Tonight Special Operations members from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department participated in brief search marking class at Millersville University hosted by Rescue Taskforce Leader Keith Eshleman.  Chief Eshleman covered USAR building marking and evacuation protocols for the Lancaster County Rescue Taskforce 36.  After returning from the training the 8-1 Engine was due in the South end of the territory for a small brush fire.  8-1 Engine enroute OFC with Deputy Chief Felus in the seat.  Engine arrived and with the assistance of the Consolidated Fire Company (8-7) estinghuished a small trash fire.  Earlier in the day the 8-1 Tower Ladder traveled to York County for the Industrial AFA on the Hellam Fire (21) Box.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Members from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department ran three responses for the day.  At 18:08 the Engine and Tower were due in the Wrightsville Fire & Rescue (41) first due for the reported dwelling fire.  Tower Ladder enroute OFC recalled while enroute, a reported police department incident, no fire department services needed.  At 23:00 hours the Engine was due in the Consolidated first due for the reported trash fire.  Engine was recalled prior to response.  Over night the 8-1 Engine was due in the first due for the reported trash fire at the Columbia River Front Park.  Engine enroute OFC.  Engine arrived and extinguished small fire in trash can. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

This evening 18 Firefighters from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department staffed the Departments Squad, Engine and Tower Ladder and headed to East Donegal Township to stand-by for the Annual 4the of July Marietta Fireworks display.  Under the direction of Deputy Chief Felus, the Tower and Engine staged with Wrightsville (41) and Hellam (21) Units in the area of Sheetz while the Boat and Squad moved to Robert Mowrer Drive and stood-by for the event.  The evening was uneventful with the 8-1 Engine assisting Maytown (7-9)  units on a two vehicle MVA.  Earlier in the morning the Water Emergency Team from the Department ran the water rescue response in the West Hempfield Fire & Rescue (7-6) first due. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS AND MEMBERS WHO ASSISTED WITH THE FIREWORKS STAND-BY AND THE DEPARTMENTS BINGO PROGRAM. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

On Friday June 26, 2009, Columbia No 1 Fire Department hosted the monthly meeting of the Lancaster County Firemen's Association. The meeting began at 2000 hours and in addition to the normal course of business the Executive Committee issued Life Membership status to one of the meeting attendees from Reamstown. At the conclusion of the meeting a number of door prizes were awarded and the evening concluded with refreshments provided by Team 8-1. It was an honor to host the LCFA meeting and we were happy to do our part as a member company and are doors are always open on Front Street whenever we can be of assistance!

Special thanks to President Anderson and Assistant Chief DeJesus for serving as Seargant of Arms for the evening in addition to the Address of Welcome provided by Chief Ryno.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Day started for members of the department at 01:31 on the 8-7 (Consolidated) fire box reported high occupancy AFA.  Incident reported 200 Luther Lane St. John Herr Estate.  Units on scene confirming false alarm all units available.  At 10:49 the second of three responses was dispatched in the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department first due.  Reported to be a spill control at Fourth St. and Chestnut St..  Engine 8-1-1 enroute OFC.  Engine arrived and cleaned up fluid following a non injury MVA.  At 16:18 the third of three responses was dispatched, this one in the West Hempfield Fire & rescue (7-6) first due.  Reported on the Susquehanna River in the area of the Rt. 462 IC Bridge a boater in distress.  Squad and Boat 8-1 enroute OFC.  Units arrived and assisted a five personnel stranded on a boat to shore. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Just prior to noon the 1st alarm assignment was struck for the reported Dwelling Fire in the 6-2 local bringing the response of Truck 8-1. Tower Ladder enroute OFC with Chief Ryno in the seat. Engine 6-2-1 on the scene with Command reporting a 1 1/2 story single family dwelling nothing showing from the exterior. After quick work by the Engine crew the box was reduced to Rescue 6-5, Engine 6-2-1, Truck 8-1 and EMS to provide the ventilation and check on the elderly residents. Crew from Truck 8-1 assisted with additional ventilation operating on the scene for 49 minutes. Quick work by the brothers from 6-2 avoided a mid day serious fire.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Weekend ended for members of Team 8-1 with six runs.  Members started the weekend on Friday evening setting up for the Bar-B-Que and the first of six runs.  Responses we as follows:

Friday June 19, 2009      18:26      Class I MVA Rt. 30 & Rt. 441                     Zone 8-1
Friday June 19, 2009       21:47     Class II MVA Rt. 30 & Rt. 441                    Zone 8-1
Saturday June 20, 2009  0800      Class  III MVA Rt. 30 on the IC Bridge        Zone 7-6
Saturday June 20, 2009  14:21      Alarm Bells  314 Cherry St.                        Zone 8-1
Sunday June 21, 2009     06:24     Investigation  31 South Second St.            Zone 8-1
Sunday June 21, 2009     13:12     Water Rescue Susquehanna River             Zone 7-8

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL TEAM MEMBERS FOR THERE ASSISTANCE OVER THE WEEKEND!

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"
 

Today under the direction of Assistant Chief Falcon, members of the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department teamed together for one of two annual chicken barbeque's.  Despite the heavy rain the barbecue was a complete success with a total sell out!

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE HELLAM FRIENDSHIP FIRE COMPANY (21) FOR THE USE OF THE PITS AGAIN, YOUR SUPPORT OF THE COLUMBIA NO. 1 FIRE DEPARTMENT IS SINCERELY APPRECIATED!

SPECIAL THANKS TO CUSTOMERS AND RESIDENTS OF COLUMBIA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES FOR THERE SUPPORT OF THE BARBECUE!

FINALLY SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MEMBERS FOR YOUR DEDICATED COMMITMENT.  EVEN WITH THE HEAVY RAINS 19 FIREFIGHTERS AND MEMBERS TURNED OUT TO SUPPORT THE EVENT, THEN WORKED THE DEPARTMENT BINGO PROGRAM THAT EVENING.

"TEAM 8-1 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

At 15:39 the 41 Rescue Box was dispatched in the Wrightsville Fire and Rescue first due.  Incident reported Cool Creek Road and Mt. Pisgah Road an MVA with reported entrapment.  Deputy 41 (Livelsberger) on the scene with a two vehicle accident reporting two people confined.  8-1 Engine enroute OFC with Assistant Chief Dejesus in the seat.  Engine arrived and assisted Hellam (21) crews with fire suppression and scene control while Wrightsville Fire & Rescue handled the extrication.  After  returning the 8-1 Engine was due on the 3860 Box for the reported spill control in the first due.  Engine arrived and controlled gasoline spill on the roadway, Engine available. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

At 15:21 Fire Box 8-7 was dispatched in the Consolidated Fire Company (8-7) first due, fire reported 540 Walnut St., an apartment building.  Police department on the scene with smoke showing from the top floors.  Tower Ladder enroute full crew with Firefighter Hershey in the seat.  LCWC now advising reports of people still inside.  Chief 8-1 (Ryno) on the scene with a 2.5 story brick MOR with report of a working fire division 2 setting up the command.  Tower Ladder crew cleared the building with the primary confirming no entrapment.  Crews worked the scene for 2.5 hours holding the fire to the building of origin with minimal extension.  Earlier in the day the 8-1 Engine ran the AFA reported false in the first due. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

This weekend members of the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department had seven runs including 2 Class I motorcycle accidents.  Weekend started on Friday at 18:58 on the 3860 Box on Rt. 441 and Rt. 30 for the reported MVA Class I with two motorcycles.  Chief 8-1-1 (Dejesus) on the scene with two motorcycles vs pickup truck with one on the roadway.  8-1 Engine enroute OFC with FF Anderson in the seat.  Engine arrived and controlled hazards then went available.  Next response came Saturday after training on Chiques Rock.  Incident reported on the Susquehanna River in the area of Kings Island in Conoy Township for the report of three kids missing.  Lieutenant 7-1-2 with the command.  Squad and Boat 8-1-1 en route OFC with Assistant Chief Dejesus in the seat.  Boat 7-1 on the scene accounting for all missing individuals, recalling all units with the exception of Bainbridge Fire Units.  Next incident was the second Class I motorcycle accident for the weekend and the first of five runs overnight Saturday night.  Incident reported in the area of 137 South Front St., reported motorcycle vs pedestrian.  Units on scene with one Class I pedestrian in the roadway and motorcyclist down.  Units assisted with EMS then controlled hazards.  Next run came at 23:35 when the 8-1 Tower Ladder was due in Hellam (21) on the AFA.  Tower Ladder recalled while enroute.  After the 8-1 Tower Ladder returned the Squad and Boats were due on the East Donegal Water Rescue on the Susquehanna River.  Report of a boater in distress.  Deputy 7-9 (Mohr) recalled units while enroute.  After a little downtime the 8-1 Engine was back on the street in the first due for the public service at the high rise for the residential flooding call.  Engine arrived and controlled the water flow then went available.  Approximately an hour and a half later the Engine was due back to 400 Union St. for the high occupancy AFA.  Chief 8-1-1 (Dejesus) recalled all units prior to response. 

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

This morning members from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department joined with members from the Wrightsville Fire & Rescue Company to go over basic rappelling techniques on Chiques Rock.  Deputy Chief Felus and Firefighter Anderson instructed the training.  Thanks to all members who attended.  After returning the Boat and Squad was due in the Bainbridge Fire (7-1) first due for the reported Water Rescue, 8-1 Boat and Squad en route under the direction of Assistant Chief Dejesus.  Units recalled while enroute, held to Bainbridge Fire. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE LANCASTER COUNTY PARK RANGERS FOR THERE SUPPORT OF THE ROPE TRAINING ON CHIQUES THIS MORNING

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Just prior to midnight the 3860 Fire Box was dispatched in the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department first due.  Fire reported 210 Locust St. an apartment building.  QRS 8 in the area with normal conditions, Chief 8-4 on the scene with a three story apartment building, report of working basement fire.  8-1 Engine and 8-1 Tower Ladder enroute, each OFC.  Command 8 adding the RIT and an additional engine company.  Engine crews on scene found a dryer fire in a rear room on the first floor with minimal extension.  At 00:24 the assignment was placed under control by Command 8 and held to Station 8-1 and Station 8-4.  

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS" 

At 10:04 Lancaster County Wide Communications dispatched the Lancaster County Rescue Taskforce 36 to stand-by in station for a possible response to Berks County.  Berks County units were on the scene with reported one person trapped in a trench.  Special Operations members from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department responded to station and stood by till released by Taskforce Leader Eshleman.  Berks County units handled the incident with a rapid extrication with no response from Taskforce 36.  Patient later died from his injuries.   Later in the day the 8-1 Engine was due in the first due for the reported auto alarm on trouble.  8-1 Engine en route OFC with Assistant Chief Dejesus in the seat.  Engine arrived to find an alarm malfunction units available.  Around 16:30 the 3860 Box had a second AFA this time high occupancy at the Boy & Girls Club.  8-1 Engine enroute OFC with FF Weber in the seat.  Engine arrived and investigated finding a false pull.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"

Firefighters from the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department started there weekend Friday evening with the reported dwelling fire on the 3860 Fire Box (8-1).  Reported to be a dwelling fire at 141 Locust St in the Borough.  Chief 8-1 (Ryno) on the scene with a 2.5 story duplex nothing showing.  8-1 Engine arrived and investigated finding a small controlled fire to the rear of the structure, all units available.  On Saturday morning a crew of five under the direction of Chief Ryno traveled to Quarryville to cover for the Quarryville Fire Company (5-7) during the Lancaster County Fireman's Convention.  This was the first time the 8-1 Tower Ladder traveled back to Quarryville since the Columbia No. 1 Fire Department purchased it from the Quarryville Fire Company a few years ago.  The 8-1 Tower Ladder and crew covered till approximately 16:30 hours.  After returning at 01:28 the 8-1 Tower Ladder was due on the 21 Fire Box in Hellam Township for the reported building fire, reported to be a hotel fire.  8-1 Tower Ladder en route OFC with Assistant Chief Dejesus in the seat.  Tower arrived and assisted the Wrightsville and Hellam brothers on the scene then went available.  Sunday morning crews under the direction of Captain Nye trained on the department boats.

"TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS"