On August 16 during the early morning hours, Co. 44 (Springfield) was dispatched to the 600 block of Beatty Rd. for a building fire. Assistant Chief 44-9B (Huszko) was first to arrive and reported a two story dwelling that was well involved. The Chief established command and requested a second alarm which brought Co. 73 (Rose Tree), Co. 53 (Broomall), Co. 14 (Swarthmore), RIT 20 (Drexel Hill) and Airbank 58 (Bon Air).

Crews from Springfield put multiple lines in service as well as Tower 44.

Quint 73 laid a 5" supply line to a cul-de-sac at the rear of the property. A 2 1/2" leader line was pulled and wyed to two 1 3/4" handlines. Engine 73 arrived and assisted the crew from the Quint. We worked with crews from Co. 53 at the rear of the building..

Last night, Rose Tree Fire Company went to the historic Leedom House at Rose Tree Park to practice aerial ladder operations with Quint 73. The Quint is a 2002 American LaFrance 75-foot aerial ladder with a pump, hose, water tank, and ground ladders. Several firefighters set up the outriggers and positioned the aerial ladder to access the roof, while the driver-in-training reviewed the waterway, pump and mechanical operations of the truck.

On Tuesday evening, Rose Tree Fire Company again had the opportunity to utilize the old Media Inn for training. The crews practiced survival skills and learned techniques for rescuing fellow firefighters in addition to self-extrication techniques.

The first evolution showed members different methods for using a ladder and rescue rope to remove a “downed” firefighter from an upper floor. The remaining portion of the night was used to perform interior wall breaches to move from one room to another.
 
In the event of deteriorating fire conditions, firefighters need to react quickly and have the security of knowing how to escape. This unique opportunity allowed the firefighters to train in a semi- realistic environment without the worry of creating unwanted damage to the building. 
 
Thanks again to Media Fire Company for the invitation to use this structure!

At approximately 16:40 today the rescue assignment was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment on N. Providence Rd. in the area of Spring Hunt Ln. Company 73 (Rose Tree Fire Co.), Medic 23 (Riddle Memorial Hospital) and Ambulance 23 (Media Fire Co.) were dispatched. Medic 104-7D (Riddle Memorial Hospital) also responded due to the nature of the call.

Upper Providence Police were first to arrive and reported a single vehicle accident with a car on it's roof, and a patient who was partially ejected from the vehicle.

Rescue 73 arrived as well as Chief 73-9 (MacCain). The Chief assumed command and the officer of Rescue 73 was assigned the Rescue Officer.

Crews stabilized the vehicle using step cribbing and wedges for primary stabilization while the Res-Q-Jacks were set up at the rear of the vehicle.

An assessment of the entanglement indicated that we would possibly have to remove a portion of the steering wheel. Engine 73 and Utility 73 arrived and assisted the Rescue crew setting up extrication tools consisting of the Hurst Extractor (cutter), Hurst Model 27B Spreader and a reciprocating saw, as well as other hand tools. A window was taken out and the passenger side door was opened to allow better access to the patient by EMS personnel.

The patient was removed and flown to a Level I Trama Center in Philadelphia, Pa. Squrt 23 (Media Fire Company) was dispatched to set up the landing zone at Rose Tree Park.

Tonight for our weekly drill, members went to the Media Inn (which is scheduled to be demolished in a few weeks) for firefighter survival training. The topic for the night was the Ladder Bail Out.

In the event that firefighters encounter deteriorating fire conditions and need to escape an upper floor window quickly, this drill showed our members how to come out an upper floor window and onto a ground ladder head first. Members were shown different methods of coming out the window and decending the ladder safely. Members did the ladder bail out first, without SCBA. Once they were familiar with the bail out, the drill was done while members were wearing SCBA.

This method of exiting a building is a "last resort" method. Due to the hazards of coming out a window head first, a belay line (safety line) was rigged and all members were tied off in case of a fall during the excercise. In addition, since the building we were training in was an old hotel, there was no shortage of matresses to lay on the ground for additonal protection.

Media Fire Company invited Rose Tree Fire Company and several other local companies to use the old Media Inn (on Baltimore Pike in Media, PA) as a training ground Tuesday night to sharpen their skills.  The crew from Rose Tree brought Quint 73 and positioned the aerial ladder to access the roof. They used powered saws and basic hand tools (axe, pry bar) to cut ventilation holes. It was a hot evening and we thank all of those who worked hard and participated in this unique training opportunity.

Tonight, Rose Tree Fire Company had the opportunity to train at an old church building on State Road in Upper Providence Township.  The building is scheduled to be demolished and crews were able to utilize the roof for tactical training, such as ladder truck operations, ventilation techniques, and a review of building structural components. The driver of Quint 73 positioned the aerial ladder to access the roof. The crews were divided into teams and given orders to set up ground ladders and use powered saws to cut ventilation holes. Chief MacCain finished up the night with a brief critique of the evolutions.

On Monday, July 5th, Rose Tree Fire Company participated in the annual Marple-Newtown Parade along Route 3. It was a beautiful, HOT day and a good time was had by all. Thank you to our neighboring fire companies Newtown Square and Broomall for extending the invitation to join the parade. Most importantly, please remember to support the brave servicemen and women who continue to serve, protect and sacrifice for our country.

Rose Tree Fire Company has identified a problem that occurred with our most recent fund drive mailing. Residents who have already contributed to our 2010 fund drive were notified that we did not receive their contribution. This appears to be a problem with our vendor who coordinates the mailing of the requests. This has not affected funds that have been contributed to Rose Tree Fire Company - it appears to be a problem with the mailing list.

If you have already donated to our 2010 fund drive we would like to sincerely thank you for your support and ask that you disregard the most recent request.

If you have any questions please email us at rosetreefirecompany@yahoo.com

On Tuesday evening, the firefighters from Rose Tree participated in a training evolution at Rose Tree Park. The Quint and Engine were used to simulate exterior fire attack operations.

Quint 73 was used as the first-in truck and given orders to operate two hoselines. The driver, officer and crew worked together to set up the 1 ¾ inch front bumper hoseline and the 2 ½ inch “Blitz Fire” attack hoseline. Engine 73 was called in to provide the water supply from the hydrant. Multiple drivers had a chance to operate the pumps and the crews were rotated throughout the scenarios.

Note: The “Blitz Fire” is a portable oscillating nozzle/monitor that can flow up to 500 gallon per minute. It is critical to have adequate water supply during fire attack operations as it directly affects the fire control outcomes.

It was a good review for all. Thanks to all who participated.

FF S. Jorgenson has completed his Emergency Vehicle Operators Class at the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center. FF Jorgenson is qualified to drive Utility 73. He will soon begin driver / operator training on Rescue 73.

Congratulations !!!

Nine students from Rose Tree Elementary School recently won a contest that gave them a ride to school on a fire truck.

During the recent Strawberry Festival at the school, members of Rose Tree Fire Company handed out a checklist for willing participants. After the checklists were completed, a random drawing was held, and nine lucky winners received a ride to school on Quint 73 and Engine 73.

Pulling into the parking lot with lights and sirens, these children arrived in style.

A crew from Rose Tree Fire Company recently attended the annual Strawberry Festival at Rose Tree Elementary School. The festival is an annual fund raising event sponsored by the school Parent - Teachers Group. There were plenty of fun games, food and prizes for the kids.

Quint 73 was on display and the crew proudly displayed the apparatus, our equipment, allowed kids to sit on the truck and also set up a fire hose for the kids to operate. This was also a good opportunity for parents to receive fire safety information and to learn more about THEIR all volunteer fire company.

A contest was held for the kids. There was a checklist that was completed. After the checklist was finished, a random drawing was held for a number of lucky students to get a ride to school on a fire truck.

For the weekly drill, crews reviewed the pinning procedures for the aerial waterway on Quint 73. The Quint is a 2002 American LaFrance 75' aerial ladder with a pump, hose, water tank, and ground ladders.

We maintain Quint 73 with the aerial waterway pinned in the rescue mode (attached to the mid- section of the ladder). If we intend to use the aerial waterway, a firefighter must manually reset the pin to attach the aerial waterway to the fly section (end) of the ladder. We also discussed the various operations of the aerial including jack placement, aerial ladder operations, and apparatus positioning.

Shortly after 09:00 Company 73 (Rose Tree) was dispatched to assist Company 59 (Concordville) on a working building fire. The location was 1507 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Jimmy Johns Restaurant,  in Chadsford Twp.

Engine 73 made the response and assisted crews on scene.

For pictures, visit: http://davidstanleymedia.com/JimmyJohns/