PENNSYLVANIA Jan./Feb. 2024
Volume 14, No. 6
Story on page 6. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Happy New Year from the Staff at Fire News
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Fire News, January/February 2024, Page 3
In this issue... 13 Displace at Lewiston Apartment Fire On November 1, 2023, 13 people were displaced and three pets killed in this two-alarm apartment building fire. See story on page 4
Rock Run Road House Fire Star Hose Company and the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to a reported house fire on Rock Run Road. See story on page 7
Allegheny National Forest Fire The Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported forest fire in the Allegheny National Forest See story on page 8
McAlisterville Apartment Fire Leaves 16 Homeless Juniata County 911 dispatched Fayette Fire Company and mutual aid to South Main Street for a kitchen fire. See story on page 13
Fatality at Lebanon City Dwelling Fire Lebanon City fire companies were sent to Mifflin Street for a structure fire. See story on page 16
Obituary Christopher M. McCann, LODD Lancaster City Bureau of Fire See story on page 26
PLUS: Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 17 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 17 Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 24
Serving Fire & EMS Heroes Since 1973 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher/CEO TIM EDWARDS, Chief Operating Officer GARY P. JOYCE, Editor MYLES QUINN, Long Island Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production CLIFF CHIESA, Art Director, Production Manager BARBARA CONNOLLY, Vice President National Sales SUZANNE BANCROFT, Business Development Manager BRYAN LOPEZ, Editorial Assistant Graphic Artists: LYNN SEDLER, GREG JONES DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor Emeritus CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS DAWN ALTSTATT, TED AURIG, LAUREN CARPENTER, JASON COLEMAN-COBB, TED FESSIDES, JEFF GOLDBERG, N. GRISWOLD, ALEX LLOYD GROSS, CHRIS HALDEMAN, TED HODGINS, CURTIS JURY, KEN LAGER, SETH LASKO, GREG LEAMAN, STEPHEN LENZ, ANDY MARSH SR., STEVEN MATTO, ARTIE OSNIAK, STEVE ROTH, PATRICK SHOOP, SHANE SHIFFLETT, JAYSON WAGNER, ASHLEY WALTERS, FRANK WESNOSKI, DENNIS WETHERHOLD, JR. COPYRIGHT 2024, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Page 4, Fire News, January 2024
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Engine Fire on I-295 Firefighters from the Yarldey-Makefield Fire Company were recently dispatched to westbound Interstate 295 in the area of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission in Lower Makefield Township for a working engine compartment fire. Firefighters from Engine 0 arrived and quickly went in service extinguishing the fire. Rescue 80’s crew arrived and assisted. Fire Police handled traffic control during the incident. Pennsylvania State Police were also on location. (Pictured): YardleyMakefield Fire Company Firefighters Theo Fiori (nozzle) backed up by Lieutenant Andrew Wells extinguishing a working engine compartment fire on I-295. - Fire News photo by Jeff Goldberg
13 Displaced at Lewistown Apartment Fire On November 1, 2023, 13 people were displaced and three pets killed in this two-alarm apartment building fire. A kitchen fire spread through four apartments. - Fire News photo by Patrick Shoop
Allentown 2-Alarmer Firefighters from the City of Allentown battled a two-alarm fire in a vacant rowhome on October 14, 2023. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
Swissvale Borough Fire Crews from the Woodland Hills area operatied on a first-alarm fire on Roslyn Street in Swissvale Borough. - Fire News photo by Nicholas Kurta
Page 6, Fire News, January 2024
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Cover Story
On November 4, 2023, crews responded the 100 block of South 4th Street for a working structure fire with people jumping off the roof. A full first alarm assignment consisting of Company 50, Engine 912, Wagon 4, Tower 1, Rescues 33, 40, 59, 88 and 69, and Air 30. Chief 50 was advised of two people who jumped from the roof and suffered leg injuries. Chief 50 quickly arrived to a fully involved duplex. Cliffs Engine 73 laid a line in and began stretching lines and setting up for deck gun operations. Chief 50 requested the second alarm on arrival as he had two additional houses becoming involved. All companies were heavily engaged in the exposure as heavy fire consumed the cockloft and exterior of a large, 2-1/2 story
occupied wood frame. Heavy fire also consumed the fire building which was a 2-1/2 story, occupied,wood frame with fire on all floors of both addresses. Units were evacuated for a short period while the master stream from Tower 1 knocked down heavy fire impinging on its aerial platform. Crews operated with several hose lines and master streams from Tower 1 and Trucks 34 and 88 before the fire began to darken down. Extensive overhaul was required to open up and expose hot spots for mop up. The two occupants who jumped to escape were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. - Fire News photos by Jason Coleman-Cobb
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 7
Mobile Home Fire Leaves 2 Homeless At 2342 on November 26, 2023, Mifflin County 911 dispatched Chief Logan Fire Company and mutual aid to Roosevelt Avenue in Derry Township for a house fire. Tanker 15 arrived to heavy fire from a mobile home from sides A, B and C. The tanker stretched two handlines, assisted by the nextin engine, and were able to establish a rapid knockdown with the majority of the fire being contained to the B side of the trailer. Crews remained on scene for a couple hours for extensive overhaul. - Fire News photos by Samuel Baumgardner
Rock Run Road House Fire At 0937 on November 8, 2023, Star Hose Company of Port Allegany and the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to a reported house fire on Rock Run Road in Turtlepoint (McKean County). First arriving units found the home fully involved. A second alarm was requested bringing mutual aid from Roulette, Coudersport, Hamlin Township and Eldred, and Portville (NY). Emporium and Shinglehouse along with Westons Mills (NY) were on standby. Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals were investigating the cause of the fire. - Fire News photo by Jay K. Bradish
Page 8, Fire News, January 2024
Where There’s Smoke … On November 10, 2023, at around 0445, the Lehigh County Communications Center sent Allentown Battalion Chief 43, Engines 9, 4 and 6, Truck 2, and Engine 13 (RIT) to North 7th Street for a structure fire. Engine 4 stretched a line with the help of Engine 9. Crews found fire within the walls and began opening up. Crews knocked down the fire within 10 minutes and began checking the apartments above for extension. Truck 2’s crew went to the D side exposure’s roof to check for extension as well. Crews remained on scene for about 45 minutes mopping up. - Fire News photo by Geoffrey Wetherhold
Main Street Fire
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3-Alarm Residential Structure Fire Just after 0100 on November 12, 2023, Butler County 911 dispatched Station 1, Station 3, Station 38, Station 99 and Butler City Police to the 500 block of East Locust Street in the City of Butler for a residential fire. Police arrived and reported a working fire with people jumping from the second floor. As city fire units were arriving, they requested a second alarm with recalls of all off-duty Bureau of Fire shifts. Units arrived to a duplex with fire showing throughout the structure. Crew went to work while EMS attended to a resident who was injured. A third alarm was called which brought in Station 9, Station 10, Rescue 11 and Ladder 26. Crews worked to keep the fire contained to the structure of origin. One person was flown to a trauma center for treatment. - Fire News photo by Artie Osniak
3-Alarmer in Berks County Firefighters battled a structure fire on Main Street in Cumberland County. - Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett
On November 2, 2023, at around 2030, the Berks County Communications Center sent Reading Cars 3 and 6, Engines 1, 5, 3 and 9 (RIT), Tower 1, Ladder 1, and Rescue 1 to the area of East Laurel and South 10th Streets for a reported structure fire. Car 3 arrived to a 50- x 75-foot, three-story warehouse, with heavy fire from the third division. Car 3 confirmed the address was the former Lincoln Chemical Company. Crews were very quickly evacuated from the building and a second alarm was struck. The second alarm brough Reading Engine 7 and Ladder 3, Berks County Engines 1 and 4, Rescue Engine 25 (RIT), and Tower Ladder 25. Crews utilized multiple handlines, master streams, and ladder pipes. Crews darkened down the fire within three hours and remained on scene well into the next afternoon hitting hot spots. - Fire News photo by Geoffrey Wetherhold
Allegheny National Forest Fire On November 13, 2023, the Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported forest fire in the area of Willow Bay in the Allegheny National Forest near the New York State border. Bradford Township also responded on the initial alarm. Additional mutual aid was requested from Derrick City and the Allegheny National Forest firefighting crews. The fire burned an estimated 40 acres before it was contained. Firefighters were on the scene for six hours. Bradford City and additional units from Derrick City were on standby for Bradford Township and Corydon Township. - Fire News photo by Jay K. Bradish
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Fire on Village Lane in Lower Pottsgrove Lower Pottsgrove fire personnel were dispatched to a house fire on Village Lane in Lower Pottsgrove around 1125 on December 5, 2023. Police confirmed smoke showing. Crews encountered heavy hoarding conditions in the house while conducting searches. The fire was contained to the first floor and the bulk of the fire was knocked out around the 10-minute mark. First due and mutual aid departments that responded included the following: Sanatoga, 58; Pottstown, 69; Ringing Hill, 59; North Coventry, 64; Limerick, 51; and Gilbertsville, 67. Collegeville Fire Co, 34, and Monarch Fire Co, 6, stood by at the Sanatoga fire station. - Fire News photo by Regina Jelski
Vacant Apartment Fire in Harrisburg’s Hill District On November 26, 2023, at 2226, Box 1-2 sent Squad 8, Wagon 4, Tower 1, Truck 2, and Battalion Chief Bastinelli to 16th and Market Street for a structure fire. The chief arrived at a three-story vacant apartment building with smoke showing and struck the first alarm. Multiple lines were stretched to the first and second floors. Companies were able to expose the main body of fire and obtain a good knockdown on the fire. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Fire News, January 2024, Page 9
Whitehall Multi-Alarm Whitehall firefighters operating at a multi-alarm fire on October 26, 2023. - Fire News photo by Rich Rolen
Lehigh County 3-Alarm Blaze On November 27, 2023, at around 1700, Lehigh County Communications Center sent Allentown Battalion Chief 43, Engines 10, 4 and 9, Truck 1, and Engine 11 (RIT) to North 17th Street for an apartment building fire with possible entrapment. Engine 10 arrived to smoke showing from a three-story building that had been converted into apartments. Engine 10’s crew stretched two handlines and encountered heavy fire in the walls and cockloft. Battalion Chief 43 arrived and struck the second alarm. As crews found heavy fire in the knee walls, a third alarm was struck. Primary searches were negative, but crews found fire below them on the second floor, and the battalion chief ordered an evacuation. Multiple handlines, aerials and ladder pipes were set up. As the fire ran through the cockloft, the battalion chief asked for a reserve aerial be brought to the scene. The fire was knocked down in a little more than two hours. - Fire News photo by Geoffrey Wetherhold
Page 10, Fire News, January 2024
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Main Street Fire
Firefighters battled a structure fire on Main Street in Cumberland County. - Fire News photos by Shane Shifflett
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 11
Page 12, Fire News, January 2024
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Occupants Displaced in Carlisle Row Home Fire A two-alarm fire broke out in a North Pitt Street row home shortly before midnight on November 12, 2023, and took firefighters about an hour to bring under control. Engine 1-41 advised of multiple calls being received and police reporting a working fire. Chief 1-41 arrived to a two-story, middle-of-the-row, dwelling with fire showing on side A and fire on two floors. Headquarters upgraded the alarm to a working fire. Multiple lines were stretched from Engines 1-41 and 45 into the fire building and exposures. Command 3 requested the second alarm at 0001 hours as heavy smoke issued from the exposures and fire extended to the attic of the fire building. Truck 36’s crew opened the roof of the fire building and crews were able to contain the fire in about 40 minutes. Command 3 requested an additional two engines to the scene to assist with overhaul and mop up. At least one occupant was treated for smoke inhalation. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Quick Stop at Fountain Hill Fire Firefighters from Lehigh and Northampton counties were dispatched to Seneca Street in Fountain Hill for a dwelling fire with entrapment. The Lehigh County 911 Center advised units that multiple calls were reporting a dwelling fire with people trapped. Crews arrived on scene and reported a working dwelling fire, however, all residents had exited the building. A second alarm was struck for additional manpower as crews went to work. The fire was knocked down quickly and crews remained on the scene mopping up. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
Northampton Bor. House Fire On September 21, 2023, at around 2015, the Northampton County Communications Center sent Stations 42, 45, 46 and 47 (RIT), Truck 4321, and Lehigh County Rescue 541 to Lincoln Avenue in Northampton Borough for a house fire. The caller stated an odor of something burning and a smoke condition in the house. Northampton police arrived and reported a working fire in the attic. A Northampton police officer held the fire at bay with extinguishers until the fire department arrived. Chief 4250 arrived to light smoke showing from the attic area. Engine 4211 arrived and secured their own water supply; Truck 4221 arrived behind the engine. Engine 4311 secured a secondary water supply. Engine 4211’s crew stretched a 1-3/4 inch handline to the second floor, as crews started opening up. Truck 231 put their ladder in service and went to the roof. Truck 231’s crew opened up the exterior of the second floor. The fire was knocked down within 10 minutes and crews remained on scene for about an hour mopping up. - Fire News photo by Geoffrey Wetherhold
Highspire Room and Contents Fire On December 11, 2023, a morning fire damaged a Eshelman Street home in Highspire displacing the occupants. Firefighters had smoke showing upon arrival and a line was stretched to the second floor where a quick knockdown was put on a room and contents fire. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 13
Apartment Building Fire Leaves 16 Homeless in McAlisterville
At 1721 on December 20, 2023, Juniata County 911 dispatched Fayette Fire Company and mutual aid to South Main Street for a kitchen fire. Immediately after dispatch, Chief 4-2 arrived reporting smoke showing on the C-side of a 2-½ story occupied apartment complex and requested a second alarm. Upon arrival the first-in engine reported to the C side and deployed a handline. Unfortunately, crews ran into access issues. The next arriving engine deployed lines through the front door and were met with fire. Crews attempted an aggressive attack but were forced back as the fire quickly spread. Eventually the box was raised to what was at least a third alarm due to special calls for additional manpower. Crews remained on the scene for several hours for extensive overhaul and assisting PSP with investigation. In all, 20 fire companies from four counties worked to suppress the fire. - Fire News photos by Samuel Baumgardner
Page 14, Fire News, January 2024
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Thanksgiving Morning Blaze Destroys Farm Shop Early Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 2023, a call came in for a reported barn fire in Upper Mahanoy Township in Northumberland County. Klingerstown Fire Chief 65 arrived and confirmed a working fire in a farm workshop building. Chief 65 also advised that operations would be exterior only with the structure already fully involved. The working fire page brought additional units to the scene. Units put multiple lines into service, as well as a blitz fire and the deck gun off Gratz Engine 27. Crews set up dual porta-ponds in a side parking lot. Engine 10-10 assumed fill site operations at a nearby dam, filling tankers. Additional crews parked their apparatus and sent their manpower to the scene. By the time daylight broke, the building lay flat, with only smoldering hot spots and small amounts of smoke remaining. - Fire News photo by Seth Lasko
Occupied Lower Paxton Twp. Fire At 0134 on October 25, 2023, Box 33-11 sent Company 33, Engines 301, 32 and 34, Trucks 35 and 32, Rescue 36-1, Tankers 35, 37, 47 and 59, and Truck 91 to Grace Road for a house fire. The caller reported fire at the top of the steps on the second floor. Progress Engine 32 arrived, dropped a line at Crums Mill and Grace and proceeded to the scene, reporting a three-story split-level with fire showing from the second floor. Two lines were stretched containing the fire to the A/B corner of the dwelling. The fire was placed under control at 0151 hours. All searches were negative. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Page 16, Fire News, January 2024
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Fatality at Lebanon City Dwelling Fire On November 9, 2023, Lebanon City fire companies were sent to Mifflin Street for a structure fire. Lebanon County Communications advised responding companies that a smoke column could be seen on camera. With the additional info, Chief 15 arrived to a 2-1/2 story, end-of-the-row dwelling, with fire showing on the first floor, possibly extending into the second. He was not sure if the occupants were out. Engine 17 laid a line into the scene and Truck 20 took a position on side A. Engine 25-2 set up in the rear along with Truck 18 and supplied handlines for companies working in the exposures. Command requested defensive operations in the fire building due to a considerable hoarding condition. Numerous lines were placed in service and the bulk of the fire knocked down in about 20 minutes. Command special called companies who were standing by in city stations to the scene to assist with overhaul and mop up. One man, who had been seen re-entering the building, was found, and the coroner was called to the scene. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Fatality at Hegins House Fire Crews were dispatched to a house fire in the 1200 block of West Main Street in Hegins Township on November 15, 2023. Initial reports were of heavy smoke coming from a home. As crews responded they were informed of the possibility of someone still in the home. Engine 14-10 arrived and stretched a line, making the initial knock down of remaining active fire while 13-10 laid into the scene from a nearby hydrant. Hegins quickly joined a crew from Sacramento conducting a rapid search for a possible victim. After working feverishly to find the occupant, they located the person who was immediately turned over to EMS. The person did not survive. Units came from Sacramento, Hegins, Gratz, North End, Joliett, Donaldson, Englewood, Tremont and Mahantongo, along with EMS from Hegins and Tremont. - Fire News photo by Seth Lasko
New Cumberland House Fire West Shore companies were alerted at 0530 on December 18, 2023, for a house fire on 15th Street in the Borough of New Cumberland. The initial box consisted of Engine Companies 10, 13 and 68, Trucks 10 and 69, and Squad 13. Due to calls being received, Headquarters started the first-alarm assignment adding Engine Company 14, Truck 12, and Rescue 40 (RIT). Chief 1-10, arrived to a two-story, duplex, with fire showing from the first-floor rear. Engine 10 laid a supply line into side A and members stretched an attack line to the rear as Engine 68 stretched a backup line. Truck 69 arrived and performed searches. Command 10 reported the bulk of fire knocked down in about 10 minutes. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Walnut Port Kitchen Fire Snuffed Firefighters were dispatched to 2nd Avenue in Walnutport for a reported dwelling fire. Chief 29 arrived and found a kitchen fire which was knocked down with an extinguisher. Crews arrived and checked for any extension and ventilated the dwelling. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 17
HVAC Problem at Bakery Firefighters from Whitehall and Catasauqua were dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire at the Soumaya and Sons Bakery. Crews were advised of a smoke condition and odor of something burning. Companies arrived and began to investigate. Ladder 2 arrived and its crew went to the roof. During the investigation it was determined to be a HVAC problem. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
Suspicious Fire Destroys Vacant Garage at Former William Penn School On December 11, 2023, Harrisburg crews responded at 0606, for Box 1-3, sending Wagon 3, Squad 8, Truck 2, Tower 1, and Battalion Chief Bradford to the Camp Curtin School on North 6th Street for smoke in a building. As companies were marking up, county advised the location was the William Penn School, a sprawling complex of vacant buildings comprising the former school, and that a good amount of smoke was showing. Truck 2 arrived to a working fire in a single-story brick building. Chief 6 requested the first alarm bringing Wagon 4, Truck 32, Rescue 69, Air 13, and Chiefs 1, 2, and 4 to the scene. Wagon 3 laid a line in from Division Street and Truck 2 and Tower 1 set up out front with aerial master streams. A blitzfire was set up and companies had to use saws to open bay doors to access the fire. The fire building was a multiple bay, garage-type building that was used for maintenance and automotive purposes when the school was active. Chief Bradford ordered all companies to stay out of the building as the fight would go defensive. The fire, believed to be suspicious, was brought under control at 0802. The fire was the latest to plague the vacant complex which has seen previous fires and was scheduled to be demolished until school officials voted to find a purpose for the buildings. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Page 18, Fire News, January 2024
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Tri-County Fire School Live Burn
Tri-County Fire School, located in Smethport (McKean County), completed the 2023 training year with a 16-hour structure burn session class in Bradford Township on November 4 and 5, 2023. The two-day class was held in Bradford Township where a house had been donated for the class. There were 18 students from the following local departments: City of Bradford, Bradford Township, Kane, Rew, Derrick City, Norwich Township, Coudersport, and
Johnsonburg. Six Pennsylvania State certified instructors were assisted by 15 support staff in teaching the class. Bradford City Fire Department, Bradford Township VFD, Kane VFD, and Limestone (NY) VFD provided equipment for the class. Students had multiple opportunities to enter the structure to extinguish live fires before allowing the structure to burn down and practice exterior hose stream operations. - Fire News photos by Jay K. Bradish
Environmental Rescue in Lancaster Twp.
Two frequent trespassers on private property in Lancaster Township, who were enjoying a sunny, sweltering, hot and humid summer Saturday afternoon along the Conestoga River in Lancaster Township, required rescuing after one of them suffered a medical emergency on August 5, 2023. Lancaster Township volunteers were dispatched at 1631 to assist LEMSA (Lancaster Emergency Services Association) with patient access. The patient was on the bank of the river off New Danville Pike in Lancaster Township. Firefighters arrived at the address and discovered that the patient could not be accessed from the dispatched address. Rescue personnel relocated to a nearby property but needed an allterrain vehicle to access the patient. Mutual aid was requested from Conestoga, Station 53, for their Special Unit 53, which contains a UTV with a stretcher. The UTV, loaded with the LEMSA EMS crew,
traveled approximately a half mile to access the patient. The patient was packaged and secured in a stretcher on the back of the UTV and was transported back to to an awaiting LEMSA Ambulance and transported to Lancaster General Hospital. The UTV made a second trip to the river to retrieve rescue personnel who entered the scene before the UTV from Special Unit 53 arrived. LEMSA expressed their sincere gratitude to Lancaster Township and Conestoga firefighters for their assistance in extricating the patient. The two trespassers were previously warned that they were on private property and instructed not to return. The police department issued the couple a citation for trespassing on private property. - Fire News photos by Capt. Greg Leaman, Lancaster Township FD
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 19
Busy Month for MVAs in Feasterville The Feasterville Fire Department was busy in mid-November with four different MVAs. At one accident on Bustleton Pike, they went in service for blocking and hazard control. The crash happened when one woman pulled from a stop sign and slammed into an oncoming car. Injuries were serious but not life threatening. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
Route 29 MVA At 1618 on November 15, 2023, Perkiomen Township Fire Company’s Tanker 66, Engine 66 responded to the 500-block of Gravel Pike (Route 29) for a report of an MVA with injuries. Gravel Pike was shut down to traffic for about 30 minutes so the vehicles and debris could be removed from the roadway. Freedom Valley Medical Rescue (PA) State Police, Trappe Fire Company’s Fire Police and Norm’s Save Station also responded. Volunteers were in service for about 50 minutes. - Fire News photo by Ted Hodgins
Driver Trapped After Head-On Collision Lancaster Township Volunteers began their 4th of July holiday by extricating the driver of an SUV after a two-SUV collision in the 1700 block of Wabank Road in Lancaster Township. After the collision, one SUV flipped onto its passenger side and was stopped by the cement curbing from traveling down the embankment. The driver was suspended in the driver’s seat by the seatbelt. During the rescue process, the driver was covered with sheets to shield from flying debris. Rescue struts and wood cribbing were deployed to stabilize the vehicle during the extrication process. Firefighters removed the windshield, cut the roof pillars with their pre-connected Amkus hydraulic rescue tools, and folded down the roof, enabling access to the patient. A backboard was placed under the patient, and the seatbelt was cut. - Fire News photo by Capt. Greg Leaman, Lancaster Township FD
Steelton MVA With Pin On December 11, 2023, at 0105, Box 501 sent Company 50, Engine 91-2, and Squad 8 to South Front Street for an MVA with entrapment. Chief Vance arrived and advised of a vehicle on its roof, with three occupants still inside, possibly entrapped. The vehicle was partially lying on a building. The extrication took 20 minutes. - Fire News photo by Jason Coleman-Cobb
Page 20, Fire News, January 2024
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FF I Program Live Burn Class Members from numerous departments going through the Firefighter I program attended this structural burn class in Whitehall. - Fire News photo by Dennis Wetherhold, Jr.
Car Fire Training at Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center Lancaster Township Fire Department conducted car fire training on October 9, 2023, at Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim. The car fire simulator is propane-fueled and governed by a Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center facilitator. Firefighters learned hoseline and nozzle management during the exercise as well as the proper method to extinguish car fires. - Fire News photo by Capt. Greg Leaman, Lancaster Twp. FD
Car Fire Training at Montgomery County Fire Academy On November 27, 2023, Perkiomen Township Fire Company volunteers went to the Montgomery County Fire Academy in Conshohocken for car fire training using their Bullex car simulator prop. It’s always important to go over tools, review, and share best practices and experiences with the rest of the team. It’s extremely helpful to train in realistic environments to simulate real emergencies. The ability to observe, react, adapt, communicate and overcome are critical. - Fire News photo by Ted Hodgins
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 21
Learning by Burning The Yardley-Makefield Fire Company recently hosted its 2023 Fire Prevention Community Open House at the Woodside Fire Station in Lower Makefield Township. Firefighters participated in an automobile fire extinguishment and a shed fire training/demonstration for the members of the community. - Fire News photos by Jeff Goldberg
Tools Training with Jenga and Eggs On December 4, 2023, Perkiomen Township Fire Company volunteers got familiar with the Holmatro combi-tool by using it to play a game of giant Jenga with cribbing. They also tested precision, patience and accuracy using the tool to secure an egg from the top of a traffic cone without cracking it. While we all had some fun, being familiar with the assembly, breakdown and use of this combi-tool is crucial. - Fire News photos by Ted Hodgins
Page 22, Fire News, January 2024
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Lancaster Township Fire Department Breaks Ground on New Firehouse to Shorten Response Times On October 29, 2022, Lancaster Township Fire Department broke ground on a new $5.8 million firehouse. The new Station 66, located across Millersville Pike from Manor Shopping Center, will replace LTFD’s two 70-year-old stations in the Bausman and Hamilton Park neighborhoods. - Fire News photos by Captain Greg Leaman, Lancaster Twp. FD
Long Time on the Front Line The former McKees Rocks Truck 109 is a 1971 American LaFrance. It was a front-line unit until 2020, when it was replaced with a 2020 KME. The company was disbanded in early 2023. - Fire News photo by Nicholas Kurta
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 23
Santa’s in Town!
On December 23, 2023, firefighters and their families from New Hanover Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services in Montgomery County escorted Santa and Mrs. Claus around New Hanover spreading smiles, candy canes, and the Christmas Spirit to the folks in the township! - Fire News photos by Regina Jelski
Allison Hook & Ladder Makes a Santa Claus Run The Allison H&L got word from their friend Gloria Merrick of the Latino Hispanic American Community Center that a family in the neighborhood could use some extra help this holiday season. Members dug deep and came up with the funds needed to help mom and each of the five kids to have a merry Christmas. Santa, his Elves, and Gloria who helped bridge the Spanish language barrier, responded to the family home to surprise the family. - Fire News photos by Steve Austin
Page 24, Fire News, January 2024
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Wall That Heals Comes to Montgomery County
On October 24, 2023, Montgomery County welcomed the touring replica of the Wall That Heals Vietnam Veteran Memorial. Ladder arches were set up on the route of the procession before the wall was escorted and set up at Anderson Farm Park in Upper Providence. People witnessed the procession at different locations and then visitors were welcomed to see the Wall and Vietnam displays in Anderson Farm Park, which was open 24/7. The atmosphere was very solemn, remembering the fallen soldiers whose names were on the wall. - Fire News photos by Regina Jelski
THE LANCASTER COUNTY FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION FIRE EXPO RETURNS IN MAY The Lancaster County Firemen’s Association (LCFA) will host the 52nd Annual FIRE EXPO on Friday, May 17, 2024, and Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA. FIRE EXPO will showcase more than 500 emergency service exhibits featuring the world’s leading manufacturers of fire, emergency medical services (EMS), rescue, and public safety equipment. Building on last year, the show will offer speakers, presentations, live demos, and con-ed eligible training and educational opportunities. FIRE EXPO will welcome STATMedEvac, to conduct a con-ed eligible Landing Zone class. If weather permits, the helicopter will land on Saturday, May 18, 2024. In addition, Ed Mann of Provident
Agency Inc. will have Fire Service Cancer Risk Reduction Good-Better-Best Practices and First Responder Suicide and Post Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Classes. There will be many more live demos, train-
ing and educational opportunities available throughout both days. Attendees will have a chance to win $100 gift cards each day and satisfy their appetite with a variety of concessions, including the famous PA
Dairymen’s Association milkshakes. Tickets for the LCFA Fire Expo can be purchased at the door or online at www.lcfa.com/fire-expo starting in February 2024. A one-day pass is $10. Children nine-and-under are free. Please come out and help support a great cause! For questions and more information about the expo, contact expo@lcfa.com or call 717-581-5469 option 3. - Lancaster County Firemen’s Association
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 25
Newportville Touch-A-Truck Newportville Fire Company brought Engine 82 for a Touch-ATruck event in Bristol Township. This event allows people to learn about the equipment on large trucks, and play on and around them. The event was held at the township grounds. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
Spring Mill Fire Company Celebrates 100th Anniversary Local representatives and officials participated in Spring Mill Fire Company’s official truck housing ceremony. The new Pierce engine was “pushed” into the fire station bay three times, first by past fire chiefs, then by local officials and lastly by current members of Spring Mill Fire Company. After the ceremony community members gathered in the fire station to enjoy lunch and refreshments. Pictured (left to right): Spring Mill Fire Chief Wayne Masters, PA State Senator Vincent Hughes, Member of the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors Vincent Manuele, ViceCommissioner Jamila H. Winder, Chair of the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors Fran McCusker, PA State Representative Mary Jo Daley. - Submitted by Jessica Lis
Dep. State Fire Commissioner Tedorski Speaks at Fire Police Meeting Deputy State Fire Commissioner John ‘J.C.’ Tedorski was the guest speaker at the November State Fire Police meeting which was held at the Sellersville Fire Company. He spoke about possible changes to the PA Fireman’s Relief Fund and other topics. - Fire News photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
Central Firehouse Gets New Addition On December 9, 2023, a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held for a new addition and refurbishing of the Central Firehouse. - Fire News photos by Steve Lenz
Page 26, Fire News, January 2024
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Obituary
Christopher M. McCann, LODD, Lancaster City Bureau of Fire
Christopher M. McCann, 43, of Lancaster, succumbed to injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident on October 14, 2023. Born in Reading, he was the son of Michael J. Sr. and Deborah L. McCann. He would’ve celebrated 17 years of marriage, memories, and laughs with Roberta (Belock) McCann on October 21. Serving others was Chris’ calling in life. In November 1998, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He frequently shared his time and was proud to be one of the first troops deployed to Iraq after 9/11. He would continue to serve until November of 2003 when he was honorably discharged with a Rifle Sharpshooter Badge and the rank of Sargeant. A 10-year veteran of the Lancaster Bureau of Fire, he served as 2nd driver of C-Platoon Engine Company 1. In his years, he held many positions and took advantage of learning and applying himself to all aspects of fire and rescue. Chris enjoyed basic things in life, including spending time with family at their cabin in Tioga County, where he would frequently explore and appreciate the landscape around him. He also considered himself a connoisseur of beers and loved visiting local breweries. He enjoyed sitting outdoors with Roberta and friends by a fire, enjoying a cold beer, and listening to music. He loved to cook and enjoyed trying new foods and flavors. Ultimately, he loved people and wanted to have good conversations and good times. People and pets gravitated toward his warmth and laughter. He was also a graduate of Albright College and a member of Elks Lodge 134. His memory will live on in all who knew and loved Chris, especially his wife Roberta; parents; siblings, as well as the brother and sisterhood of the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire and IAFF Local 319.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Chris’ name may be made to Building Bridges Foundation at Anderson Farms, or Humane League of Lancaster County. Chris joined our ranks on December 27, 2013. He spent his career working across all four platoons in the department, where he held the positions of Platoon Man, Second Driver, and First Driver. He was a wealth of knowledge that never stopped learning. Chris had diverse skills, knowledge, and abilities, including his passion for pumps, vehicle rescue, ropes, and just plain being a nozzle-man. His ability to maneuver an apparatus was like no other. Chris’s laugh was infectious, which is good because we heard it often. Known for being one of the most loving members of the department, you could always count on him to be there for anyone at any time. Chris cared about everyone and wanted to know about the small details. He never asked, “How’s your family?” but would ask about each member individually. He had a gift for just listening when you needed an ear. We are blessed that he chose to invest his heart and soul into every one of us that he knew; from “Hey buds” to the stiff hugs, they will be missed forever. He was the warmest, nicest, big teddy bear of a guy that friends and family could have ever asked for. You are missed by so many! There is now a void in the department that can never be filled. We know that you loved your job in so many ways, and we will carry your legacy forward for generations of firefighters to come across our department and beyond. We love you, Bub. - Fire News photos by Captain Greg Leaman, Lancaster Township FD
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Fire News, January 2024, Page 27
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