Warm-er weather,  ladder drills Sunday's sunny, warmer weather made for a good day for ladder drills. The crew headed out with the truck early Sunday morning spending a few hours keeping ladder and "bail-out" skills sharp. Hopefully the warmer weather is here to stay.....right.

RIT assignment on working fire in Susquehanna County
Early Wednesday  morning, Station 43 was dispatched on the RIT assignment in Thompson  Borough, Susquehanna County, for a working structure fire. The crew spent about 2 hours on the job which was dispatched just before 01:00 hours.
 

Firematic flea market planned for March 27 Dont' miss out  on selling your  goods or buying those hard to find fire service related items. The event will be held on March 27 from 10 a.m.  4 p.m at Station 43. For vendor information click here!  If you are coming to buy,  here is more  information.

Storm slams NE PA  Our luck ran out when over a foot of snow coupled with high winds blanketed the area Thursday night into Friday. With the station staffed overnight ready to serve as Red Cross refuge center and run calls, we were thrown a curve when we received a request from Susquehanna County to help out in the Uniondale area with up to 60 individuals in two separate buses unable to return to their lodging site.  Originally the plan was to bring some of the refugees to Station 43. However, that plan was nixed  after consulting  with Brian Wrightson, Director of Emergency Service with the American Red Cross of Lackawanna County. Instead,  cots were transported to a refuge site in Susquehanna County. Station 43 provided support on site until relieved by ARC personnel around 22:30 hours. Just after midnight, Engines 43 and 41, with Car 43 were dispatched to a well involved vehicle fire on Maple Hill Road in Clinton Township. With snow drifts over two and a half feet deep the engine was unable to navigate the hilly terrain, forces crews to become  create in extinguishing the blaze, Fortunately, there were no exposures. Able to access the site with the buggy, the crew was able to extinguish the fire with an array of extinguishers. Once the engine was dug out, another hour was spent digging out another motorist who despite having four wheel drive was held captive in the snowy mess.

Quick work on 41 box

Ladder 43 responded to a report of  smoked in the building  on Center Street in Forest City early Monday evening. 41 Command quickly returned all companies to service. Gun raffle a success, thanks to all Our annual gun raffle was held on Saturday with a record crowd on hand. Thank you to al who support our event and to our members who made sacrifices to make the event a huge success.

Station 43 awarded Assistance to Firefigthers Grant
Station 43 was notified of the award of over $67,000 in an AF Grant.  The grant will be used to replace all supply and attack hose, nozzles and other appliances. Additionally, a complete cascade system (compressor and air cylinders), saws and thermal imaging cameras will be purchased.
 

"New" U-truck placed  in service With the help of a state grant, a "new" utility truck was place in service this week. the F-250 Ford club cab pickup was purchased  locally.  It was recently outfitted with emergency  warning devices, radio and a graphics package.

Command for Company Officers program completed Nearly 40 fire officers or fire officer candidates attended a two day training program on January 30 and 31, 2010, presented by Task Force 1, Inc.  entitled, Command For Company Officers. The program's lead instructor will be Michael "Mick" Mayers.  The lead instructor was : Mick Mayers,  Battalion Chief, Hilton Head Island FD , SC.

Michael “Mick” Mayers has served the Hilton Head Island (SC) community as a firefighter and paramedic since 1982, where he is currently a Battalion Chief.  His career began as a volunteer with Bridgeport (PA) in 1980. His responsibilities also include duties as the Deputy Director of the South Carolina Urban Search and Rescue Program (SC-TF1) and as Chairman of NFPA’s Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications Committee (NFPA 1006).

Mick is also one of the founders and past Vice-Chairman of the State Urban Search and Rescue Alliance (SUSAR).  Mick holds a degree in Fire Science Technology from Savannah Technical Institute and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program.  He is an author of many articles on emergency service leadership; his articles and posts can be found on his site at www.FirehouseZen.com

In addition to personnel from Station 43, participating  fire departments included:

Wayne County, PA Lake Ariel Fire Company Honesdale Fire Department Gouldsboro Fire Company Susquehanna County, Pa Hop Bottom Fire Company Thompson Hose Company Luzerne County, PA Plymouth Fire Department

Lackawanna County, PA Dickson City Fire  Department Newton  Ransom Fire Company Blakely Hose Company Broome County, NY Choconut Center Volunteer Fire Company Connecticut West Haven  IAFF Local 1198 West Shore Fire Department

Training SOG issued A new SOG related to the training process at Station was recently issed. Read the SOG.   BC Schellenberg visits 43 Station 43 was paid a visit by retired District of Columbia Battalion Chief Steve "Shelly" Schellenberg. Chief "Shelly", who was enroute to a training seminar, spent a few hours at the station, reviewing our operation and sharing some of his experiences with crew. We'd like to thank him for taking the time to stop by and  share his insights with us. (In photo: Chief Richards, Battalion Chjef Schellenberg and Assistant Chief Ellsworth) Former  Engine 43 sold On Friday, January 8th, Justus Volunteer Fire Company, Station 28 in Lackawanna County, took delivery of our former Engine 43.  The 1990 Spartan/FMC may get a new color and look in the near future.  Best of luck to the new owners! Helping  neighbors For the foreseeable future, Cottage Hose Company Ambulance's Mass Casualty Incident Response Unit  will have a new home. Recently the trailer was relocationed to Station 43 at the request of Station 51.  Cottage's substation located on  Belmont and Canaan Streets cannot be utilized due to some on going structural problems.  We are glad could help. IAMRESPONDING on line, SOG issued, training conducted Training was held  Monday, January 4, 2010, to insure all response personnel are familar with the operational features of the  IamResponding.com  program.  A new SOG, I Am Responding, 500-10-01, was issued.  Review the  SOG now Box sent to Flat Rock Road  A box assignment was sent to Flat Rock Road Sunday morning just before 09:00 hours for the possible structure fire. With less than desirable road conditions for responding apparatus, Chief 43 arrived on scene establishing the Flat Rock Road Command reporting a 2 1/2 story wood frame structure with nothing evident.  Ladder 43 took position on the A/B side of the structure reporting a smoke condition in the structure with the owner claiming the a fire in the chimney was the culprit. First arriving engine company, Engine 41, stretched a 1 3/4" attack line to side Alpha. E-43, the second arriving engine, backed up E-41. Truck Captain  Ellsworth took the interior confirming the smoke condition while the exterior truck crew confirmed the fire was contained to the chimney. With low thermal imaging temperatures throughout the structure, command held the assignment to 2 engines and the truck with EMS, returning the rest of the box. Companies operated for about 30 minutes before returning to service. On the box: E41, 43, 94, Rescues 75 and 59, Tanker 75, 94, 12 and 60, Ladders 43 and 58   Deputy Chief Billy G stops by 43 Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, one of the most recognizable names in the fire service, spent some time Friday morning at Station 43. Billy was in  Hazleton  Thursday evening presenting a Firefighter Survival Seminar, "Injury and LODD's at Single Family Dwelling Fires" .   Chief Richards, long time friend of Chief Goldfeder, and Assistant Chief Obelenus  were his guests for dinner before Thursday evening's event. Enroute to his next program in Albany, NY on Saturday, Billy stopped by to check out Station 43 Friday morning. Billy commented on our commitment to safety and operations, in particular, the automatic 4 engines, 2 ladders, 1 rescue squad and 4 tanker response on EACH alarm assignment.  Ironicially, during his lecture the night before, he emphasized the need  to have adequate resources at all working fires.  Billy has written several articles on the topic,  showing that over 20 firefighters are needed to SAFELY conduct interior operations, hence the need for automatic mutual aid.   Billy also had a twinkle in his eye  when he climbed in and on Tower Ladder 43 which originally saw service on Long Island, where Billy grew up. Billy said, "You have a great station. I'm really impressed. Riding assignments, good box assignments and  a good proby program. It's clear you guys have your sh%@ together." We hope to have Billy back soon for another visit! About Deputy Chief Goldfeder: Chief Billy Goldfeder, EFO, a firefighter since 1973, serves as Deputy Fire Chief of the Loveland-Symmes FD in S.W. Ohio. LSFD is an ISO Class 2, full service ALS department providing a full range of traditional and non-traditional emergency & community services. A Chief Officer since 1982, he has served as a Fire Chief in Ohio, Virginia and Florida.  Chief Goldfeder also served as a Public Protection representative covering southern New York, for I.S.O. as well as a Company Officer, starting with the Manhasset-Lakeville F.D., in Long Island, N.Y. In  1993 graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program, he is the former Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs VCOS Section. In 2001, Chief Goldfeder was honored with an appointment of Hon. Battalion Chief of F.D.N.Y. and is a member of the Board of Directors of the September 11th Families Association,  the Board of Directors of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and provides assistance to the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program . Additionally, he is the recipient of numerous operational and administrative awards and recognitions and received the Loveland-Symmes FD Departmental Award of Excellence in 2003, the ISFSI Fire Instructor of The Year Award for 2004, the Dana Hannon Fire Training Award for 2004,  the I.A.F.C’s Presidential Award for 2005, the 2007 IFSTA Everett E. Hudiburg Memorial Award for firefighter training excellence and the 2007 Nassau County (N.Y.) Frances X. Pendl Fire Service Humanitarian Award.   Chief Goldfeder recently completed his 6th year as a Commissioner on the Commission of Fire Accreditation International. He serves as an Associate/Contributing Editor for FIRE ENGINEERING, FIRE RESCUE, WITHTHECOMMAND.COM, FIREHOUSE as well as Firehouse.Com and is a member of the F.E.T.N. (Fire and Emergency Television Network) Advisory Board. He has spoken on, as well as published, numerous articles on subjects such as combination FD's, fire command and tactics, firefighter/fireground safety, apparatus design and deployment and fireground staffing. His monthly column "Close Calls" appears in FIREHOUSE Magazine and his bi-weekly radio show “Through The Smoke” is hosted on Firehouse.com.  Above: Deputy Chief Goldfeder accepts Station 43 shirt from Assistant Chief Obelenus Chief Goldfeder has served on several NFPA and IAFC Committees, is the Chair of the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival Section, serves on the National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting Task Force (IAFC) and has been an Instructor at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (F.D.I.C.) for the past 25 years as well as a member of the FDIC Advisory Board for the past 15 years.  He has and does provide consulting services for municipal and private corporations with a clear focus on firefighter safety and survival. Chief Goldfeder, along with Captain Gordon Graham, police/fire service risk management expert, attorney and California Highway Patrol Captain, hosts and sponsors  the website: www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com  , a 100% non-commercial, independent and free site with only 1 focus: Firefighter Safety, Survival and Getting Everyone Home. Web draws lots of visitors Whether you like us, hate us, are curious or landed here by mistake, for some reason there are lots of visitors at the the 43Fire.com website. In 2009 there were 45,074 vistiors to the site. 16,719 were first time vistors and 28,355  returned to the site more than once.  For whatever your reason, thanks for stopping by!  The best part is we know who you are! Feline gets tower ladder ride After spending over 24 hours in a tree,  a cat got a tower ladder ride to the ground early Sunday evening. Despite the lousy weather condition, the feline was perched up a  tree about 30 feet above the ground.The residents at 74 White Rock Drive, fearing the worst, called 911, prompting the response.  Congratulations to Captain Ellsworth on his second cat rescue the year. In the photo: Captain Ellsworth, Kitty and a happy cat owner. Fire rips through mobile home  Smoke detectors credited with early warning The lone occupant of a mobile home located at 258 Burns Road in Clinton Township narrowly escaped for a fire just before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4.   The fire resulted in heavy fire damage to the trailer.  Wayne County Communications Center dispatched the box assignment at 02:41 hours.  he occupant reportedly was awakened by alarming  smoke detectors and escaped  the fire through a bedroom window. He successfully self evacuated himself out a bedroom window and was outside the structure when the first due engine company, Engine 94, arrived.  The injured man was treated on scene and was transported to Marion Community Hospital by Waymart  EMS. The fire was brought under control in about fifteen minutes. The fire was declared out at 05:05 hours with command (Chief 43) releasing all companies. The fire is under investigation by the PSP Fire Marshal.  Photos PA Home Page On the box: Engines 94, 12, 43, and 41, Rescues 75 and 59, Ladder 43 and 13-4, Tankers 94, 12 and 75, Car 43 and Waymart EMS.  Two days of training completed: "Save Yourself, Save Others" Task Force 1, Inc.,  presented  its new training program, "Save, Yourself, Save Others", on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18th at Station 43. Lead instructor and  friend of Station 43, retired Captain Tony Tricarico from  FDNY's Squad 252 teamed up with Captain Greg Barnas from Jersey City's Ladder 6 to show firefighters how to save themselves in life threatening situations. Both days started at Station 43 with an interactive lecture. Intense practical exercises were conducted at the Kartri Sales Company building on Susquehanna Street in Forest City. Seventeen Browndale firefighters were joined by fellow firefighters from as far away as Colorado, traveling to see this program's debut. Departments participating included:  Choconut Center FD, Broome County, NY  Wallington Fire Department, Bergen County, NY Pittston Fire Department, Luzerne County, PA Duryea  Fire Department, Luzerne County. PA Avoca Fire Department, Luzerne County PA Lake Ariel Fire Company, Wayne County, PA Blakely Hose Company, Lackawanna County, PA Old Forge Fire Department, Lackawanna County, PA Greenwood Fire Department, Lackawanna County, PA Vandergift Fire Department, Westmoreland County, PA Burning Mtns. Fire Protection District, Garfield County, CO View the photos Recent SOG's  Uniform Policy High Visibility Vests Personnel Activity Documentation  Structural Fire Response Engine Co. Riding Assignments  Personal Injury Reporting I Am responding  Out service training, docmentation of training Large Area Search Our first newsletter Browndale Fire Company released its first newsletter. The newsletter provides information about company operations and other timely topics. Download the newsletter Earlier stuff... go to not so recent stories, news