hurt when a suspected drunk driver swerved across Radcliffe Street and hit another car head on.

- Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross

Page 28, Fire News, March 2017

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LZ Duty in Chester Hts.

On January 13, 2017, Chester Heights firefighters set up a landing zone at the Brinton Lake Shopping Center in Chester Heights.

- Fire News photo by Lauren Carpenter

1 Dead, 1 Critical in Bensalem ATV Crash On January 27, 2017, firefighters from Bensalem responded to a fatal ATV accident on Bensalem Boulevard. Two pre-teens were riding an ATV at night, with no lights, when a car turned in front of them. One died and the other was removed to the hospital in critical condition.

- Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross

2 Injured in Philadelphia MVA Early in February 2017, Philadelphia Engine 64 was called to a two-car MVA on Rising Sun Avenue. Both drivers were taken to the hospital.

- Fire News photo by Dawn Altstatt

Edgecliff Rd. DUI MVA Crews responded to an MVA on December 28, 2016, on Edgecliff Road in Lower Burrell, in which a Corvette slammed into a garage. On arrival, both occupants were out of the vehicle and lying in the grass. The passenger was taken to the ER for a minor head injuries, and the driver was taken for blood testing; the MVA was ruled a DUI. - Fire News photo by Steven Matto

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 29

New Kensington MVA

On January 17, 2017, crews responded to a two-vehicle MVA in New Kensington with multiple injuries and entrapment.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Lancaster Twp. 2-Car MVA On January 1, 2017, the Lancaster Township Fire Department was dispatched for a class 2 accident at Columbia Avenue and Jackson Drive in front of Stone Mill Plaza. Lancaster Chief Ron Comfort, Jr., called in the accident, which was between a pickup and a crossover vehicle with two people injured. The male driver of the crossover was experiencing neck and back pain and the male passenger complaining of neck and arm pain. After the collision the pickup continued approximately 100 feet in the eastbound lane of Columbia. Firefighters removed the driver’s door with hydraulic cutters and spreaders and Lancaster EMS personnel easily transferred the injured to an awaiting stretcher and transported them to the hospital. Manheim Township Police, assisted by Manor Township Police officers, conducted a field sobriety test of the pickup truck driver, and he was released.

- Fire News photo by Greg Leaman

Page 30, Fire News, March 2017

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Training

And Another Skill to Learn

On January 28, 2017, the SHACOG Technical Rescue Team got together to practice flying a drone safely and proficiently.

- Fire News photo by Ken Lager

Gear Donning, Restrictive Passage Training

Lancaster Township Firefighters held their bi-weekly Monday night training on January 9, 2017. Firefighters performed a narrow passage exercise and timed gear-donning evolution. Firefighters were timed donning their PPE including their helmet, SCBA and hood.

When completed, Firefighter Chris Mosso inspected the fully dressed firefighters for proper PPE safety. Lieutenant Mike Adams

was in charge of a second station where he challenged the firefighters by forcing them through a narrow passageway. They crawled through the legs of a small step ladder requiring them to remove their SCBA and push the air pack ahead of them while still connected to the cylinder.

- Fire News photos by Greg Leaman

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 31

Training

Sometimes You Catch a Break

On February 11, 2017, when demolition of a structure was brought end working on breaching walls and roof operations before demolito a halt by equipment failure, crews from Broughton, Bethel Park tion resumed on Monday.

- Fire News photos by Ken Lager and Library rapidly mobilized and spent a few hours over the week-

Page 32, Fire News, March 2017

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Langhorne-Middletown Fire Co. Awards

The Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company recognized William Meredith on the momentous occasion of his 70th year of active service. He continues to hold the position of Fire Police Lieutenant and Financial Secretary, the position he has held for 61 years. He also held the positions of firefighter, driver, assistant engineer, fire police sergeant, trustee, Relief Association Board, and chaired numerous committees. The Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company would not be where it is today without Bill’s efforts.

The Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company recognized George Anderson for his 55 years of membership. Now retired, George spent many of his 55 years actively serving as trustee, and holding positions of corresponding secretary, recording secretary, relief trustee and fire police officer. Thanks to George for his hard work and in serving in many unsung roles that are the foundation of a strong organization.

Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company Deputy Fire Chief Joe Taylor was recently awarded the Top Responder for 2016 by LMFC President Kurt Geiselhart and LMFC Fire Chief Frank Farry at Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company’s 59th Annual Banquet held at the Falls Manor Catering.

Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Vacchiano was recently awarded the 2016 Chief’s Award by LMFC President Kurt Geiselhart and LMFC Fire Chief Frank Farry at Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company’s 59th Annual Banquet held at the Falls Manor Catering.

- Fire News photos by Jeff Goldberg

Lancaster Township Promotions

Captain Tom Royer

Lieutenant Chad Slover

Lieutenant of Fire Prevention Jennifer Miller

Lieutenant of Training Mike Connelly

The new lieutenants join Lancaster Township Fire Department’s curLancaster Township Fire Chief Ron Comfort, Jr., promoted Lieutenant Tom Royer to the rank of Captain at the department’s rent officers: Fire Chief Ron Comfort, Jr.; Deputy Chief Glenn Usdin; Assistant Chiefs Steve Roy and Mike Pickard; Lieutenant Mike Adams; January business meeting.

Additional promotions from Firefighter to Lieutenant were Chad and Administrative Lieutenant Greg Leaman.

- Fire News photos by Greg Leaman Slover, Jennifer Miller to Lieutenant of Fire Prevention, and Mike Connelly to Lieutenant of Training.

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Fire Truck Pizza

Stacy Bradley, the 25-year old owner of Bad Azz BBQ, had a dream and an idea and the fortitude to put it all together. Her company, which specializes in award winning barbecue (literally; she’s taken home first place for the past three years at Pittsburg’s Heinz Field Ribfest among many other firsts. Did we mention her company was named honorary caterers for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year?). But it’s not just her food that stands out.

This granddaughter of a 1950s-era Pittsburgh Squad 3 firefighter was raised on PFD lore and, along with her brother Scott, came up with a way to merge the food and the fire department — a one-of-a-kind brickoven fire truck pizza.

The two found a truck from the exact time period their grandfather

Fire News, March 2017, Page 33

worked and designed the fire truck pizza oven to resemble the ‘old school’ fire truck from when their grandfather was on the job. This unique fire truck pizza oven now sports two brick ovens that can produce made-to-order pizzas in under two minutes.

“We would love to have the opportunity to work with fire stations throughout the area,” said Stacy, “both the volunteer and non-volunteer departments. We are available for any catering needs or fundraising efforts.”

So if you’re looking for something different for your next fundraiser or event, Pittsburgh Fire Truck Pizza can be reached at 412-491-4792; e-mail: pghfiretruckpizza@yahoo.com; pghfiretruckpizza.com.

- Submitted by Tim Solobay

Page 34, Fire News, March 2017

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Remembering Past-Chief Nelson ‘Snooky’ Margerum

Twenty-five years ago on March 15, 1992, Nelson ‘Snooky’ Margerum, a past-Chief and Life Member of the Yardley-Mayfield Fire Company (YMFC), suffered a massive heart attack after returning from a fire call.

Emergency medical personnel rushed him to then-Delaware Valley Medical Center in Langhorne where he was pronounced.

Margerum was 61.

Susan Margerum Davin, ‘Snooky’s’ daugh-

ter, characterized her father as an inspirational figure in her life who loved the fire service and loved serving his community.

“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him,” said Davin. “I’m proud of the man he was. He was a funny guy, a hard worker and was well-liked and respected in his community. He was my hero and my best friend. He always enjoyed hanging around with the young guys at the firehouse and teaching them all the things that he had learned. That kept him young at heart.”

Prior to serving in the YMFC, ‘Snooky’ was a Yardley Borough Police Officer. In addition, he drove a school bus for the Pennsbury School District.

Margerum also served as a corporal in the Army during the Korean War. “It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since his

untimely death,” said his daughter, who commended the YMFC for hosting the memorial.

“It means a lot to see my father honored over the years for his fire service. A big thank to you YMFC Chief Glenn Chamberlain and Jeff Goldberg.”

The fire service was in Margerum’s blood morning, noon and night. He was on call 24hours a day even though he worked two jobs in addition to his volunteer fire service. His dedication and contribution to the fire service, and specifically the YMFC, is always remembered and fondly recalled.

Cumberland Valley VFA to Provide Seminar at CFSI The CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute has been selected to provide a seminar at the 29th Annual National Fire Service Seminars and Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 5-6, 2017.

Featuring federal policy makers and national fire service leaders, the seminar program covers a broad array of issues being considered by Congress or implemented by federal agencies. Attending the seminars increases understanding of federal programs that benefit the fire service.

The CVVFA will conduct a panel discussion titled “Highway Incident Dangers - How Federal Transportation Policy Impacts Roadway Responder Safety,” from 1300 to 1350 on April 5 in the Lincoln East at the Washington Hilton.

Roadways present one of the most dangerous working environments for firefighters. Each year, firefighters are struck and killed or injured at roadway emergencies, while many experience close calls that could have been disasters. Distracted drivers are a serious threat to all emer-

gency responders at roadway incidents. This panel will discuss how federal rulemaking, programs and research have reduced the risk of injury and death to first responders at roadway incidents and how firefighters need to become more engaged in adopting and implementing these programs.

Moderator: Steve Austin, CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute Panelists: Jim Austrich, Federal Highway Administration Jack Sullivan, Director of Training, Emergency Responder Safety Institute Ryan Pietzsch, VFIS Bill Troup, United States Fire Administration Admission to the seminars is included with the purchase of a ticket to the National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner.

FireNews.com

Fire News, March 2017, Page 35

YardleyMakefield MSA Mask Fit Testing

Yardley-Makefield Fire Company Firefighter John Kingham participating in the MSA mask FIT testing.

- Fire News photo by Jeff Goldberg

YardleyMakefield Marine Ops Firefighters from the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company were dispatched for a fire investigation on an island in the Delaware River. Captain Barry DiNola was operating Marine 0.

- Fire News photo by Jeff Goldberg

Putting a Face to FF PTSD A s h l e y Wa l t e r s o f Flashover Photography of Reynoldsville has been working with fire departments all around Pennsylvania on a major project, which will be a series of photos placed into a slide show, and is intended to bring awareness to PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) among firefighters. Fire departments from around the state have been coming together to stage some of the horrific calls that still haunt them. Some of the staged photos include a firefighter Mayday, a child rescue from a burning structure, car accidents, and more. PTSD is real and it is serious. The scenes that first responders see will be forever etched in their minds. After a while those images take a toll physically, mentally and emotionally. Walters is hoping to complete the project in early spring and hopes that her work will show people the true emotions of what firefighters go through every day.

- Fire News photo by Ashley Walters

FDIC Speaker David Woods David Woods is a professor in the Integrated Systems Engineering Division of The Ohio State University. He has worked to improve systems safety in high-risk settings for more than 35 years.

On Wednesday, April 26, 2017, from 1330 to 1515, Woods will be presenting “Resiliencein-Action: Proactive Safety in a Changing World� in Room Sagamore 3-4-5. Failure is due to brittle systems, not human error.

Systems operate successfully due to sources of resilience, usually hidden or underappreciated.

Explaining accidents as due to an error by a person hides the operation of the systemic factors that create brittleness and undermine resilience. Breakdowns in learning lead organizations to miss signals that operations are becoming more brittle as relentless production pressure erodes the capabilities that provide resilience in the face of surprises. Learning about resilience-in-action highlights how people in various roles anticipate bottlenecks ahead, act to fill gaps, and are able to stretch system performance in the face of smaller and larger surprises. Analyses of dramatic failures of complex systems, such as the Columbia space shuttle accident, highlight this pattern and the need for proactive safety.

Page 36, Fire News, March 2017

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Up Close & Personal

Crews from Broughton, Bethel Park and Library at a structure demolition, February 11, 2017.

- Fire News photo by Ken Lager

Ridley Park (07) firefighter at the scene of a 14th Avenue building fire on January 2, 2017.

- Fire News photo by Lauren Carpenter

Silver Spring Township fire on Ridge Hill Road.

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

Firefighters responding to a January 01, 2017, fire on Penn Avenue in Parks Township (Armstrong County).

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Crews from Citizen, Hilltop Hose and Harrison Hills at a fire on Caroline Street in Harrison Hills, (Allegheny County), on December 3, 2016.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Irishtown Fire Company Chief Pete DuPree at work on a small roof fire at an extended care facility in New Oxford, Adams County.

- Fire News photo by 911 Photography

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Fire News, March 2017, Page 37

PHIL GERACE NAMED AS TFT’S NEW VP OF MARKETING Following an exhaustive nationwide talent search, Philip Gerace, former KME Director of Sales and Marketing, has been named as Task Force Tips’ new VicePresident of Marketing, and will be based at the company’s worldwide headquarters in Valparaiso, Indiana.

“This is one of those opportunities I couldn’t pass up, because TFT is a rare company that values its employees, takes great pride in the quality products it produces, and goes out of its way to serve those who serve,” Gerace explains. “In the business world, you often come across those who say one thing and end up doing another as they grow. That isn’t true of TFT; this is a homegrown company that has maintained and built on the values they’ve had ever since the day the company started.”

Many in the industry know Gerace from his years of service on the Fire Apparatus Manufacturer’s Association (FAMA) Board of Directors, which culminated in his serving as its president in 2015. The Penn State alum’s professional credits, tied with 12 years of service as a volunteer firefighter,

earned him invitations to write for a variety of industry publications, including Fire Rescue 1, Fire Chief, International Firefighter and Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment.

As with his earlier position at KME, Gerace sees himself first and foremost as a team member, “because if you’re part of the team, then you serve a critical role,” he explained. “A team can always develop more than an individual who is left by his or herself.” He added that TFT is unique in that its marketing department is “self-sufficient,” boasting everything from a state-of-the-art printing and banner production facilities, to having its own in-house staff of seasoned print, digital, and marketing professionals.

“By not having to outsource, we have a better control over our quality, can customize projects for our dealers and customers, are better equipped to handle last minute changes, and in the end provide a sleek, professional product to serve those who serve,” he said. “We not only embrace change - we anticipate it and prepare for that point in time that it will inevitably surface.”

Page 38, Fire News, March 2017

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Up Close & Personal

Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company 3 firefighter at a vacant house fire on November 13, 2016.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto

Veteran volunteer firefighter and past-Chief Steve Sipe from the United Hook and Ladder Fire Department mans the pump panel at a small barn fire in New Oxford, Adams County.

- Fire News photo by 911 Photography

On February 4, 2017, Fountaindale Volunteer Fire Company operated at a Washington County house fire on Military Road.

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

Lower Allen Township Firefighter Dave Cubbin operating at a house fire in Hampden Township in Cumberland County.

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett

On January 8, 2017, a second alarm fire on Penn Street in Baldwin, south of Pittsburgh, kept crews busy on a cold Sunday morning.

- Fire News photo

by Ken Lager

On January 17, 2017, crews responded to a two-vehicle MVA with multiple injuries and entrapment in New Kensington.

- Fire News photo by Steven Matto