2010 July-Dec. Call History
December 16, 2010- Department Family Christmas Party
Sunday, members took time to enjoy the holiday together. The family party was held at the University of Pittsburgh Gym, and offered swimming, volleyball, basketball and more. Santa also attented the party to give the little ones their presents.
December 16, 2010- Elections for 2011
| Dan Burkhouse |
Chief |
| Earl Wright |
First Assistant Chief |
| Harry Lamielle |
Second Assistant Chief |
| Jeff Valerius Sr. |
Station 2 Captain |
| Bob Eliason |
Station 3 Captain |
| Dick Williams |
Fire Police Captain |
| James Long |
President |
| Rick Grandinetti |
Vice President |
| Jack Carns |
Treasurer |
| Bill Webster |
Secretary |
| Steve Disney |
Assistant Secretary |
| Jay Bradish |
Relief Association Treasurer |
| Bob Eliason |
3 Year Director |
| Jay Bradish |
2 Year Director |
| Jeff Valerius Sr. |
1 Year Director |
December 12, 2010- Explosion Causes a Structure Fire
This afternoon at 1344 hours, Station 15 was dispatched on Box 1541 to 832 Interstate Parkway for a structure fire. Prior to Station 15 being dispatched, the Bradford City Ambulance was diverted from an initial call to this address with the report of a traumatic injury. They quickly arrived on scene and reported a fully involved structure fire with two burn victims. These patients were quickly transported to BRMC. Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) soon arrived on scene and established Interstate Parkway Command, and requested tankers from Station 6 and 19. Engine 151 was the first engine to arrive on scene sending its crew to the AB corner of the structure to protect an exposure with a 1 ¾ inch hand line. Lieutenant 15-14 (T. Burkhouse) was in charge of Exposure Control. Two more additional 1 ¾ inch hand lines were stretched to suppress the fire under the command of Captain 15-52 (J. Valerius). Engine 151 was then supplied by Engine 155. Tanker 62 along with Tanker 193 fed Engine 155 throughout the incident. Chief 19-10 (M. Cobb) had Water Supply Operations. State Police Fire Marshal Martin Henneman, along with Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse), McKean County EMA Director Bruce Manning, and the Pennsylvania Utility Commission determined the cause of the fire to be an explosion. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Crews were on scene for approximately 7 hours, with Chief 15 terminating command at 2015 hours.
*Both occupants of the resident were released from the hospital this evening and are staying with a relative.*
Units on Scene: Engines 151, 153, 155. Tankers 62 and 193.
Station 6, 11, and 19 were also on standby for Station 15 during this incident.
December 3, 2010- Quick Snow Brings Minor MVA's
As the snow was falling quickly this evening, Station 15 and Ambulance 1 were dispatched at about 2300 hours to West Washington Street, near the Marilla Reservoir, for a Motor Vehicle Accident with unknown details. Engine 151 and Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason), who established West Washington Street Command, arrived on scene and found 1 truck on its side with no injuries. Fire police assisted the township police with traffic control.
Approximately 2 hours later, Station 15 and Ambulance 1 were dispatched for a second time, this time near the 700 block of High Street, for a Motor Vehicle Accident with unknown details. Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) was first to arrive on scene and found 1 vehicle off the roadway with no occupants. Chief 15 quickly requested a recall for any additional Station 15 member.
December 1, 2010- Weather Emergency
At 0638 hours this morning the first of many calls for help was received due to heavy rain. Flooded basements and road ways kept crews busy until 1330 hours. Two calls for MVA’s were also handled by managing traffic as roadways became very slick when the rain changed to snow. After over 7 hours of service, the last incident was cleared. Areas of the township affected were West Washington Street, Interstate Parkway, and Minard Run Road.
November 24, 2010 - Bradford City Structure Fire
At 1139 hours today, McKean County Dispatch struck box 0131 for a report of smoke in a structure at 17 Jerome Avenue. Chief 1 (Coder) arrived on scene and confirmed smoke showing. Engine 1 and Tower 1 arrived and Captain 130 (C. Angell) established command. All off duty personnel were called to the scene and Station 11 was moved to the East Bradford Station to stand. Approximately a half hour into the incident, Station 11 was called to the scene to join the fight. At 1245 hours, command requested Station 15 to the scene. Chief 1 briefed Chief 15 on the scene, and gave the crew from Engine 151 an interior task of opening up. Chief 15 assigned additional Station 15 personnel to establish an RIT team . As the crews continued to open up the wood plank ceiling, members rotated in and out of the structure, and off of the RIT team. As the fire became under control, command started releasing mutual aid companies at1515 hours. Station 19 stood by at the cities Central Fire Station, while Station 6, 9, and Limestone also provided coverage for Station's 15 and 11. The former Grego Lumber building suffered severe damage.
November 20, 2010- First Alarm Box Assignment
Early this morning around 0135 hours, the McKean County 911 Center dispatched Station 7, Station 2, and Station 15 on Box 0731 for a residential structure fire at 3404 Route 646. As Engine 153 arrived on scene, Chief 7 established command and gave the attack assignment to the crew of Engine 153. Chief 15 took Interior Operations and the crews attacked the fully involved basement fire. Station 2 units assisted Station 7 with establishing a water supply and also began ventilation on Division 1. Chief 15-10 took Division 2, checking for extension and also ventilated with a crew. Damage was held to the basement, with heat and smoke damge to the rest of the large 2 story house. Station 7 responded with an Engine and Tanker, as well as Station 2. Station 15 had two engines on scene. Station 6 and 19 where on stand by for Station 15. Route 646 command released mutual aid at 0445 hours.
November 18, 2010 - Training
This evening for our weekly Thursday night training, we combined with Corydon Township members to review basic vehicle extrication techniques at our Interstate Parkway Station. Different scenarios were set and ran to review and refresh members with incidents like these.
November 13, 2010 - Route 219 MVA
At 1029 hours a call was reported for a two car MVA on Route 219 on the Owens Way overpass. Engine 153 and a crew responded with a total of 9 members on scene. First arriving personnel found that there were no injuries and no entrapment. The personnel then assisted with traffic, scene safety and clean up. Units where on scene for approximately 25 minutes.
November 13, 2010 - Training
Saturday was our annual in house training and SCBA recertification at Tri County Fire School. The department was split into a crew for the morning and afternoon. We also provided in house stand-by while the crews were in Smethport. This years training was focused on basic firefighting skills. We tried to focus on the other aspects of a fire, rather than just the fire itself. Emphasis was geared toward search, ventilation, command operations, accountability, and self rescue techniques.
November 8, 2010- Dorothy Lane MVA
Today at 1051 hours, Station 15 along with Ambulance 1 and the Bradford Township Police were dispatched to Dorothy Lane near the campus, for a motor vehicle accident. Units arrived on scene to find a rear end collision with no injuries. Personnel assisted the police with the incident, and cleared within 20 minutes.
October 30, 2010 - Double Header
MVA
At approximately 0815 hours, McKean County dispatched Station 15, Ambulance 1, and the BT Police to a 1 vehicle MVA on 770 West near Songbird Road. Arriving units found a vehicle into a tree and assisted the township PD in managing the scene.
Structure Fire
At 0258 hours this morning, BTVFD was dispatched to box 1531 for a working structure fire. As units began responding, additional information was given that the two story house was being torn down and found the house completely engulfed in fire. With this information it was decided to go with a defensive approach to protect a house across the street. The 25 Clarks Lane home received no damage. 28 Clarks Lane was consumed by fire. Engine 151, 153, 155 were on scene for one and a half hours.
October 28, 2010 - Mayday Seminar
Tonight for our regular drill night, we brought in Nick Sohyda. A fire service instructor for 13 years and current Chief of Mt. Lebanon Fire Dept. Nick presented information on firefighter survival and outlined steps and resources needed for managing a mayday. He also offered information on how to train firefighters to be prepared if they were to become in trouble. This course was made possible by our Safer Grant, and accredited through the Butler County Community College. This class was held at the University of Pitt, with several Pitt Alumni in attendance who also participated in our Pitt student program while they attended school. A total of 76 were in attendence, representing 11 Fire Depts.
Bradford Township, Bradford City, Smethport, Port Allegany, Rew, Derrick City, Corydon Township, Hamlin Township, Warren City, North Warren, and Limestone.
October 27, 2010 - Mutual Aid to Corydon Township
Today at 1029 hours McKean County dispatched Box 1931 for a structure fire on the Klondike Road. This brought units from St.19 (Corydon Twp), St.15 (Bradford Twp), St. 21 (Lafayette Twp) and St.7 (Hilltop). Asst. Chief 19-10 (M. Cobb) arrived on scene and reported smoke showing. Engine 216 and Engine 153 arrived just minutes after and stretched two 1 ¾ inch hose lines to the front door. Coordinated ventilation was done as entry was made, the fire was extinguished and the building was searched. Units were cleared shortly before 1300 hours. Asst. Chief 19-10 awaited the PA state Fire Marshall to arrive to assist with the investigation. St. 6 (Lewis Run) and St. 11 (Derrick City) provided stand by coverage.
Units On Scene: E-191, T-193, R194, E-216, E-153, U-152 and T-71
October 24, 2010- Training
This weekend the Tri-county fire school completed its 2010 Delmar Class, a 166 hour basic firefighter class. It was run in Saint Mary's and Smethport. The Saint Mary's class finished on Saturday, and Smethport finished on Sunday. Both classes did the the live structure fire portion this weekend. With a combined total of 29 students graduating as interior firefighters, 7 are mebers of BTVFD!
Saint Marys
Smethport
pictures by Tim Burkhouse
October 17, 2010- Training
Today, the Smethport Delmar class was at fire school working on ventilation and search techniques. They practiced cutting a roof with chain saws and axes on the maze trailer. They also had live smoke conditions to work with in the burn tower to vent with positive and negative pressure fans and also hydraulic ventilation, while other teams searched for “dummies”. The live smoke was a prep day to get the new members ready for the live burn session next week, which will conclude the 166 hour class.
pictures by Tim Burkhouse
October 15, 2010- Early Morning MVA
Friday morning around 0720 hours, a report of a 2 car MVA blocking 1 lane of traffic on South Ave near 770 West was dispatched. No injuries were reported. Fire police assisted the Police Department with traffic for about an hour, while waiting for the tow service.
October 9, 2010- Seminar
Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department sponsored the 2010 firefighter and fire officer seminar at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. A total of 85 firefighters and officers attended the class from 0900 to 1500 hours. Chief William “Billy” Goldfeder, from Loveland-Symmes Fire Department in Ohio, nationally know expert on firefighter safety and survival, presented the seminar. He is also the founder and operator of the Fire Fighter Close Calls website. The departments represented were Bradford Township, Bradford City, Corydon Township, Derrick City, Rew, Lafayette Township, Eldred Township, Smethport, Hamlin Township, Limestone, Warren City, and North Warren. The class was funded by the Bradford Township Safer Grant.
September 18 & 19- 2010 Fire School
September 18th an 19th ,13 Bradford Township members attended class at the Tri-County Fire school. There were over 50 students total, attending 3 different classes, Structure Burn, Rope 2, and Fire Arson Investigation.
September 16, 2010- Hazmat Refresher
There were 18 members who completed the annual Haz-mat refresher training, presented by PA state fire instructor Bruce Manning, with practice in extinguishing propane fires.
September 11, 2010
Members honored the fallen 343 firefighters that died at the Twin Towers 9 years ago today, by lighting the Fire Fighters monument in the Oak Hill Cemetery for 3 hours and 43 minutes this evening.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET
September 2, 2010- Mutual Aid Land Rescue
At 1630 hours Station 19 (Corydon Twp.) and Ambulance 1 were dispatched to the Willow Bay camp ground for a fall victim. After Chief 19-10 (M. Cobb) arrived on scene and established Willow Bay Command, he requested the rope rescue trailer and mutual aid from Station 15's rope rescue team be dispatched. A further size up and the availability of a boat aided in the transportation of the patient to the ambulance. Ambulance 1 took the patient to a landing zone, where the patient was then transported by medical helicopter to an out of the area hospital.
August 25, 2010- Passing of Lifetime Member Biff Layton
Today members of the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department joined family and friends at the Grace Lutheran Church for funeral services and a final tribute to Distinguished Life Member and Past Chief Biff Layton. Biff was the last original member of the department, nearly 55 years. Biff was still active until just recently due to health reasons. Biff was instrumental in developing the Tri County Fire School and worked many years on staff.
Funeral services were co-officiated by Pastor J.Arthur Cox of Grace Lutheran Church and Pastor Robert Brest, Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department Chaplin and also pastor of First Free Methodist Church.
Orders for Last Alarm were given by Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse and Vice President Rick Grandinetti did the honor by ringing the bell on Engine 151.
Pall Bearers were: Assistant Chief Harry Lamielle
Assistant Chief Earl Wright
Captain Bob Eliason
Lieutenant Steve Abers
Lieutenant Larry Smith
Junior Fire Fighter Andy Eliason
Driver of Engine 151 Jack Carns
Driver of Engine 155 Jim Dittman
A tribute was paid at the West Washington Station prior to services at the Church.
Members joined the family at the Willows for a luncheon and celebration of Biff’s life.
Thank you to our mutual aid companies for covering for us:
Station 1, Station 6, Station 11, and Station 19.
August 20, 2010- Afternoon MVA
Just before noon today, Station 15 along with MA-1 were dispatched to the intersection of High Street and Minard Run for a 2 car motor vehicle accident with unknown details. All Station 15 Chief officers responded within mintues of the dispatch, and Chief 15-10 (E. Wright) was the first to arrive on scene. He reported 2 vehicles, one still in the roadway and with possible minor injuries. All units were soon recalled with the exception of fire police, who assisted the township police with traffic control.
August 16, 2010- McKean County Fair Parade
This evening, members loaded up in Engine 151 and Utility 152 and made their way over the hill to Smethport to participate in the annual McKean County Fair Parade. After the parade, members observed the many fair attractions and enjoyed some "Fair Food." Some of the older members even came home with winnings from the fair! Good job Hulk!
August 5, 2010- New Rescue Tools
Tonight was the completion of our training with our new Holmatro Rescue Tools. The tools were part of a FEMA Fire Grant Award. Twenty-six members completed 2 thursday drill nights under the instruction of Marvin Waxham of ESI. Topics included set-up of tools, operation, safety, and a review of vehicle rescue techniques.
August 1, 2010- Pump 2 Class
Today completed a 16 hour state certified Pump Operations 2 Class held by the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department. Members from Bradford Township, Bradford City, and Ridgway attended the class. Lectures were done in the classroom, while hands-on operations were conducted at the University of Pittsburgh. State certified instructors Bill Hoehn of St. Marys and Don Neilson of Wilcox taught the class. The class covered pump operations, water movement, and relay operations within the two days.
July 15, 2010- Mutual Aid to Lewis Run
At 1557 hours Station 6 was dispatched for a fire at 17 Willow Lane. Chief 6-20 (K. Zandy) while arriving on scene requested station 15 for standby. A scene report of an unoccupied mobile home fully involved with another home endangered. A few minutes into battling the fire, the summer heat started taking its toll and Engine 153 was requested to the scene. Chief 15-10 (E.Wright) and a total of 12 BTVFD members responded to the scene. Engine 155 transferred to the Custer City station where an additional crew stood by. Station 6 cleared station 15 just in time to proceed to Glendorn for a scheduled pre-planning tour where all apparatus and 26 members toured the resort and grounds.
July 7, 2010- Structure Fire on a Hot Evening
On Wednesday evening at 2051 hours, the McKean County 911 Center dispatched Station 15 on Box 1521 for a structure fire at 560 Minard Run Road. Engine 153 with OIC Chief 15-10 (E.Wright), Engine 151, and Engine 155 all responded within 5 minutes of the dispatch. The Bradford Township Police were on scene quickly and advised McKean County of heavy smoke and fire showing from the structure. Engine 153 arrived on scene and stretched four 1” ¾ attack lines to stop the fire from advancing from the attic above the garage area through the rest of the residence. Chief 15-20 (H. Lamielle) arrived on scene and established Minard Run Road Command. Soon after, Engine 151 arrived on scene and laid 5” supply from a hydrant located at the bottom of the drive-way to supply Engine 153 with 3” supply. This water supply operation was successfully accomplished under the command of 15-78 (J. Long). Soon after a water supply was established, firefighter 15-39 (T. Lama) established an RIT team. Due to the extensive heat and humidity conditions, command requested an engine and crew from Station 6, 11, and 19. Interior crews were also requested from Station 2, 8, and 21 later during the incident. Rehab crews were also dispatched from Station 6 and 11, which also brought Rescue 111 to the scene to assist with Air Supply. Command also requested the American Red Cross to the scene to assist with rehab. At approximately 2315 hours, Command reported the fire to be out. Operations was conducted under the team of Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse), Chief 15-10, Captain 15-52 (J. Valerius), and Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason). Salvage operations were also conducted to protect items the homeowner had in the garage from being damaged by water. The investigation of this fire is under the direction of the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal, Bradford Township Police, and Chief 15. The Bradford Township Fire Police were assisted by the Rew Fire Police and the Bradford Township Police with traffic control. Chief 15-20 terminated command at approximately 0230 hours, and all Station 15 units were available by 0300 hours.
Units on Scene: E151, U152, E153, E155, E23, E64, U63, E81, E113, R111, E191, E216, and the Bradford City EMS.
Units on Standby: Limestone, Station 9 (Otto Township), and Station 10 (Mt. Jewett)
July 6, 2010- Mutual Aid to Norwich Township
At approximately 1300 hours today, a special request was dispatched for interior firefighters to assist with a structure fire on White Hollow Road in Norwich Township, Station 12. A crew of 6 responded with Utility 152 under the command of Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse). After arriving on scene and reporting to command, they were instructed to assist with overhaul and relieve firefighters that have been operating on scene since dispatch due to the extensive heat and humidity. Utility 152 and crew were on scene for about 3 hours and in service by 1615 hours.
Last updated by btvfd on 1/19/2011