2008 Call History Oct-Dec
December 17, 2008 - Training at U.P.B.
This evening 16 department personnel toured the Blaisdell/Bromely Theater and Fesenmyer Dorm as part of out pre plan preperations for the University of Pittsburg at Bradford.
December 15, 2008 - Vehicle Accident - High Street
This evening around 9:00 pm, firefighters were dispatched to a two car accident with one vehicle reported to be on its roof. Firefighters assisted Bradford City Ambulance and scene safety while the vehicles were removed. Units on scene included Engine "154" and Engine 151, as well as Bradford City Ambulance and Bradford Township Police Dept.
December 15, 2008 - Smoke in Structure
Around 5:30 this afternoon, the department was dispatched to a house on Sulilvan Road for reported "smoke in the structure". More info will be posted when it becomes available.
December 14, 2008 - Stand by for Station 11
This morning just after 11:30, one engine and crew were requested to stand by at Derrick City's Bolivar Drive station while D.C.V.F.D. responded mutual aid to a structure fire in Limestone, N.Y. The need for additional man power forced engine 151 and it's crew of 6 to transfer to Limestone's fire station while engine 155 and crew filled in at the Bolivar Drive station.
December 1, 2008: Oven Fire
At 7:30 PM this evening crews responded to a reported oven fire at 440 Congress at the Congress Street Appartments. Police officers arriving on scene reported that the fire had been put out with an extinguisher and that there was a considerable amount of smoke in the structure. Crews from engines 151 & 153 proceeded to use positive pressure ventilation to clear the rooms and hallways under the command of Chief 15 (Burkhouse) and Asst. Chief 15-20 (Lamielle). Units cleared the scene in about 45 minutes.
November 23, 2008 - Mutual Aid to Derrick City
This evening around 7:00, firefighters were requested to stand by at Derrick City - Station 11 for fire box 1144 - barn fire on Red Rock Road. As Engine 151 arrived at the station for their assignment, they were requested to the scene for water. While on scene crews were later requested to relieve personnel during the evening. Units on scene: Engine 151 with a crew of 9.
(Photos by Jay Bradish)
Also, during the barn fire, a fire box in Lewis Run came in for an automatic fire alarm at Keystone Powered Metal. Engine 153 responded with a crew of 8 along with units from Lewis Run - Station 6.
November 22, 2008 - Station 19 Tanker Overview
Although todays training with Corydon Township V.F.D. was cancelled, a few members made the snowy trip to Station 19's station in Corydon Tonwship to discuss mutal aid options with their new Tanker.
November 20, 2008 - Rollover
Shortly after 2:00 PM today engines 151 & 153, along with Chief 15 (Burkhouse) and Chief 15-10 (Brocius) responded to a reported Vehicle roll-over on West Washington Street near the Marilla reservoir. Engine 151 and Chief 15 arrived on scene to find one patient who was self-extricated and un-injured. Engine 153 was returned to quarters while the 151 engine crew remained on scene to assit PD and towing.
November 18, 2008 - Motor Vehicle Accident
The members of the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Dept. wish to express their deepest sympathies to the families that were affected by the tragic accident that occured today. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this difficult time.
November 17, 2008 - Car Strikes Rock
About 7:50 AM this morning engine 151 responded to a vehicle accident on West Washington Street near the Willowdale cemetary. Crews arrived to find no injuries and a car that had spun out on the snowy road striking a large rock.
November 16, 2008 - Vehicle Extrication & Fire Drills
Today fifteen members manning engines 151 & 153 ran multiple scenarios simulating vehicle crashes with entrapment and fire. A special focus was placed on newer members and firefighters working through the scenarios with little input from the officer ranks. These members worked well together and they got the job done. Nice work by all!
November 15, 2008 - Early Morning Vehicle Crash
A little after 2:00 AM this morning crews were dispatched to a vehicle crash with entrapment. Engines 151 & 153 Responded along with Chiefs 15 (Burkhouse) and 15-10 (Brocius). Captain 15-53 (Eliason) was first to arrive an scene and establish command. Captain Eliason reported that there was no entrapment, and advised responding units that there were three patients. It appeared that a pick up truck had rolled over several times, sheared off a utility pole, struck several parked vehicles, finally impacting a small structure. The engine crew of 151 assisted the Bradford City ambulance crews in packaging the patients for transport. Engine 153 was cancelled in route.
(Photos by Jay Bradish)
November 14, 2008 - Disaster Training at UPB
Four members of the department participated in a table top exercize today at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford campus. The Bradford Township & Bradford City Fire Departments, Township & City Police Departments, and County 911 center staff, along with campus police, university administration, and facilities management took part in the event facilitated by guest speaker Denis Conway. Mr Conway is the Director of Campus Safety at Skidmore College, a retired State Trooper where he was the Incident Commander for the Major Crisis/Hostage Negotiation/Forensics units. He is also a Weapons of Mass Destruction Inspector, and holds a Masters Degree for SUNY Rockefeller College. Mr Conway facilitated the scenario of a major snow storm impacting the UPB campus. Pictured below are BTVFD attendees (L-R): President Jim Long, FF Craig Dillaman (also with the Housing Division of UPB), Guest Speaker Denis Conway, Campus Police Chief Dan Songer, FF Jeff Valerius (also with Facilities Maintenance at UPB), And Mark Burns Asst. Chief of Campus Police. Also attending (taking the photo) was Asst. Chief Rick Brocius. Our department extends its thanks to Chief Songer for the invitation to this great training.
November 12, 2008
The members of Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department express their sincere sympathy to the Burkhouse family in the loss of their father and grandfather, J. Clair Burkhouse. He was the grandfather of Chief Dan Burkhouse.
November 8, 2008 - Comedy Night Draws Huge Crowd
This Saturday evening found everyone in good spirits enjoying great comedy provided by three professional comedians at the departments fall comedy fundraiser. About 300 patrons attended the event held at the Interstate Parkway Social Hall. Committee Chairman Ed Hayden did great job in putting together another great show. The department is very greatfull to all those who supported the event. A spring show will likely be announced early in 2009.
November 10, 2008 - Fire Prevention Programs
Fire prevention programs were held today at St. Bernard Elementary School. Students from preschool through middle school were shown videos and demonstrations on how to stay safe during emergency situations. "Homework" was issued to all students which included checking on their home's smoke detectors and creating an escape plan with their families. Firefighters Jeff Valerious Jr. and Steve Hughes would like to thank the faculty and students for allowing them to visit their school!
November 4, 2008 - Wildfire
About 2:00 PM this Afternoon the department was dispatched to a wildfire near a structure in the 800 block of Interstate Parkway. Chief 15 (Burkhouse), Chief 15-10 (Brocius), and engines 153 & 155 responded. Crews arived to find a fire in the woods about 20 feet behind a residence. A 1-3/4 inch hand line and a few ridge rakes made short work of the fire and crews returned to quarters in about 30 minutes.
(Photos by Jay Bradish)
November 3, 2008 - Motor Vehicle Accident
Late this evening crews were dispatched to a vehicle crash with reported entrapment and fire in the 600 block of West Corydon Street. Captain 15-53 (Eliason) lived near the accident and was quickly on scene establishing command, confirming entrapment and no fire. The crew of engine 151 stablized the vehicle and began extrication. Dispite significant damage to the car the driver was not seriously injured and the crew proceeded to remove the drivers door. Engine 153 arrived moments later and staged available from the scene. Crews were assisted by the Bradford City Fire Department ALS ambulance, and Bradford Township Police.
(Photos by Jay Bradish)
November 2, 2008 - Burn Tower Training
Today the engine crews divided into morning and afternoon sessions at the burn tower at the Tri-County Fire School in Smethport. Crews worked on initial attack scenarios, ladders, ventilation, primary search, and RIT rescue evolutions. Engine 151 and a crew of 11 handled the morning session, and engine 153 and a crew of 10 handled the afternoon evolutions. Special thanks to Chief Burkhouse, FF Tim Burkhouse, and Junior Andy Eliason for the extra time they put in setting up and preparing the scenarios.
October 30, 2008 - Funeral Services for Chief 5
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the members of the Kane Volunteer Fire Department and the friends and family of Chief Art Brechtel. Chief Brectel passed away Thursday afternoon at the West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. Art was the current Chief of the department and a lifetime member. Funeral service will be held on Monday at 2:00 PM at the First United methodist Church on Greeves Street in Kane. Our President James Long, Asst. Chief Rick Brocius, and a crew on Engine 151 will be traveling to Kane tomorrow to pay respects and provide response coverage during the services.
October 30, 2008 - HAZMAT Response (Cont.)
Following the initial size up the command staff reviewed the facility pre-plans and chemical specific information carried on the engine for the chemical acrolein. It was quickly determined that this product was both poisonous and flammable, and that Level-A protection was required. The County EMA Coordinators (Manning & Retger) were already responding, and the Port Allegheny Fire Department Decon Team and Elk County HAZMAT Team were requested. Technical support from the chemical manufacturer in Texas advised that the polymerization reaction occurring with this product could not be stopped. They further advised that a continuous water flood for 24-48 hours was required to cool the container and slow the reaction to stop the relief valve from venting the product. Additional consulting support was provided by the Cameron and Elk County EMA Coordinators. Additional fire ground support was provided by the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department. EMS operations and support was provided by the Bradford City Fire Department ALS unit and staff. Additional support resources included the Bradford Township Supervisors, American Red Cross, American Refining Group, The Department of Environmental Protection, The McKean County Sheriffs Office, and the staff of the McKean County 911 center. A specialist from Illinois arrived early Friday morning and at about 10:00 AM advised that the water flood operation could be terminated. The Derrick City, Corydon Township, and Bradford City Fire Departments provided stand-by coverage. Our department greatly appreciates the support and teamwork extended by all agencies and personnel that participated. Good job by all!
October 30, 2008 - HAZMAT Response
At 10:55 this morning the department was dispatched to a hazardous material release at the Baker-Petrolite facility on Rutherford Run. Chief 15-10 (Brocius) arrived on scene and established command. Facility personnel advised that they had experienced a release of a highly toxic and flammable product from a tank. The immediate area was evacuated and the scene was secured. Command was transfered to Chief 15 (Burkhouse) and Chief 15-10 assumed oprations. The McKean County EMA and the Elk County HAZMAT team were requested to the scene. Our thanks go out to all of the personnel and agencies on scene. Thanks to great team work by all the emergency was brought under control and there were no injuries. Units cleared the scene in about nine hours. (More to follow...)
Halloween 2008
Halloween is right around the corner! Click here for Halloween safety tips to ensure a fun filled evening. Trick or Treat hours in Bradford Township are 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. As in years past, we will be handing our treats at our Custer City Station and West Branch Station - hope to see you there!
October 25, 2008 - Senator Scarnati Kids Expo
Providing stand by coverage for the Bradford City Fire Dept. early this morning created much needed sleep for some, but did not prevent members of the fire department from presenting fire prevention and safety information at Senator Joe Scarnati's Kids Expo held in the gymnasium at the University of PIttsburgh at Bradford.
October 22, 2008 - Evacuation Drill at Zippo
Today the department assisted the emergency management staff at Zippo Manufacturing Company in observing a surprise evacutaion drill at the facility. Chief 15 (Burkhouse), Chief 15-10 (Brocius), and the crews from Engines 151 & 153 participated.
October 21, 2008 - University Pre-Planning
This evening the officers spent some time at the university touring and pre-planning two of the new dormatory facilities. A special thanks goes out to Dan Songer and campus police for thier support.
October 21, 2008 - Traffic Assist
This afternoon crews responded to the 400 block of Minard Run Road to assist the Township Police Department with a tree down in the roadway. Chief 15 (Burkhouse) and a crew from Utility 152 cleared the tree in just a few mnutes.
October 16, 2008 - Water Movement Training
Tonight all three engines participated in a variety of water movement operations. Crews placed a floating pump in a stream to supply a portable tank, to supply a draft engine, to supply a relay engine, to supply an engine shuttling water.
October 9, 2008 - RIT Training
Tonight members conducted night-time rescue and suppression drills in the station. Simulating a residential structure with a basement fire and entrapment, crews rotated through various scenarios blindfolded and in the dark to practice primary serach, suppression, and RIT skills.
October 3, 2008 - Fire Drills and Inspections
Today Crews conducted fire drills and building inspections at three educational facilities in the district. Crews visited the St. Bernards school on West Washinton street and the two Beacon Light facilities on South Avenue. Chief 15 (Burkhouse), Chief 15-10 (Brocius), Engine 151, Engine 153, Utility 152, and nine members participated. The department thanks the faculty and students for their cooperation and support.
Last updated by btvfd on 11/5/2009