8 August 2006

Longmeadow was requested by Command to assist on the tractor trailer fire with manpower on Interstate 81.  Crews were running thin fighting a stubborn fire in a packed moving truck.  Special Unit 27 responded with 5 fire fighters and assisted with overhaul.  Check out the Washington County Photo Team Website for more info and pictures.

           

Pictures courtesy of WCVFRA Photo Team

Shed Fire Rattles The Squirrels

At about 1520hrs, Longmeadow was dispatched to assist Co. 9 (Leitersburg) with the shed fire.  Engine 27-1 and Truck 27 responded with 6 firefighters.  Engine 9-1, Chief 9 (Mongan) arrived to find a wood pile on fire spreading to a shed.  Engine 9-1 made quick work of the fire, releasing the units in about 45 minutes.  On a side note, a family of squirrels was awakened by the fire.  Apparently they survived the incident as they were last seen heading north on the Leitersburg Pike. 

4 Calls for Tuesday

Tuesday started with the usual medic assist call at 1231hrs.  This was followed by a Truck call to Greencastle, PA.  At 1428hrs, Truck 27 was alerted for the smoke in the building at the Antrim House Restaurant.  The Truck responded immediately with 5 firefighters and assisted with ventilation. 

Another Medic Assist helped pass the time until the Engine was alerted to transfer to Leitersburg.  Co. 9 was assisting on another barn fire in Co. 7's (Smithsburg's) first due.  Engine 27-1 responded right after dispatch with 5 and ran zero calls in the Burg.  14 firefighters remained in Paramount to cover our area.

Busy Night Turns into Busy Day

At about 2330hrs late Friday night, Longmeadow was dispatched for the engine on the second alarm fire in Co 7's First Due (Smithsburg).  Engine-Tanker 27-1 responded immediately with 5 firefighters.  Upon arrival, the Engine-Tanker joined the tanker shuttle while the crew looked for work.  They found plenty, manning several handlines on the exterior attack.  The building was a very large warehouse used by the orchard for storage.  After several hours, Command released ET 27-1 but held the firefighters.  Special Unit 27 responded with additional firefighters to replace those that had to leave. 

 

While SU27 was still in Smithsburg, Rescue-Engine 27-2 attended the Blue Ridge Summit Volunteer Fire Company's 100th Anniversary Parade. 

 

As the Special Unit was clearing the building fire at 0842hrs, Co. 27 was dispatched for the outside fire.  The Special Unit along with Engine 27-1 responded.  Crews found an illegal burn and were forced to extinguish it.  While operating on this call, the Truck was dispatched to transfer to Chambersburg while they operated on a 3 alarm barn fire.  As AC Hopkins was ensuring staffing for the Truck the call was canceled by Franklin County.

 

 

Wreck On Leitersburg Pike

At about 1600hrs, the assignment was dispatched for the PIA at the intersection of the Leitersburg Pike and Longmeadow Road.  Rescue Engine 27-2 responded immediately with 4 firefighters under the direction of FF Terry Martin.  Special Unit 27 responded shortly after with 4 followed by Utility 27 with 2.  Crews arrived to find a single vehicle verses a pole with wires down.  Access was gained to the patients and 2 transports were made by CRS.  Rescue Squad 13 also assisted units on the scene. 

Pictures by MA Byard.

First Due House Fire

At 1307hrs, FRC alerted Engine Companies 27, 13 (Maugansville) and 9 (Leitersburg), Rescue Squad 13 and Truck 27 for the attic fire on Eden Drive.  Deputy Chief Eckstine responded immediately and was advised that multiple reports were indicating a working fire.  Based on this info, DC 27 requested the Working Fire Assignment.  Truck 27, Rescue Engine 27-2 and the DC arrived on the scene with 6 firefighters advising fire showing through the roof.  Crews from all companies on the scene worked to get lines in service in the attic and in the main floor of the house. 

Other Companies on the call included HFD Engine and Utility 3, the Washington County Air Unit, Community Rescue Service, Special Operations 20 (requested for shoring equipment) and Rehab Unit 255.   Most of these additional resources were alerted on the Working Fire Assignment.

Thanks to Co. 7 for covering our area during the fire.  Glad we could repay you the next day.

         

         

Pictures Courtesy WCVFRA Photo Team.

(Fran Marshall, Photographer)

Another Meadow Baby

Brenda and Kevin Descoteau have welcomed a baby girl into their family.  Montana Marie Descoteau was born a little early, but all are doing well.  The baby girl weighed 5lbs, 5 oz.  The family is now doing great at home.

On another note, we all wish SGT Chris Turner a speedy recovery, and we're all glad that his abdominal pains weren't as bad as his wife's.  Chris delivered a not so healthy appendix. 

Longmeadow, County Lose a Friend

On August 2nd, Washington County said 'Goodbye' to a well known friend.  William "Bill" Delauter passed away recently after a long battle with Diabetes and other medical issues.   Bill served the County and Longmeadow in many different ways.  He worked as a Dispatcher for 24 years, held positions in many different volunteer organizations and passed on his knowledge as a MFRI Instructor.  Bill served as Vice President and President here at Longmeadow on the Admin side, and as a Lieutenant on the Ops side.  Most of the people who have been around Longmeadow for any amount of time know of a "Bill Delauter story", or have heard a few. 

Check out some more pictures and info on the Washington County Photo Team's website- Click here.

Picture Courtesy WCVFRA Photo Team.

Transfers.

At 1442hrs, Truck 27 was alerted to transfer to HFD Ladder 1.  The call was cancelled as Truck 26 (Halfway) was cancelled enroute to the fire ground and handled it.  Its OK though, we wouldn't have run any calls anyway.

At 1700hrs, Longmeadow sent 5 firefighters to cover Tower 2 and Squad 2 for the Waynesboro PA fire Company while they operated their carnival.  The crew managed 1 call, to assist a worker stuck on some scaffolding.   Someone on the transfer from another department was quoted as saying, "Really, have you ever seen a human carcass on scaffolding??"  Crews returned at 2300hrs.

Meanwhile, back in Paramount, Deputy Chief Eckstine had 15 firefighters for Monday night training. 

     

 

More Wrecks...

At 0211hrs early Saturday morning, the assignment was dispatched for the PIA on Marsh Pike.  FRC advised responding units that callers advised they heard a speeding car followed by several loud bangs.  Crews found a car verses several trees, a light post, several yards and a bush.  Again, firefighters and police found no occupants.  A parent contacted the firefighters at the scene and lead them to the driver.   No transport was made, but the driver and his father spent the early hours going door to door apologizing for his unsolicited yard work. 

At 0413hrs early Sunday morning, another driver decided to clear a path through Paramount.  This time taking out several parked cars and another yard.  The usual assignment was alerted and units arrived to find a minor confinement and heavy damage to the vehicles.  The offending car apparently attempted to continue on his merry way, however his lack of wheels slowed him down.  Crews from Longmeadow and Maugansville again removed the patient and Medic 75-9 made the transport to Washington County Hospital.

Transfer And Another Wreck

Longmeadow sent 4 firefighters to cover the Squad for Co. 4 (Clear Spring) while they worked their annual carnival.  They ran zero calls.

While that crew was in Clear Spring, Longmeadow was alerted for the PIA just up from the station.  Special Unit 27 responded first with 4 firefighters and shortly arrived to find a passenger car head-on into a dump truck.  Rescue Engine 27-2 responded with Assistant Chief Adam Hopkins.  AC27 established command and the crew from Squad 13 (Maugansville) assisted with the confinement.  The patient was transported Priority 2 and has since been transferred to Shock Trauma in critical condition. 

      

AC 27 said that the incident went smoothly with the help of the Dispatchers at FRC.

Trailer Fire With Reported Entrapment

At 1052hrs, Longmeadow was alerted to assist Co. 13 (Maugansville) with the trailer fire with an entrapment.  Engine 27-1 responded with 6 firefighters (the Truck was out of service for maintenance).  27-1 arrived at the park just behind Engine 13-2.   Captain Burleson of Co. 13 instructed 27-1 to lay out as they were going in to effect a rescue.  Medic 75-9 arrived with light smoke showing.  The crew from the medic unit assisted the resident out of the trailer.  Crews made short work of the small fire and picked up.