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PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA - A significant fire broke out at a residential property in Plainfield Township late Sunday afternoon, April 27th, prompting a rapid response from multiple fire companies in the area. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered flames throughout the two-and-a-half-story structure. -
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Wreck & Return, An EMT's Journey Into and Out of Darkness By Tom Kranz Available from: FSP Books & Videos 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, MAO 1749 1-800-522-8528 Email: support@ fire-policeems.com www. fire-police-ems. com Price: $11.99 This is a soft cover book measuring six inches by nine inches, with 233 pages. It is a work of fiction, but I must con fess that I was over halfway through the book before I realized it. The story is that believable! It features a man who works in New
York as a news manager at a TV station. He doubles as a volunteer EMT after his work hours in his hometown in New Jersey. The name of the town is fictitious. It is a small town, which I estimate would be in Union County. It is so small that the members are permit ted to respond from their homes overnight because there are no beds at the squad station. The mul titude of squad calls are ones that could happen in real life and I can relate to them, as I worked part time as an EMT in my hometown with a private ambulance service that was primary for the city. The strain of both jobs caused the main character to unwind with alcohol and at times made his alertness questionable to his partners on calls. The book is in two parts. Part one ended very badly! Part two, which started three years later, is completely different than part one. The author did both of these jobs, but without the alcohol problem. The book ends on a high note. It is a lesson to be had by all and I pre scribe it as an excellent book to read.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you would like to see in our Where are they Now? feature please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Pennsylvania edition - Vol. 29 No. 5 - is published bi-monthly, 6 times a year for $24 per year by Belsito Communica tions, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Re sponder News, 1 Ardmore Street, NY 12553. No fi nancial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typo graphical errors except o f reprinting that part o f the ad which was omitted or A division of: in error.
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Second-Alarm Fire in Coatesville City
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DALE FEEHRER
The Eureka Fire Company in Stewartstown, PA has acquired this 2016 Pierce Arrow XT (2000/500/105') to serve as Ladder 54. This piece originally served in Bensalem, PA.
COATESVILLE, PA - On March 21st at 11:17 A.M., the Coatesville Fire Department along with area mutual aid were dispatched to the 300 block of S. 1st Avenue in Coatesville City for a reported house fire. First arriving CFD units had fire showing from a middle of the row, and advised that a total of three units were now involved. Ladder 41 and Engine 41 's crew began fire suppression efforts along with searches of the involved structures. As the incident progressed, the second-alarm was struck, bringing additional resources to scene including an engine from Honey Brook Fire Co. En gine 33-1 with a crew of six, along with the Duty Officer re sponded. Honey Brook personnel checked for extension in exposure units and conducted overhaul before clearing the scene a short time later.
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Major House Fire Engulfs Plainfield Township Home PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA - A significant fire broke out at a residential property in Plainfield Township late Sunday after noon, April 27th, prompting a rapid response from multiple fire companies in the area. Fire crews were dispatched shortly before 8 p.m. to the blaze that erupted in a single-family home on the 1300 block of Colony Lane. Upon arrival, firefighters encoun tered flames throughout the twoand-a-half-story structure. In total, more than eight fire companies converged on the scene to assist the Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Com pany in tackling the inferno. Fire fighters worked diligently to bring the situation under control, utilizing deck guns and aerial equipment to combat the blaze from multiple angles. Fortunately, there were no re ported injuries. The cause of the fire is currently under investiga tion.
- DAN CLERICO Plainfield's ladder
DAN CLERICO
DAN CLERICO
Forks Township's ladder.
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North Carolina: Johnny Alvin Goines, 69 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 22, 2024 Death Date: November 23,2024 Fire Department: Verona Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: On Friday, November 22, 2024, Fire fighter Johnny Alvin Goines responded to an emergency call made at 10:46 p.m. reporting a motor vehicle acci dent. A second emergency call was made at 11:05 p.m. reporting a vehicle in a ditch. Verona Volunteer Fire De partment and Onslow County Emergency Medical Serv ices responded to the second call and found Firefighter Goines unresponsive inside of his vehicle. He was re turning home from the first call when he was found. Firefighter Goines was immediately transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 23, 2024. The cause of his death has yet to be determined. New Jersey: Henry Sardina, III, 46 Rank: Captain Incident Date: November 21, 2024 Death Date: November 24,2024 Fire Department: Hopatcong Fire Department Initial Summary: On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Captain Henry Sardina, III was leading an in-station drill when he suffered an apparent heart attack. He went un responsive, CPR was immediately performed, and he was revived. He was then transported to the hospital but suffered additional complications and cardiac emergen cies in the days that followed. He passed away while still hospitalized on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
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Indiana: Richard "Rick" Sanders, 48 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: December 12, 2024 Death Date: December 12,2024 Fire Department: Winchester Fire Department Initial Summary: On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Firefighter Richard "Rick” Sanders responded to a twostory residential structure fire. While operating at the scene, Firefighter Sanders began not feeling well. He was immediately taken to an ambulance, where he col
lapsed into cardiac arrest. He was then transported to St. Vincent Ascension Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Tennessee: George Turley, 58 Rank: Captain Incident Date: December 14, 2024 Death Date: December 14,2024 Fire Department: Chattanooga Fire Department Initial Summary: On Saturday, December 14, 2024, Captain George Turley was performing physical fit ness activities while working at the fire station when he collapsed. Aid was immediately rendered by col leagues, and he was then transported to the local hos pital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later. The cause o f his death has yet to be determined. Alaska: Robert "Bob" Chandler, 58 Rank: Chief Incident Date: November 26,2024 Death Date: November 27, 2024 Fire Department: Red Dog Mine Fire Department Initial Summary: On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, Chief Robert "Bob” Chandler was teaching a class when he began to feel ill. Colleagues did a patient medical as sessment and obtained a base set of vitals; everything was within normal limits. The next day, Wednesday, No vember 27, 2024, Chief Chandler was found deceased in his quarters from a cardiovascular emergency. Indiana: Ralph Meyer, 72 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: December 3, 2024 Death Date: December 4,2024 Fire Department: Napoleon Volunteer Fire Company Initial Summary: On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Fire fighter Ralph Meyer responded to the scene of a struc ture fire. He then returned home. The next morning, Wednesday, December 4,2024, he suffered a heart at tack and was immediately transported to the local hospi tal where he passed away. Firefighter Meyer previously served as the fire chief and his son is currently the Chief.
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1st Responder Newspaper - PA
DRILLS/TRAINING To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to
Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
For Monday night training, crews took advantage of the decent weather to practice working with the Paratech Monopod and Tripod for rope rescues. Crews began by discussing the safety aspects of the setup, working capabilities, and the options for different rescue situations. The firefighters were split into two groups that switched training stations on the church side and the Sunoco side of the Limerick Station. On the church side, crews worked on setting up the Paratec Monopod working off the hitch at the rear of Rescue 51. They worked together to put the Monopod into service using guides lines to the eyebolts on the Rescue and using a mechanical advantage anchor point across from the Monopod. The goal was to rescue a victim simulated down an embankment. On the Sunoco side, crews worked on the tripod set up over the bilko doors and practiced using a harness and lowering a firefighter into a hole for a rescue. ALAN HOFFMAN
Apartment Building Fire in Macungie MACGUNIE, PA-On April 5th at 10:35 A.M., the lower Macungie Fire Department, Upper Milford Western District Fire company and Macungie EMS were dispatched for an apartment building fire at 306 Race St., in the Borough of Macungie. Deputy 80 ar rived on the scene, established command and had nothing showing from the exterior. A water can was called for and ven tilation was performed.
TEDHODGINS
Car A ccident w ith Injuries in Perkiomen Twp. PERKIOMEN TWP., PA - At 2:45 P.M. on Tuesday, April 1st, Perkiomen Township’s Tanker 66, Engine 66, Field 66 and an all-volunteer crew responded to a report of a two-vehicle acci dent with injuries at the intersection of Wartman Rd. and Bridge St. Skippack Emergency Medical Services and PA State Police also responded. Vehicles were towed by Wynne’s Express Lube & Auto Repair. Volunteers were in service for about 45 minutes.
REGINA JELSKI
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Fire Destroys Two Northampton Homes, Three Families Displaced NORTHAMPTON, PA - On April 28th slightly after 5:00am, the Northampton County 911 Center dispatched companies to a working fire at 164 and 166 Stark St. in the borough. Incoming com panies experienced arcing wires in front of the fire buildings, hamper ing early opera tions. The blaze went to two alarms, with three families being made homeless. Assisting NFD were North Catasauqua, Coplay, Hanover, Hokendauqua, Lehigh Twp., Cat asauqua, Bath, Nancy Run and Palmer Twp.
- KEN SNYDER
KEN SNYDER
KEN SNYDER
Front of the firegrounds.
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1st Responder Newspaper - PA
IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
muz cm KEN SNYDER
Crews Battle Two-Alarm Dwelling Fire in Jim Thorpe
FRANK ROBINSON
Kimberton Fire Company operates a 2020 Seagrave 2000/750/30F. JIM THORPE, PA - On April 2nd at around 9:20 A.M., the Car bon County 911 Center dispatched crews to 514 Center Ave. for an active dwelling fire. More manpower was eventually needed and a second-alarm was requested. The fire caused heavy damage to the rear first and second floors of the three-story frame house. All three occupants were able to get out of the house safely. The blaze was under control in about one hour.
FRANK ROBINSON
Clifford Township Fire Company operates a 2006 American LaFrance 2000/300/110' Quint.
HBFC
Vehicle Fire in Honey Brook Twp. HONEY BROOK TWP., PA - On March 7th at 3:01 A.M., Station 33 was dispatched to the 100 block of Whitetail Court for a reported vehicle fire. Assistant 33 arrived and confirmed one vehicle well-involved, and established command. Engine 331 with a crew of six arrived and stretched (one) 1.75" bumper line to extinguish the fire. The incident was quickly placed under control with units completing mop-up before clearing the scene within the hour. This is currently under investiga tion by the County Fire Marshall’s Office.
DALE FEEHRER
The West Grove Fire Company operates this 2021 Seagrave Marauder (1500/1000) as Engine 22-1.
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PAGE 11
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ANTIQUE APPARATUS I f y o u have p hotos for A ntique A pparatus please upload them on our w ebsite, www. 1stR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com
KEN SNYDER
A firefighter wets down the rear porch area.
DALE FEEHRER
The Goodville Fire Company of Lancaster County once ran this 1959 International/Howe (500/500) as Engine 3-6-2 until it was sold to a fire company member in 1992. (Thanks to Bruce for providing the info.)
DALE FEEHRER
The Kunkletown VFC operated this 1967 Chevy/Hahn pumper until 1997 when it was replaced with a new KME; it now serves as the company's parade piece. KEN SNYDER
Firefighters open up the rear porch area.
Mayday Called at Allentown Fire ALLENTOWN, PA - On March 19th at 7:3 7 A.M., the AED responded to a three-story dwelling fire with possible entrap ment at 119 N. 13th St. Engine 4 was first on scene of this MOR fire and immediately called it a working fire with heavy white smoke showing. As units ar rived, it was confirmed that there was entrapment of a disabled male inside on the first-floor. Command requested a second-alarm be trans mitted and eventually a thirdalarm as the fire continued to spread around the house. Fortu nately, the victim was found and transported to the hospital. Two firefighters that were op-
Jump to file # 040 32510 7
3 *
I
■*
erating on the second-floor fell through a hole onto two firefight ers on the first-floor. The four were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The fire was brought under control in under two hours. There was heavy damage to the fire building, and smoke and water damage to the two exposures. Also assisting the AFD were Eastern Salisbury, Woodlawn and Greenawalds fire companies.
- KEN SNYDER
FRANK R0RINS0N
Yoe Fire Company once ran this 1926 American LaFrance with a 600-GPM pump. It also ran calls at Spring Garden, and is now privately owned.
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
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1st Responder Newspaper - PA
ALAN HOFFMAN
Dwelling Fire, Upper Macungie Twp. UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., PA - On March 26th around 2:15 P.M., the Upper Macungie and Lower Macungie fire depart ments, Greenwwalds Fire Company for RIT and Cetronia EMS were dispatched for a dwelling fire at 7521 Hamilton Boulevard in Upper Macungie Township. Chief 25 arrived on the scene, followed by utility 55, and had an active fire in the rear of the home. Utility 55 went into service with a hand line and knocked the bulk of the fire down. Overhaul was per formed and the cause of fire is pending the investigation by the fire marshal.
PATCH OF THE MONTH I f y o u h a v e p h o to s y o u w o u ld lik e to s e e in o u r “ P a tch o f th e m o n th “ fea tu re p lea se u p lo ad th em on o u r w e b site , w w w .lstR e sp o n d e rN e w s.c o m o r em ail th em to L in d s e y @ ls tR e s p o n d e rN e w s .c o m .
TEDHODGINS
Two Pets Perish in Trappe Borough Building Fire TRAPPE, PA - At 1:29 PM. on Monday, March 24th, Perkiomen Township’s Engine 66, Air 66 and an all-volunteer crew responded to the 300 block of Jefferson Court in Trappe Borough for a report of thick black smoke from the residence. Station 66 units responded as mu tual aid to assist Trappe Fire Com pany No. 1. While units were responding, Skippack Emergency Medical Serv ices arrived on scene with heavy smoke showing and an occupant still inside. The assignment was up-
JUMP TO FILE #05 01 2 5 1 0 2
m graded to a working fire, which added another EMS unit and Air 66. Trappe Fire Company’s Ladder 68-2 responded with a crew of five and arrived on scene as the first due truck. Crews began to search the en tire residence for any additional oc cupants. Collegeville Fire Company's Squad 34 and UPT Fire & Emer gency Services Squad 68 arrived on
scene and began to extinguish the fire in the basement. Additional de partments included Royersford Fire Department, Skippack Fire Com pany and Limerick Fire Depart ment. Two injuries were reported on scene, including a minor injury to a firefighter. The fire was contained to the basement, and units remained on scene for over two hours. Unfortu nately, two pets were unable to es cape the fire.
-TED HODGINS
EUGENE WEBER JR.
This patch belongs to the Garden Spot Fire Department Station 1, located in Lancaster County, PA.
TED HODGINS
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OLD & NEW If you have photos you would like to see in our "‘Old & New" feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindseyw! lstResponderNews.com.
TERRY RITZ
A ccident w ith Inju ries on M ain St. in East G reenville EAST GREENVILLE, PA - On Monday, March 31st at 5:12 PM, East Greenville Fire Co. was dispatched to an accident on the 300 block of Main St. with injuries. Upon arrival, they had two women with injuries in the front seat of the car. Both of them had to be transported to the hospital by ambulance. It ap pears like the car rearended the pickup. Assisting the fire company were fire police from East Greenville and Pennsburg, and East Greenville borough police. EMS units from Bally and Quakertown were also needed.
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DALE FEEHRER
The Harleysville Fire Company's 1963 ALF pumper (retired) with their 2024 Pierce Enforcer that went into service in October of 2024.
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DEPARTMENT PROFILE If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Departmnt Profile” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
The Mighty Pawz Special Op erations was established in 2024 to provide emergency care to animals in emergency situations. Based in Bethlehem, PA the unit is comprised of volun teers trained in basic animal care to Veterinarian Techni cians. Paramedics, EMTS, Nurses, and fire-rescue per sonnel are also part of the group. Together, they are able to provide a vast amount of services ranging animal abuse investigations all the way to assisting on a multi-alarm barn fire where livestock is at risk. When needed, they can provide setting up triage, emergency transports, on scene medical care, and ani mal rescues regardless of the animal (dog, deer, etc.). Care While primarily responding within the Lehigh Valley, Mighty Pawz has created a strong relationship with area emergency services, animal hospitals, and private homeowners. Another bright spot of Mighty Pawz was recently en tering a partnership with the ASPCA for disaster relief dur ing natural disasters. As men tioned above, while providing care for animals is what the unit is based on, the group has certified EMTS, and nurses which can provide aid to humans as well during nat ural disasters. This also pro vides protection and care to the volunteers of Mighty Paws during a rescue operation. Mighty Pawz operates a trio of repurposed apparatus to as sist when needed. They oper ate a 1988 FMC/Spartan pumper (1500/500) which can be used to provide drinking water or for cooling off a large herd of animals during a fire or high temps. For the rescues where height or lifting is a fac tor, they have acquired a 1991 Seagrave 100' rearmount lad der they was formally from East Orange, NJ. The third piece is a mid 2000's Freightliner/Medic Master ambulance that saw service with PG County, MD. The equipment carried on the apparatus is just about the same that you would see at a fire (hoses, tools, generators, etc) with a few exceptions, one being a mobile wash stations that can
SPEOAL OPERATIONS
DAH CLERICO
_____ DALE FEEHRER
1988 FMC/Spartan, (1500/500), x-Carthage, NY
DALE FEEHRER
1991 Seagrave 100' RM, x-East Orange, NJ
DAH CLERICO
Nazareth B attles 3rd Alarm Fire DALE FEEHRER
2006 Freightliner/Medic Master, x-PG County, MD be set up on scene. As with any volunteer organi zation, they are looking for more volunteers who would like to join a unique type of emergency service, and dona
tions. The Mighty Pawz Special Operations Unit got it's start by being a doggie day care/boarding facility and has grown to offering trained emer gency care to animals.
NAZARETH, PA — Emergency crews from across the area responded on April 22nd to a 3rd alarm fire at 109-111 South Main Street in the heart of downtown Nazareth. The fire was first reported around 12:50 a.m. The initial arriving units en countered heavy smoke and fire from a mixed-use building housing both residential apartments and commercial space. Firefighters quickly requested additional alarms as flames spread through multiple floors. Mutual aid was called from several neighboring departments to assist with manpower, water supply, and aerial operations. Streets around the scene were closed to traffic as hoses and equipment stretched across Main Street. Residents were evacuated safely. No injuries have been reported at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation by local authorities and the Fire Marshal’s office.
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Semi-Rural Tree Alarm Dwelling Fire in Lower Saucon Twp. LOWER SAUCON TWP., PA - On March 27th at 9:07 AM, the Northampton County 911 Center dispatched companies to a fire at 3840 Mockingbird Hill Road in the township. Involved was a two-and-a-half-story house with heavy white smoke billow ing from it. The lo cation was about a mile northeast of Hellertown in a semi-rural area. Command immedi ately requested a second-alarm and asked to add five more tankers to the scene above the two already assigned. The fire quickly went to three alarms as apparatus came from the Bethlehem FD, and the counties of Northampton, Bucks and Lehigh. During the fire, a firefighter was seen being given aid to the rear of an ambulance for unknown cir cumstances. The Red Cross was called to the scene to assist seven people displaced. As the bulk of the fire dark ened down, crews remained on the scene for overhaul and hot spots; the roadway was opened up around 12:45 PM."
KEN SNYDER
Side view of the fire building. - KEN SNYDER
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2nd Alarm Struck fo r Garage Fire Threatening Home in P lainfield Twp. PLAINFIELD TWP., PA Just before midnight on April 1st, the Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire with flames coming from the garage. The first arriv ing unit, EMS-27, reported a fully in volved detached garage with fire ex tending to the resi dent's home. With this update. Captain 36-54 requested a second-alarm. The fire was contained to the garage, while the home sustained heat and smoke damage. No injuries were re ported, and the Red Cross was re quested to assist the residents.
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PA Fire Expo, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
V ehicle News
FRANK ROBINSON
FRANK ROBINSON
Albrightsville Fire Company operates a 2024 Freightliner/Pierce 1000/2100 Pumper Dingman Township Fire Company operates a 2022 E-One 1750/500/100' Quint. Tanker.
DALE FEEHRER
FRANK ROBINSON
The Fannett-Metal Fire & Ambulance Company has taken delivery of their 2025 Manheim Township Fire operates a 2024 Pierce Enforcer 2000/500. Pierce Enforcer PUC (1500/1000/Holmatro). This piece will be designated as Franklin County Squad 12.
DALE FEEHRER
DALE FEEHRER
The MMP&W Volunteer FD is now operating this 2023 Kenworth T-800/Pierce The Pequea Valley FD have taken delivery of their 2024 Seagrave Marauder pumper(1250/3500) elliptical style tanker as Tanker 9. tanker. Tanker 405 features a 2,000-gpm pump with a 2,500-gallon tank.
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PA Fire Expo, 2025
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APPARATUS IN ACTION
i
If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
ALAN HOFFMAN
ALAN HOFFMAN
Engine 71 of the Red Hill Fire Company on the scene and in service at a dwelling fire Tower 81 of the Lower Macungie Fire Department on the scene and in service at in upper Hanover Township. chimney fire in the borough of Emmaus.
PA BYSTANDER
ALAN HOFFMAN
Wilkes Barre brand new 2024 Pierce Enforcer Pumper Engine 1 on scene of a 2nd Attack 13 of the Lower Milford Fire Company on the scene and in service at a field alarm working structure. fire in Lower Milford Township.
KEN SNYDER
Northampton 4211 at a second-alarm on 2/2/25.
DALE FEEHRER
MVFD Engine 88, a 2021 Seagrave Marauder II, is seen here operating multiple lines during a working garage fire that was dispatched 30 minutes before the start of the Middletown Halloween Parade.
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DRILLS/TRAINING If you have photos you w ould like to see in our Drills feature, please up b a d them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to L indsey <@1stRe spender News .c om.
Fire Doors FIref Ighters rarely get Involved In determining the cause of a fire. That doesn’t mean that firefighters should be com pletely uninformed about the cause and/or how a fire will spread at a given location as they may be Involved In the gathering of evidence at the behest of a fire Investigator or at the very least leave any po tential evidence Intact during overhaul. Further, fire opera tions may depend on some of these factors such as the pres ence and proper operation of fire doors. Relative to fire doors specifi cally why would an Instructor even breach this topic with firefighters since It has more to do with code compliance? First, as mentioned firefighters may have to assist In preserv ing potential evidence In afire or bring attention to an Inves tigator so being able to recognlze a code violation will certainly assist any Investiga tion. Beyond that fire code compliance which Is where fire door and Inspections would fall rounds out a firefighter’s knowledge so It’s not just "putting the wet stuff on the red stuff” and lastly, firefight ers may simply want toexpand thelroptlons Into a parallel ca reer. So, what exactly Is a "fire door”? From a firefighter per spective any door that sepa rates a fire room from the rest of a structure fire could be a fire door. This Is In reference to Vent, Enter, Isolate and Search (VEIS). However, the definition of a fire door Is much more comprehensive. NFPA 80 defines what a fire door Is, Its Installation, materi als that It can be made of, latching devices and labeling requirements to name a few of the chapters. Since the parameters of a fire door are extremely varied a good starting point may sim ply be what a fire door Is not. Again, from a firefighting standpoint a fire door may be
any door to or within a struc ture. Whereas any door may block fire for a certain time maybe only seconds In the case of a hollow wooden bed room door th at door would not be deflnltlonally labeled as a fire door and simply putting a fire door sign on a door does not automatically transform that door Into a fire door. A good operational definition would be a "type of door or barrier used as passive fire protection within a structure to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. For starters a fire door has to be labeled as such from the manufacturer. Any door that does not have a proper label Is not considered a fire door. The label below Is generic but a typical fire door label that Is found mostly on the spine of the door but sometimes on the top of the door. The most Important part of label for firefighters would be the FD rating assuming a pre plan has been conducted the fire rating will give flreflg hters a general Idea of how much time they have when setting up ope ratio ns to extinguish afire. Fire door ratings are as fol lows: HFR - non-fire related FD30 - 30 minutes or fire re sistance FD60 - 60 minutes of fire re sistance FD90 - 90 minutes of fire re sistance FD120 - 120 minutes of fire re sistance Since there may not be much left after a fire relative to a fire door and whether or not that fire door was operational the key Is proper and consistent Inspections. Inspections aren’t worth all that much If they are not thoroughly documented. Although NFPA 80 Indicates fire doors are at a minimum to be Inspected annually they should be Inspected at least every six months. Fire Investi
gate rs/ln spec tors typically will have a checklist designed by/for the employer but may alsocontaln additional person alized Information based on the experience of the Inspec tor. Here are thirteen Items that should be looked for all the time: 1) Labels are present and legi ble. Manufacturer labels on a fire door cannot be removed or painted over. 2) No holes or breaks In the door or frame. Once a fire door Is drilled Into It Is usu ally com promised but the standard does allow any holes to be filled with stainless steel bolts to retain fire door status. 3) Glazing and glass kit - glass beads are Intact and securely fastened. 4) Door, frame and hardware are In proper working order and/or not broken loose or missing. 5) No missing or broken parts. Although the standard does
Fire Certificate No.
not specify a time frame for repalrthey should be done "with out delay”. 6) Door clearances are within allowable limits all around. A door gap tool pictured below helps determine proper door gaps. 7) Door closer spring Is opera tional and the door closes and latches by Itself. There should be no door stop Installed on the door. Fire doors should al ways remain closed otherwise or what’s the point? An excep tion would be doors held open by an electromagnet that the fire alarm system disengages when activated. 8) Door leaves (on a double door) close In proper se quence. 9) Door Is self-latching In closed position - helps ensure the door remains closed to deter fire, heat and toxic gasses. Fire doors should NEVER be propped open. 10) No auxiliary hardware that would Interfere with proper op eration such as an aftermarket lock or doorstop that prevents the door from closing 11) The manufacturers label Is not void meaning compro
Fire Door Manufacturer
Company's Name
Drills for firefighters that In volve fire doors would simply be adding an Inspection to a pre-plan. Instructors can also tap Into the competitive nature of firefighters and create a contest by providing an In spection checklist and asking firefighters to complete In spections for all the fire doors In the fire house with the win ner having the most accurate Information. Make no mistake NFPA 80 Is very comprehen sive and having knowledge of fire door and Inspections of will go a long way toward fire prevention, fire operations and after the fact Investigations.
Unique Sequential Number
CF^/rcaJT i
mised by a field modification. 12) Gasketing and edge seal ing are present, continuous and proper type. Not all fire doors have gasketing however. 13) Signage on the door takes up less than 5% of the space on the door. Also, signage can not be attached with mechani cal fasteners such as nails or screws and cannot Interfere with the operation of the door.
T «|; 01999 13 iy s 6
F ir* Door Certification invalid ■Mess installed and maintained exactly in accordance w ith Manufacturer's instructions and th is la b e l is re ta in e d unmarked and not removed.
-JOSEPH CEA
Fire Door Rating C E R T IF IE D
FI RE [ TT' I T
FD) 30
Company's Own Telephone No.
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1st Responder Newspaper - PA
PA Fire Expo, 2025
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EMERGENCY AIRCRAFT I f y o u h a v e p h o to s y o u w o u ld like to see in o u r E m erg en cy A ircra ft featu re, p lea se u p lo ad th em on o u r w e b site w w w . 1s tR e sp o n d e rN e w s.c o m or em ail th em to L in d s e y @ ls tR e s p o n d e rN e w s .c o m .
HEMS PHOTOGRAPHY HBFC
Heavy Two-Alarm Fire in Sadsbury Twp. SADSBURY TWP., PA - On February 27th at 4:58 A.M., Sta tion 8 (KVFD) along with mutual aid were dispatched to the 4000 block of Church Road in West Sadsbury Twp. for a reported house fire. Initial information stated multiple explosions in the home with evacuation in progress. Chief 33, Rescue 33, and En gine 33-5 made the response with 14 personnel. First arriving units found a large 2.5-story dwelling with smoke showing from all sides. Upon further investigation. Deputy 8 relayed a report of heavy fire throughout divisions one and two on the (C) side of the structure, and the working fire dispatch was struck, which added Engine 33-1 to the incident. Floney Brook units arrived and established RIT on the (A) side of the structure, while Engine 33-1 assumed the water supply as signment on W. Lincoln Flighway. As the incident progressed. Chief 8 requested four personnel from Rescue 33 to detach from the RIT
Geisinger Life Flight 3 landing at the Larksville helipad for a Geisinger South transport to Philadelphia.
Rick Billings
Jump to fiie #04 03 2 5 1 0 5 *6
3 9
assignment and assume a suppres sion role on division two. This crew went to work via an (A) side window on division two and began opening up and extinguish ing fire. As the structural integrity of the dwelling deteriorated, the evacuation tones were sounded and command switched to a de fensive operation for the remain der of the incident. Master streams from ladder 8 and Ladder 41 were utilized to extinguish the remainder of the fire. 33 units would also assist with extensive overhaul and mop-up operations before the incident was ultimately placed under control. Floney Brook units operated for roughly three hours before clearing the scene; Deputy 8 held the Church Road Command.
- HBFC
c 2025 b y Rick B illings b e a r5 9 d o g@ yah o o.co m @ jam po ny4 5 2
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
M edia: Friend or Foe Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh
Television is great for getting information out to the public, to a point. It is great for letting us know about where the traffic is or what they think that the weather will be. We need to keep what we watch and how much into check. There are some news junkies or media junkies who have to watch media for what traumatic things happened all around the world that never effects their life. These peo ple may watch things so much that they think they are experts on the event. I have been at disasters where we had to set up shelters to take care of the people effected by the actual event. We did not permit any television in there because we needed to protect the people from what the media had speculated hap pened, responsibilities and more. The media puts out information, at times, without checking facts or waiting for people to do an official notification. We had a person who walked into a shelter and an nounced a child's death. The person only heard rumors around the scene. Were the family members ever notified? Did the public infor
mation officer ever have the chance to make the notification with the ap propriate resources standing by? No, this individual thought he was the news reporter. When I used to talk with new people, I would say that a good call would be where everyone comes home and nobody shows up on so cial media. Right now, almost every one can and do make themselves reporters. They film whatever they want. Some people say freedom of the press but they are not responsi ble. There are people who avoid HIPAA laws and common decency. It's bad enough that emergency re sponders have to see the horrors that are in the streets, that we accept it as just another day. Why do others think that it is alright to expose oth ers to the trauma that we have to see?
There are also emergency re sponders who are irresponsible that instead of working the scene, they are filming it and posting it on social media or giving the video to televi sion stations. They have not social responsibility. Many times these people do not know that they are also exposing their department and others open to lawsuits. I remember a fire instructor who was showing a video to other in structors a fire that he was at where five children died as a result. The in structor kept saying how good this fire was. I asked the instructor to shut it off and have some respect for the dead. He refused saying that it was a good fire. I asked if he had to work with the family as each child died. I told him that any fire that takes five innocent lives is not a "good fire". It took the senior fire in structor to tell him that if the chap lain asks you not to show it, have some respect.
PA Fire Expo, 2025
How many times did we have to watch the planes fly into the towers? How many people around the world were traumatized, when they did not know anyone in the buildings of have any connection to the areas? I know that others will think differ ently but they do not think about trauma effect innocent lives. When we went to fires and dis asters, we would not know every thing that was going on. We would just focus on our assignment because many times that was all the informa tion that we received, even if we were listening to the scanner. Some times we only found out what hap pened what happened and who responder, by reading the newspaper or the television the day after. When talking to people about what they see at certain incidents, I mention not to talk about it on scene. Not to talk about it in the apparatus. The place that it should be discussed is at the station with the shades
drawn down, doors shut and only people that you trust in the room. You never know who is catching what on video and what technology that they have. Each individual has a responsi bility of what they record, post and also put into their brain by watching it. There is so much trauma on tele vision and other media. We have to be good stewards of what we say and what we put into our brains. People say that they have free dom of speech or freedom of the press but that does not give you free dom of the consequences for the words that are spoken or made pub lic. You deserve not to be exposed to trauma that was not in your life. Take care of yourself. Stay safe, Didymus McHugh didymus-mchugh.com
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PA Fire Expo, 2025
DRILLS/TRAINING If you have photos you would like to see in our “Drills” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
HBFC
Apartment Fire in Caernarvon Twp. CAERNARVON TWP., PA On March 18th at 6:20 P.M., Sta tion 33 was due full company as sisting Lancaster Station 34 (Caernarvon Fire Company) for a reported dwelling fire on the 500 block of Twin County Road in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County. Engine 33-1, with a crew of six, arrived as the first due engine and reported nothing showing from a 2.5-story multi-family dwelling, stretched one line to the Bravo side door. The crew of E33-1 quickly located and knocked down a work ing fire in the kitchen of a firstfloor apartment, which had also extended into the hallway. This crew conducted a primary search of the main apartment and opened up, exposing some hidden fire in
Jump to file # 0 4 0 7 2 5 1 2 1
the hallway ceiling. Engine 33-5 arrived as the sec ond due engine, securing E33-l's water, stretched a second line to di vision two, and completed a pri mary search. Incoming units assisted with various other fireground tasks, allowing the incident to be placed under control in a timely fashion. Eloney Brook units cleared the scene in less than an hour; Lan caster Chief 34 held the command while Assistant 33 had the interior operations for the duration.
TEDHODGINS
On Monday, March 31st, Perkiomen Township volunteers reviewed knots and working with rescue rope. The teams also went over turnout gear, speed drills and SCBA bottles before being called out for a building fire in Skippack Township.
WORKING FACES If you have photos you would like to see in our “Working Faces” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
-HBFC
STILL IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our “Still in Service” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
PA BUFFING
Pringle Pioneer Vol. Fire Dept, in Luzerne County former 1985 Chevy brush truck, now owned by Shades Creek Vol. Fire Dept.
DAN CLERICO
Bethlehem Twp Rescue Captain Michael Fowler.
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
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