Sunday, August 28, 2011  After about a weeks worth of hype, a weakened Hurricane Irene made its way to the Philadelphia/South Jersey region. The fire company prepared by arranging round the clock weekend staffing to ensure a prompt response to calls and checking equipment on all of the apparatus. While the storm had weakened considerably, it still packed quite a punch as it made its way through Aston and the rest of Delaware County. Rain began to fall around mid-day Saturday and continued until Sunday morning. Later in the evening on Saturday the winds began to pick up as well which began the influx of responses by the fire co.  An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was opened by the Township and staffed by the Emergency Management Office and reps from both fire companies. The apparatus began rotating calls as they came in and were also assigned based on their proximity to the scene. 63 apparatus ran a variety of calls which mostly included trees/wires but also included a couple dwelling fires, gas leaks, pump outs and fire alarms. All totaled, from Saturday afternoon until Sunday night, the company ran approx. 75 emergencies.


A BIG thank you to all of the members who provided staffing throughout the weekend to ensure the residents of Aston were protected in case of emergency.


 

Friday, August 26, 2011  At just after 5am, and while parts of Delaware county fire depts were assisting Radnor Fire Co. on a multiple alarm fire in Wayne, Green Ridge volunteers were asked to respond to Newtown Square Fire Company with Truck 63 to cover their first due. The truck, staffed with 4, covered with Squad 50 for a little over 2 hours. No calls were recorded. 

As the news was reporting a strengthening storm, staffing at the station was already prepping for the worse. Pumps run, gear checked and the station was in order as officers were already working on staffing for the weekends storms.


 

Thursday, August 25, 2011  Just before 1000 hours the water flow alarm was dispatched to Applebee restaurant . E63 and T63 responded to find workers meeting us on the Charlie side with active sprinkler heads due to a grease fire. R39 was added along with the normal response. E63 & T63 crews found the fire had been extinguished by the sprinkler and Ansul systems with no extension into the roof area. The assignment was held to CO. 63 and Twp Code Enforcement, Health Dept and Fire Marshals were notified. For the second day in a row the appropriate safety systems did their jobs in the local and potentially saved to local businesses from further damage. Later on throughout the day the Co. responded to several other emergencies in town.   

Tuesday, August 23, 2011  At 530pm, Co. 63 & 72 were dispatched to the Swift Cleaners in the 3500 block of Concord Rd. for the automatic fire alarm.  Engine 63 (Krapf) responded with a staffing of 5. Upon arrival, heavy smoke was emanating from the front of the building. Capt. Krapf established the "Swift Cleaners Command" and had the assignment upgraded to a building fire. The interior crew led by Lt. G.D. Pippin stretched a 1.75 inch handline and located a fire in one of the commercial dryers and extinguished the same. The assignment was then scaled back to the Aston Twp. companies. Positive pressure ventilation fans from E63 and E72 were placed in service to remove the smoke. Command requested a response from PECO and upon their arrival, all fire units were cleared from the scene. Units on the assignment inlcuded: E63, T63, U63, E, R, and M72, E68, R39, TW61 and RIT 13.


The company also ran a building fire in Upper Chichester in the morning which was unfounded, an odor of gasoline in the area of 5 points which was also unfounded, a minor motorcycle accident on Bridgewater Rd. and a RIT assist to Brookhaven at the Pep Boys on Edgmont Ave.  

Sunday, August 14, 2011  The day began early for the crew as Truck 63 was on the dispatch for the cover assignment to Glenolden. The Truck, staffed with 5, covered Sta. 05's local for just over 90 minutes as they were committed on a working fire in Folcroft. The truck was released and while returning, happened upon a single vehicle MVA into the center guard rail on I-95 South bound. Crews checked with PSP and injuries on scene and found none.  

 

Saturday, August 13, 2011  On Saturday Engine 63 and Chief Herre and the crew travelled to Progress Fire Company for the surprise Retirement Party for Richard "Pop Pop" Cray a close friend and colleague of ours.  Festivities kicked off at 1600 and the man of the hour showed up at 1630 to about 200 family members and firemen who have had the pleasure of serving with Dick throughout his landmark 50 years of service.  Throughout the evening many spoke and brought back their favorite "Dick Cray" story to share with the large group. Dick received many mementos’ and going away gifts for his dedicated service.  A good time was had by all, and everyone was honored to take part in such a special event for a fantastic individual.

Dick started his career at Progress in 1976 after serving as Captain of Engine Company 8 on "The Hill" in the City of Harrisburg.  He has held the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, and Chief as well as served as Trustee and Chairman (currently still holds Chairman).  He also served as Susquehanna Township Fire Marshal.  Dick has received 7 Unit Citations for Life Saving by the Progress Fire Company as well as numerous other awards and recognition at the Department, Township, County, State, and National Levels.  Dick’s knack for the Truck Company was his bread and butter.  His trend-setting skills, excellent set-ups, and leadership will continue through the many generations that he has taught and trained.  Dick was a fireman's fireman by definition.  He always put his men and his company first and would stand with them till the end.

Pop Pop Thank You again for all of your selfless years of service, sacrifices, and invaluable lessons and most of all your friendship to the fire service and Green Ridge. From all the officers and members we would like to wish you good luck and many years of health in your retirement. Your gear and spot in the Truck Chauffer’s seat will be waiting for you when you come down!  

Saturday, August 13, 2011  In the early evening the RIT assignment was dispatched to Garnet Mine Rd in Bethel Twp for the house fire. 66 Command was on scene with smoke showing and found a small fire in the basement that was quickly handled. The assignment was scaled back and the RIT returned a short time later.

Shortly after returning to the station the Rescue assignment was dispatched to Concord and Gerald for the accident. 639B K Dawson arrived on scene with one vehicle on its roof with negative injuries and held the assignment to R63 and M72. While clearing this call 200 yards up the road a car slid of the roadway into a utility pole. Crews quickly arrived with one vehilce into a pole and one patient to be evaluated. R63 and  M72 handled this call. Peco was notified due to minor damage to their pole and the company returned. Assisting at both calls was E69 and ATPD.

 

Thursday, August 11, 2011  At 11:35am, Cos. 72 and 63 along with EMS were dispatched to 100 Team Road for a rescue. Initial reports indicated two subjects had been overcome by fumes and that one subject was still in a hole. At this time, additional EMS units were summoned which brought 40-7A, M100C and EMS Command M100. Capt. D. Durbano (63-12B) arrived and confirmed the report and upgraded the incident to a confined space rescue.  Rescue 63 (D/C Evans) hit the street and was ordered by Capt. Durbano to don SCBA and perform air monitoring upon their arrival. M72-7 took care of the subject who was already extracted from the scene. D/C Evans established the “Team Road Command” while Capt. Durbano assumed the Operations role. Rescue 71 was also dispatched to assist at the scene. Rescue crews from Rescue and Truck 63 descended into the confined space and located one subject who was found to be unconscious. Lt. C. Repine and FF A. Plotts secured a harness to the subject and secured a rescue line to him. Crews utilized a fixed overhead lifting point along with a hand-crank winch to remove the subject from the space. Due to the hazardous substances in the confined space, fire crews did a rapid decontamination of the subject as well as the rescuers. M100 also requested an additional ALS unit to evaluate the rescue personnel once their task was completed which brought M104-7D and M104-9 to the scene.  EMS crews began resuscitation efforts on the patient and he was placed into M104-7D for transport. 7D and M100C transported the subject to Crozer ER where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Crews then secured the scene which was eventually turned over to the Aston PD for further investigation. Rescue 71 was released from the scene and covered Aston Twp. from Sta. 72 and handled a fire alarm at Neumann University.  63 units were on scene until approx. 2pm.

On behalf of the fire company, we offer our condolences to the Fisher family and to Mr. Fisher’s colleagues at Southwest Delco Municipal Authority.

 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011  It is with heavy hearts that Green Ridge Fire Co. announces the death of Life Member Walter "Bud" Atwood. Bud was a long time member and fire police officer at Green Ridge and also held the position of Fire Police Capt. for a time. Bud was also a life member of Garden City and Folsom Fire Cos.


Bud's Obituary as published in Delaware County Daily Times:


Walter "Bud" Atwood, 69 Loving Father Walter "Bud" Atwood, 69, of Trainer, PA passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2011 after a courageously fought battle. Bud, a 1959 graduate of Ridley High School, worked for Boeing for 38 years retiring in 2001. He then worked as a school bus driver for Penn-Delco School District retiring in 2010. He was a lifetime member of Green Ridge, Folsom, and Garden City Fire Co.'s. He was also a lifetime member of the Delaware County Fire Police and the Pennsylvania State Fire Police. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his beloved boxer Harley. He was predeceased by his father William Atwood, his mother, AnnaBell Clark Atwood Succio, his aunt Emma Miles Clark, his brother Frank Atwood, and his former wife Sue Anna Yeager Atwood. Survivors: Daughters: Judith (Bob) Horne, Kristine (Dan) Kirk, Susanna (Brian) Ross, Carrie (Eric) Ross and Tracey Atwood, Sisters: Florence (Ken) Gramo and Lonni (Tony) Cabelo, Brother: Robert Succio, Ten Grandchildren, Six Great-Grandchildren, Six Step-Children, Seven Step-Grandchildren, One Step-Great-Grandchild, He is also survived by two dear friends and former wives, Linda Blum Atwood and Alma Marie Carroll Atwood. Funeral Service: Thursday 11:00 am, at The Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Middletown (Rte#352) & Knowlton Roads, Middletown, Media, PA Visitation: Thursday after 9:30 am at the funeral home Interment: Edgewood Memorial Park, Glen Mills, PA Memorial contributions: in memory of Walter Atwood may be given to American Cancer Society , 480 Norristown Road, Suite 150, Blue Bell, PA 19422; OR ALS Association Development Dept., 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas, CA 91301 On line condolences www.msbfh.com


 

Sunday, August 7, 2011  Just after 1700 hours the street assignment was put out for the 1500 block of Rainer Rd in the Toby Farms section of Chester Twp for the house on fire. Truck 63 (Harris Jr.) and E63 (Calvecchio) staffed with 9 quickly hit the street as the 1st due RIT. CTPD arrived on scene reporting a unknown fire inside the house. Truck 63 arrived with a 2 story brick end of the row with smoke showing from the 2nd floor. E63 secured its own water supply and lead off with a 1 ¾ attack line. Capt 47 A. Sadler arrived and assumed the Rainer Rd. Command and put Co. 63 to work and replaced us with RIT43. The crews found a fire on the 2nd floor and quickly put a knock on it. The additional Companies arrived and assumed their pre assigned assignments. The fire was put under control and crews checked for extension and mopped up for another hour. Companies on scene were: Co. 47, 52, 57, RIT 39, RIT 43, M45, CTC1A and CID. T63, E63, R63, U63, CMD63, DO63.

Later in the evening the Rescue assignment was hit for the 1900 block of E. Dutton Mill Rd for the MVA DO 63,R 63, Chief 63, 9C and QRS 63 arrived with a two car MVA blocking traffic. The assignment was held to 63 units and M72 to evaluate the patients. The Company returned within 20 minutes. Chief 63C Schmid had the Green Ridge Command.
 

Sunday, July 31, 2011  At Approximately 1440 hrs the Green Ridge building assignment was struck for the 2600 Blk of Bancroft Dr. reported to be an odor of electrical burning in the attic. 63-9B (Dawson) arrived to find nothing showing from a 1.5 story rancher sides Alpha, Bravo, Charlie but was shortly met by ATPD exiting the building advising that there was smoke coming from the attic. 9B then established Bancroft Command and advised of the change in conditions, E63 arrived establishing their own water supply and stretched a 1 3/4 attack line into the building. All other units on the assignment took their pre-incident assignments. After investigation the attic interior crews found the source to be a small fire in a vent fan in the attic's Delta wall and the assignment was scaled back to the two Twp. companies. Crews then returned to service after being in service for 30 minutes.

 

Thursday, July 28, 2011  At approximately 1530hrs Truck Co. 63 was dispatched to assist the Middletown Twp. fire companies on the working building fire in the unit block of War Admiral Ln. T63 (Capt.-Harris Jr.) and E63(A/C-Schmid) quickly made the response shortly followed by the Rescue (A/C-Dawson). Upon the arrival of T63 the crew split to ladder the building and to check for extension in the attic area above the fire. Crews from the engine and rescue then stood by on scene but remained available to cover Middletown Twp. per War Admiral Command. Crews operated on scene for approximately 45 minutes before returning to service.