APRIL 2008 ARCHIVE

Thursday Afternoon Brush Fire

 

04-24-2008- Thirteen Dingman Township volunteers responded at 14:28 hours to a brush fire off of Limestone Ct. in Sunrise Lake.  26 Brush, 26 Engine, 26 Tanker, and Ambulance 268 responded along with mutual aid help from Milford Fire Department (Tanker) and Pa. Dept. of Forestry (Brush Truck).  26-2 (O’Brien) arrived on scene to find nearly a half acre actively burning and quickly approaching two sheds.  26 Brush arrived and stretched a line in and controlled the fire line threatening the sheds. 26 Engine was the next to arrive and took a position in a residence driveway and stretched another line on the advancing fire line toward that structure.  Crews were able to knock down the bulk of the fire within ten minutes of being on scene.  Milford and Pa. Dept of Forestry units arrived and took over 26 Brush’s position due to 26 Brush being out of water.  Extensive mop up due to the dry condition took another hour and a half.  No injuries were reported on scene.  The cause of the fire was traced back to a controlled burn. 

 

Four More for the Volunteers at 26

 

 

04-21-2008- The volunteers at Station 26 saw more action today.  Calls began just after noon with a possible structure fire on East Lake Dr. in Gold Key Lake.  While units were responding they were advised that the caller is reporting smoke coming from the back of the residence.  An additional update advised that the fire was actually a controlled burn being performed in the back yard.  Units arrived on scene and confirmed a controlled burn what was in violation of several sections of the township’s burning ordinance.  The homeowner was advised to extinguish the fire and was given a written warning.  At 13:53 hours Ambulance 268 handled a medical call on Butternut Rd. also in Gold Key Lake.  At 14:20 hours 26 Brush, 26 Tanker, Ambulance 268, and Pa. Dept. of Forestry W-45 were dispatched to Cabin Rd. in Sunrise Lake for the reported brush fire.  26 Brush was the first to arrive on scene to find a quarter acre of land actively burning.  The crew placed a quick knock along the advancing front of the fire and as additional units and personnel arrived on scene mop up was completed without incident.  No injuries were reported on scene.  Units operated for just over an hour.  Personnel finished out the day by assisting a local resident on Sunset Dr. in Sunrise Lake at 17:41 hours.

 

Two for Sunday

04-20-2008- 26 Brush and Ambulance 268 responded to a possible brush fire on Jefferson Ct. in Sunrise Lake. Units arrived to find a resident burning leaves.  The homeowner was issued a warning for not notifying the County of the fire.  Ambulance 268 was dispatched later on in the day for an injured juvenile on North Forest Dr. in Gold Key Lake.

 

Seven Runs in Twelve Hours

 

 04-19-2008- Dingman Township crews continued with their busy week with another seven runs today.  Units began the day at 09:21 hours with a single vehicle accident on Rt. 739 near Wild Meadow Dr.  26 Rescue and Ambulance 268 arrived at the accident to find one vehicle off the road into a tree with no injuries.  At 09:40 hours and again at 10:10 hours the station was dispatched to Locust Dr. in Pocono Woodlands for the alarm activations.  Both alarms were tripped in error and units were cancelled while they were enroute.  At 14:22 hours 26 Engine, 26 Tanker, and Ambulance 268 responded to Gold Key Rd. near Slaymaker Rd. in Gold Key Lake for a reported brush fire that extended to a deck.  While enroute 26-3 (LaPadula) placed the 2nd alarm of box 26-04 on stand-by at their respective stations.  26 Engine arrived and was able to gain he upper hand on the fire quickly.  The fire caused damage to the structure, deck, and fence before being placed under control.  No injuries were reported and the stand-by units were cancelled a short time later.  At 16:06 hours Milford FD requested Station 26 to cover a brush fire on Sawkill Meadow Dr. while their units operated on two other brush fires within the township.  26 Brush, 26 Tanker, 26 Engine and Ambulance 268 made the response.  33 Brush was able to clear from one of the earlier brush fires and also responded to the call.  26 Tanker arrived on scene and assisted with water supply to 33 Brush.  26 Brush provided manpower assistance.  Ambulance 268 handled a resident that suffered smoke inhalation while he was attempting to keep the fire in check until the fire apparatus arrived.  As 26 Engine arrived on scene the Communications Center advised of another brush fire on Park Ridge Dr. in Sunrise Lake.  33 Command (33-2 Vallis) released 26 Engine to handled the brush fire in Sunrise.  In addition to 26 Engine Ambulance 269 and 29 Brush were also dispatched.  Units arrived in Sunrise to find nearly ¾ of an acre burning between several homes.  Dingman Township and Hemlock Farms personnel were able to contain and extinguish the fire without incident.  No injuries were reported on the scene.  Ambulance 268 took in the final run of the day at 19:29 hours for a medical emergency on Slaymaker Rd. in Gold Key Lake.

 

 Dingman Township Takes In Five More Runs

 

04-18-2008-  Crews began a busy day early with Ambulance 268 handling a medical emergency on Rock Bass Rd. in Sunrise Lake.  The same crew took in another medical emergency at 07:12 hours on Hawthorne Dr. in Pocono Woodlands.  Before returning to station the crew was sent to yet another medical emergency at 09:05 hours on West Ann St. in Milford Borough.  It remained quiet until 16:48 hours when 26 Rescue and Ambulance 268 were dispatched for a vehicle accident on Log Tavern Rd. near the Valley View Hunting Camp.  Units arrived on scene to find a sedan into a group of trees with two occupants suffering minor injuries.  Fire personnel checked for hazards and controlled traffic while EMS personnel tended to the occupants.  While units were operated on the accident the station was alerted to a trailer on fire with explosion on Deer Run in Lake Adventure.  26-3 (LaPadula) went enroute and requested the 2nd alarm for box 26-01 bringing 29 Engine and 25 Tanker to the scene and 28 Engine 2 and 28 Tanker to stand by duty at the Dingman Firehouse.   26-3 also added Ambulance 298 onto the box.  26 Engine and 26 Tanker arrived on scene to find a travel trailer well off with three propane tanks also actively burning.  The fire also ignited the surrounding brush threatening several other trailers.  Due to the amount of fire 28 Tanker was upgraded to the scene by 26-3.  Crews pulled several handlines and attacked both the brush and trailer fire bringing them under control within 20 minutes.  Overhaul lasted for another 45 minutes.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Pa. State Police Fire Marshal Unit.  No injuries were reported.

 

Another Four Calls for Station 26

 04-17-2008- Personnel began another multiple call day at 12:07 hours with an outside propane leak on Hart Ct. in Conashaugh Lakes.  26 Rescue, 26 Engine, and Ambulance 268 made the response and found a 40 lbs. propane tank leaking on the deck.  Fire personnel were able to secure the leak without incident.  Ambulance 268 handled a medical emergency on Blueberry La. in Blooming Grove Township at 17:55 hours.  At 20:41 hours Ambulance 268 handled another medical emergency on Sunnylands Rd. in Gold Key Lake.  Crews finished the day at 21:30 hours on board Ambulance 269 answering a medical emergency on Gold Rush Dr. in Hemlock Farms.

 

Controlled Fire Gets Away

 04-16-2008- Dingman Township volunteers were alerted at 17:23 hours for a brush fire on Sequoia La. in Pocono Woodlands.  26 Brush, 26 Engine, 26 Tanker, and Ambulance 268 responded to the call.  Units arrived to find a controlled burn had spread to the surrounding forest area.  Personnel quickly extinguished the spreading fire and remained on scene for nearly 50 minutes wetting down the area.  No injuries were reported.  Pa. Dept. of Forestry W-45 also responded to the scene.  The homeowner was issued a written warning for several violations of the township’s burning ordinance

 

Three Before Sunrise

04-14-2008- Dingman Township volunteers were alerted for 3 calls before sun up this morning.  The first call was at 00:51 hours for a reported utility pole down just south of the Wild Meadow Dr. on Route 739.  While enroute the Communications Center updated units that three vehicles had struck the downed pole due to it being on a sharp corner.  Units arrived on scene to find that a vehicle had struck the utility pole causing it to break in 3 different places and crashed down onto the road, blocking both lanes.  An assessment of the scene found nobody near the original vehicle.  Several other vehicles were also on scene after either striking the downed wires or the pole itself.  No injuries were reported to any of the victims involved in the subsequent accidents.  26 Engine split the crew and shut down both lanes of Route 739.  After a short time of units being on scene an occupant of the original vehicle returned to the scene requiring minor medical care which brought Ambulance 268 to the scene.  The EMS crew tended to the injured party while on scene and then was diverted to handle another medical emergency in the Pocono Woodlands development.  Fire personnel continued to provide traffic control until Pa. Dept. of Transportation took over manning the road closure.  Fire personnel cleared the scene at 04:40 hours.  At 06:02 hours 26 Ladder, 26 Tanker, and Ambulance 268 were alerted to the reported structural fire that was electrical in nature on Hawk View Dr. in Sunrise Lake.  Units arrived on scene to find all occupants safely evacuated from the house with no signs of smoke or fire coming from the structure.  The homeowner reported while attempting to power the house with a generator (due to a power outage caused by the earlier accident) that several outlets in the house had sparks emitting from them.  The resident shut the generator off and notified 9-1-1.  Personnel checked out the house with assistance of the thermal imaging camera and found no signs of additional smoke, heat, or fire.  An electrician was notified and arrived on scene to make the necessary repairs to the structure’s electrical system as the crews were securing.  Units operated for forty minutes on scene.  Ambulance 268 took in one additional call during the afternoon.

 

Busy Sunday at the Station

 04-13-2008- After a late night of cleaning up equipment used for the unattended fires the night before, sixteen firefighters showed up at 08:00 a.m. (okay a few were a little late) for to continue the Firefighter 1 Certification class.  Today’s classes consisted of health and safety aspects of firefighting and practicing getting properly dressed to perform firefighting duties.  The class as interrupted at 13:23 hours for a reported accident with injuries at the entrance of Conashaugh Lakes.  26 Engine along with Ambulance 268 arrived on location to find a two vehicle rear end style accident with the occupants in the first vehicle suffering minor injuries.  The EMS crew treated the injured parties while the fire personnel handled traffic, crowd, and hazard control.  Units operated for just under a half hour before returning to class.  Just as personnel were getting relaxed at home after the long day at station, the Fire Station was alerted to a fire alarm activation on Sandy Pine Dr. in Conashaugh Lakes.  As units began to leave the station and head to the scene the homeowner’s cancelled the alarm reporting they set if off in error.  Lt. Wisniewski confirmed no problem at the house and all units were cancelled.

 

Five for Saturday

 

04-12-2008- A line a thunderstorms began a busy to day the volunteers at Station 26.  At 04:37 hours 26 Ladder, 26 Tanker, and Ambulance 268 responded to a reported structure fire on Fieldstone Way in Gold Key Lake.  Personnel arrived to find a house had been struck by lightening and began to burn.  One of the residents was able to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher.  Fire personnel checked for extension and ventilated the smoke filled first floor.  All occupants were assessed by EMS personnel.   The structure’s first floor suffered moderate damage.  Units operated for just under an hour.  At 12:37 hours manpower was requested to assist the Delaware Fire Co. with carrying out an injured person on the Indian Ladders Trail in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.  Personnel worked alongside personnel from Station and Squad 28 and also the National Park Service to successfully bring the injured party out of the woods to the waiting ambulance.  Personnel operated in Delaware Township for just over 90 minutes.  The three chiefs were back in Delaware Township around 17:00 hours to enjoy their spaghetti dinner fund raiser.  The chiefs enjoyed a good helping of spaghetti before being alerted to stand-by for the Hemlock Farms Fire & Rescue Co. while they responded to a possible structure fire in Hemlock Farms.  Personnel stood by at the station for just under a half hour while Station 29 handled the situation.  A half hour after being cancelled for the stand-by the EMS crew was alerted to handled a medical emergency in the Pocono Woodlands.  Ambulance 268 handled the call with the assistance of Pike County ALS Medic 401.  At 22:50 hours the Fire and EMS units were alerted once again to a reported brush fire on Rt. 739 on the “Gateway Project” property.  26 Engine, 26 Ladder, 26 Tanker, 26 Brush, and Ambulance 268 responded with a total of 14 personnel and arrived on scene to find two large piles of debris burning in a recently cleared area of forest.  Units operated for just under 90 minutes before returning to station.  Personnel were assisted on scene by the Dept. of Forestry W-16.  No injuries were reported.

 

Personnel Begin Certification Process

 

04-09-2008- Sixteen members along with personnel from the Milford, Westfall, and Shohola Fire Departments began a six month journey to achieve their national certifications in Fire Fighter One and Hazardous Material Operations Level.  The class is being headed up by lead instructor Gene Berry Sr. from the Luzerne County Community College.  In addition to the valuable skills that the students will learn in the class, the departments involved will receive additional grant monies due to the level of training and professionalism within the department. 

 

 

Afternoon Medical Call and Brush Fire

 04-08-2008- Just after 15:30 hours today Ambulance 268 was alerted for a possible medical emergency in Sunrise Lake.  Ambulance 268 arrived on scene and confirmed that the situation was actually a police matter and stood by until the Pa. State Police arrived at which point the scene was turned over to the troopers.  As units cleared the EMS call, the Communications Center dispatched a brush fire on Rabbit Run Circle also in Sunrise Lake.  26 Brush, 26 Engine, 26 Tanker, and Ambulance 269 made the response.   Units arrived to find 1/3 of an acre burning and threatening one residence.  The crew on 26 Brush made an aggressive stop on the advancing fire just three to four feet away from the residence.  Additional personnel stopped the remainder of the fire without incident.  Pa. Dept. of Forestry Fire Specialist Bill Delling also assisted with the fire investigation on scene.  The cause was traced back to a controlled burn that was believed to be out but was actually still smoldering.  The homeowner where the controlled fire was located was issued a warning for violating several sections of the Dingman Township Fire Ordinance.  No injuries were reported on scene.  Residents wishing to conduct outside controlled fire should review the Township’s Fire Ordinance at www.dingmantownship.org prior to starting the fire.

 

 

Monthly Breakfast and Five Fire Station Dispatches

 

 04-06-2008- Volunteers began the day just after 6:00 with preparations for today’s monthly breakfast.  The department fed a steady stream of quests from the time the doors opened at 08:30 until they closed at 11:30.  Our next breakfast is Sunday, May 4th beginning at 08:30 a.m.  Personnel were home for just a few short hours after cleaning up breakfast when at 16:38 hours the volunteers were dispatched for a reported structure fire on East Mulberry Drive in Pocono Woodlands.  26 Ladder, 26 Support, 26 Tanker, and Ambulance 268 responded to the call.  Units found a grease fire that had extended to the stove’s exhaust hood and cabinets before being extinguished by the homeowner using a fire extinguisher.  Fire personnel checked for additional extension and did some minor overhaul before securing the scene.  No injuries were reported.  At 17:20 hours 26 Support and 26 Ladder were assigned to check an unknown type fire on Aspen Dr. also in the Pocono Woodlands.  Units arrived and found an attended control burn with no significant danger.  The homeowner was issued a warning for several violations of the Fire Ordinance in the township.  26 Ladder and 26 Support were on the road again at 18:39 hours for a fire alarm activation on Lewis Rd. in Crescent Lake.  Units arrived on scene to find an odor of burning in the basement.  The crew checked the basement and traced the problem back to a failed electrical motor on the structure’s water system booster pump.  All units were placed back in service at 18:59 hours.  At 19:20 hours 26 Ladder was on the road again to assist with placing a banner recognizing the Month of the Young Child.  The crew placed the banner across East Harford St. in Milford Borough.  As Ladder was making the way back home, it was dispatched along with 26 Engine, 26 Tanker, and Ambulance 268 to a reported chimney fire on Denege Circle in Conashaugh Lakes.  Units arrived to find the fire appeared to have burned itself out.  Personnel checked the chimney and surrounding area for any signs of extension.  With no signs of extension units returned to service.

 Cat Rescued From Tree

 

 04-05-2008- Just before 16:00 hours this afternoon four volunteers climbed aboard 26 Ladder to respond out to Hay Rd. in Conashaugh Lakes to remove a cat from a tree.  26 Ladder arrived on scene to find the cat nearly 30 feet in a tree located in the back yard of the residence.  The homeowners advised the crew that cat was less than a year old and has been in the tree for three days.  Personnel set the aerial device and Firefighter Raider proceeded to ascend the ladder and successfully rescued the feline from the tree.  The cat was returned safely to the owners on the ground.  The crew operated for just over 30 minutes.

 

Two Drown In Delaware River

 04-03-2008- The Dive Team was alerted at 17:02 hours as part of the Pike County Dive Rescue Protocol for a reported overturned boat with two people in the water on the Delaware River near the Eshback Boat Launch in Lehman Township.  26 Rescue, 26 Support, and 26 Boat responded along with dive teams from Bushkill, Hemlock Farms, and Portland Fire Departments.  Also responding to the call was rangers from the National Park Service.  Crews arrived and were advised that two people were witnessed clinging to the boat just north of the Eshback Launch.  A passerby was flagged down while traveling Old Mine Rd. in Walpack NJ by one of the fisherman that was in the boat to report the incident.  The passerby attempted to make a rescue of the two men still in the water but due the river’s dangerous current and high water from recent rains was unable to reach the two before they vanished out of his sight.  Crews from the agencies performed a massive search that included a half dozen boats and a MedEvac helicopter until night fall.  26 Boat was sent to secure and retrieve the boat involved in the incident and returned it to the command post at the Eshback launch.  The search was called off at nightfall and was resumed at daybreak by the National Park Service and several other search and rescue agencies.  Dingman Township units operated for just under three and a half hours.

 

Engine Covers Milford and Westfall

 04-02-3008-  Just before lunchtime today multiple units from eastern Pike County were dispatched to assist in Orange County, NY with a barn and brush fire.  With multiple units being committed to the fire for a lengthy amount of time 26 Engine was requested for move into Westfall’s firehouse to cover the area.  26 Engine and 26 Support responded with five volunteers were stood-by for just under five hours before being released.  No other calls for service were recorded during the stand-by.