Officers and members of the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department are reminded of the annual SCBA Re-Certification and gear inspection in January and February at the station.  All members who currently wear the departments SCBA must go through the process as well as have there gear inspected.  Members are able to get there SCBA re-certification completed on the following dates:

Saturday January 16, 2010     08:00 to 12:00
Tuesday February 9, 2010      Prior to In House Training
Saturday February 20, 2010   08:00 to 12:00

All re-certifications must be complete by February 28, 2010.

Questions or scheduling conflicts see Lieutenant Murphy.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

At 18:54 the 8-1 Tower Ladder was dispatched to assist the Mountville Fire Company  (7-15) with an inside investigation at 3952 Columbia Ave.  Chief 7-15 (GANTZ) and his Engine and Squad were on the scene with an odor of something burning in an apartment.  Crews investigating suspected a roof top HVAC and requested a truck to inspect the roof.  8-1 Tower Ladder enroute OFC.  Tower Ladder from 8-1 arrived and inspected the roof HVAC units for the Mountville Command. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

At 07:58 Box 7-8-4 was dispatched in the Washington Boro Fire Company  (7-8) first due.  Incident reported 1720 Water St. a reported building collapse with reported 1 trapped.  Chief 7-8 (GRAHAM) on the scene with the Washington Boro command reporting no entrapment.  8-1 Tower Ladder enroute OFC with Lt. Kaufman in the seat.  A large tree fell on the residence due to heavy snow trapping the owners dogs inside.  Crews using the 8-1 Tower Ladder were lifted to the residence and entered through side alpha removing the animals.  Good work by crews on the scene had the animals removed with no further compromise of the structure and no injuries. 

Prior to the collapse response the 8-1 Tower Ladder responded on the commercial AFA on the Craley (44)  Box alarm assignment.  8-1 Tower Ladder was recalled while enroute OFC. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Tonight members of the department under the direction of Assistant Chief Dejesus joined together and had another Friday spaghetti dinner.  Approximately 16 Team 8-1 members met at the station for dinner and a movie.  As the dinner ended, the heavy snow brought the third run for the day, a reported Class I MVA in the first due on the bypass.  8-1 Engine enroute OFC with Chief Ryno in the seat.  Deputy Chief Hershey on the scene with the 8-1 Command.  Command reporting one vehicle off the road, no entrapment holding to the Engine from 8-1 with EMS.  8-1 Engine arrived and investigated hazards before going available. 

Thanks to all members who joined this evening for the dinner. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

At 15:59 as the beginning of a massive snow storm started in the area, the Tower Ladder from the station with Chief Ryno in the seat responded to the first of two back to back structure fires.  First incident reported on the 2922 Fire Box, in the Highville Fire Company (6-2) first due.  Incident reported to be a dwelling fire, with fire reported in the chimney. 8-1 Tower Ladder enroute OFC.  Deputy 6-2 on scene with nothing showing side Alpha setting up the Highville Command.  8-1 Tower Ladder arrived with crews to staging.  Crews investigated and found a small fire in the flue area of the chimney.  Fast work by crews on the scene held the fire to the area of origin with minimal extension. 

As the 8-1 Tower Ladder was returning to the station the second of two runs was dispatched, reported to be a building fire in a nursing home in the Mountville (7-15) first due.  8-1 Tower Ladder enroute OFC.  Chief 7-15 (Gantz) on the scene setting up the Mountville Command.  Command holding the assignment to the units on the scene, 8-1 Tower Ladder available.  

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS" 

At 12:16 the MVA with entrapment was dispatched in the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department first due on the 3860 Box.  Incident reported Front & Locust St. reported to be a 2 vehicle MVA with entrapment.  Police department on the scene reporting a two vehicle MVA, no entrapment, with one Class II patient.  8-1 Engine arrived with the rescue and assisted EMS and debris removal and hazard control before going available.   

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Tonight at the monthly membership meeting Trustee Jimmy Smith presented Firefighter Nikki Anderson with the QTR 4 FY 2009 "Member of the Quarter" award.  Nikki received a bronze firefighter statue as well as a $100.00 gift card.  Nikki's family has a long history in the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department.  Currently Nikki is an exterior firefighter with the department and is very active with the departments weekly bingo program.  Nikki joined the department as a junior firefighter at the advice of her brother Chuck Anderson.  

At the membership meeting firefighters received the first round of SAFER Grant payouts with firefighters receiving payments for training, as well as gift cards for other incentives.  Firefighters were also given a department hat or beanie for attending the meeting.  Firefighters are reminded to watch the board for 2010 response incentives. 

The officers and members of the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department would like to congratulate FF Anderson on the award. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Tonight members from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department proceeded to the training center and completed the second part of a RIT training set up by the department for its members.  Under the direction of Captain Nye members went through RIT evolutions at the training center removing firefighters from below grade and using multiple resources in different evolutions.  Thanks to all members who braved the cold to make the program successful.  Members are reminded to log into www.columbiafire.com to review the updated RIT policy.  

In the next three weeks department members will complete a "Special Vehicle Rescue Program" hosted by the PA State Fire Academy as well as "NFPA 1006 Vehicle Machinery". 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Members of the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department rolled into week four with a busy schedule for officers and firefighters. During the week, numerous meetings for the officers, as well as fundraisers kept the team busy. Team 8-1 also continued with annual maintenance and responded to nine responses.

Some of the activities for the week included, Chief Officers meeting and discussing RIT Policies and procedures and updating the department policy manual, traveling to the training center with local mutual aide companies for some rope training and SCBA Maze evolutions and the departments consolidation committee meeting.  On Friday the department was given good news regarding a ninth award from FEMA this time in the FIRES Grant Program. To end the week, the department officers had there monthly officers meeting on Sunday under the direction of Chief Ryno. 

Members are reminded that Captain Anderson has identified firefighters who need there gear cleaned. Please make sure if your name is on the memo, it is taken care of. Also firefighters’ still need to complete there SCBA Re-certification. 

 
Response breakdown for the week was as follows:
 
January 25, 2010
SHOEHOUSE RD/ORE BANK / Building / Hellam Twp. (21) / Truck 8-1
314 S. SECOND ST. / Alarm Bells / Columbia Boro (8-1) / Engine 8-1-1

January 26, 2010
645 W MAIN ST. / Dwelling / Mt. Joy (7-5) / Truck 8-1

January 27, 2010
200 LUTHER LANE / AFA / Columbia Boro (8-7) / Truck 8-1

January 28, 2010
425 ROCK HILL LANE / Water Res-Q (21) / Hellam Twp. /  Squad/Boat 8-1

January 29, 2010
200 N. WATERFORD AVE / AFA (7-10) / Marietta / Truck 8-1
21 CHELMSFORD DR. / Dwelling (7-9) / East Donegal / Truck 8-1
9 ROSEWOOD LANE / Dwelling (7-9) / East Donegal / Truck 8-1

January 30, 2010
309 LOCUST ST. / Building (8-1) / Columbia Boro / Truck/Engine 8-1

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

 

Today the officers and members of the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department were advised from Firefighter Felus of a late Christmas Gift from FEMA from the 2009 FIRES Grants.  Firefighter Felus working with the FEMA office has received confirmation on a $56,085 FIRES Grant from 2009.  The award will be announced in Round 1 of 2009 FIRES Grants, with three other Lancaster County Departments.   

The Columbia No. 1 Fire Department has been relatively successful with the FIRES Grant Program during its nine year history.  This will be the 8th award from the FIRES Grant program totaling $518,168 and the department has received one award from the SAFER Program totaling $78,754.

Firefighter Felus also advised the department he has received funding to complete the Departments ATV Ranger Program with funding he has received from other sources including the DCNR to purchase a trailer and bed insert for the Polaris Ranger ATV.  The bed insert for the rear of the Polaris Ranger was purchased from Kimtek Corporation, and is in service now, with the enclosed trailer being ordered at the next membership meeting with delivery in the next few months. 

Thanks to numerous grant programs, the Operation Ranger Program Firefighter Felus initiated three years ago is 99% complete at no cost to the department or community, a value of approximately $25,090.00

Thank you to all members who have supported the programs and helped make them all successful. 

"TEAM 8-1 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Tuesday brought more training for Team members from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department. Team members joined with members from the Maytown Fire Company (7-9), Wrightsville Fire Company (41) and the Hellam Fire Company (21) for training at the Lancaster County Public Training Center. This was the first of a number of training the departments will join for over the next four months in a training plan developed by the officers of the four companies. Tonight 22 firefighters from the companies traveled to the training center and participated in two stations which were set up. Firefighter Felus, Firefighter Lightcap and Captain Nye set up a ropes and rigging station where the firefighters set up a three to one and basic lowering system.   In station two firefighters under the direction Captain Ryon (41) and Assistant Chief Dejesus (8-1) went through the SCBA Maze. Thanks to all firefighters who attended the trainings. Earlier in the day in the early morning hours the Tower Ladder traveled to Mount Joy (7-5) for a reported dwelling fire. 8-1 Tower Ladder enroute OFC with Assistant Chief Dejesus in the seat. Command 7-5 held the assignment to FDMJ units, with the Tower Ladder being placed available. 

“TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS”

Tonight members and officers from the department met and reviewed the departments RIT guidelines. During the meeting the first of two runs for the evening were dispatched. On the inter-county channel York County 911 called for Tower from 8-1 and the Rescue from 7-9 to assist the Hellam Fire Company (21) with a reported building fire on the west side of Hellam Township. Tower Ladder from 8-1 enroute OFC with Lieutenant Kaufman in the seat. Chief 21 (DUBE) in the area with smoke showing, setting up the Hellam Township Command. A house under demolition off Shoehouse Road in the township was well involved when the departments arrived. Minor work by the crews on scene had the units available within the hour. After returning the members completed there meeting then was dispatched for the second run of the evening, a reported alarm bells on the 3861 Fire Box (8-1). 8-1 Engine enroute OFC with Captain Nye in the seat. Departments Duty Chief (HERSHEY) on the scene with a 2.5 story residential nothing showing setting up the command. Crews investigated and found faulty detector with units going available. 

“TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS”

Columbia No. 1 Fire Department members rolled into a new week continuing with station duties and running calls.  Team members ran eight responses.  The officers of the department continued annual preventive maintenance on the departments hand equipment.  Firefighters are reminded Captain Anderson has listed a number of firefighters who need there gear cleaned prior to the end of the month.  Contact any officer for access to the gear washer.  SCBA Re certification is also due.

Good luck to the members of the Lampeter Fire Company (5-4).  Members visited the station on Monday evening to look over Engine 8-1-1.  Lampeter is in the process of specing out a new Engine and they are considering KME. 

Truck 8-1 was out of service during the beginning of the week getting some minor preventive maintenance performed.  Fire Rescue Products did an annual PM on the boom and hydraulics, as well as well as change all the fluids on the chassis. 

Chief Ryno attended the annual membership banquet of the Washington Boro Fire Company (7-8).  Congratulations to all the award members of the Washington Boro Fire Company.  Good luck in the new Year. 

Members are reminded of a number of trainings on the board, as well as in house training on Tuesday January26, 2010 at the training center.  Firefighter Felus and Firefighter Lightcap will lead the training covering Ropes and Rigging as well as the SCBA Maze.  Members from Hellam (21), Wrightsville (41) and Maytown (7-9) will also be in attendance. 

Response breakdown for the week was as follows:

January 17, 2010
211 N 8TH ST  /  Dwelling  /  Columbia Borough (8-7) / Truck/Engine 8-1

January 18, 2010
814 OLD CHIQUES HILL /  Mobile Home  / West Hemp (7-6) / Engine 8-1 

January 19, 2010
1735 KINDERHOOK RD /  Dwelling  / West Hemp (7-6) / Engine 8-1
331 WALNUT ST / Gas Leak / Columbia (8-1) / Engine 8-1

January 22, 2010
6330 RIVER DR / AFA / Hellam Twp. (41) / Truck 8-1

January 23, 2010
3952 COLUMBIA AVE / West Hemp. (7-15) / Truck 8-1
920 PLANE ST / Columbia Borough (8-4) / Truck/Engine 8-1

January 24, 2010
120 SOUTH 8th ST. / Columbia Borough (8-7) / Truck/Engine 8-1

"TEAM 8-1 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

At 02:38 Fire Box 3473 was dispatched in the West Hempfield Fire & Rescue (7-6)  first due.  Fire reported 814 Old Chiques Hill Road a reported mobile home fire.  Deputy 76 (NEY) and Chief 76 (HAINES) arrived to find smoke coming from the basement. Engine 8-1-1 enroute OFC with Deputy Chief Hershey in the seat.  Deputy 7-6 assumed the Command and had Engine 81-1 lay in from the hydrant. After laying in crews began to pull lines and go to work. Engine 79-2 was the next piece in, also pulling lines and going assist the crews working. Tanker 76 arrived and then supplied Engine 79-2. Additional Tankers being used for water supply included Tanker 78-1 and Tanker 79. Engine 76-2's crew arrived and assited the working crews with the fire attack. Rescue 76 and Rescue 84-1 established the RIT and Engine 84-1, Squad 87, and Squad 715 were used for additional manpower on the scene. Crews cleared the scene in just under 5 hours.

Special Thanks to Wrightsville Fire & Rescue  (Rescue 41) who covered the Borough of Columbia while Columbia Borough Units operated. 

(Story from www.westhempfieldfire.com)

At 15:08 Fire Box 8-7-A was dispatched in the Consolidated Fire Company  (8-7) first due.  Fire reported 215 North Eighth St. a dwelling fire.  Caller reporting smoke showing from the home, and flames visible through the window.  Chief 8-1 (RYNO) on the scene with a brick stand alone dwelling with smoke showing from the A/D corner.  8-1 Tower Ladder enroute OFC.  Chief 8-1 (RYNO) setting up the Columbia Borough Command reporting working fire requesting 20 min mark and an Engine and Rescue from 41 (Wrightsville)  and 7-9 (Maytown).  Fire held to initial alarm with addition of RIT and extra engine.  Crews encountered heavy smoke and heat in the basement and division 1. Fire was extinguished with the first hand line from Engine 8-4-1 with crews performing search operations, opening up walls and providing ventilation.Operations under the direction of Deputy 8-1 (HERSHEY). There were no injuries and PSP Trooper Herr ruled the fire accidental and electrical in nature. Team 8-1 would like to wish the homeowners a speedy recovery from this tragic fire. Thank you to all members and mutual aid companies for your assistance.
 

Thanks to Washington Boro Fire (7-8) & Marietta Fire (7-10) for providing transfers for the duration of the incident.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"