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KEN SNYDER SLATINGTON, PA - A fire on January 15th at 424 Second St. caused a one-and-a-half-story Cape Cod dwelling to be considered a total loss. A police patrol car radioed in this call around 12:30 A.M. as a working fire and companies were dispatched. - See full story on page 4
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KEN SNYDER
ALLENTOWN, PA - An old two-story large commercial auto business located at 411 Lehigh St. caught fire on December 10, 2024, at around 1:45 A.M. Incoming companies had heavy fire spreading on the roof and other areas of the building. The blaze went to three alarms, and due to its age and con struction, eventually became an exterior attack.Two car busi nesses were housed in the building, one for car repair and the other for car detailing. The building was built in 1893 and was originally erected as part of a carbarn for trolleys for the Lehigh Valley Traction Company. The night of the fire had heavy fog in the area.
CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Pennsylvania edition - Vol. 29 No. 4 - 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 of reprinting that part of the ad which was om itted or in error.
KEN SNYDER
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Accident w ith Confinement in Honey Brook Twp. HONEY BROOK TWP., PA - On February 21st at 3:30 P.M., as the Engine and Deputy made their way back into town from a previous call, the Chester County Fireboard advised Deputy 33 of an accident on the 1000 block of Twin County Road. Both units arrived to find two vehicles blocking, with one ALS patient confined. The engine crew went to work stabilizing the vehicle, provided patient care, and removed the passen ger side door, completing the extrication 10 minutes after ar rival. Rescue 33 arrived and assisted with hazards and traffic control. A total of three patients were transported to area hos pitals. Deputy 33 held the Twin County Road command.
Two Homes Damaged in Coplay Two-Alarm Fire COPLAY, PA - At 7:52 A.M. on December 14, 2024, Lehigh County 911 Center dispatched crews to a working two-anda-half-story house fire at 16 S. Front St. Chief 18 of North Catasauqua was in the area and had relayed that information to the com center. Upon his arrival, he was also aware that a fire in the rear of 16 S. Front St. had now extended to the rear of 18 S. Front St. and immediately requested a second-alarm. The exposure fire was able to be quelled but the fire in 16 S. Front St. was too far advanced. Crews had made interior at tacks, but as conditions worsened, they were alerted by radio and air horns to evacuate the premise. The fire opera tion lasted about two hours. All occupants were safe, with four adults and two children being left homeless.
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Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
Slatington Dwelling Heavily Damaged in Three-Alarmer SLATINGTON, PA - A fire on January 15th at 424 Second St. caused a one-and-a-half-story Cape Cod dwelling to be considered a total loss. A police patrol car radioed in this call around 12:30 A.M. as a working fire and companies were dispatched. Heavy fire was coming from the second-floor and also threatening a neighbor's home on exposure 2, requiring a second-alarm to be transmitted. Incoming companies also en countered some frozen hydrants and a third-alarm was requested. The temperature was about 15-de grees with occasional strong wind gusts. As conditions worsened, there was a partial roof collapse and the second-floor collapsed onto the first-floor, eliminating the need for an interior attack. Four occupants were taken to the hospital with minor to moder ate injuries. People of the two ex posure homes were allowed to return to their homes. The fire was under control in about 40 minutes.
- KEN SNYDER KEN SNYDER
KEN SNYDER
REGINA JELSKI
Garage Fire on Church Rd. in Limerick Twp. LIMERICK TWP., PA - At 8:49 P.M. on January 20th, the department was dispatched to a garage fire on Church Rd. in Limerick. The Limerick Fire Department responded, as did mutual aid companies from Royersford, Spring City, and East Coventry. Fire police also responded to tem porarily close streets for the duration of fire operations. Upon arrival, Assistant 51 reported smoke showing from the garage. Crews worked quickly in cold conditions to extinguish the fire before there could be significant damage or extension to the house. All were made available about two hours later. The fire is being investigated by the fire marshals.
Upper Macungie Twp. Dwelling Fire UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., PA - At around 10:30 P.M. on Feb ruary 25th, the UMTFD was summoned to 1110 Yorkshire Drive. On arrival, command had heavy white smoke coming from an attached garage. Incoming companies from Lehigh and Berks counties helped to quell the blaze.The occupants of the house were able to escape the fire unscathed, as most of the smoke seemed to come from the garage area. There were no reports of injuries.
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CORRESPONDENTS
Texas: Scott Glass, 43 Rank: Assistant Chief Incident Date: October 17, 2024 Death Date: October 20,2024 Fire Department: Perryton Fire and EMS Initial Summary: On Thursday, October 17, 2024, As sistant Chief Scott Glass responded to a residential fire. As members were setting up a water supply a vehicle ran over the hose popping a coupling, causing 3 fire fighters to fall to the ground. Assistant Chief Glass sus tained serious head injuries and was airlifted to Northwest Texas Healthcare System in Amarillo. He passed away on Sunday, October 20,2024.
Jim Alercia • Jason Batz • Dale Feehrer • Ted Hodgins • Alan Hoffman • Roman Isaryk • Ron Jeffers • Regina Jelsfc. • William King • JC Kriesher • Chuck Lowe • John Malecky • Eric Rasmussen • Lucas Richardson • Terry Ritz • Frank Robinson • Don Filippo Scicchitano • Shane Shifflett • Sharon Siegel • Darin Smith • Ken Snyder • Eugene Weber Jr.
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Connecticut: Robert "Sharky" Sharkevich, Sr., 66 Rank: Engineer Incident Date: October 22, 2024 Death Date: October 22,2024 Fire Department: Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Engi neer Robert "Sharky” Sharkevich, Sr., was battling a brush fire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, CT, when the Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) he was operating rolled over a steep, rocky incline. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three other firefighters were taken to local hospitals with non life-threatening in juries. California: Garret Miller, 44 Rank: Fire Captain Incident Date: October 8, 2024 Death Date: October 21,2024 Fire Department: Barstow Fire Protection District Initial Summary: On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Fire Captain Garret Miller was on duty at Fire Station 366 when he suffered a medical emergency. He was immedi ately transported to the hospital where he remained for two weeks until his passing from a cardiovascular event.
Texas: Marcelo Garcia, III, 42 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 6, 2024 Death Date: November 6,2024 Fire Department: Houston Fire Department Initial Summary: On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, firefighters were at the scene o f a commercial struc ture fire. At approximately 11:05 p.m. a mayday was transmitted for a wall collapse. Firefighter Marcelo Garcia and another firefighter were immediately res cued and transported to the Memorial HermannTexas Medical Center. Firefighter Garcia passed away from the injuries he sustained in the collapse. The other firefighter has since been released. Pennsylvania: John Walsh, 60 Rank: Battalion Chief Incident Date: November 20,2024 Death Date: November 20, 2024 Fire Department: Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Initial Summary: On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Battalion Chief John Walsh was in command of a house fire when he collapsed. He was immediately transported to the hospital where he passed away. The cause of his death has yet to be determined. Pennsylvania: Stephen Michael Pavetti, 58 Rank: 3rd Assistant Chief Incident Date: November 20,2024 Death Date: November 21, 2024 Fire Department: Kiski Township Fire Department #1 Initial Summary: On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, starting at 5:33 pm., Assistant Chief Stephen Michael Pavetti responded to multiple calls for trees and wires down, with the last call at 8:03 p.m. After the calls were completed, Assistant Chief Pavetti and others from the department returned to the station, cleaned the appara tus, and put it back in service. They then had dinner to gether at the station. At approximately 3:30 p.m. the next day, Thursday, November 21,2024, Assistant Chief Pavetti was found unresponsive at his home where he was pronounced deceased from a cardiac event.
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
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Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
Third-Alarm Arson Fire Affects 7 Allentown Homes ALLENTOWN, PA - On De cember 26, 2024 at around 4:30 P.M., the AFD was dispatched to a dwelling fire at 721 Cedar St. En gine 6 was first due and reported a working fire at that location. A warning had been previously is sued by the APD to use caution at this address, as they had just dealt with a domestic distur bance. A female occupant had been assaulted and nearly stabbed by a 60-year-old male perpetrator, who also lived at this address. Lie then set fire to the rear kitchen as police were arriving. Lie was quickly apprehended and the fe male was cared for. The fire quickly spread and cries for help were heard coming from another female who was trapped in the basement. The AFD was notified and the woman was able to be rescued via a small rear basement window. She suf fered from burns and smoke in halation. The three-story dwelling fire would eventually affect six other dwellings, with a secondalarm being sounded at 4:35 P.M., and a third-alarm at 4:49 PM. During the early part of the fire, there was a problem with the power company being a delayed response to the fire scene. In the rear of a dwelling there was a wire arcing when water hit it. The power was eventually shut down so that a more agressive fire op eration could continue. The weather was cold and icing oc curred in some spots. The fire was under control around 7:00 P.M., with remaining units leav ing the scene around 10:25 PM. Taken to the hospital were one resident in critical condition, two other residents, plus four firefighters with minor injuries. Thirty people were displaced by the fire, some of which were shel tered on scene by a LANTA bus. Also on scene assisting AFD were units from Whitehall and S. Whitehall fire departments. The 60-year-old male perpe trator was charged with: at tempted homicide, aggravated assault, arson, causing a catastro phe and recklessly endangering another person.
KEN SNYDER
Cedar St. firegrounds.
- KEN SNYDER
KEN SNYDER
Rear of firegrounds on Kurtz St.
Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
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APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our w ebsite w ww .lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
Greenawalds E-11 & Neffs TA16 in service at a third-alarm dwelling fire in Upper Macungie Twp., 11/6/24.
KEN SNYDER
Rear of 117 Pine St.
KEN SNYDER
Two-Alarm Blaze Hits Catasauqua CATASAUQUA, PA - On the evening of February 25th at around 8:22 P.M., the Lehigh County 911 Center dispatched stations 2 and 18, along with the Northampton Re gional ambulance to a dwelling fire located at the rear of 124 Bridge St. Chief 2 responded to the scene and found a working fire in an ex terior one-story garage to the rear of 117 Pine St. At the front of this lo cation (115-117 Pine St) was a two-
JUMPTO FILE #031225107 m
3l
story building with businesses in the first-floor and occupied apart ments on the second-floor. An early report suggested that people might be trapped. With an external working garage fire threatening internal ex posures in the rear, C-2 requested a
second-alarm assignment along with an additional truck and a res cue. Companies forced entry into the large remaining part of the rear one-story building and found little extension. The bulk of the fire had been in the exterior garage and was extin guished with hand lines. Searches proved negative.
- KEN SNYDER
KEN SNYDER
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HRFC
Outbuilding Fire in Highland Township HIGHLAND TWP., PA - On February 19th at 2:20 P.M., Station 33 was due for the RIT assignment assisting Company 8 for a reported outbuilding fire in Highland Township. Rescue 33 responded with eight personnel, followed by Engine 33-5 with six additional personnel to supplement the assignment. First arriving units found a 30'x30' single-story, pole barn fully involved and began suppression efforts. The assignment was quickly scaled back as Ladder 8, E27-2, and Lancaster E52-1 made quick work of the incident. Command returned Rescue 33, as the RIT assignment was no longer necessary, but requested E33-5 to continue to the scene. Engine 33-5 supplied initial units during mop-up efforts and assisted with overhaul before clearing the scene.
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Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
ALAN HOFFMAN
Multiple Companies Respond to Dwelling Fire in Upper Hanover Ttop. UPPER HANOVER TWP., PA - On March 7th at 9:17 A.M., the Red Hill, Pennsburg, East Greenville, Green Lane, Tylersport and Trumbauersville, Eastern Berks and Richland Township for RIT fire companies were dispatched for a dwelling fire at 2588 Geryville Pike in Upper Hanover Township. Rescue 65 arrived on scene to a working porch fire in the rear, spreading to the interior of the dwelling. Hand lines were deployed for fire attack and a primary search was done and ventilation was performed. Upper Salford Fire Company was dispatched to set up a fill site on 6th St. in Red Hill and additional tankers were dispatched from Milford Township, and Hereford Fire Companies. The cause of the fire is pending an investigation by the fire marshal.
KEN SNYDER
Fireground scene showing the iconic Dixie Cup on the roof not effected by the fire.
Fire Strikes Abandoned Dixie Cup Factory WILSON BOROUGH, PA On March 14th at around 6:42 A.M., the Northampton County 911 Center dispatched units to a fire at the old abandoned Dixie Cup factory at S.24th St and Washing ton Blvd. This four-story building stretched approximately 267-feet from end to end, and was last in production 40-years ago. The building was more than 100-yearsold, and had an area of 630,000-
JUMPTO FILE #031925105
*6 3^ sq.-ft. Since there was no heat or elec tricity in the building at the time of the fire,Wilson Borough Fire Chief Joe Sipel has ruled this fire as sus picious, The fire was situated on the fourth-floor, running about two thirds of the building on the roof line. Due to the size and character
istics of the fire building with its unknown potential, the blaze quickly escalated to a third-alarm. Fortunately, crews were able to get the main body of fire under control in about 30 minutes, but hot spots plagued firefighters for sev eral hours. Approximately some 12 departments responded to the scene, and there were no reported injuries.
- KEN SNYDER
PATCH OF THE MONTH I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Patch o f the m onth “feature please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Em ergency M edical Services” feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
PA BUFFING
This brand new patch design belongs to the Swoyersville 379 Maltby Vol. Fire Dept, of Luzerne County in Pennsylvania as they celebrate 110-years of service.
ALAN HOFFMAN
This Chevy tahoe serves as an EMS Management vehicle with St. Lukes Hospital.
Spring, 2025
1STResponder Newspaper - PA
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Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
REGINA JELSKI
Backyard Fire Extinguished in Limerick LIMERICK, PA - At 4:20 P.M. on March 12th, the Limerick Fire Department was dispatched for a fire in a backyard on Linfield-Trappe Rd. Assitant 51, Chief 51, Field 51-1, Field 51-2, Squad 51, Tanker 51, and Fire Police responded. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire, which had spread in the grass prior to arrival. They turned over logs and hit hotspots in the area before cleaning up their gear, tools, and hoses. While at the fire, the department was also dispatched to an automatic fire alarm on Enterprise Dr. Chief 51 and Rescue 51 responded. Crews were made available about an hour later.
HBFC
Early-Morning House Fire in East Brandywine EAST BRANDYWINE, PA OnFebruary 25that3:40A.M ., Sta tion 49 (EBFC) was alerted to the 500 block of Rock Raymond Road for a reported chimney fire. Battalion 49 arrived to find fire through the roof of a single-story rancher, and requested the working fire upgrade along with the tanker task force. Station 33 (HBFC) was now due on the box alarm as the
Jump to file #032425103
RIT company. Rescue 33 arrived and estab lished RIT on the Alpha side, and assisted with laddering the structure. Engine 33-5 arrived and got in line to pump-off while its crew supple mented the RIT assignment. Due to
the quick work by the first arriving units, the RIT assignment was stood down a short time later and the in cident was placed under control. Honey Brook units assisted with salvage, overhaul, and mop-up operations before clearing the scene. Battalion 49 held the East Brandy wine Command.
- HBFC
EMERGENCY AIRCRAFT If y o u have photos you w ould like to see in our “Em ergency A ircraft” feature, please upload them on o u r w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
Brush Fire Erupts on Railroad Property in Lim erick LIMERICK, PA - At 12:16 P.M. on March 7th, the Limerick Fire Department was dispatched for a report of a brush fire next to the railroad tracks in the area of the Limerick Generating Station. Chief 51, Deputy 51, Field 51-1, Field 51-2, Tanker 51, Utility 51, and Fire Police responded. Crews used equipment from the field trucks to extinguish the fire, cut down a few trees, and overhaul the brush and debris to prevent further fire spread and reignition. After soaking the area thoroughly, the crews gathered all tools and equipment and were made available a little over an hour later.
HEMS PHOTOGRAPHY
Lehigh Valley Medeavc 4 taking off from a landing zone in Butler Township in Luzerne County for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.
Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
Why do you do it? Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh
So why is it that you do what you do? Years ago, I asked my father why he joined the fire service. My father was working two full time jobs and made time for the fire service. He told me that he needed to do something to get him away from his wife. I would later think of why I joined the fire service and realized that for me, it was a way to get to know my fa ther. Yes, later I joined EMS so that I could help people who may have been getting closer to their end of life. I have heard people who said that emergency responders joined so that they could get in the newspaper. I will admit that some emergency respon ders find a way to be in the headlines or trying to control organizations, be cause they want to be in control or their personality had to be fed at all time. I learned, from my uncles who raised me, I was a firefighter to help people. I was not into it to be in the paper or for any glory. I did the work and that was it. I have seen many who wanted to be paid for their fire service but the people that I respect were the unpaid professionals, who shared their expe rience and knowledge. I know and have met many people that shared their knowledge for free. One of the things that stand out in my memories was when I was taking my Haz-Mat Technician course. We had a student sitting taking the course and they had a nuclear physicist teaching the chem istry part of the course. The physicist went teaching the course but he was incorrect on his information.A gentle man in the class kept correcting the in structor. You could see that the instructor did not like that he was cor rected. He looked at the person cor recting him and said "if you think you know more than I know, you get up here and you teach the class." When the man came up to the front, the in structor asked him who he thinks he was. The gentleman politely intro duced himself as having a doctorate in chemistry and he was able to rattle of chemical facts like me reciting the al phabet. Did he join Haz-Mat to prove himself to an instructor? No, he found a place where he can use his expertise to help others.
I have noticed emergency respon ders who are in emergency services for the rank. They tell you that you need to respect them because they have the horns, but they have no right to even talk with people because they have no subject matter knowledge or how to deal with any person. People go through some experi ences that make them humble. I know a person who survived a backdraft and now he teaches the fire service and stresses safety and the difference that fire gear can make. People do work many times for free because they want to help people just for the sake of assisting people. As I was working with disasters and supervising people, I came across people who decided to bring a scrap book with them to show how important they were. These people were sent home because it was obvious that they did not have the heart to help people but to build their resume. There are many people who are in emergency services to build their re sumes also but the people who are re ally respected are those who give from their hearts. One of the people that I re spect and that is respected by so many people gives from himself and shares his knowledge. The one thing that gets me is when someone is asked to speak. They may say that they don't really know that much about the subject matter but they are really the subject matter expert. I al ways find it amazing that the people that have humility may really be the smartest person in the room. I love the story that a friend con veyed to me. He was at a party with his cousin, a beautiful woman that could pass for a model. A gentleman was ex pressing a challenge that he was having with a particular Apple product. The woman expressed that she may be able to assist and the man dismissed her as just a pretty dumb woman. Do you think that he was surprised when he found out that she was in charge of the think tank for Apple? So doing a reality check, why do you do what you do? Is it to be a servant or do you do it so that others will serve you? You can still serve others and enjoy yourself. I think we know a person that was here to serve His fellow man to the point of the supreme sacrifice. If you don't know Him and want to, I can help with the introduction.
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1st Responder Newspaper - PA
TERRY RITZ
Commercial Building Fire in Upper Hanover Twp. UPPER HANOVER TWP., PA - On Monday, February 17th, East Greenville Fire Company, along with several fire companies from the valley, were dispatched to a commercial building fire on Gravel Pike in the village of Palm. Upon arrival, they had flames and smoke showing from the rear of the upper part of building. The quick response from the fire companies had the fire under control within 15 to 20 minutes. Overhaul and ven tilation followed. The cause of the fire is pending the outcome of the investigation. Assisting East Greenville were fire com panies from Pennsburg, Red Hill,Milford Twp.,Trumbauersville, Hereford, Upper Milford Twp.,and Eastern Berks.
KEN SNYDER
New Fire Museum Previewed in Norristown NORRISTOWN, PA - On Feb ruary 2nd, the members of the Union Historical Fire Society were invited to have their winter "2025" meeting in the recently refur bished, "Battalion Chief John Magrann Fire Museum". This museum is located at DeKalb and Chestnut Sts. in an old two-story, two-bay fire station that was originally used by the town's Norris Hose Co. The museum's name pays homage to a Philadel-
JUMPTO FILE #021825111
phia FD Third Battalion Chief who succumbed to a LODD at an ex plosion back in 1954. The museum is still undergo ing work as new exhibits are ac quired. A grand opening will occur sometime in Spring. The members were enthused about their visit and personally thanked the curator.
Ryan TreDenick, for his hospital ity. One of the rigs on display is a 1925 Type 31 American LaFrance 65' tillered ladder truck. Some of the Lehigh Valley members were aware of this kind of rig as the Hi bernia No. 6 in Allentown, also had a similar 1920 type 31 75' tillered ladder truck.
- KEN SNYDER
DRIIIS/TRAINING To see yo u r D rills in the new spaper upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com
KEN SNYDER
Bethlehem Blaze Injures Two Firefighters BETHLEHEM, PA - Around 8:05 A.M. on December 9, 2024, the BFD was dispatched to 38 W. North St. for a dwelling fire. Incoming companies were aware of a possible working fire as they could see a header as they were responding. On arrival, they encountered heavy fire conditions on the upper floors. Strong cold winds played havoc with fire operations, which then spread the fire to the adjoining residence at 40 W North St. A neighboring dwelling also experienced some exterior fire damage. The blaze went to three alarms and was under control in about three hours. All occupants were accounted for. One firefighter fell in a porch accident and another firefighter received minor burns. Both were treated at the hospital and released.
REGINA JELSKI
On Monday night, March 10th, Limerick crews focused on basic firefighting tasks typically performed during the first 20 minutes of a fire. The training featured a timed evolution with various physically demanding tasks, including deploying charged hose lines, dragging five-inch supply lines, forcible entry, carrying ladders, and hauling tools. The goal was to emphasize the intense anabolic energy expended in a short period.
Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
PAGE 15
F ifteen Residents Displaced by Third-A larm Fire in A llentow n ALLENTOWN, PA - On the night of February 18th at 1:32 A.M., the AFD was summoned to a report of several homes on fire with possi ble explosions going off in the vicin ity of Third and Com! Sts. On arrival, com panies found an out side fire in an open parking lot between (two) three-story homes at 25 N. Third St. and 29 N. Third St. In this lot were enough flammable materials, like a vehi cle, propane tanks, and other debris, to cause the fire to vertically extend about some 20-feet high, exposing both exposure walls and charring the siding. As Hie blaze area looked more doubtful, command eventually re quested two more alarms. The tem perature was in the upper teens, and the fire took about 90-minutes to control. One person, two firefighters and two paramedics were taken to the hospital to get checked out and then released. Three homes were dam aged by Hie fire and several others re ceived smoke and water damage. The Red Cross took care of the peo ple displaced by the fire.
- KEN SNYDER
KEN SNYDER
Firefighters wet down an exposure wall.
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FITCHBURG, MA (WORCESTER) *1ST ALARM* 461 WIL LIAMS RD. STOVE TOP FIRE THAT HAS EXTENDED TO A WALL IN A 1.5 STY WFM DWG. MA346*MA72 07/10/16 06:41 PM CORTEZ, FL (MANATEE) *PED STRUCK* 10203 CORTEZ RD W. AUTO VS PED IN FROM OF WMFR STA 2 - CMD ADV TRAUMA ALERT. FL2 07/10/16 08:04 PM BROOKLYN, NY (NYC) *SHOOTING* CLASSON AV X LEFFERTS PL. ACTIVE CRIME SCN FOR 1 SHOT IN SERIOUS COND NY 108 07/10/16 01:56 AM
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Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
IN SERVICE
I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our W here are they N ow ? feature please upload them on o u r w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
HESEEVIUI
FRANK ROBINSON
Hegins Valley Fire Rescue operates a 2007 Pierce Dash 500/300 Heavy Rescue. The unit saw service with the Plymouth FC in PA.
FRANK ROBINSON
Polk Township, Kresgeville Fire Company operates a 2000 Pierce Saber Rescue.
DALE FEEHRER
The Laurel Fire Company #1 has placed this 2006 Pierce Dash pumper-tanker (1500/3000) into service as Tanker 37. This piece is now serving on it's 3rd tour in Pennsylvania after previously serv ing the Twin Valley FD, and Allegheny Township FD.
ALAN HOFFMAN
Tanker 35 of the Lyons Fire Company is a 1990 WhiteXGMC 750\2500.
The Longwood Fire Company operates this 2004 Seagrave Marauder 100' rear-mount as Ladder 25. This piece formally served in Chris tiana, Delaware.
KEN SNYDER
The Springville VFC in Susquehanna County uses this 2023 Sutphen 1500/1000 as E -1.
1ST Responder Newspaper - PA
Spring, 2025
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Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
DRILLS/TRAINING If you have photos you w ould like to see in our D rills feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
Fire Alarms IAN fire departments have what is commonly referred to as “smells and bells” calls. The term refers to basic calls that may involve frequent flyers such as local restaurants. Firefighters may also use the term “routine” although arguably no call is rou tine; complacency being the subject for another day. What ever these basic calls mean to your district one thing is certain and that is these calls will typi cally involve a fire alarm as the initiating device and the reason for boarding an apparatus. Therefore, firefighters must have at least a rudimentary under standing of fire alarms and fire alarm systems. As with most re quired fire service knowledge and skills, instructors must first start with the basics and build up on how to apply that informa tion. NFPA 72 and 25 govern fire alarm systems while 110 and 111 oversee the power supply. To start each fire alarm system has to have a fire alarm control unit (FACU). This would be the brain of the system that moni tors, controls and responds to disruptions. Obviously, the FACU is generally operating nor mally but there are three other conditions that can occur. The first is “alarm” which is an im mediate threat to life, property and assignment. An alarm con dition may be the result of a heat/smoke detector or a drop in water pressure. The second is a “trouble” condition which is in reference to an issue with the FACU itself as opposed to smoke condition such as a break in the circuitry. The last is a “ supervisory” condition which indicates an issue with the sys tem and/or any component parts. Supervisory mode can in clude other systems such as kitchen suppression or fire pumps because a FACU may control more than just fire alarms. An example of supervi sory is when a FACU responds to a valve being stuck shut. When a FACU has supervisory functionality, it may need to be temporarily shutdown in order to conduct any system testing. For example, weekly testing of a fire pump in accordance with NFPA 25 would require taking the FACU out of service while that
test is being conducted. Also, most alarm systems have a test mode that allows it to function while testing or even construc tion is taking place. In the case of the latter, it is always wise to let an emergency dispatcher know the situation prior to noti fying firefighters. A fire alarm starts with initiation of device or circuit that signals the FACU into trouble or super visory mode. There are multiple types of initiating devices such as fire, smoke, carbon monox ide, heat detectors (including rate of rise heat detectors), pres sure devices and water flow de vices. Also included are any manual devices such as a pull station. In a conventional sys tem any of these devices will short circuit so that no other de vice in that “zone” can be acti vated thus leading firefighters to a general area. On the other hand, an addressable system sends a binary code (either a 0 or 1) that results in identifying a specific device. This is an important aspect be cause when firefighters arrive at a location they want to quickly identify where a problem may be. Although it depends on the SOPs of the department fire fighters should always advise residents or commercial man agers to NOT reset an alarm sys tem for this reason i.e. because it makes identifying an issue all that more cumbersome. Fire fighters would rather search a specific zone or floor as op posed to an entire building. Moving on to how alarm sys tems are powered? Obviously, there has to be not only a reli able primary source but also a reliable backup - we are talking about emergency situations after all. Typically, the primary power source is the local utility while backup sources are often an engine driven generator or acid/lead battery. Back up sources have to provide enough power for anywhere from 5-15 minutes in alarm and a full 24 hours in standby. This goes for not only the system as a whole but some components as well. Emergency lights for example generally have a button that when pressed indicate the bat tery backup is operating suffi
fore possible to be a proprietary and central depending on the functionality of the monitoring system.
ciently. Once a fire alarm signal is sent to the FACU how are occupants notified that the alarm is acti vated? That can be either by sound, voice or a visual cue. Vi sually, flashing lights are the most common but jurisdictional building codes (usually at the state level) determine the num ber, placement and type of noti fication device. Relative to sounds the volume level must be 15 decibels above average ambi ent sound and 5 decibels above the maximum sound. It is a good idea for firefighters and safety personnel to test fire alarms to make sure all occupants can hear/see the notification devices. One last note on notifiers is the type of sound. Temporal 3 is a three-tone sound (heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=TfN5mpLdmys) that indi cates evacuation is necessary whereas temporal 4 (heard here:https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=BziW_vCC-aA ) is a four-tone sound that indicates carbon monoxide. The last part of alarm systems discussed here would be the monitoring of any FACU. NFPA 1221 standardizes the installa tion, maintenance and use of emergency services communi cations systems. In short this is all about who is monitoring any issues with the alarm system. This may be a public emergency system which is usually a munic ipality such as a police or fire station or even a private com pany. In both cases the on-site FACU acts as a transmitter that sends a signal that ends at the monitoring station which may be on site or operated remotely. In most cases both of these have 24-hour coverage which is obvi ously advantageous since the proper assistance can be dis patched to a given location. To add to the definition of a mon itoring station the term “propri etary” means it is owned by the same entity as the alarm prop erty. College campuses are an example of this since most have a public safety building that is part of the campus property and staffed 24/7 to respond to any calls. Lastly, a central service station provides not only moni toring but also record keeping and periodic testing. It is there
Instructors must not only em phasize some of the alarm basics in accordance with the NFPA standards but also impress upon firefighters to familiarize them selves with their departments SOPs to make sure when arriv ing at a location due to an alarm drop that they can properly eval uate an alarm issue and put in place a solution. Here are some basic steps upon arrival: 1) Contact the property manager/owner and ask about when the alarm went off and if there is any construction or other activi ties that may cause an alarm to trip.
2) Find the FACU to silence and subsequently the zone and/or device in question. 3) Either reset the alarm or ad vise the property manager/owner to contact the alarm company used to reset the alarm. One last note would be that fire fighters would need to know enough about alarm systems to be able to identify a potentially dangerous situation presently and in the future. Although typi cally it is not in the prevue and training for firefighters to sanc tion a home or business owner it is their responsibility to call a municipal fire code compliance officer with reasonable suspi cions of a violation. - JOSEPH CEA
JOSEPH CEA
Fire alarm control panel (facu)
Typical manual pull station
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
Spring, 2025
PAGE 19
Vehicle News
ADAM ALBERTI
DALE FEEHRER
Hazle Township Volunteer Fire and Rescue in Luzerne County acquired this 2017 The Hellam Fire Company in York County, PA has placed this 2023 Ford F-550/Marco Pierce Enforcer Ascedant 107' quint. It has a 1500-GPM pump and 500-GWT. It orig- 4x4 (750/370) into service as Brush 21. inally served the Swatara Fire Department in Dauphin County.
FRANK ROBINSON
DALE FEEHRER
Allen Township Fire Company operates a 2023 Pierce Enforcer 1500/1000/30/65' The Maytown-East Donegal Twp. FD has taken delivery of their 2024 Pierce Enforcer Snozzle. non-walk in rescue (300/300/Amkus). This piece will serve as Lancaster County Res cue 79-1.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY FIRE BUFFS DALE FEEHRER Lititz Fire Department recently took delivery of this 2024 E-One Typhoon HR100 sin gle axle rear-mount ladder. Truck 25 is a 'true truck", therefore it has no pump or The Plainfield Township Fire Company now operates this 2024 Sutphen Monarch, tank. This ladder replaced a 2005 American LaFrance Eagle 100' mid-mount platform SPH 100 aerial (2000/300/100') as Tower-Ladder 3621. with a pump and tank.
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Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
When the Smoke Cleared: A M urder M ystery in Malden ON THE BOOK SHELF by John Malecky
When the Smoke Cleared: A Murder Mystery in Malden By Bill Powers Available from: FSP Books & Videos 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, MAO 1749 1-800-522-8528
Get your personal copy of
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Email: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $15.99 This is a soft covered book measuring six inches by nine inches, with 394 pages. It is a true crime story told by the author, who at the time it occurred (July, 2000), was the Commanding Officer of the Massachusetts State Police De tective Unit. It is the story of an arson fire which took place in a community room of a condo com plex in Malden, MA. The fire was set to hide a murder of a teenage girl who was lured into that room. In an effort to detract from the crime, her body was kidnapped to another state where she was buried in a shallow grave after being de capitated. Most of the book ad dresses the crime scene, the investigation, the finding of the re mains, arrest and custody of the al leged murderer and the detailed case of prosecution. Most of the book takes the reader through the relentless quest to build the case beyond a reasonable doubt to con vict the defendant. I must impress upon the reader that this book is an education about what it takes to plan, research and collect evidence to convince a jury to vote guilty. The prosecutor worked relent lessly to build this case with a host of witnesses to say the least. There are eight black and white photos supplied by the family of the girl and her siblings. If you are inter ested in law and order, you will want to read this book. It is a story which brought her family together to a loving ending. The author has such an extensive bio that space would not permit all of it to be in cluded here.
0
KENSNY ER
A llentow n Second-Alarm Apartm ent Fire ALLENTOWN, PA - The AFD responded to a working EOR apartment fire at 1224 W. Chew St. on January 5th slightly before 10:00 A.M. Initially, there was a report that five people were trapped, but everyone made it out okay. The second-alarm fire was centered on the third-floor with the T-2 crew venting the roof. Companies were able to get a good knock on the fire.
Bob Long
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1ST Responder Newspaper - PA
Spring, 2025
PAGE 21
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Exhibitor Fees & Additional Requests Aerial Space 15x50 Vehicle Space 15x35 Booth Space 10x10 (2 or more $855 each) Increased Voltage Electric (208V/30AMP) Additional One Day Exhibitor Pass (for exhibitor personnel only) Additional One Day Vehicle Parking Pass One Day General Admission Pass (pre-sale up to 5/15 @ 5pm) One Day General Admission Pass (after 5pm on 5/15 & at the door)
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Spring, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
Vehicle News
RAINMAN14
RAINMAN14
Williamsport Bureau of Fire Recently placed into service their new Tower 1. Tower Williamsport Bureau of Fire Engine 2-1 was recently placed in service. Engine 2-1 is 1 is a 2024 Pierce Velocity 100’ Ascendant mid-mount with 2000-GPM pump and a 2024 Pierce Velocity with 1500-GPM pump and 750-GWT. 300-GWT.
1st Responder Newspaper - PA
Spring, 2025
PAGE 23
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Spring, 2025
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1st Responder Newspaper - PA
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