Thursday, June 25, 2009 The Delaware County Fire and EMS community wish to offer our deepest condolences to the Delaware County Memorial Hospital Paramedics, the entire staff of the Crozer-Keystone Health System, and the family of Chief Tom Wolfarth. Chief Wolfarth (Medic 103-9) passed away early Monday morning at DCMH after a long battle with cancer. Tom has served more than 20 years in Delaware County Emergency services, and has had a successful career with several EMS agencies, until his latest task of heading the paramedic staff of Station 103 (DCMH). Tom will be missed by all those he touched throughout his career.
Monday, May 11, 2009 Companies were dispatched to 421 South Lansdowne ave in Yeadon for the dwelling fire. On arrival they had heavy smoke pushing from every possible crevice on the 2nd & 3rd floor. Heavy fire soon broke through windows and the roof. Crews were in service with 3 ladder pipes, a Squrt, and numerous deck guns. They were on scene for more than 5 hrs. The column of smoke could be seen from as far as I-95 & Girard, and the Walt Whitman Bridge.
Saturday, April 25, 2009 At 5:09 the assignment went out for the bldg fire with numerous calls reported bringing Companies-36, 37, L-26 & R.I.T.-74. UD-11(Hicks) arrived reporting heavy fire 2nd & 3rd floor of a 3 story apartment bldg approx 40 x 200. Crews entered the bldg with 1-3/4 lines and for search and rescue ops. The 2nd alarm was requested at 5:11, bringing the remainder of Company-26 and R.I.T.-20, with a special call for Rescue-58 for the air bank. Crews rescued 2 occupants from a 2nd floor apartment next to the fire apt. Fire on the 2nd floor was knocked quickly with heavy fire still blowing from the 3rd floor. The remainder of Companies-20 & 74 along with Tower-34 were requested to the scene. Crews had difficulty advancing into the apartments due to the floor & door layout. As they entered the 3rd floor apt the floor collapsed into the 2nd floor. Heavy fire was now blowing out the windows of the 3rd floor apt as well as thru the roof. Crews on the roof cut a trench cut to prevent further extension. Interior crews were backed out of the apartment so the fire could be hit from the roof and ground levels. Numerous handlines were in service. Interior crews re-entered the fire apt for hot spots & a lengthy overhaul. Pri & sec searches were negative with the exception of the 2 rescued occupants. 1 Occupant from the fire apartment was transported for burns to the arm by DCMH Medics. Numerous EMS from DCMH were o/s for rehab and stand by. Companies were on scene for approx 6 hours.
Friday, April 17, 2009 Fireboard dispatched companies to the area of Atlantic & Church for the possible dwelling fire. The 1st call was recieved by a cell phone and had not given an address. The dispatch was made on a triangulation of towers from where the call was made. On the heads up, Fire Board called the number back and got the correct address of 7016 Guilford, reporting entrapment on the 2nd floor and basement, stating an alarm could be heard in the back ground with people coughing. 36-2 arrived reporting heavy smoke from a 2 story mor dwelling, with fire in the basement, confirming the report of entrapment. UD-11 (Johnson) arrived assuming command, confirming 36-2's report, & giving orders for 36 to take the basement and Ladder-26 to take the 2nd floor for the possible victims. Crews entered the bldg with an 1-3/4 line for search and rescue and fire extinguishment. They were met by very heavy smoke conditions and heat. As they tried to enter the basement the 1st floor in the area of the kitchen & dining room flashed over. Fire fighters then tried to evacuate the bldg but were momentarily trapped inside on the 1st floor. The front door had somehow partially closed and was jammed, blocking the F/F's means of eggress. They were also hung up on something inside the front door by their equipment. 2 of the 3 F/F's that were trapped were quickly removed, with a 3rd still unaccounted for. At this point UD-11 requested the 2nd alarm assignment. The R.I.T. was activated and entered the 1st floor. They quickly found the 3rd F/F and removed him from the bldg unharmed. 1 F/F suffered a minor injury(possible scratch to the eye). Crews then regrouped and re-entered the bldg with 3 lines. The bulk of the fire was knocked within the 1st 20 min mark, but there still remained a heavy smoke condition and fire in the walls and cielings. Crews vented both horizontally and vertically with vent holes in the roof. Minor extension was reported to the "B" exposure in the walls. Interior crews reported a secondary search on the 2nd floor was negative. However, once entry to the basement was possible after the fire had been knocked, a victim (26 yr old female), was found DOA in the basement of the dwelling. Fire fighters went above and beyond in trying to make entry to the basement where the victim was found. Unfortunately, conditions forced them to retreat for their own safety. An exemplary job was done by all on scene, from Fire fighters, Medics, P/D and Fire Board. Everyone worked together to make sure that all fire fighters were removed, accounted for and treated. A few hair standing minutes, but fortunately, with the training and proper procedures implimented, everything came out for the the better for all Fire fighters.
Monday, April 13, 2009 Companies 38 & 35 were dispatched to 618 Loraine for the dwelling fire. Chief 38-9 (McGoldrick) arrived reporting heavy fire inside & out of a 2-1/2 story woodframe dwelling. Exterior crews worked on protecting the exposures and knocking down the exterior fire. Interior crew had 2 lines in operation and made an aggressive attack on the fire. Fire was extending thru the wall, soffet and void spaces to the 3rd floor and roof, but crews put the fire in check before it could extend to the rear of the bldg. Rescue-58 was called for the R.I.T. and air bank, along with 34 for the mass casualty unit for rehab. Medic-109, 34-7 & 56-7 were o/s for stand by. All occupants made it safely out of the bldg
Sunday, April 12, 2009 Companies were dispatched to, "the house next to" 142 Lexington ave. 24-9B arrived assuming command and reported heavy smoke from a large 2-1/2 story twin dwelling. The dispatch was upgraded to the working fire. 24 dropped a supply line from their station and led off with an 1-3/4 line. Ladder-19 threw numerous ground ladders to both the fire bldg and exposure. Pipeline-19 dropped a 2nd supply line into the scene. Numerous hand lines were placed into svc with interior crews opening up walls & ceilings to find the fire. Interior reported heavy fire in the ceiling between the 2nd & 3rd floor with the 3rd floor being compromised. They also requested the roof to be opened up. Fire was extending through void spaces in the 3rd floor and roof area. Roof crews opened several vent holes while interior crews continued with opening up and extinguishment. Rescue-42 was requested for the air bank. 1 Fire fighter suffered a minor leg injury.
Friday, April 10, 2009 Companies were dipatched to the 800 block of Arbor for smoke coming from a dwelling. 16-9 arrived at 834 Arbor, reporting smoke showing from the basement of a 2 story eor dwelling. crews went in svc with an 1-3/4 line and made a quick knock on the fire.
Monday, April 6, 2009 Philadelphia firefighters fought fire in a 6 story building at the intersection of 5Th & Ontario St's in North Philadelphia. Companies arrived and reported smoke off the roof of a 200 x 100 and went in service 2Engines / 2Ladders. Command reported visible fire showing from the top floor with drop down fire on the 5Th floor and reported he had all hands in svc on a full box. The second alarm was struck as fire vented thought the roof and top floor on two sides of the building. The 3rd and 4Th alarms were struck and those companies were sent into staging with the first two alarms operating with master streams. The fire was placed under control with companies hitting hot spots and overhauling on the orders of Car1 (Ayres) just over the 1 hour mark. No injuries were reported on the fire ground. The investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway by the Philadelphia Fire Marshals Office. Story Eastcoast911, pics Eastcoast 911 & Feeney Fire Films
Monday, April 6, 2009 Fire Board dispatched companies to 510 Church ln in Yeadon for the bldg fire, advising they were receiving numerous calls. 16-9 arrived on scene reporting heavy smoke showing and requesting the 1st in engine to drop a supply line. Ladder-19 was given the assignment to force entry through the front door. Companies stretched 2, 1-3/4 lines thru the front door into the body shop. Exterior crews vented windows and cut 2 overhead doors for access thru the side and rear. They found a P/D SUV with the front end fully involved with some extension to the inside roof area. Crews made a quick knock on the vehicle and fire which had extended to the roof area.
Friday, March 20, 2009 Fire board dispatched Companies to the 100 block of W. Berkley at 03:25 for the possible dwelling fire with entrapment. Units arriving o/s reported a 2 story brick mor dwelling with heavy fire 1st & 2nd floor rear with heavy smoke throughout. They also confirmed entrapment of an infant in the 2nd floor front bedroom. Firefighters entered the bldg for fire supression and search and rescue. They found the infant in his crib in the 2nd floor front bedroom and rushed him out to the medics, who transported to Fitz. The 16 month old was pronounced at the hospital a short time later. Heavy fire in the 1st floor rear had spread to the 2nd floor through the ventilation system. Companies had 2 lines in service and made a quick knock on the bulk of the fire. The father and 2 other children ages 8 & 10 escaped the house unharmed.
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