SUMMER TIME FUN IN THE SUN

Thursday, June 9, 2011  It's summer time again here in Havertown.  We at the Manoa Fire Company hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable winter and school year.  Now that the cold is behind us comes the dangerous summer heat.  Everyone is reminded to stay cool whenever possible and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.  Summer is no fun if you can't enjoy it, so always play it safe.  Don't forget about your sun block either!
 

With summer comes some great weather for a block party.  Once you get your permit from the township, be sure to give the station a call at 610-446-0744 and set up a time for one of our wonderful firefighter crews to come down with a fire engine and flow some water like a big mobile sprinkler.  Just remember that other neighbors may be using our services as well, so try to give us about 2 weeks notice.
 

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56 ASSISTS IN THE 53 LOCAL

Tuesday, May 31, 2011  At about 1740hours Company 53, Engine 56, Ladder 35, and RIT 14 were dispatched to the 600 block of Warren Blvd in Broomall for a house fire.  The neighbor caller stated that the side of the house was on fire, but they weren't sure if there was anyone inside of the residence.  Another neighbor called 911 as well and reported the same.  Units responded quickly getting into the mind set that they may need to get ready for search and rescue within the home.  Within minutes 53-11 went on location and reported the bulk of the fire was knocked down but there was possible extension.  53-9 (Chief Drake) arrived shortly afterwards and reported a still active fire and gave orders to the first due 53 Engine to go in service with a booster line.  About the same time the home owner called 911 and stated no one was home and that she would be on location shortly.  Ladder 35 arrived and took their crew inside to help with fire suppression and overhaul.  Squad 56 arrived next and took up a hydrant location, but was told in short order to bring the unit to the front of the building.  Sometime after the first 10 minute mark 53-9 placed Warren Blvd under control and requested PECO Gas and PA State Police for the investigation.  Units remained on scene long enough to ensure no fire had spread through the house.  Extensive damage was caused to the exterior wall and frame, but minimal damage to the inside and personal belongings.  The home owner is thanking her lucky stars, as this fire had major potential to become a large and very damaging house fire. On scene was Engines from 53, Squad and Engine 56, Ladder 35, Quint 53, and Ambulance 53-7.  Station 23 was also added to the card for the RIT, but was not needed on the scene.

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FIRST DUE BASEMENT FIRE

Sunday, May 29, 2011  At just a few minutes after 1230hours, the box assignment was struck for the 1200-block of West Chester Pike for a reported building fire, possibly an electrical fire in the basement. The response brought full Company 56 (Manoa), Engine Company 58 (Bon Air), Ladder Company 35 (Brookline), and Medic 108 (Haverford Township Paramedics). Medic 108 went on location shortly after with smoke showing from the front of the building. Haverford Car 1 went on location and reported explosions in the basement of a three story combination commercial/residential.

Squad 56, Pipeline 58, and Ladder 35 all pulled onto the Pike at the same time. Chief 56 (Mike Norman, Sr.) assumed West Chester Pike Command. The Ladder took the driveway on the Bravo side of the building and put the stick up. The Pipeline drove past the fire building and dropped a supply line back out to the hydrant. The Squad took the front of the structure and assumed duties as the attack engine. The Squad's crew entered the front of the building to find a thick smoke condition banked down to the floor. After attempting to navigate the maze-like interior to find the basement steps, crews located fire coming up through the floor. After knocking that down, the second crew came and took the handline and made access to the basement. With the power secured, crews in the basement were able to make a quick knock on the fire. Extensive salvage and overhaul followed. Crews operated on the scene for just under 3 hours.

During the course of the fire, Command requested RIT teams out of Oakmont (38) and Garrettford-Drexel Hill (20). Llanerch (34) was requested for an engine and the Rehab truck, and the Rehab Truck out of MontCo Station 313 (Narberth Ambulance) was also dispatched. An additional engine from Garrettford-Drexel Hill was requested to back fill Station 56.

Units operating on the scene included: Squad 56, Engine 56, Pipeline 58, Engine 58-2, Rescue 58, Ladder 35, Engine 34-2, RIT 38, RIT 20, Ambulance 56, Ambulance 34, Medic 108, Medic 108-9, Medic 108-9A, Medic 53, Rehab 34-8, Rehab 313, Haverford Car 1, Haverford Township Fire Police and multiple HTPD units.

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REFURBED AMBULANCE 56-7A HAS ARRIVED

Monday, May 9, 2011  After weeks of work, the new and improved Ambulance 56-7A has arrived.  As stated before, the box is original, but now it rides on a brand new GMC 4500 Chassis with an up to date Turbo Diesel.  The new engine is quieter than any of us could have imagined, but does not in any way lack in the torque required for daily usage.  With the new updates came the new emissions requirements, which the Manoa Fire Company is proud to say it meets with flying colors for new diesel engines.  As expected, we updated the emergency lights to provide it with new, low amp drawing LED lights.  This helps us burn less fuel during idling points, as the alternator doesn't have to work nearly as hard to keep up with the vast amount of electronics already required on an ambulance.  We here at Manoa Fire Company look forward to getting the final inspection completed by the state for BLS Licensing and being able to place the brand new, state of the art 56-7A in service.

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TASK FORCE HEADS TO BUCKS CO FOR ANNUAL MOBILIZATION DRILL

Saturday, May 7, 2011  On Sunday May 1st, tones began dropping to activate the Delaware County Task Force for the annual Southeastern Pennsylvania Task Force mobilization drill. The DelCo companies, staffed with firefighters who are required to be trained to a highlevel in several specialties, loaded up and made the response to the rendezvous point at the rear of the Marple Crossroads shopping center. The Task Force this year consisted of Engine Companies from Broomall (53-2), Garrettford-Drexel Hill (20-2), Springfield (44-4), Holmes (Squrt 43), and Media (23-2). The Ladder Companies were supplied by Brookline (Ladder 35) and Garden City (65-5), with Manoa (Squad 56)once again being designated as the Squad Engine.

Once all the apparatus were staged and briefed, the Task Force began the trip up the Blue Route to the Doylestown staging site. The caravan turned many heads on the way up, with most drivers clearly surprised to see the long line of fire apparatus occupying the right lane. Upon arrival at the Bucks County Communications Center, the units from each county were broken down and built back up, integrating trucks from each one to create "Strike Teams" to be dispatched to the exercises. Manoa was then placed into the "Station 19" Strike Team with Broomall's Engine 53-2, Lamott Fire Company Engine 2-1 (MontCo), Good Will Fire Company Engine 52-1 (ChesCo), and Philadelphia Fire Department Tiller Ladder 3.

The first scenario Station 19's crews were dispatched to was a Building Fire with Entrapment at a local VoTech School. Squad 56 took the role of the "4th Due" Engine Company. Upon our arrival, all crews were already working together to locate the seat of the fire and rescue the several trapped victims inside the building. The Squad's crew deployed the apartment pack and hooked up to a gated wye that was already in service. The crew entered through the kitchen and stood by as a back up line to protect the crews already inside. Once the rescues were complete, the Squad assisted with ventilation and restoring equipment.

After a quick trip back to staging to grab some food and water, Station 19 was dispatched to a report of a large gasoline fire with exposure to a loaded rail car. This time, the boys of Squad 56 got to take the lead, arriving first due. Upon arrival, it was learned that there was a downed civilian in close proximity to the fire.The Squad's crew split up and immediately got a handline in service and pushed the fire back, while the remainder of the crew went in and grabbed the victim. After pulling out to regroup, Broomall's engine crew grabbed the nozzle and got a knock on the fire, while Philly Ladder 3 and Lamott Engine 2-1 put master streams in service to cool the rail car.

After repacking, it was a quick trip back to staging to rejoin the DelCo Task Force, then the companies returned to Marple Crossroads for the debrief. All in all, the day turned out to be a success, and alot of information was gathered about what went right, and what could be done better next time. We would like to thank Bucks County officials for the hard work they put into planning and executing the drill, and we can't wait to see what MontCo has in store for us next year.

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ACCIDENT WITH OVERTURNED VEHICLE ON ROUTE 1

Thursday, April 28, 2011  At about 0925hours Ambulance 56-7, Medic 108, Rescue's 56 and 38, and Engine 58 were dispatched to 1212 W. Township Line Rd for an accident with entrapment, vehicle reportedly overturned.  PD arrived shortly before Rescue 56 hit the street and requested the Rescue Companies expedite.  Upon arrival the Rescue accomplished simple cribbing with step cribbing and wedges and asked Medical Command (108-9A) how he wanted the patient extricated.  It was desided a simple door pop would be enough to get the driver out.  While all this was going on Pipeline 58 had arrived and stretched a precautionary handline, while Squad 38 was preparing to help out if needed.  The door pop went without any issues and the driver was transported to a local LZ to be flown by Penn Star to HUP Trauma Center.  Units on scene were Rescue and Squad 56, Squad 38, Pipeline and Rescue 58, 56-7, 34-7, Medic 108, Medic 108-9 and 9A, HTBF Fire Police, and HTPD.

*Photos courtesy of Career EMT John Serbin*

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SQUAD 56 COVERS STATION 15 WITH LADDER 41

Wednesday, April 20, 2011  Shortly before 1800hours Fireboard advised 15-9 that he was dispatching Company 15 to 54 Briar Rd in Tredyffrin Township for the building fire.  15-9 arrived quickly and immediately requested a second alarm and RIT's for the working building fire.  Within the first 30-40min 15-9 requested a full evacuation of the building and started bringing cover up units into Station15.  With that Squad 56, Ladder 41 (Newtown Square), and MontCo Ambulance 313-7 were dispatched to cover Radnor Township.  During our stay no fire emergency's were dispatched.   See the article from 1st Responder Newspaper at this link:   http://www.1rbn.com/webpages/news/Displaynews.aspx?jumpTo=true&id=fc9594cb-a5cf-462d-96f7-7b4bdc8da36c

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COMPANY 44 COVER ASSIGNMENTS

Monday, April 18, 2011  Late Monday evening Company 44 (Springfield Fire Company) requested the full cover assignment be placed into station while they and other company's operated at a dwelling fire on President Ave in the Morton-Rutledge local.  With that Company 58 was dispatched for the Pipeline, 34 for the Tower, and 56 for the Rescue.  Later during the cover President Ave Command requested Rescue 56 to the scene to assist in overhaul and cleanup.  Once on scene Rescue 56's Crew was asked to enter the third floor and hit a few hot spots still hiding under the roof line.  While on scene Pipeline 58, Tower 34, and the remainder of Company 56 were dispatched to a reported house fire in Springfield Township.  The notes given reported smoke coming from the basement and the caller was attempting to exit the home.  Once on location it was determined to be a heater backfire and the response was held to the Pipeline and Tower.  All HTBF units remained in service late into the night, with Rescue 56 returning to the 56 house at about 0330hours.

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STORMY WEATHER BRINGS A BUSY DAY

Saturday, April 16, 2011  A day of heavy rain kept the members of the Company busy for most of the day. After two unfounded fire alarms earlier in the day, Company and Ambulance 56, along with Engine Company 34 (Llanerch), Ladder Company 35 (Brookline), and Medic 108 (Haverford Paramedics) were alerted to the 100-block of Wilson Ave for a dwelling fire. Chief 56 arrived on location to find a small fire in the oven. Squad 56 used a dry chem extinguisher to control the fire. Ladder 35 arrived and secured the power and assisted with ventilation. Just as the the Squad's crew was stowing their gear, the Engine Company was dispatched into Marple Township with Company 53 (Broomall), Ambulance and Medic 53 (Marple Ambulance) , Ladder Company 35, and RIT Company 14 (Swarthmore) for a building fire. Squad 56 hit the street moments later, with Engine 56 right on their heels. Squad 56 pulled up first, and the assignment was held to the Squad by Chief 53 to investigate a possible electrical issue in the residence. The Company handled one more fire alarm before being able to relax and dry out for the evening.

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FATAL DWELLING FIRE IN THE 44

Wednesday, April 13, 2011  At about 1400hours Company 44, Ladder 20, Engine Companies 56, 58, RIT 53, and EMS was dispatched to the 100block of Broadview Road in Springfield for the building fire with entrapment.  Caller was standing on the front lawn stating heavy smoke was coming from the 2nd floor of the home with an elderly woman trapped inside.  44-12 (Captain) arrived quickly and reported smoke showing sides A & B from the second floor of a 3 story S/F/D with one trapped second floor.  Members of 44 made access to the second floor and made quick work of the fire.  Ladder 20's crew conducted ventilation and laddered the building.  Engine 56's crew filled in as various teams throughout the scene while Pipeline 58 secured a supply line.  About 30 minutes into the job 44-9 placed the fire under control and requested PSP for the investigation.  Company 56 was returning and available by 1510hours.

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