Newsletter

Monday, January 11, 2010  The day started off with a water flow alarm in Garden City's local, 65 command recalled the assignment within the first few miniutes. The 2nd call came in just before lunch, the QRS was dispatched along with the Medic unit for a pedestrian struck by an auto, 72-7 reported the incident to be minor and they handled alone. The 3rd call call came in at 2:30 for a house fire in Lower Chichester, Engine 39 arrived and had smoke showing from a 2 story MOR, the crew from Truck 63(Chief Herre) assisted with ventilation and checking for extension. Truck 63's crew operated for 45 minutes before being released. The 4th call came in after 7pm on Cherry Tree Rd for an outside odor. The township companies investigated and cleared within 10 min. While on the way home, Truck 63 was alerted by Fireboard to copy and respond  to a 1st due house fire reported to be in the basment. Engine 63(Capt. D. Durbano) arrived first to find a 2 story single family home with nothing evident. The Engine had their own hydrant out front and the crews investigated and found a small fire in the basement, Dutton Mill Rd Command held it to the Township companies.

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2010  After 8 months of technical difficulties, the Green Ridge 2008 Video is now online.  Thanks to Coupe for all your hard work.  

ENJOY!!! (video will also be available on our video page)

 

Saturday, January 2, 2010  Last night the engine and a crew of 6 traveled south to Delaware City, DE for a cover assignment while they enjoyed their annual banquet.  While the crew enjoyed their prime rib dinner, the box went out in the Christiana local for the house fire.  Engine 63-15 arrived 4th due and assisted station 12 by checking for extension and were released from the scene shortly after wards.  The rest of the night was calm as crews remained warm in the station.  Thank you to Delaware City for your hospitality.

 

Friday, January 1, 2010  The officers and members would like to wish everyone a Happy and Safe start to the New Year. 2010 starts a new chapter and a new decade to build on our successes of 2009!

 

Friday, January 1, 2010  Administrative

President- Mike Lucy Sr.
Vice President- Sean Joyce
Treasurer- Jim Ayers Sr.         
Secretary- Merritt Harmon
Trustees- Mike Evans, Dave Durbano, Jim Krapf
Associate Directors- Brian Harris Jr., Chris Repine
Fire Chief- Bob Herre III
Tactical
Fire Chief- Bob Herre III      
Deputy Chief- Mike Evans
Assistant Chiefs- Ken Dawson Jr. (9B), Chris Schmid (9C)
Safety Officer- Tom Morgan Sr.
Captains- Jim Krapf (12) Brian Harris Jr. (12A) Dave Durbano (12B)
Lieutenants- Ken Robertson (13) Brian Junkerman (13A) Chris Repine (13B)
Station Sergeant- Gordon D. Pippin (13C)
 

Friday, January 1, 2010  On Tuesday evening the Township companies were dispatched to the 2200 block of Clearview Lane for an odor of gas called in by a PECO representative, little did we know the problem was much worse than imagined. The underground leak deposited high levels of gasoline vapors into some residents’ basements through faulty sewer traps and forced the evacuation of residents. The crews monitored the situation for over 24 hours with the help of other fire departments so that all the crews operating could rehab and rest after many hours on the scene. Thanks to all of the emergency personnel that assisted with the situation and remained on scene for hours.

From: The press release of the DELCO TIMES on 12/31/09.
”While the source has yet to be determined, the leak was either from a pipeline or from part of a storage tank in the area between Cherry Tree Road and Frazer Lane, Assistant Fire Marshal Sean Joyce said.

”Now that we have it isolated and we are not chasing the source as much, it is under control,” he said. “Obviously, we want to err on the side of caution because we are dealing with a petroleum product.”

“For traffic and everything else, this area will be shut down. We will let (residents) return once we continue to check the (lower explosive limit) levels,” Joyce said.

No gasoline had made it into the into the county’s sewer treatment plant, though sewer officials have been monitoring the situation closely, Joyce said.

“Most of the sewer traps in peoples’ home will keep this product out, like the sewer traps are designed to do,” Joyce said. “Some with weaker sewer traps, they’re getting higher levels of vapors in the basement.”

Joyce said the gasoline could have escaped from pipelines in the street because of the cold weather and leaked into the sewer system.

Joyce said depending on their age and depth in the ground, most pipes “do not have a good relationship with cold weather.”

“In any type of refinery situation, typically, all of your pipe fractures are when the weather goes from somewhat cold to extreme cold conditions,” he said.

Joyce said there had been no previous problems of this nature with the tank farm or pipelines. The tanks hold water, gasoline and various petroleum products, including crude oil.

Joyce encouraged residents to call 911 if they detected a gasoline odor in their homes.

“We will come out, we will test and we will take readings,” said Joyce.
 
 

Friday, December 25, 2009  On behalf of all of the Officers and Members of Green Ridge Vol. Fire Company, we'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!! Please stay safe this holiday season

 

Today the new sign boards for the aerial of Truck 63 were completed by Lucky 13 sign company. The members rehung them back on the Truck to display to the public. Thank you again to Jess from Lucky 13 signs and to the members who helped complete this project.

A new command center and additional lighting was also installed in Command 63 adding to our mobile command post. Thank you to J-Tech for constructing the center and installation.

 

Tuesday, December 22, 2009  Just before 2000 hrs the Companies were dispatched to the unit block of Pancoast Ave for a fuel spill/hazmat. Co. 63 & 72 responded and found a 275 gallon home heating fuel tank outside with and active leak. The ICS was initiated and crews began to control the run-off that had already leaked down the homeowners driveway down the street towards the sewer system and a stream. Crews eventually controlled the run-off and diked the area and put down oil absorbent and boom. The Hazmat Team was EVENTUALLY allowed to respond after a few hours of contacts through the Township, County and State officials at the homeowners expense...............The scene was deemed non-life threatening and no immediate hazard and turned over to Aston Twp Code Enforcement and HMHTTC after operating for just over three hours. Also assisting on scene were Spill 50, Canteen 47, ATPD, Aston Twp Commissioners, Fire Marshals office and County M-8. Meehan Oil Company representatives were also on scene.  Thank you to L65 Garden City and E45 Parkside for covering. Units operated under the Command of Deputy Chief M. Evans.

 

Monday, December 21, 2009  The truck committe continues to receive updates on the construction progress of the new Engine 63, currently being assembled by Pierce Mfg.  As of this date, the cab is built, painted and mounted on the chassis. The pump and pump housing are also assembled, painted and mounted to the chassis. The rear body is built and should be painted soon. The pumper is scheduled to be completed on Jan. 26, 2010. Members of the committee will be traveliing to Wisconsin on Jan. 25 for final inspection.  Check back for more updates in the next couple of weeks.

 

Monday, December 21, 2009  This morning just before 1100 hrs the street assignment was hit to the 3400 Block of Victor Ave in Brookhaven for a house on fire. RIT 63 was on the road quickly with 6. Assist Chief 529B C. Leslie was on the scene with a 1 1/2 story SFD with heavy fire showing side "A" Alpha Division 1. Engine 45 and Quint 52 went to work on fire suppression and opening up. RIT 63 arrived and split crews to cover Side "A" and "C" for RIT services while crews worked on the interior. Crews were briefly pulled out to go defense as the fire had involved the attic area. After a brief defense attack crews went back inside and mopped up. Co.'s on scene were Brookhaven 52, Parkside 45, Upland 57, Garden City 65, Chester Twp 47, RIT 44 Springfield. Crews were on scene for just under 3 hours. Deputy Chief M. Evans had the RIT Sector. Thank you to E20 Garrford Drexel Hill, T19 Lansdowne for covering our local. Pics courtesy of 63 FF/EMT/BBHD D. Evans Jr.

 

Monday, December 14, 2009  The officers and members would like to send out a special Thank You to the Aston Business Association for their continued support of the emergency services in Aston Township. Tonight, during their annual holiday dinner at Hennessey’s Restaurant, the ABA gave very generous donations to Aston-Beechwood, Green Ridge, Aston PD and the Delco Fire-Police Association. Thank You ABA for everything you do for our community. On hand to except on behalf of GRFC was Chief Bob Herre and Vice President Sean Joyce. Thank you ABFC for the picture.