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Today all available department officers and firefighters traveled to Hellam Borough to pay tribute to a "Five Pointz" Brother moments after he passed away.  Firefighter Mike Enochs from the Hellam Friendship Fire Company (21) passed away this morning after battling a serious illness.

Columbia No. 1 Fire Department members joined with Hellam Fire (21), Wrightsville Fire (41), Maytown Fire (7-9) and Craley Fire (44) members to pay last tribute to Firefighter Enochs. 

The Officers and Members of the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department would like to extend our sincere sympathy to the Enochs family and the Hellam Friendship Fire Company family on the passing of Firefighter Enochs. 

Firefighter Enochs will always be in our hearts!

Columbia No. 1 Fire Department firemen run seven responses for the weekend starting Friday morning. 

At 10:45 the 3861 Fire Box was dispatched in the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department first due.  Incident reported 400 Union Street at the high rise, an AFA High Occupancy.  Chief 8-1 (RYNO) enroute.  Report from LCWC of smoke on the third floor.  8-1 Engine with five firemen with Assistant Chief Anderson in the seat.  Chief 8-1 on the scene with a 10 story high rise, normal conditions with the Columbia Borough Command.  Maintenance on the scene with dust in the detector from construction, fire department can cancel. 

At 22:14 the 8-1 Tower Ladder was due as part of the Mountville Fire (7-15) High Occupancy AFA assignment.  Incident reported 3903 Abel Drive in West Hempfield Township at MRS Developers.  Chief 7-15 (GANTZ) on the scene normal conditions building not evacuated.  8-1 Tower Ladder with six firemen under the direction of Deputy Chief Hershey.  Chief 7-15 confirming false alarm holding the assignment to Company 7-15. 

On Saturday evening at 19:30 the 8-1 Tower Ladder responded first due as the first due Truck Company on the 3491 West Hempfield Township gas leak assignment.  Incident reported 2730 Burma Road.  Caller reporting strong odor of propane in the residence.  8-1 Tower Ladder with six firemen under the direction of Deputy Chief Hershey.  Chief 7-6 (CARTER) on the scene setting up the West Hempfield Command.  Tower Ladder arrived and assisted West Hempfield Fire & Rescue (7-6) firefighters with investigating. 

The first of four responses kicked off just after mid night Sunday for the fireman from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department.  Incident reported in Hellam Township, 109 North Ninth St. reported Laundromat Fire.  8-1 Tower Ladder due as the first due ladder company with the 8-1 engine responding as the third due engine company.  8-1 Engine and Tower with 13.  41 Units on the scene with a well involved dryer, held to the machine.  Columbia 8-1 assisted with ventilation. 

While on the Hellam Township structure fire assignment.  The Water Emergency Team from the department was due as part of the West Hempfield Township water rescue response.  Incident reported just below the Rt. 462 Bridge on the Susquehanna River for a reported jumper.  Squad & Boat 1 with five fireman searched the river for approximately 90 minutes determining the call unfounded.

At 13:10 Sunday afternoon the 8-1 Engine was due in the first due for the investigation response.  Chief 8-1 handled the response, reported water in the basement, transferred to the appropriate department. 

Weekend ended Sunday afternoon at 14:03 when the 8-1 Tower Ladder was due to assist Mountville Fire (7-15) with a reported Tractor Trailer Fire.  Incident reported Rt. 30 at Prospect Road exit.  8-1 Tower Ladder responding as first due ladder with six firemen with Chief Ryno in the seat.  Chief 7-15 (GANTZ) on the scene with smoke from the wheels, holding to Company 7-15.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

 

With the start of 2012, the Firemen from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department kicked off the new year with 2 of a number of classes the Firemen are scheduled to attend in 2012. 

Tonight department members scheduled to get certified in FF I and FF II kicked off the FF I and FF II prep class at the Wrightsville Fire & Rescue Company.  The class taught by Chief Ryno (8-1) and Chief Trostle (7-9) from Maytown East Donegal Township Fire will eventually certify approximately 25 firefighters from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department, Maytown Fire (7-9), Wrightsville Fire (41), Craley Fire (44) and Hellam Fire (21) in Firefighter I & II. 

While the prep class was going on in Wrightsville, 7 department firefighters were honing there water rescue skills in Columbia.  In the training room, Todd Stahl, the departments Water Emergency Team Captain, hosted a Water Rescue Awareness Program.  22 Firefighters from Columbia No. 1 Fire Department, Marietta Fire, Craley, Baltimore City Fire, and Blue Rock Fire & Rescue attended the program. 

In 2012 the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department is attempting to place training as a top priority.  Besides setting up numerous state and local classes, the department appointed Charles Anderson, a 28 year active member of the department as Lieutenant in Charge of Training.  Chuck has been reaching out to department Firemen determining needs of the department and is in the process of working with mutual aide departments setting up joint trainings and drill nights. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Tonight approximately 35 Columbia No. 1 Fire Department firemen kicked off the new year with a Team meeting.  Food and dessert was provided for all firemen during the meeting.  Chief Ryno and Firefighter Felus discussed numerous initiatives taking place in 2012, Officers for the year as well as updates on the Tower Ladder replacement.

Numerous awards were presented during the meeting including:

Top Responder:  Paul Miles
Top "IAMRESPONDING USER" Paul Miles
Top 9 Responders
Firefighter of the QTR:  Paul Miles

All Bingo Helpers were also recognized and presented with gift cards, as well as a night out on the department

Safety topics were discussed as well as new GPS and AED updates. 

A local business presented the department with $1200 in new water rescue equipment .

Special thanks to Columbia Pizza and Turkey Hill Dairies for the donation of Ice Cream, Pizza and Drinks for the meeting.

"TEAM 8-1 FIREMEN TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

This week Deputy Chief Denny Hershey will be placing in service 4 new GPS units for each of the departments front-line apparatus.  Back in the fall a local business was approached about assisting the department with the initiative to place GPS units in the apparatus.  In November the business who wishes not to be identified donated $1000 to the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department to help the department complete the initiative.  Assistant Chief Ricky Anderson is shown with the new units.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Columbia No 1 Fire Department has deployed AED units on our front line fire apparatus since 1997 as one of the first Fire Departments in Lancaster County to do so with the then Ironville Fire Company. Over the years we added additional units to encompass every Department owned piece of equipment as well as the Station.

Due to technology changes and updates through the American Heart Association the Department found it necessary to upgrade the 1997 units. Through the generous donation of a local group Chief Ryno placed all brand new AED units (5) in service over the Christmas holiday. TEAM 81 personnel are CPR/AED trained in order to handle an emergency involving our own personnel and/or community members as we respond to Cardiac Arrest events in our first due in Columbia Borough.

THANK YOU to our generous donor who made this purchase possible!

"TEAM 81 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Firemen from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department joined with Turkey Hill Dairies this evening in celebrating there First Annual New Years celebration at the Turkey Hill Experience.  The Columbia No. 1 Fire Department dumped the house to assist in the celebration.  Festivities included an "Ice Cream Cone Drop" and numerous events for the kids.  Turkey Hill Dairy President Quintin Frey was on hand and had a ride in the Tower Ladder bucket to oversee the festivities.  Approximately 1000 to 1500 residents and spectators turned out for the festivities!

Thanks to all TEAM 8-1 Firemen who assisted in the celebration!

"TURKEY HILL DAIRIES TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

TEAM 81 received a phone call from our oldest member who joined Columbia No 1 Fire Department in 1946 requesting assistance with the installation of smoke detectors. Over the Christmas holiday week Chief Ryno, Deputy Chief Hershey and Assistant Chief Anderson went to our brothers residence and installed 3 smoke detectors and 1 CO detector to insure the safety of our 92 year old brother! THANK YOU for your service!

Columbia No 1 Fire Department through the generous donation of ABC27 News currently has an inventory of 10 year sealed lithium battery smoke detectors that are available to qualified Columbia Borough residents. If you are in need of obtaining smoke detectors and/or require assistance with installation you should contact Chief Ryno at (717) 684-5100 or via e-mail at sryno@comcast.net.

Please remember to check your smoke detector batteries and insure they are functional at all times!

STATION 8-1 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Fireman from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department didn't get much rest this morning after a long night of work.  Fireman returned to the station at 06:30 this morning after working the recycling facility fire for over 8 hours.  Crews cleaned the apparatus and equipment then was treated to breakfast by department support members.

At 08:56 the first of four responses was dispatched for the morning.  Incident reported back at the scene of the three alarmer, facility workers with fire in paper bails, larger than they could handle with there equipment.  8-1 Engine with five fireman under the direction of Assistant Chief Anderson. 

10:03 Investigation Box 8-7-1 was dispatched in the Columbia Consolidated first due.  Incident reported 615 Locust St. at the CVS Pharmacy.  Report of odor in the building with employees sick.  Chief 8-1 (RYNO) on the scene setting up the Columbia Borough Command.  8-1 Engine on the street already from the first response was added and arrived side alpha of the structure.  8-1 Tower Ladder enroute with five fireman under the direction of Deputy Chief Hershey.  Crews investigated the building then went available. 

10:23 third response of the morning was dispatched.  Incident reported in the Columbia Consolidated first due.  Address of fire 645 Locust Street reported chimney fire.  Chief 8-1 (RYNO) on the scene with a 2.5 story semi detached residential possible chimney fire.  Tower Ladder and Engine from 8-1 already on the street arrived and investigated with a furnace malfunction. 

10:58 as the crews arrived back at the firehouse, the high occupancy AFA response was dispatched in the Mountville Fire Company (7-15) first due.  Incident reported 3950 Columbia Avenue at the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.  8-1 Tower Ladder with six fireman with Deputy Chief Hershey in the seat.   Engine 7-15-1 on the scene with a 4 story convent nothing showing.  Tower Ladder 8-1 arrived and investigated with the Engine from 7-15 confirming food on the stove, 7-15 Command holding the assignment to 8-1 and 7-15. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

At 07:59 Fire Box 41-01 was struck in the Borough of Wrightsville.  Address of fire reported 242 Hellam St., a reported structure fire.  Chief 41 (SMELTZER) on the scene reporting normal conditions in a 2.5 story row.  Engine and Tower Ladder from 8-1 due on the assignment as the the due Engine Company and first due Truck Company.  8-1 Tower Ladder with four firemen followed immediately by the 8-1 Engine company with four.  Command 41 reporting lite smoke condition, can handle with York County units and the Tower Ladder from 8-1.  Tower Ladder arrived and operated for approximately 30 Minutes till being released. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Columbia No. 1 Fire Department fireman ran three responses for the day with the day ending with three alarms in the first due. 

The first response of the day was dispatched at 08:04 on the 41-01 structure fire assignment.  Incident reported 242 Hellam Street in the Borough of Wrightsville.  8-1 Tower Ladder with four firemen with Deputy Chief Hershey in the seat, followed immediately by the Engine from the 8-1 House.  Chief 41 (SMELTZER) on the scene with an odor of smoke in the residence, holding the assignment to the Tower Ladder from 8-1 and York County Units.

At 18:56 the High Occupancy AFA was dispatched in the West Hempfield Fire & Rescue (7-6) first due.  Incident reported 4696 Breezyview Road at the Church.  Tower Ladder 8-1 enroute with four firemen.  Chief 7-6 (CARTER) on the scene with the West Hempfield Command.  Report of smoke detector activation in the church.  Crews investigated and found faulty detector, Tower Ladder from 8-1 available. 

At 22:06 the Commercial Building Fire assignment was dispatched in the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department first due.  Incident reported 125 Bridge Street at the Gordon Waste Recycling Plant.  Report of a fire on the conveyor system.  Columbia Borough Police on the scene with heavy smoke on the east side of the facility.  8-1 Tower Ladder with four firemen with Lt. Miles in the seat, followed immediately by the 8-1 Engine.  Chief 8 on the scene with a large building reporting working fire requesting the "working fire dispatch".  Chief 8-1 (RYNO) with the operations, reporting fire in cardboard bails on the interior.  At 22:13 Command 8 requested the second alarm, followed by the third alarm at 23:20.   Large volume of fire in the cardboard bails kept crews busy till approximately 06:30 in the morning.  

THANKS TO ALL CREWS WHO ASSISTED ON THE THREE ALARMS AS WELL AS SUE & MINDY FOR THE MUCH NEEDED BREAKFAST!

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE ENGINE FROM THE HEMPFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT (7-19) FOR COVERING THE 8-1 HOUSE DURING THE FIRE.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS" 

As the Christmas Holiday came upon us, Chief Ryno, Assistant Chief Anderson, Firefighter Felus and Firefighter VanFossen sat in the day room Friday evening commenting on the slow down for end of the year.  Within two hours of our comment the 8-1 Tower Ladder was in York County and the Engine from 8-1 ran the first of two working vehicle fires for the day. 

At 02:22 the 3860 Fire Box was dispatched in the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department first due.  Address of fire reported IFO 41 Walnut Street in the Borough of Columbia reported vehicle fire.  Report of a pickup truck on fire near the railroad.  Columbia Borough Police Department  on the scene reporting a well involved vehicle.  8-1 Engine with five Fireman.  No exposures to the vehicle fire, 8-1 Engine crew extinguished the fire in the vehicle then went available at 03:35.  8-1 Tower Ladder stopped by the scene on its way back from York Township.

At 10:18 as crews were catching up on sleep from the overnite, firebox 3473 was dispatched.  This time in the West Hempfield Fire & Rescue
(7-6) first due.  Address of fire to the rear of 4575 Klinesville Road in West Hempfield Township.  Owner reporting vehicle 20 feet from the house with fire in the engine compartment.  8-1 Engine with five fireman with Deputy Chief Hershey in the seat.  Multiple calls reporting well involved vehicle.  Engine 8-1-1 on the scene with a well involved vehicle behind the structure.  Chief 8-1 (RYNO) in the command vehicle setting up command 7-6 till there arrival.  8-1 Engine led off with 1.3/4 hand line with a feeder from Engine 7-6-1.  Crews from Columbia 8-1 and West Hempfield Fire (7-6) held the fire to the vehicle, with no extension. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

At 23:55 York County 911 requested LCWC to move the 8-1 Tower Ladder to York Township.  A structure fire in the township had all of the trucks in the area tied up prompting a request to Lancaster County to assist.  8-1 Tower Ladder with six fireman responded.  Tower Ladder 8-1 covered York Township till approximately 02:32 when released by the command. 

While the 8-1 Tower Ladder was in the Township with six the 8-1 Engine crew staffed with five fireman covered a well involved vehicle fire in the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department first due. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Department fireman started the week off at 02:52 Monday morning with the early morning dwelling fire response in the first due.  Incident reported 123 North Fourth Street in the Borough of Columbia, reported electrical fire in the row.  Chief 8-1 (RYNO) on the scene with report of smoke condition on Division 1, Chief 8-1 setting up the Columbia Borough Command.  8-1 Tower Ladder with five fireman with Assistant Chief Anderson in the seat followed by the 8-1 Engine with seven fireman.  Units on scene with smoke condition from unknown source.  Units on scene investigated and ventilated smoke then went available.

Later in the morning at 10:14 the 8-1 Tower Ladder was back on the road this time into the Consolidated Fire (8-7) first due.  Incident reported 1092 Cloverton Drive, a dwelling fire.  Neighbor reporting smoke alarms sounding in residence, odor of smoke, no one home.  8-1 Tower Ladder with five fireman.  Report of food on the stove, Tower Ladder to proceed in for ventilation, rest of assignment recalled.

No time for the 8-1 Tower Ladder to cool down before it was back on the road this time to York County.  Incident dispatched at 13:58 report of a building fire in Lower Windsor Township at 573 Bull Run Road on the 44-05 (Craley) box alarm.  Report of a chimney fire.  8-1 Tower Ladder with five fireman.  Tower Ladder worked the scene for 60 minutes till released by the Lower Windsor Command. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"