2009 Call History Jan- July

July 7, 2009- Vehicle Fire on Congress Street

Just after 2000 hours Tuesday night, BTVFD was dispatched by McKean County 911 to a vehicle fire near the intersection of South Avenue and Congress Street. This was called in by a Bradford Township Police Offiicer who was passing the vehicle on Congress Street and noticed fire under it. The officer quickly put the fire out with a dry chemical fire extinguisher before Engine 153 along with Chief 15, Engine 151, and 26 members arrived on scene. Members remained on scene for about 40 minutes to assist with traffic control.

 

June 27, 2009- ATA Pre-plan

15 members participated in pre planning of the ATA bus garage on Rutherford Run. We also took the opportunity to check out all the different types of buses that are currently being used, and discussed rescue concerns. 

June 19-20, 2009- Jeep wash

The members of Bradford Township washed jeeps as a fund raiser while the annual Jeep Jamboree was in town. Members also assisted with traffic control for the morning departures.

 

June 16, 2009- West Corydon Street MVA

At 2018 on June 16, 2009 a dispatch for a MVA on West Corydon Street was received by the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bradford Township Police Dept, and Bradford City Fire Department ALS Ambulance. In all 28 firefighters and 2 Rescue engines responded from ST 15,  3  ALS ambulances from Station 1 and all Bradford Township Police Officers. Station 6 and Station 19 provided stand by coverage. 

A car with 4 occupants left the road and struck a parked SUV at 1052 West Corydon Street. Captain Eliason was first on scene and established command. Firefighters extricated 3 people by removing the roof and two doors. A fourth person self extricated before arrival of emergency personal. All patients were packaged and being transported 22 minutes after the first arriving Engine 151. 

 

All were flown by helicopter to out of the area hospitals.

The Fire Department remained on scene providing lighting for Police Officers to do there investigation. All units were available by 0300 hours.

 

 

June 14,2009- Hazardous Materials Class

24 Members attended a "Haz-mat" class held at BTVFD's Interstate Parkway fire hall on Sunday. The class instructor was Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor Bruce Manning. 12 members took the class for a Haz-mat Operations Refresher, while the other 12 took the class as a Haz-mat Awareness. The Haz-mat Operation students built simulated over flow and under flow dams. They also practiced foam applications. It was a successful day for all students, with all members passing the exam.  

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

June 11, 2009- Dry Hydrant Drills

June 7, 2009- Assist the Dive Team

At approximately 1430 hours Sunday, Station 15 along with Station 29 (Dive Team) were dispatched to assist the Bradford Township Police with retrieving a four-wheeler which was upside down in a creek off of Browntown Road. Members assisted the Dive Team with carrying equipment to the location of where the four-wheeler was going to be retrieved. After the Dive Team successfully pulled the four-wheeler to the bank, Clayts Towing towed the four-wheeler for the Bradford Township Police until they could verify the owner. OIC: Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason).

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

June 6, 2009- Motorcycle Accident

Around 1400 hours Saturday afternoon, the department was dispatched along with MA-1, for a motorcycle accident on Fuller Road just off of Minard Run. Engines 151 and 153 responded along with Chief 15-20 (H. Lamielle) and approximately 10 firefighters. After EMS crews evaluated the patient, they determined that the patient had severe injuries and was going to have to be flown out to another hospital. E-151 was then rerouted to establish a landing zone at a near-by church on Minard Run Road. Crews then assisted the EMS Crews with loading the patient in the chopper. OIC: Chief 15-20 (H. Lamielle).

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

June 5, 2009- Haz-Mat with Fire

At 1430 hours today, an Acetylene Tank fire brought 2 engines to 24 Northland Avenue. Assistant Chief E. Wright had crews cool and extinguish the fire that was located in a garage door opening of the shop. One worker for Norther Tier Inc. suffered burns and was transported by Priority Care Ambulance to Bradford Regional Medical Center. The fire occured while the worker was changing tanks. Station 6 and Station 11 provided stand by coverage. OIC: Chief 15-10 (E.Wright)

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

June 5, 2009- Automatic Alarm at Beacon Light

At 0838 today, Bradford Township Fire Fighters were dispatched to 940 South Avenue, a Beacon Light group home, for an automatic fire alarm. While enroute, Chief Burkhouse was notified that the alarm was for burnt food. Personnel staged in quarters. Chief Burkhouse later requested U-152 and a crew to the scene to clear smoke from the structure with a positive pressure fan. Crews were on scene for 20 minutes.

May 28, 2009- Members Witness an MVA

While work session was underway Thursday night, Station 15 members witnessed a 1 car motor vehicle accident, into a utility pole, near the intersection of West Washington Street and Dorothy Lane. Personnel quickly gathered and responded with E-151. With only a short distance to the scene, E-151 along with Captain 15-53 (Eliason) who established West Washington Command, arrived on scene and confirmed 1 patient, 1 vehicle which had sheared off a utiltiy pole, and with wires on the ground. Station 15 personnel assisted MA-1 with patient evaluation. E-151 and crew were on scene for approximately 3 hours.

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

May 25, 2009- Parade

Today the members of BTVFD and their families celebrated Memorial Day by participating in the Home Town Parade. The Township Police Department also participated with the Fire Department and showed their new Chevy Tahoe Patrol Vehicle.  Jim Long and Lanny Layton also joined with the 1955 Mack, which was a Bradford City Fire Engine and is now owned by Jim and Lanny.

May 24, 2009- Minard Run Rollover

Just before noon today, 15 firefighters along with the Bradford City Ambulance responded to a 1 car motor vehicle accident on Minard Run approximately 2 miles past the Pennhills Golf Course. The initial dispatch stated that there was one patient self extricated, unknown any other injuries or details. Engine 153 along with Captain 15-52 (Valerius) arrived on scene and confirmed  that there was only one patient with minor inuries. Personnel on scene assisted the ambulance crew with patient packaging. Engine 151 and crew were recalled enroute. Firefighters were on scene for approximately 30 minutes.

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

May 23, 2009- MVA on 770 West

At 0013 this morning, a dispatch was received for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment and possible 1 ejection. With the McKean County 911 Center uncertain of where on 770 West the accident was located, Station 21 (Lafayette Township) and Station 15, along with the Bradford City Ambulance were dispatched. First arriving units found the accident part way up the hill, and confirmed that it was in Bradford Township. The driver was extricated in 13 minutes and the search for the possible ejected child was being conducted with the use of 2 Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC's). The child was located at a grandparents home. Station 21 units established a landing zone for the helicopter at the Pine Acres Golf Course.

While enroute to the motor vehicle accident, Station 15 was dispatched for QRS to assist MA-1 for an unresponsive on Pennhills Drive. Station 6 (Lewis Run) was dispatched to assist MA-1. Station 19 (Corydon Township) was also on stand by. Rod Johnson and his bloodhound were also cancelled enroute.

May 19, 2009- Wildfire

This afternoon at 1400 hours, Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for a wild fire. A passing truck driver on 219 saw the fire on the hillside above 1373 High Street and called McKean County 911 Dispatch Center. Chief 15 (Burkhouse) arrived on scene and advised that nearly 2 acres were involved, and contained by trails. 12 firefighters, Utility 152, and Engine 153 were on scene for about one and a half hours using Indian cans and Ridge rakes to extinguish the fire caused by debris burning.

 

May 16, 2009- Trail Clean-Up

This morning, 5 department members along with 3 Bradford Rotary members did their annual clean-up on the Richard E. McDowell Trail through the "Adopt-a-Trail" Program. Personnel trimmed trees, mowed grass, and did other various jobs on the trail. Crews were on the trail for about 3 hours.

 

May 16, 2009- Tri County Fire School

May 14, 2009- Thursday Night Drill

May 9, 2009- Howard Warfield Memorial Golf Outing

On Saturday, 23 teams of 4 participated in the annual Howard Warfield Memorial Golf Outing held at the Pennhills Club. Chief Burkhouse got the tournament underway with a blow from E-153's Q2B siren. With the exceptions of a little rain and wind, all golfers and members seemed to have a good time. After all teams had finished their 18 holes of golf, they made their way to the clubhouse for a delicious dinner provided by the Pennhills Country Club. During dinner, chinese auctions were raffled off and distributed. This included our Flat Screen TV Raffle, with the winner being Dennis Trumbull of Bradford. The Golf Ball Toss completed our night, with the winner being Officer Rob Shipman. Boo Coder was also the winner of "Closest to the Pin" on hole 6. The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank all participants, volunteers, hole sponsors, Pennhills, and anyone who helped or made this event another successful year! Your help was greatly appreciated! 

1^st Place- Team Dairy Queen/Marshall Insurance, Dave Monago, Matt Monago, Mick Marshall, and Ryan Marshall

2^nd Place- Team Grace Luthern Church, Rev. Art Cox, Pete Evers, Don Keck, and Al Vanderpool

3^rd Place- Team Lyons, Nick Lyons, Dom Lyons, Mike Caulley, and Ken Heitman

4^th Place- Team Family of Chief B. A., Butch Bartlett, Ray Douglas, Jack Leasure, and Andy Johnson

April 27, 2009- Wildfire in Lafayette

April 25, 2009- Wildfire in Eldred Township

At approximately 1630 hours Saturday evening, McKean County 911 Center dispatched area departments including BTVFD, requesting Utility Trucks and man power, to assist Station 18 (Eldred Township) with a wild fire on the Artline Road. A total of eleven firefighters including Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) and Utility 152, made their way to Eldred Township shortly after the dispatch. After arriving on scene, Bradford Township's crew was assigned to make their way to the head of the fire, and create a fire line down the right flank and anchor it to a dozer line.Other various assignments were given to the crew throughout the night, including the aid in extinguishment and mop-up. The District 15 Wildfire Suppression Crew was also called to the scene. This brought additional members of local fire departments to the scene. Bradford Township was released at approximately 0100 hours Sunday morning.

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

April 25, 2009- Fuel Spill

At 0339 hours Saturday morning, Station 15 was dispatched to a Fuel Spill across from Georgia Pacific on Owens Way. Chief 15 arrived on scene and found a contracted truck delivering to Georgia Pacific had ruptured its fuel tank while enroute to Georgia Pacific. With Chief 15 (Burkhouse), Chief 15-10 (Wright), Engine 153, Utility 152, and approximately 10 firefighters on scene, a containment operation was initiated. With diking and absorbants, the situation was controlled and released to a private clean-up crew around 1000 hours. Other agencies involved included the Bradford Township Police Department, McKean County EMA, PA Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Georgia Pacific Management. OIC: Chief 15 (Burkhouse).

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

April 23, 2009- Pump Practice

Tonight, thirty three members of the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department participated in Rural Water Movement with Corydon Township's "New Vacuum Tanker." The new 3,500 gallon tanker provided water supply for several simulated scenarios.

 

April 17-19, 2009- Members attend Tri County Fire School 

Seven fire department members attended classes at Tri County Fire School over the weekend.  Friday night, they attended an Oil and Gas Well Emergency Awareness class.  On Saturday and Sunday, the same 7 attended a 16 hour Oil and Gas Well Emergency Operations Level class.  Total class attendance was 23 people at each of the three days of class. On saturday, we spent time in the class on the response to Oil and Gas Well Emergencies.  At the end of the day we toured an Atlas Tank Battery.  On Sunday, we discussed extinguishing methods and demonstrated effectiveness of different Dry Chemical extinguishers and different types of foam.  Later we saw a demonstration of 2 sizes of small scale Crude Oil Tank Boil Overs.

April 18, 2009- Sterling Run Wild Fire 

On Saturday April 18, seven members of BTVFD, that are members of the District 15 Wildfire Suppression crew, made up part of a 14 man crew that assisted with controlling an approximate 75 acre fire near Emporium, PA Forest District 13.   The crew left from the Rew fire hall at 1800 hrs Saturday and returned Sunday morning at 0900.  After being briefed by DCNR personnel, the District 15 crew worked through the night doing mop up work and fire line improvement.   Several camps in the area were threatened by the fire early in the day. 

 

April 10, 2009- Bradford City Fires

At 06:57 hours this morning, Station 1 (Bradford City) was dispatched to a working structure fire at the corner of Elm Street and Congress Street. Minutes after arrival a second alarm was dispatched, bringing Engine 151 and crew to Central Fire Station. Station 15 firefighters arrived at Central Station at 07:11 hours. By 07:15 hours all available Station 15 firefighters were on the fire scene. Command (Angell) gave Station 15 the task of exposure control on the south side of the fire. It was a large two story structure, approximately 3 feet from the original fire building. The fire in the exposure building was held in two rooms of a single story portion, with some extension to the second floor of the main area of the house. Firefighters were faced with double board construction. Crews worked on the first and second floors and the finished attic area. 

 

At 08:20 hours a second structure fire was dispatched. This fire was located one block away on Tibbetts Avenue. Engine 155 was the attack engine for crews from Station 1 (Bradford City), Station 6 (Lewis Run), Station 11 (Derrick City), and Station 15 (Bradford Township). Crews with Engine 151 and 153 were released from Congress Street at approximately 10:00 hours. Engine 155 and crew was released from the Tibbetts Avenue fire at 11:15 hours.

 

Station 19 (Corydon Township) and Station 21 (Lafayette Township) provided stand by coverage. Chief 1 (Coder) and the PA state police fire marshal are investigating both fires. All the departments worked very well together on these multiple alarm jobs.

(Photos by Jay Bradish)

April 4, 2009- Bradford Township Awards Banquet

The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department held its 27^th Annual Awards Banquet Saturday evening at the Interstate Parkway Fire Station. Over eighty firefighters and guests attended the event. President Jim Long and Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse presented service awards to Robert Eliason and Tony Lama for ten years, Harry Lamielle for 25 years and Jeff Andrews for 30 years. A 45-year Service Award was presented posthumously to the family of Firefighter Dick Salada earlier in the day. Mr. Salada passed away last week.  Jeff Valerius, Sr., was recognized as BradfordTownship’s 2008 Firefighter of the Year. Sara Andrews received the special service award for 18 years of service with the Bingo Committee. Twenty-nine department members were presented with the training awards by Assistant Chiefs Harry Lamielle and Earl Wright. Rick Grandinetti was the Master of Ceremonies for the event.  Guest Speaker for the event was Rod Johnson of Port Allegany, PA, representing the McKean County Sherriff’s Department Search and Rescue Team and the Mountaineer Search and Rescue Team of Emporium.  Mr. Johnson spoke on the training of search dogs and how searches are conducted. His search dog Rem-me, a bloodhound accompanied him.   

March 28, 2009- Mutual Aid to Lafayette Fire

At 0406 Sat morning March 28^th as part of a St 21 box alarm at the corner of Big Shanty Rd and Taintor Rd. Bradford Twp members responded to the Custer City and West Branch stations for standby. At 0422 the crew from Custer City was called to the scene. E-153 and U-152 responded to assist St 21 Lafayette Twp and St 6 Lewis Run. Also Engine 151 and St 7 were called to the scene shortly after. The efforts were able to save several trucks parked within 5 feet of the C side of the burning structure. St 1, St 11, and St 19 provided stand by coverage.   St 15 Returned at 0632.

March 25, 2009- District 15 Wildfire Call Up

On Wednesday, 4 members of BTVFD who are members of The District 15 Wildfire Suppression Crew joined 6 other crew members in assisting in controlling a near 300 acre fire along Route 120 near Emporium. The Tunnel Hill Fire was first reported Tuesday afternoon and burned out of control for nearly 24 hours. Crew members left the Bradford Area at noon Wednesday, and returned back at approximately 0330 hours Thursday.

March 22, 2009- Stand By for Station 11

 At approximately 1435 hours today, Engine 151 and a crew transfered to Derrick City's Bolivar Drive station due to Station 11 getting hit with back-to-back calls. Engine 151 and its crew were released at 1510 hours.

March 21, 2009- Georgia Pacific Pre- Planning 

On Saturday, 18 members of BTVFD were joined by the duty crew from the Bradford City Fire Department and toured the facility to review some command procedures between the fire department and the management for all types of emergencies. Water supply and additional resources were also discussed. 

March 14, 2009- Mutual Aid to Lewis Run

At 2058 hours, a first alarm assignment was dispatched to Station 6 at 1524 South Avenue in Lewis Run Borough. Engine-153 and a crew of 8 responded and remained on scene for about an hour searching for a smoke odor. The Thermal Imaging Camera and Heat Sensors were used to search the structure . Station 15 units were released by Chief 6 at 2206 hours.

March 14, 2009- Saturday Morning Training

Saturday morning, Chief Burkhouse and Utility-152 with a crew of 4 engaged in a training exercise with Rew (Station 8) and Otto Township (Station 9). They were able to use a structure that is to be demolished later this month. Crews worked on basic attack and ventilation procedures. A smoke and fire simulator was also demonstrated.

 

 

March 13, 2009- "Friday the 13th"

At 2139 hours, Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department Firefighters were dispatched for a possible chimney fire at 950 High Street. Chief Burkhouse arrived on scene within 3 minutes of the dispatch, and did an initial size up. After doing his initial size up, Chief Burkhouse discovered fire in the walls of the single story structure. This cut our bingo crew in half as Engines 155 and 151 responded to join Engine 153 on scene. Interior crews used a 1 3/4" hose line to contain the fire to one wall. Crews over hauled the area and pulled some ceiling tiles to check for extension. 14 firefighters cleared the scene at 2313 hours. Station 6 and Station 19 provided stand-by coverage.

Febuary 22, 2009 - Stand by for Station 1

At app. 20:00 hrs Engine 151 and a crew was sent to Central Fire Station while Bradford City Fire Fighters were on scene of a structure fire.  Additional crews were also at the Custer City and West Branch stations.

Febuary 20-21, 2009 - The Kinzua Out Door Show

Friday evening and Saturday, members of the dept. maned a display at the Kinzua Out Door Show and passed out Fire Safety  information also smoke detectors, Carbonmonoxide detectors and fire extinguishers where given away as door prizes.

February 13, 2009 - MVA

This afternoon at 16:16 hrs Engine 151 and a crew of 9 responded to a MVA rollover at 934 West Washington street the Fire Dept. assisted Twp PD and Bradford City Ambulance.

February 12, 2009 - Ice Rescue Trainning

Thursday evening 37 members of Bradford Twp. and Corydon Twp. Vol. Fire Dept. met at the West Branch station to review procedures and equipment for ice rescue.

 

 February 9, 2009 - Mutual Aid Structure Fire with ST. 7

This morning at 06:14 hrs a first Alarm mutual aid assignment turned out 12 fire fighters, engine 153, utility 152, Chief Burkhouse, and asst. Chief Lamielle to RT 646 just east of Aiken for a residential structure fire.

 

Crews attacked the fire from E-153 and Engine 81 from Rew to set up water supply. An engine and crew from Smethport joined in on the fire attack. Lewis Run also sent a tanker to the scene. Stand by’s provided by ST. 19 and ST. 11.

 

The structure sustained heavy fire and smoke damage.

 

Station 7 released all mutual aid companies at 08:30 and remained on scene continuing mop-up operations.

 

February 7, 2009 - MVA

At 22:04 hours the fire department was dispatched to the intersection of RT 219 and Minard Run Road for a one car MVA. Engine 153 and a crew of twelve assisted Bradford TWP PD in controlling the accident scene and returned to the station at 22:30.

 

 

February 6, 2009 - Stand by for Station 1

This afternoon at 13:25 Bradford Twp. responded Engine 151 and crew of 6 to stand by at Central Fire Station. While they were on a general alarm structure fire at 159 South Av. At 14:35 a second call was dispatched for smoke in a second floor apartment at 35 Roberts Street. Engine 151 responded along with Engine 2 from Bradford City, no service was needed.

January 30, 2009 - Chimney Fire Interstate Parkway 

This evening at 5:30 PM, firefighters were dispatched to a chimney fire, flames showing, at 470 Interstate Parkway. Engine 151 and Engine 153 responded along with Chief Burkhouse and Assistant Chief Wright. The fire was contained to the chimney with no damage to the structure.   Firefighters removed the fire from the wood stove and assisted the home owner with initial cleaning of the chimney. 14 firefighters were on scene for 1 hour 10 minutes. A crew with Engine 155 stood by at West Branch and Lewis Run, Station 6, also stood by at their station.

 

January 27, 2009 - E-153 Comes Home Again

Sad to see her go……Glad to have her back!

 

Engine 153 was returned to service on 1-27-09 after having warranty work done at the factory in Wisconsin.

 

 

 

 

January 26, 2009 - High Street Fire

 

While stand by coverage was in place at Central Fire Station for a structure fire at 26 East Avenue, a crew of 5 firefighters went to the scene to assist with additional SCBA supply for the city firefighters. Just as the crew was returning to central fire station, a second structure fire was reported at 132 High Street.   Station 1 was fully committed to the East Avenue fire, therefore Station 15 responded with 3 engines and 24 firefighters. 

 

The High Street fire was contained to one upstairs bedroom along with heavy heat and smoke damage to the entire second floor. Water Damage was kept to a minimum by crews doing salvage on the first floor. Crews were on scene for approximately 2 hours.

 

January 26, 2009 - Bradford Forest Products Fire

A Monday morning fire at Bradford Forest Products caused moderate damage to the electrical system that serviced the saw mill portion of the facility, and light damage to the structure.    Fire crews laid 350’ of supply line and then 100’ of 2 ½” from Engine 151 to a common corridor in the building, where a gated Y and two 200’ 1 ¾ “ attack lines were laid as a precaution while overhaul and ventilation was performed. 

 

Asst. Chief Lamielle had exterior operations, Asst. Chief Wright had RIT, Captain Valerius had ventilation, and Captain Eliason had interior operations. Chief Burkhouse coordinated the efforts between Bradford Forest Products and the fire department. 

 

Smoke conditions at the time of arrival were thick from ceiling to floor. Due to the electrical problems in the building, the number of roof ventilators was limited.   Additional positive pressure fans were supplied by the City of Bradford Fire Department.

Lewis Run and Corydon Township provided standby coverage for BTVFD who was on scene for approximately 2 hours.

 

Bradford Forest Products made temporary repairs and hoped to have further repairs finished by the end of the week. 

 

January 22, 2009 - New Accountability System

On Thursday, the department received its Data Card System for making accountability tags. This will be managed by the junior advisers and will be a program operated by the junior members of our department. This goes hand in hand with one of their on scene duties of assisting with scene safety. This purchase was made possible with funding from our SAFER Grant.

 

January 16, 2009 - MVA with fire on Route 770

This afternoon at 4:45, the department was dispatched to a one vehicle accident which resulted in the car catching on fire.  The incident took place approximately one mile west of Custer City on Route 770.  The vehicle left the roadway, struck a guardrail and caught on fire.  Firefighters use fire extinguishers and a hand line from Engine 154 (The Thing) to extinguish the fire.  14 firefighters responded and were on scene for approximately one hour.  OIC Chief 15 (Burkhouse).  Units on scene:  Engine 154 and Utility 152.  

 

January 15, 2009 - MVA on Rt. 219

This evening on the way to an in house training U-152 came across a motor vehicle accident on the over pass of Owens Way.  The crew stopped to assist the Bradford Township PD and requested MA1 to the scene Chief 15-10 (Wright) had command of the scene.

January 11, 2009 - MVA on West Washington

This afternoon around 3 pm, BTVFD was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident near 2060 West Washington Street.  Additional reports indicated that one vehicle had left the roadway.  15 firefighters led the initial response with Captain 1553 (Eliason) in command.  Units arrived to find one vehicle off the road in to a ditch.  Crews secured the scene until the vehicle was removed.  Units on scene:  Engine 151.  OIC Captain 1553 (Eliason).

 

January 9, 2009 - Car Fire on West Washington

This evening, as many firefighters were getting Bingo underway, BTVFD was dispatched for a car fire at 2086 West Washington Street.  Captain 1553 (Elaison) along with 7 firefighters and Engine 151 arrived on scene to find the vehicle, an early model Ford pickup truck, smoldering thanks to a timely arrival of a few Corydon Township firefighters.  Firefighters secured the scene and disonnected the battery.  Units on scene: Engine 151.  OIC: Captain 1553 (Elaison).