On Thursday, at 0057 hours McKean County 911 center dispatched Station 15 to 356 West Corydon Street for a camper fire. Upon arriving on scene Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason) advised responding units of a working fire endangering a residence. When Engine 151 arrived on scene the crew used a 1 ¾” hose line to extinguish the fire and was able to prevent any damage to the house that was approximately 10 feet away. The Ford pickup that the camper was attached to sustained moderate damage along with a boat that was approximately 5 feet away.
Photos copyright Jay Bradish
Later that morning at approximately 0600 hours Station 15 was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident in the 300 block of West Corydon Street. Station 15 personnel managed the scene and assisted the Bradford City Ambulance crew. Bradford Township Police released firefighters at approximately 0630 hours.
Photos copyright Jay Bradish
Thursday Night Training
Members welcomed the opportunity to practice extrication techniques on a school bus. A bus donated by the Bradford Area School District allowed members to practice access techniques and also different methods of extrication pathways. This is one part of an ongoing school bus emergency training that has been in operation for a near month and will conclude with a drill June 7th.
May 31, 2010- Memorial Day Parade
BTVFD loaded up the engines this morning and headed to the City of Bradford to participate in the Memorial Day Parade and also show our respect and gratitude towards the past and present military figures who have made this country what it is today. The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department would like to personally thank those who have made that dedication and have continued to persue the fight for this countries freedom!
May 17, 2010- Nelson Avenue Structure Fire
On Monday, McKean County 911 Center dispatched Station 15 on Box 1531, for a reported structure fire at 27 Nelson Avenue. The Bradford Township Police were in the area and on scene within minutes and confirmed smoke showing. Engine 151 arrived on scene within 5 minutes and forced entry and made an attack on the fire with two 1 3/4" hose lines. Engine 155 arrived and layed in from a near by hydrant and supplied Engine 151. Engine 153's crew arrived on scene and established an RIT team, and also assisted with interior operations. Chief 15-20 (H. Lamielle) had command, while Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) had Operations in the basement. Chief 15-10 (E. Wright) had the first floor Operations. Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall Greg Agosti was called to the scene to help with the investigation into the cause of the fire that did moderate fire damage and extensive heat and smoke damage to the resident.
Station 1, 6, and 19 were on standby. Station 1 and 19 handled a 2nd call for a Motor Vehicle Accident in Station 15's district located on West Washington Street, near the Marilla Reservoir. All apparatus were available at 1530 hours.
May 8, 2010- 5th Annual Howard J. Warfield Memorial Golf Open
The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department hosted it's 5th Annual Howard Warfield Memorial Golf Open on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Pennhills Club. Although the weather was less than desirable, the tournament went on as planned. Winning the tournament with a score of 64 was the foursome of Shawn Disney, Dan Disney, Brett Butler, and Mike Butler. Second place, also with a score of 64, was the team of Dave Monago, Matt Monago, Pete Pascarella, and Brent Raabe. Third place went to the team of Mike Vinelli, Bob Mongillo, Tony Lonzi, and Bob Frantz with a score of 66. Fourth place with a score of 68, went to Jude Dach, Kerri Dach, Dan Ensell, and Brandon Plowman. Closest to the pin on hole six was won by Mike Kervin with 19' 1". Congratulations to our winners.
A big Thank you to all of our sponsors and those who donated door prizes. We would like to thank all in attendance for your continued support of BTVFD. Congratulations to all players for making it through the day without freezing! We have already put in a request for warmer and drier weather for next year!
May 5, 2010- Evening Wildfire
Just after 1500 hours today, Station 15 was dispatched for a wildfire on Route 770 West, just west of the Songbird Road intersection. Within minutes of arriving on scene, Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) requested mutual aid from Station 6 (Lewis Run), Station 11 (Derrick City), Station 19 (Corydon Township), and Station 21 (Lafayette Township). He also requested DCNR employees, out of the Coudersport office, be alerted of this incident. An initial direct attack to extinguish the fire was soon converted to an indirect attack on the fire, as wind and fire conditions didn't allow for a direct attack. Firefighters were on scene for about 6 hours containing and mopping up the 20 acre fire. The fire was declared out at 2130 hours. Chief 15-10 (E. Wright) had command, while Chief 15 and Forest Fire Warden 15 (L. Smith) had operations. Units on Scene: Utility 152, Engine 153, Utility 63, Tanker 62, Utility 115, Rescue 194, and Rescue 212.
May 1 & 2, 2010- Waren County Fire School
This weekend six members attended the Warren County Fire School held in Youngsville PA. The class was titled Basement Fires and Recognizing Signs of Flashover. There were 29 students in the class and a training simulator trailer was used from Sagertown. The trailer used propane instead of wood products to show signs of flashover and rollover. The propane system makes simulating rollover easy to produce.
April 23, 2010- Wildfire on Gates Hollow
At 1806 hours Friday evening, the McKean County 911 Center dispatched Station 15 for a wildfire on the hill above 181 Gates Hollow. Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse), Utility 152, Engine 153, and Engine 155 all responded within two minutes of the dispatch. Engine 151 was at Station 19's fire station, standing by for them while they were battling a wildfire in their township. Upon arrival on Gates Hollow, residents of the neighborhood used ATV's to transport firefighters approximately 1/2 mile up on the hill to the fire. Firefighters spent 2 and 1/2 hours containing and extinguishing the 2 acre fire. They used leaf blowers, ridge rakes, and chain-saws to create a containment line and then do a cold mop up. Chief 15 and DCNR are still investigating the cause of the fire. Station 11 transferred an engine and crew to stand by at our West Branch station, while Station 6 stood by at their station to provide coverage for our Custer City valley.
April 15, 2010- Georgia Pacific Pre-plan
Tonight for our weekly work session, 27 BTVFD members along with 5 members from the on duty city crew, went to Georgia Pacific to do our yearly pre-planning. Members did exterior observations, while other crews did walks through the plant.
April 3, 2010- Mutual Aid Assignment with Station 1
At 1059 Saturday morning, Engine 155 transferred to the Central Fire Station in the City of Bradford for a 2nd alarm assignment, due to Box 0121 being dispatched for a structure fire at the intersection of School Street and North Center Street. A crew was also standing by with Engine 153 at our Custer City Station. At 1104, Chief 1 (Coder) requested the Bradford Township crew standing by at central to the scene. Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) and Engine 155 responded and assisted with exposure protection and mop up. Engine 153 and Chief 15-10 (E. Wright) back filled Engine 155 and stood by at central. Station 19 also transferred Engine 191 to our West Branch station to stand by for us. All Station 15 units were available at 1405 hours.
March 27, 2010- 28th Annual Awards Banquet
This evening BTVFD held its 28th annual awards banquet at our Interstate Parkway Station. Over 80 members and guests attended. Members who received service awards were Jim Dittman and Jim Long- 35 years, Allen Fuller and Joe Hinaman- 30 years, Dick Tyger- 25 years, Steve Abers- 20 years, Brad Goldthwait and Earl Wright- 15 years, Jeff Valerius Sr.- 10 years, and Jay Bradish and Matt Cobb- 5 years. Thirty two members received the annual training award. Steve Abers also received the Distinguished Life Time Member Award. Jay Bradish and Cindy Burkhouse received Outstanding Service Awards. Pastor Robert Brest, of the First Free Methodist Church, was presented with a white Chaplain's helmet for his many years of service to the fire department. Mike "Truckie" Lang from Long Island, NY, a University of Pittsburgh at Bradford student, received a special award for his 2 years of service to the department as he is leaving to go to another college to further his education. Our guest speaker of the night was Wade Kisler, a forester with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He talked about the investigation of wildfires. The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank all of the members for their dedication and service towards the fire department!
March 16, 2010- 3 Car MVA
Today at approximately 0945 hours the McKean County 911 center dispatched Station 15 for a 3 car mva at the intersection of Dorothy Lane and Campus Drive. 5 people were involved, only minor injuries and all were refusals, with no entrapment. Station 15 crews handled fluid leaks, cleaned up the roadway, and had traffic control.
March 11, 2010- Hedgehog Oil Spill
At 1053 hours today, McKean County 911 dispatched Station 15, Bradford Township Police, and EMA 4201 (B. Manning), to 158 Hedgehog Lane for a report of crude oil running along the road into a drainage ditch. Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) arrived on scene at 1058 and confirmed that there was crude oil leaking along the road. Chief 15 met a worker from Aiello's Oil Company on scene who told him that a valve was left open, and was then soon shut off by him. The worker estimated that between 1400-1600 gallons of oil was spilled. Chief 15 established Hedgehog Command and immediate action was begun near the roadway were the drainage went under the road through the woods to the creek that runs south to West Washington Street. Command assigned 2 recon teams to determine how far the spill had traveled. Team 1 reported no sign of oil at West Washington and started up through the cemetary following the stream. Team 2 started down from the origin and reported approximately 1/4 of a mile off the road that the snow and ice had acted as a dam and was containing most of the oil. Booms and pads were put in the drainage above and below this natural under flow dam, while more resources were ordered. A command system was set up and positions were filled with the following: Incident Command- Dan Burkhouse, Safety Officer- Rick Grandinetti, Staging- Jim Dittman and Rick Grandinetti, Operations Below the Road- Tim Burkhouse, Operations Along the Road- Randy Grandinetti, Logistics- Bruce Manning, Public Information Officer- Bradford Township Supervisor Gayle Bauer, Traffic Control- Fire Police Captain Dick Williams. As resources that were requested started filling in, a large dam construction sector was added to work with the oil companies and heavy equipment operators. Firefighter 15-09 (D. Farrell) coordinated these efforts.
At 1202 hours, command requested Station 19 (Corydon Township) for man power, and Station 11 (Derrick City) to transfer 1 engine and a crew to the West Branch station. Station 1 (Bradford City) and Station 6 (Lewis Run) were also put on stand by for Station 15. Public Information Officer also gave her first press release at this time. Additional resources constructed approximately 5 man made under flow dams on the lower side of Hedgehog, while 3 under flow dams and a containment pond were built on the upper side of the road. A Vac truck operation was also started, with Chief 19 (Doug Cobb) and Chief 19-20 (D. Lechiara) coordinating these efforts.
At approximately 1240, Engine 112 was moved to the scene and Station 15-3 was back filled by Station 11. At 1430 hours, Chief 15 transferred command to firefighter 15-17 (J. Bradish) and Chief 15 along with 4201 did a recon of the scene so they could start planning the next operation work period and decide what additional resources would be needed depending on the arrival of a clean up company.
At 1525 hours, additional man power was requested from Station 15, 19, and 11 to improve the man made under flow dams on both sides of the road. Limestone Volunteer Fire Department was moved to Station 11 for standby. At 1700 hours, command was transferred to Chief 15-20 (H. Lamielle) and the PIO released a second report to the media. Crews continued to improve dams and remove and replace absorbent pads while awaiting the clean up company.
At approximately 1800 hours, the supervisor for ECS & R clean up company arrived and a briefing was held. At 1900 hours mutual aid companies were demobilized. At 2000 hours the clean up company crew and equipment arrived and the incident was released back to Shriner & Aiello's and ECS & R clean up company. Command was terminated at 2111 hours.
Units on Scene: Chief 15, Chief 15-20, E-151, U-152, E-155, Chief 19, Chief 19-20, Rescue 194, E-112, EMA 4201 and 4202 (J. Rettger). Law enforcement on scene: Bradford Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, McKean County Sherriff's Department. Other agencies included State Representative Marty Causer, McKean County Commissioner Al Pingie, and the Bradford Township Supervisors, DEP, Fish Commission, Red Cross, Bradford Township Road Crew, and numerous local oil companies.
The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank everyone who helped bring this incident to a safe and successful outcome!
March 9, 2010- Bradford Manor AFA
Just before 1600hrs today, McKean County dispatched Box 1533 for a general fire alarm at 50 Langmaid Lane the Bradford Manor Nursing Home. Engine 151 and Engine 153 responded with 15 firefighters. Captain 1552 (Valerius) had command. Firefighters found a sprinkler head in a food storage area which had been activated. Personnel shut the sprinkler system off, and found no evidence of a fire. The sprinkler system company was called to make repairs and maintenance staff began cleanup because of the moderate water damage to the structure and food stored in the affected area. All units were available at 1730 hrs. Station 1 was on standby at their station.
March 6, 2010- Holmatro Demo
The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department was recently awarded a federal grant to purchase a new set of hydraulic rescue tools (Jaws of Life). A representative for Holmatro rescue tools (ESI) equipment brought some new tools down for the membership to test and compare. The membership will use this information to help determine what tools will be purchased with the grant.
February 21, 2010- Wildfire Class
Today completed a two day class which included the PA-130 and S-190 for 10 members of BTVFD. The class was held at the Forestry Bureau in Coudersport. Members learned all about Wildfires and the importance of knowing how to extinguish them properly and factors that can stand in your way while trying to do so. There were about 20 total students in the class.
February 21, 2010- Dorothy Lane MVA
Just before 1100 hours today, Station 15 personnel were dispatched to the intersection of Dorothy Lane and Campus Drive for a motor vehicle accident. McKean County reported that there were only minor injuries, if any at all. Chief 15 (D.Burkhouse), Chief 15-10 (E.Wright), and Engine 151 all responded and assisted on scene. Crews cleaned up a small amount of gasoline that was on the roadway, due to the accident. Fire police assisted with traffic control until all units cleared within 40 minutes.
February 20, 2010- Vehicle Into a Structure
Today at 1426 hours, the McKean County 911 Center dispatched Station 15 along with MA-1 and the Bradford Township Police Department to a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of West Corydon Street and Niles Hollow. It was reported that one vehicle had driven into a house, and unknown details were given at the time of the initial dispatch. Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason) arrived on scene within 2 minutes and gave a scene report of 1 vehicle off the road with no entrapment and possible minor injuries. Fire department personnel managed the scene and assisted the ambulance and police at the scene. Engine 151, along with Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse), Chief 15-20 (H. Lamielle), and the University of Pittsburgh Police all assisted with on scene duties. All units were cleared of the scene by 1515 hours.
February 18, 2010- RIT Class
Tonight, the conclusion of the Rapid Intervention Team Class was held at our Interstate Parkway Station. The class began last thursday and was instructed by Lanny Layton, a PA State Fire Instructor. The class covered safety issues and resources needed for firefighter rescues. Rescue techniques were demonstrated tonight as part of the class. There were a total of 48 firefighters who completed the class coming from Bradford City, Rew, Derrick City, Corydon Township, and Bradford Township.
February 8, 2010- Rutherford Run Structure Fire
At 1213 hours Monday afternoon, Box 1521 was dispatched for a garage fire at 219 Rutherford Run. Bradford Township Police Department arrived on scene within 3 minutes and confirmed a fully involved garage fire extending to the near by house.
Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) while in route requested Tanker 62 (Lewis Run VFD) to the scene. Chief 15 arrived on scene within 6 minutes of the dispatch and assumed command. The crew arriving with Engine 153 pulled two lines, one to the interior of the house where damage was contained to one room and attic, and the second line was used to extinguish the fire on the exterior of the house and extinguish the garage. Crews from Engine 151 pulled a third line off Engine 153 and joined the crews already in operation and overhauled the exterior of the house.
Water supply was from Engines 151, 155, and Tanker 62. Chief 15 had command, Chief 15-10 (E. Wright) had interior command, and Firefighter J. Long had water supply. Station 1, 6, and 19 were on stand by. All units were back in service by 1630 hours.
January 30, 2010- Langmaid Lane Chimney Fire
A full company response to a chimney fire at 262 Langmaid Lane, was down graded to a single station response after Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) arrived on scene and investigated the scene and talked to the homeowner. Crews from E-151 and E-155 were on scene for approximately 40 minutes investigating under the command of Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason).
January 29, 2010- Minard Run MVA
Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) along with U-152 responded to a 1 car versus utility pole accident early Friday morning around 0724 hours. The passenger car left Minard Run Road on the sharp turn by the Golf Course, and sheered off the pole. Personnel assisted the township police with traffic control. Fire Police Captain (D. Williams) and Utility 152 remained on scene until 1000 hours directing traffic due to low hanging wires.
January 28, 2010- "Drive to Survive"
Approximately 80 emergency responders braved the cold, wind, and snow to attend a 3 hour seminar on safe driving. The program was presented by Chris Daly and covered operation of all types of vehicles on road surfaces, road conditions, and day time versus night time driving.
The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank all that attended, and would highly recommend this program to any emergency responder. We would also like to thank the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for the use of the facility and the refreshments. Drive to Survive contact info: WWW.DRIVETOSURVIVE.ORG.
January 24, 2010- Structure Fire
Station 15 firefighters were dispatched a 2200 hours Sunday night to 10 Helen Lane. The owner was woken up by his smoke detector, he escaped with his two dogs and then went to his neighbors to call 911. Engine 151 and 155 arrived on scene and started an aggressive interior attack. Engine 153 and Utility 152 arrived a few minutes later and supported the operations with water supply and ventilation. The structure sustained moderate fire damage in the basement where the fire originated and moderate to heavy smoke damage to the rest of the house.
PA State Police Fire Marshall Captain Martin Henneman was called to the scene to assist Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse with the investigation of the cause of the fire. The cause was determined to be accidental and electrical in nature. 33 firefighters were on scene with the last ones returning at 0100 hours Monday morning.
January 10, 2010- AFA GP
At 1500 hours this afternoon, Bradford Township completed the Sunday hat trick with a fire alarm at Georgia Pacific. Chief 15 and 15-20 with E-153 and E-151 responded. Crews assisted plant personnel and checked the building, but nothing was found. Crews were on scene for approximately a half hour.
January 10, 2010- AFA WR Case
At 0445 hours, while BT units were assisting Station 11, a second call came in for a fire alarm at WR Case. Chief 15-10 (Wright) along with E-153 and U-152 responded quickly as they were at the station on standby for our district due to the earlier assist with Station 11. A key holder arrived and the building was checked. It was determined that a brief power outage had occurred and likely triggered the alarm. It was determined that the same area of High Street that was effected in the October storm was effected again, and power was restored in less than 3 hours.
All station 15 units were clear and ready for service by app 0700 hours from the 2 early morning calls.
January 10, 2010- Mutual Aid Station 11 Structure Fire
At 0332 hours this morning, Derrick City requested one engine and crew to stand by at their station while on scene of a structure fire at 1294 East Main St. The transfer assignment was quickly upgraded to bring manpower to the scene. Chief 11 (J. Kelley) requested Chief 15 (Burkhouse) and E-151 with a crew of 7 to help with overhaul and extinguishment. Thawing of frozen pipes appears to be the cause of the fire. The fire spread through the double board building from the crawl space to the attic. The first alarm had Station 11, Station 1, and Limestone on scene. Station 8 was moved to Station 11 for standby when BT went to the scene. All Station 15 units were returned to the station at 0526 hours to begin thawing out.
January 7, 2010- Mutual Aid to Rew
At 0836 hours this morning, Chief 15 along with E-153 and U-152 with 7 fire fighters, responded to 1265 Summit Road to assist Station 8 and Station 7. A flue pipe on a wood stove came apart filling the structure with smoke. Fire fighters removed the fire from the wood stove and check to ensure that the fire didn't spread, and ventilated the smoke. Station 15 units were back at the station by approximately 1000 hours.
January 5, 2010- West Washington MVA
Tonight units responded to a one car MVA near 750 West Washington. No details at the time of dispatch were given. When units arrived on scene, Captain 15-53 (Eliason) established command and after a scene size-up, held E-153 in quarters. Captain 15-53 found no entrapment and no injuries. E-151 and a crew assisted the Township Police and Bradford City Ambulance.
January 1, 2010- New Year's Day Mutual Aid
At approximately 1412 hours today, box 1141 was toned out for a structure fire at 651 Derrick Road, in Station 11's (Derrick City) jurisdiction. After untis arrived on scene a 2nd alarm was quickly requested with the report of smoke showing. 3 officers, Engine 151, and a crew of 9 responded to assist. Station 15 units assisted with overhaul and ventilation. Chief 11 (J. Kelley) had Derrick Road Command. All units were cleared from the scene before 1530 hours.