2011 Call History Jan.-May
May 30, 2011- Parade
Todays great weather allowed for a good parade.
May 28, 2011- MVAs
At 0417 Station 15 was dispatched with Ambulance 1 for a 1 car MVA into a pole on Langmaid Lane. Units arrived to find 1 car that had damaged a utility pole then continued down an embankment. There were 2 patients self extricated with minor injuries. Both where transported to BRMC by Ambulance 1 as a precaution. While on scene Station 15 was dispatched to a second call also for an MVA on Rt 770 West at 0501 hrs. Upon arrival units found 1 car off the road with nobody around the vehicle.
May 25, 2011- Storms
Storms rolled through the area causing many storm related calls. BTVFD handled 4 calls for trees or power lines down all around the township in an hour and a half starting around 2315. BTVFD also had a call for a pole fire at 0145 on Clarks Lane.
May 21&22, 2011- Fire School
The 46th annual Tri County Fire School was held with 3 classes at the fire school grounds in Smethport. There were 19 students in the Vehicle Rescue Operations class as they worked with hand tools and power tools to cut apart cars and trucks. There were also 19 students in the Fire Fighter Survival class. They refined SCBA skills and self rescue techniques. Twenty three students were in the Basement Fire Simulator Class. They practiced roof ventilation on the training trailer from Saegertown.
The weekend concluded the spring fire training at the grounds.
FF1 Certification testing will be Aug. 5th and 6th
Part 4 of Delmar Interior Begins in Sept.
Tentative class schedule for September Fire school, RICE, Structure Burn, Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician, Writing SOG’s, and Legal Aspects of Fire Command for Chief Officers.
May 13, 2011- Flooding
Local heavy rain fell quickly in the Minard Run valley Friday night. The quick rain caused washouts on Minard Run, High St., and South Ave. The Pennhills golf course was severely flooded, leaving behind debris and several bridges washed out. This disrupted some pre-prom festivities and caused the cancellation of the annual Howard Warfield Memorial Golf Outing. The outing will be rescheduled soon. While helping with traffic control members also responded to numerous flooded basements. The flooding was also visible at Dana field but no damage was seen.
May 12, 2011- Hazmat Ops Refresher
Thursday 14 members completed the annual Hazmat Ops Refresher. The 6 hour class was spread out between Thursday 5-5 and 5-12. The first day was classroom work, while the second day was practical. Tasks practiced were under flow dams for spill containment, and patient care in presence of a radioactive package.
May 3, 2011 - Fatal Fire
Minutes before midnight a Station 8 box was dispatched for a working structure fire at 14 Lafferty Hollow with civilian entrapment. Engine 1 from Bradford City was on scene within minutes of dispatch and confirmed one entrapped. The victim was removed from the structure by neighbors and first responders immediately administered first aid. Chief 8 – 10 (G. Burkhouse) established command and requested a second alarm at 0004 hours, which included Engine 151 and crew to the scene. Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) and Chief 11 (Kelley) handled interior suppression efforts. Chief 8 (T. Burkhouse) maintained water supply via municipal hydrants and a tanker shuttle. It was later learned that the victim had not survived. Our condolences go to the family members. Departments on scene: Station 1, Station 2, Station 7, Station 8, Station 9, Station 11, Station 15, PA State Police Fire Marshall Unit, Foster Township PD, Bradford City PD, Bradford Township PD, and Penelec . Station 15 Units were clear at 0233 hours.
April 8,9,10, 2011 - Tri County Fire School
This weekend was the April fire school classes in Smethport,PA. The weekend began with the annual state police fire marshal training on Friday night. There were 27 local fire department officers who attend the fire marshal training presented by Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti, Corporal Martin Henneman, and State Instructor Scott Hyde.
Three classes were held Saturday and Sunday with about 50 students. BTVFD had 5 students in each class, including the Fire Arson Investigation, Respiratory Protection 2, and Basic Vehicle Rescue Awareness. Students in the fire arson investigation covered topics for investigating structural and vehicle fires. They also learned about photographing, evidence preservation and collection, and writing reports. Students in the Respiratory Protection 2 class focused on controlled breathing under stress and SCBA components. They also practiced skills and techniques for a variety of situations encountered while wearing SCBA. Some skills that were practiced were search and rescue, RIT air management, hose line advancement, self rescue techniques such as entanglement and restricted passages, and removing your SCBA while breathing air. Students in the Basic Vehicle Rescue Awareness worked on scene size up and vehicle stabilization.
April 6, 2011 - April Snow Brings MVA's
Today, while heavy snow was falling and just about every fire department in the county was answering snow related calls, McKean County dispatched Station 15 and Ambulance 1 at 1307 hours for an MVA near the top of Interstate Parkway for a tank truck rolled over on its side with the driver entrapped. The driver of the truck was extricated by removing the windshield. Transportation of the stable patient was delayed due to bad road conditions. A plow was needed to make the road passable by plowing and sanding the road so the Ambulance and Engine 151 could return. Other Station 15 personnel remained on scene while the brine water was transferred to another tank truck. Shortly after the transfer was complete the water truck was up righted and towed from the scene. Command was terminated and the road way was reopened at 1601 hours.
Units On Scene – Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse), Chief 15-20 (H. Lamielle), Engine 151, MA-1B, and Foster Township Police.
While units were working on Interstate Parkway, a second call came in for another MVA at 1324 hours. Station 15 along with Station 7 (Hilltop) were dispatched to the top of Minard Run Hill for a car off the road. Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason) and Engine 153 quickly responded after the dispatch. Units on scene assisted Station 7 with managing the scene while the vehicle was being removed.
April 5, 2011 - Mutual Aid to Station 1
At 1619 hours today Station1 answered a call for a reported structure fire at 119 North Center St. Chief 1 (C. Angell)requested a 2nd alarm for the 2 story appartment house. Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) and Chief 15-20 (H. Lamielle) with Engine 151 responded at 1630 hours. Chief 1 assigned the crew from E-151 to assist in searching the appartments and the rest of the crew to standby as RIT. Additional Station15 crews were standing by at our Custer City and West Branch Stations. All station 15 crews were available at 1701 hours.
April 4, 2011- 770 West MVA
At approximately 0740 hours BTVFD was dispatched for a 1 car MVA into a tree on 770 West near Songbird Road. Chief 15 found 1 car off the road with moderate damage with 1 patient self extricated with minor injuries. Units assisted the Bradford City Ambulance and township police. Units were on scene for about 45 minutes.
April 3, 2011- South Avenue MVA
At around 0300 hours this morning, BTVFD was dispatched for a 1 car MVA 1 mile north of Lewis Run on Route 219. Units searched the area and nothing was found. While out they continued south and found an SUV off the road near Kennedy Springs. One patient was self extricated and sitting in a passerby vehicle and a civilian first responder was assisting the patient. Chief 15 and a crew assisted the Bradford City Ambulance and remained on scene to assist PD and towing. All units cleared at approximately 0430 hours.
April 2, 2011- Awards Banquet
This evening more than 90 firefighters and families came to join BTVFD at our 29th annual awards banquet. Bradford Twp. Vol. Fire Department is also celebrating 55 years of service. This was recognized with the Bradford Twp. Supervisors Steve Mascho, Gayle Bauer, and Jim Erwin presenting a plaque to fire Chief Dan Burkhouse. This year members of the department had over 4000 hours of training, with 3,178 hours of state certified training and 1,122 hours of in house training. Six members completed all four parts of Delmar, three junior members completed three parts of Delmar and two members completed the EMT course. All together, twenty-six members received the annual training award. The presenters for the training awards were Assistant Chief’s Earl Wright and Harry Lamielle. Shawn Galbraith received his 10 year service pin tonight from Chief Burkhouse. President Jim Long presented the award for “Service Above and Beyond” the call of duty to Vice President Rick Grandinetti and Social member Sue Grandinetti. Another special Award was given to social member Jenn Valerius for all of her time and dedication to the fire department.
The guest speaker for the night was ex-Chief George P. Motchkavitz of the Great Neck Alert Fire Company in Great Neck, NY. He currently serves as firefighter/Assistant Foreman. He has held positions of chief, assistant chief, captain, lieutenant, assistant fire inspector, junior firefighter advisor, training officer, and the leader of the vehicle extrication team. He’s also a member a many other state organizations such as the Southern New York Firefighters Association and the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. George has received over 40 commendations during his career starting in 1973, including seven medals of valor, two additional life saving ribbons, 5 unit citations, and the 1992 New York State Firefighter of the Year.
George talked to the audience about some of his own close calls in the fire service, the importance of safety, and the development of Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT). He than explained some of his department and personal involvement in the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11. The afternoon of the 11th in 2001, George along with twenty members and one engine from Great Neck Alert Fire Company responded to Ground Zero. They remained on scene for four days and assisted in search, rescue, and recovery. He and his crew helped recover numerous victims and belongings. After the department’s initial response, George returned to the site 18 additional times to continue the search for a personal friend along with other heroes and victims. He helped area members and families get closure from the attacks on 9/11 by talking about his personal experiences and the loss of his close friend.
Mr. Motchkavitz was instrumental in the design of the Nassau County Firefighter’s Memorial Maltese Cross, as well as other 9/11 memorials in his protected area. With this background, George humbly presented a piece of the World Trade Center steel to Chief Burkhouse and the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department. BTVFD and our surrounding departments would like to thank ex-Chief George Motchkavitz for coming and speaking to us at the awards banquet.
“YOU ARE NOT A HERO FOR WHAT YOU DO… YOU ARE A HERO FOR WHAT YOU MAY HAVE TO DO”. – GEORGE P. MOTCHKAVITZ
March 26, 2011- Haz-Mat Operations Class
Today 5 BTVFD members were part of 19 local fire fighters that completed the 24 hour Haz-Mat Ops class that was held at Tri-County Fire School in Smethport, PA. Last week, students went through lecture and spill control. Today, students were tested in foam operations, vapor disbursement, and decon techniques.
March 25-26, 2011 - Busy Friday Night
Bradford Township responders answered four calls in about 8 hours time. At approximately 2130 hours, QRS 15 assisted MA-1 on a QRS call. At 2340 hours, Station 15 and Ambulance 1 were dispatched for a 1 car MVA on West Washington St. near the top of Marilla Hill resulting in no injuries. While units were still controlling the accident scene, an automatic fire alarm at Pepperel Braiding was handled.
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At 0430 hours the tones dropped for a 1 car MVA in the 250 block of Hedgehog Lane. McKean County 911 reported 1 car off the roadway into a tree, with one person entrapped. Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason) arrived on scene shortly after dispatch and confirmed entrapment. E-151 arrived on scene minutes later along with Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) who assumed Hedgehog Lane Command. Captain 15-53 assumed extrication operations of the difficult extrication. E-153 arrived on scene with Chief 15-10 (E. Wright) and supported the operation with all the extrication tools put into use. This difficult extrication required the removal of a tree that impaled into the car along with roof removal, an enlarged opening on the drivers side, and also a dash push. Ambulance 1 transported the patient and Bradford Township Police investigated the accident. All Station 15 units were available by 0640 hours. Nine members were off to Tri-County Fire School as students and staff for the completion of the Haz-Mat Operations Class.
March 22-23, 2011- Quick Snow Causes MVA's
Just before midnight, a call came in to the McKean County 911 Center reporting a motor vehicle accident. The caller reported one vehicle off the roadway into a telephone pole. Station 15 along with the Bradford City Ambulance was dispatched. Chief 15 (Burkhouse) was the first to arrive on scene establishing South Avenue Command and confirmed one vehicle off the roadway with damage to a telephone pole. He also advised responding units that there was 1 patient who was self-extricated and had minor injuries. Personnel assisted the police with traffic control along with the towing service.
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At approximately 1230 hours today, Station 15 along with the Bradford City Ambulance were dispatched to West Washington Street near the Marilla Reservoir for a 1 car motor vehicle accident, rollover with entrapment. Before the first unit arrived on scene, McKean County gave an update to all responding units that all patients were self extricated, unknown extent of injuries. Engine 151 was the first to arrive on scene followed by MA-1 and Captain 15-53 (B. Eliason) who established West Washington Street Command, and advised there was one patient self extricated with one vehicle on its roof off the roadway. Personnel assisted the EMS crew with patient packaging and the township police with traffic control.
March 19-20, 2011- Flashover Training
Over the weekend three members traveled to Hughesville, PA for a Flashover simulator class. The class focused on recognizing signs of a possible flashover and some techniques to give some time to get out. Flashover is a dagerous phenomenon in which the whole room has reached an ignition temperature and ignites simultaneously. Students viewed the fire from the observation room at ground level under the main heat level, while the fire room was raised three feet above ground level. Students were able to see the progression of fire growth from ignition to flashover, a process that is rarely seen start to finish in most classes and calls. This class was suggested by one of our Pitt students who is a member of Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department. A big thanks to the whole HVFD for their hospitality.
March 3, 2011- Minard Run MVA
At around 1033 hours, Bradford Township was dispatched for a 1 car MVA on Minard Run near Penn Hills Golf Course. The vehicle went off the road and struck a tree before coming to a rest on the golf course approximately 75 feet off the road. Both patients were self extricated and walking. Due to the extent of damage both patients were transported by the Bradford City Ambulance as a pre-caution.
February 28, 2011- Structure Fire
At 0720 hours, multiple calls to the 911 center were made reporting an explosion. Dispatchers alerted Station 15 for an explosion with a house fire at 10 Helen Lane. Chief 15 went enroute within 2 minutes of dispatch and requested tankers from Station 6 and 19, as hydrants were over a ½ mile away. Ambulance 1 was also requested for an RIT fire stand by.
Upon arrival within 8 minutes, Engine 151, 155, and Chief 15 found severe structural damage and fire spreading in the attic of the split level home. Due to the structural damage firefighters were forced to use ladders to make initial entry on division 3 in the more stable part of the house to stop the fast moving fire in the attic. Firefighters also encountered fire beginning to extend into the living space on the third division. Spot fires were extinguished through out the structure as it was assessed. Three 1 ¾ inch attack lines were used and approximately 10,000 gallons of water. Crews rotated from interior attack, to rehab to RIT, and then back to attack.
At 0907 hours, the fire was contained and over haul operations continued. Mutual aid units were released by 0930 hours, while Station 15 remained on scene until approximately 1300 hours. Chief Officers and the State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti began investigating the fire along with the PUC, National Fuel Gas, and DEP. Chief 15 terminated command at 1721 hours.
Command- Chief 15 and Chief 15-10
Operations- Chief 15-10 and FF 15-14
Safety- FF 15-17
Water Supply Operations- FF 15-26
Units on Scene: Engines 151, 153, 155, 191; Tankers 193, 62; Ambulance 1,
Standby at Station 6 and Station 11
Other agencies on scene: McKean County EMA, BTPD, State Police Fire Marshall, DEP, National Fuel Gas, Public Utilities Commission.
February 19, 2011- Elevator Mishap Class
This morning 12 members of Bradford Township, 4 from Derrick City, and 7 from Bradford City participated in an Elevator Mishap Class sponsored by Bradford Township and hosted by Bradford City. The class was instructed by Scott Everitt and Dave Naples, both from the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety-Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. In the morning, students listened to a lecture on the types of elevators, machine rooms, hoistways, and elevator cars. Students then went over to the Seneca Building where the hands on portion of the class was taught. Students got to see traction and hydraulic elevators, while even getting to ride on the top of an elevator. This was the last class of BTVFD's safer grant.
(Photos by Jay Bradish)
February 17, 2011- RIT Training Sessions
The past two Thursday night work sessions, BTVFD has been developing skills to be used by our firefighters in case a Mayday situation arises. Members practiced gathering information using the LUNAR acronym. Members also took the role of command to gain experience in deploying RIT Teams and other resources needed. These drills were created to assist in our recent SOG updates. BTVFD will continue these types of drills with the review of large area search procedures. There were 20 members that participated in last night's drill session held at our Custer City Station.
(Photos by Jay Bradish)
February 15, 2011- Gas Well Fire
At 1014 hours today, McKean County dispatched Station 15 for a gas well fire on Interstate Parkway just before the Allegany State Park. Chief 15 along with Engine 151 arrived on scene at 1027. Crews found that US Energey employees had been plowing the roads and struck a 2" gas line riser, which ignited the fire. Before our arrival, US Energy attempted to put the fire out and shut the gas well valves off. Fire personnel used two dry chemical extinguishers to suprepss the fire. Sixteen firefighters were on scene for 1 hour.
February 8, 2011- Death of Instructor Bill Davies
The members of Bradford Township would like to express their sincere condolences to the family of William Davies, a fire instructor who recently presented a seminar on new car technology to BTVFD and the surrounding fire departments in early January. Davies passed away Saturday evening in the hospital due to a sudden illness.
February 1, 2011- Early Morning Snow Brings MVA
While the snow was beginning to fall early this morning at 0405 hours, Station 15 was dispatched for a MVA on High Street near Browntown Road. McKean County gave the additional of one vehicle off the roadway into a utility pole, no injuries. Crews secured the scene for approximately 2 hours then released it to Penelec.
January 15, 2011- Gas Well Emergency Class
This afternoon 9 members from BTVFD traveled to the Smethport Fire Hall to attend a class on Gas Well Emergencies for the First Responder. The class had a total attendance of over 90 people and was taught by the McKean County Emergency Managment Director/ State Fire Instructor Bruce Manning and Mike Johnson.
(Photos by Jay Bradish)
January 12, 2011- West Washington MVA
Today around 1240 hours BTVFD was dispatched to a 1 car MVA on West Washington near the Marilla Reservoir with entrapment. The vehicle was found approximately 1 mile past the reservoir rolled over on its side off the road way. One occupant was extricated with the Jaws of Life. The driver was transported by Bradford City Ambulance with minor injuries. Units remained on scene to assist the police department and towing with traffic. All units were cleared after an hour and fifteen minutes.
January 9, 2011- Minard Run MVA
Just before 0800 hours Sunday morning, BTVFD along with the Bradford City Ambulance was dispatched to Minard Run on the hill for a 1 car motor vehicle accident with possible entrapment. Units arrived on scene to find no entrapment and minor injuries. Crews assisted the township police with traffic control. All units were available in less than 1 hour.
January 8, 2011- Seminar on New Vehicle Technology
Approximately 90 firefighters from thirteen area fire departments attended a six hour vehicle rescue seminar held at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The instructor for the day was William Davies from the Collision Safety Institute Canada located in Oshawa, Ontario. The course covered accident scene reconstruction, hybrid vehicles and new electrical technology, airbag considerations, and extrication principles. This seminar was hosted by BTVFD, and made possible through our SAFER Grant.
Pictured from Left to Right: Limestone Fire Chief Mike Soper, Bradford Township Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse, William Davies, Bradford City Fire Department Lt. Matt Rettger, and Port Allegany Lt. Lucas Johnson.
(Photos by Jay Bradish)
January 4, 2011- Early Morning MVA
At 0414 hours, Station 15 and Ambulance 1 was dispatched for a 1 car motor vehicle accident on Route 219 near the south bound Owens Way off ramp. Chief 15 (D. Burkhouse) was first on scene and relayed to all units that there was 1 patient who was confined in the vehicle and uninjured. Engine 153 and crew arrived on scene and assisted the patient with exiting the vehicle. All units were cleared before 0515 hours.
Last updated by BTVFD on 7/5/2011