Sunday, September 11, 2011  Today marked the 10 year anniversary of that fateful day in September. So the members spent it together with each other and our families reflecting on the memory who those lost on Sept. 11th and how we as individuals and a country have changed. The day started at Mount Hope United Methodist Church, joining their congregation for morning services.

In the afternoon, it was time to head to Aston Township's Memorial Garden at Five Points. The Boy Scouts from St. Joseph’s Church, Pack 225, held this service to honor everyday heroes. Truck 63 set up with Tower 69 as an arch flying the American Flag over the memorial garden.  State Representative Steven Barrar was the Keynote speaker along with Representative Pat Meehan.  In the early evening we were invited to attend Neumann University's September 11th Memorial Concert. A big thank you goes out to all organizations that invited us to your memorial events. 9/11, we will never forget the men and women who lost their lives saving others and those men and women who are currently fighting for our freedom.

 

Sunday, September 11, 2011  NEVER FORGET!


 

Green Ridge Fire Co. would like to remind all drivers to use extreme caution while traveling. Schools around the Aston community are now back in session!

 

Tuesday, August 30, 2011  Just before 0630 hours the street assignment was put our for the unit block of Concord Rd at the S & S Trailer Park for a trailer on fire. E63 (D/C Evans) with 5 quickly hit the street and were advised CTPD was on scene with a trailer well off. E63 laid out from the trailer park entrance and found two trailers with fire on the outside with extension on the interior and lead off with an 1 3/4 attack line.  PECO was notified for electric hazards. E47 supplied E63 while crews from T63 and R40 assisted with checking for further extension. The fire was quickly extinguished and all searches were negative. After restoring our equipment units returned to service. units on scene were E63, T63, E47, 52, 40, 61 and RIT 39.

Shortly after returning to the station the Rescue assignment was hit out for Pennell Rd at Lehr Blvd for the accident. R63 and Command 63 arrived with a two vehicle accident with negative entrapment. Crews checked 2 patients and handled the hazards before turning the scene over to EMS and returning.

 

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.