For this week’s training night, the RTFC Volunteers hosted a Water Rescue Awareness training taught by an instructor from the PA Fish and Boat Commission. The program addressed the common hazards associated with water rescue emergencies and best practices to maintain scene/rescuer safety and control. The course also covered water dynamics, fast-moving water conditions and terminology, the effects of weather exposure, and proper personal protective equipment, including PFD (Personal Floatation Devices).

The class finished up with a short multiple choice test and everyone who attended will receive a certificate meeting the NFPA 1670 Awareness Level Guidelines.

Many thanks to the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center and the Delaware County Firemen’s Association for sponsoring this course.

Today Chief 739 and Quint 73 assisted Company 23 (Media) on a building fire in the unit block of State Rd.

Quint 73's crew went in service with a 1 3/4" handline for a fire in a commercial laundry dryer.

The fire was extinguished, and the building ventilated.

Other companies on scene to Assist Co. 23 included Ladder 41 (Newtown Square), Tower 44 (Springfield), Engine 51 (South Media), Upper Providence Car 1 (Fire Marshal Mancill).

Three members recently received certificates for completion of fire training programs:

Paul Radosh - Aerial Apparatus Operations

Dave Miller - Aerial Apparatus Operations

Tom (TAP) Pleatman - Philadelphia Electric (PECO) Gas and Electric School

On Friday April 26, 2013 the company was dispatched to US Rt. 1 Southbound at State Rd. for a Brush fire. Chief 739, Engine 73, Rescue 73 and Quint 73 responded. Two handlines were put in service and the fire was extinguished.

On Tuesday evening, the Rose Tree firefighters trained on master stream operations at Rose Tree Park.

Quint 73 set up and pumped two master stream hose lines: the deck gun and 2 ½ inch “Blitz Fire” attack nozzle. Engine 73 supplied water from the hydrant to the Quint. Crews rotated through the set up and procedures for each operation.
 
Note: The “Blitz Fire” is a portable oscillating nozzle/monitor that can flow up to 500 gallons per minute (gpm). The deck gun flows approximately 750 gpm. These master streams are used when large amounts of water are required and in most cases this changes the fire attack from offensive to defensive.

At 12:24 the company was dispatched to US Route 1 Bypass for a motor vehicle accident with possible entrapment. Rescue 73 made the response and found a single vehicle over the guardrail and on its side. The single occupant was assisted out of the vehicle and suffered minor injuries.

On April 13, 2013 Chief 739, Quint 73 (Rose Tree) and Engine 56 (Bon Air) covered Station 44 (Springfield) while their company was on a multiple alarm fire in Darby Twp. During the cover, we responded to a residential automatic fire alarm.

At 11:03 the company was dispatched to the 800 block of Springfield Rd. to assist Company 53 (Broomall) on a building fire. Quint 73 and Chief 73-9 made the response. The assignment was recalled while enroute.

At 12:30 the company was dispatched to N. Providence Rd. and Springton Lake Rd. for a motor vehicle accident involving a Fed Ex delivery truck that struck a tree. Chief 73-9 and Rescue 73 made the response along with Ambulance 23-7 (Media). Engine 73 also responded but they were recalled. There was one injury. The Rescue crew secured the battery and stood by as the vehicle was righted.

At 15:37, the company was dispatched to the area of N. Ridley Creek Rd. and Steeplechase Rd. along with Medic 104-7D (Riddle Memorial Hospital) for an MVA. Chief 739 made the response along wth Rescue 73 and Engine 73. Upon arrival we had a head on collision with two vehicles. One patient was confined and the assignment was upgraded to an MVA with entrapment. Medic 104-7 was also dispatched for a second patient. Rescue 73 stablized the vehicles and used a hydraulic speader to remove the front passenger door so medics could safely remove the patient. Hazard control was performed by Rescue 73 and Engine 73 crews. Both patients were transported to area hospitals. 

At 20:55, the company was dispatched to the 2900 block of Monterey Ct., Marple Twp. to assist Company 53 (Broomall) on a dwelling fire. Chief 739, Quint 73, Engine 73 and Rescue 73 made the response.  Our units were recalled while enroute to the call.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Easter Flower Fundraiser! We hope you had a safe and happy holiday.

On Tuesday evening, crews practiced pulling the 2½ inch pre-connected hoseline while drivers-in-training reviewed the pump operations of the trucks. It is important that firefighters practice the basics to be sure when there is a real event, the firefighting team executes quickly, safely and effectively.

A sure sign that spring is just around the corner.

Spring Ahead! At 2:00 AM this Sunday, March 10, 2013 Daylight Savings Time begins. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour. This is also a great reminder to go through your home and change the batteries in all your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Please remember, once you change the batteries, TEST the detectors to be sure they are working. Note: If your detector is 10 years olr or older, it should be replaced.

Smoke alarms save lives! To learn about how smoke alarms work and why they are so important, follow this link to the United States Fire Administration: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/alarms/index.shtm

Members spent the evening cleaning up apparatus, hose and equipment after a structure fire last night.

At 21:26 the structure fire assignment was dispatched for the 1700 block of N. Ridley Creek Rd. for a building fire. The initial dispatch reported numerous calls reporting the fire. The First Alarm assignment included Co. 73 (Rose Tree), Co. 23 (Media), Truck 46 (Rocky Run), RIT 41 (Newtown Square) and Medic 23 (Riddle Hospital). Upper Providence Police arrived and reported a buildng fully involved. Chief 73-9 (Brown) arrived and reported a large single family dwelling with heavy fire Division 1. The Chief established Ridley Creek Command. Command confirmed with the police that no occupants were in the building.

Quint 73 was directed to lay a 5" supply line up the driveway and to lead off with a 2 1/2" Blitz Line. 73-9A (Trevelino) was assigned the Operations Chief. Squrt 23 picked up the split lay and laid about 500' of 5"supply line to a hydrant north of the fire building on N. Ridley Creek Rd.

Ladder 41 was positioned in front of the building. Their crew went to work assisting Quint 73. Rescue 41 took RIT duties.

Due to the heavy volume of fire and extension throughout the building, along with a determination of probable light weight construction, a defensive mode of attack was used.

Truck and Engine 46 arrived and manpower assisted Quint 73 with pulling multiple handlines.

Engine 73 laid 1200' of 5" supply line to supply Ladder 41. Engine 23-2 pumped the hydrant.

All Hands were working. A Second Alarm was struck which brought Engine Company 51 (South Media), Tower 44 (Springfield), Rescue 52 (Brookhaven) and Medic 104-7D (Riddle Hospital). Engine, Tower and Ambulance 14 (Swarthmore) as well as Rescue 71 (Chester Heights) covered Co. 73 and 23 locals from Station 73.

Canteen 47 (Chester Township) was special called for food and drink for rehab.

Operations throughout the evening remained in a defensive mode. There were two interior collapses during the height of the fire. No occupants or fire department personnel were injured.

The Upper Providence Twp. Fire Marshal is investigating.

Links to Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg-3UFNkB00&feature=player_embedded
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts_NjUBARoU&list=UUI3k0-NMU4nW-qbqc_iVuUA&feature=player_embedded
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qm1rD5XONdQ
 

At 13:07 Rescue 73 (Rose Tree), Ambulance 23 (Media) and Medic 23 (Riddle Hospital) were dispatched to US Rt. 1 Northbound, prior to Rt. 252 for a motor vehicle accident with injuries.

The accident involved a single vehicle that rolled over and rested on all four wheels. Two occupants were in the vehicle. There was no entrapment and one injury.

EMS transported both occupants to the hospital. Rescue 73 personnel completed hazard control.