SPECIAL REQUEST
                Since the accident involving Squad 70 the company has been operating as a single piece engine company, and doing ok, however we realize that we cannot provide the level of protection we are used to without a second engine. If anyone has an extra Engine lying around that needs to have its leg stretched, please contact us at Chief 70@leedomfire.compaulmensack@rcn.com or call 610-656-1737.,
 
Jay Mensack, Chief
Leedom Fire Company

Just after crews completed installing protective covers for the cross lays on the Engine the companies were dispatched to 291 at Boeing for the MVA involving a motorcycle. Engine 70 (Mensack) arrived behind EMS and began patient care. FF/EMT-P Crawford took the lead and began assessing the patient. Engine 70 and Rescue 62’s crews worked together to immobilize the rider for the trip to an area trauma center. As the patient was being loaded, Engine and Ambulance 70, along with Medic 102B went to Orchard Road in the first due for a pediatric emergency. The child Fell from a swing in a neighboring town and was transported to her home by friends in the back seat of a small car. The Engines crew assisted EMS with packaging the patient. Ambulance 70 and the Medic transported the victim to an area hospital. The company was in service for about an hour.
 On a side note the cross lay covers look ok, and they work.

Just after midnight, the companies were dispatched to 95 North at Route 476. Engine 70 (Mensack) responded with 5 and arrived just behind EMS, to find a single vehicle accident. EMS advising Chief 70 that the patient was refusing treatment and the car was leaking large amounts of gasoline. The Engine and Rescue 62’s crews secured the hazards and stood by for fire suppression.
It appears that the vehicle, traveling south on 95 lost control at 476 went through the guardrail into the North bound lanes and came to rest on the on the outside shoulder. 

Tuesday evening was yet another busy one for the crew from Leedom as we ventured up to Leedom School for some forcible entry training and handline advancment training. First the crew reviewed forcible entry on outward swinging metal doors using the irons. This topic was just a discussion with limited hands-on training involved as we probably would have gotten in trouble if we actually forced a door at the school.
 
After completing the forcible entry portion of the drill, the crew began to work on handline advancement on what has become our favorite spot, the schools jungle gym. With there being many twists and turns, ups and downs, and areas where you need to lower your profile, it makes for a very good spot to do some training. The crew strectched the 150' bumper line three different times through the playground for efficiency and speed. After the line had been packed back on, the crew did two more evolutions stretching the infamous 400' attack line. The 400' line is mainly going to be used for the four story apartment building in our first due, however there are other times when it could be used in other situations. Stretching the line would definitley be considered an advanced operation, so we train on it often so we can make sure we do it right when the time comes. The crew stretched the line around the school, through the jungle gym, and into the field. After finishing up at the school, the tank on the engine was topped off and the crew returned to the station after 3 1/2 hours of training, arriving back at 10:30pm. The crew wound up stretching 1,250' of 1 3/4 attack line through five different and difficult evolutions

Lately it has been very slow (even for us!) on the fire side, but that doesn't mean we are not keeping busy. All weekend long the ambulance was covering the entire Township from 12am- 7am on night crew. On Friday, the crew answered just two calls throughout the night, but did get to enjoy sitting around the chiminea  on our back patio, joking and telling stories, along with a few other members.
 
On Saturday, Company President Steve Yeager, Lt. Chris Close, and FF Phil Judge attended Emergency Vehicle Operators Course at the Delco Training Center. All three men spent the beautiful day inside a classroom learning the laws and safe operating procedures regarding emergency vehicle driving. Later on in the day, several members ventured to Penns Landing to patrol the river during their fireworks display with the marine units. After returning home and getting the boats back in order, the crew enjoyed the nice night while eating some late night pizza. The ambulance only answered one call all night, and was cancelled upon arriving by the Medic unit.
 
On Sunday morning, President Yeager, Lt. Close, and FF Judge returned to the training center to complete the written test and competency course that is a part of the EVOC class. All three men passed with flying colors, and were on their way home after spending just over an hour completing the rest of the class. Upon returning home, the crew took the Engine over to the little league field to wet down the infield before the Leedom Little League All Stars had their tournament baseball game. Sunday night remained quiet for the ambulance and the crew got to enjoy a good night sleep after an active weekend.
 
*In other training news: A few months ago Lt. Tom Silpath completed both Pump Operations 1 and 2, both being weekend-long classes that teaches the students the in's and out's of pumping a fire engine. Lt. Silpath passed both portions of the class, and recieved his certification in Pump Operations. I know this is a little late, but the guys who write the stories for the site forgot to mention Toms accomplishments in a more timely manner, so Tom, Congratulations!
 

On saturday evening, Marine 70 and Marine 70A headed up the Delaware River to the Penns Landing area to provide marine coverage to the river during this years fireworks display that kicks off Philadelphia's "Welcome America" celebration. After a rather rough ride up the Delaware, both units went to the briefing on the Camden side of the river for all units that would be protecting the river that evening. Marine 70, skippered by Lt. Silpath, and with FF/Medic Carango and FF Buddy on board, was assigned to the New Jersey side of the river to patrol in the area of the Battleship New Jersey. Marine 70A, skippered by Lt. Close, and with FF/EMT Kohlbrenner on board, was assigned to patrol on the Philadelphia side of the river.
 
Just as both units were moving to their designated areas after the briefing, Fieldcom advised that there was a sinking vessel at the rear of the Battleship New Jersey. Marine 70 arrived on the scene quickly, followed shortly by Marine 70A, to find a small jet boat that had a large amount of people on it, and was taking on water. It was determined that the vessel was not in immediate danger of sinking, and was allowed to drive the short distance to the marina while being followed by Marine 70 and the U.S. Coast Guard. After escorting the vessel to the marina safely, both units returned to their designated areas and were able to enjoy the fireworks without interuption while still patrolling.
 
After the fantastic fireworks display, and a quick debriefing, both units took the long a dark ride down the Delaware back to the Ridley Township Marina. The ride home was much smoother then the ride up, and both units arrived safely into port just after 11pm. Everyone had a fun and safe evening, and are already looking forward to next year.

Congratulations to Chris Close who has been appointed Lieutenant at Leedom. Chris has contributed to the development of the company and its members by assuming the role of training officer and heading up several committees. Chris has a long history with the company and it is our hope that he continues to positively impact the company and members as he has over his entire tenure.
 
Congratulations Lt.

On Tuesday night, the Engine, Ambulance, and Air Bank ventured down to the Delco Training Center Burn Building along with Company 62 for some live fire training. Company 62 had scheduled the building for training, and they were nice enough to extend an invitation to us. After loading up the building and performing a quick safety walk-through, the crews from both companies jumped right into action, doing numerous evolutions that tested their abilities in stretching and advancing hose lines, performing basic truck company operations including search and rescue and ventilation, and of course, fire extinguishment. The crews worked quickly all night, rotating fresh crews and having very little down time between evolutions, as there was only a few hours that the crew was able to utilize the building for training. As has become the norm when the two companies work together, everything went very well. After about 2 1/2 hours of burning, and everyone doing a very good job, the crews packed everything up and headed back home after a great night of training.
 
We would like to thank Chief Garvin, Captain Byrne, and everyone at Vauclain for inviting us down to the burn building. We really appriciate it and look forward to the next time we can get together for training.

Early Tuesday morning, a severe thunderstorm rolled through Delaware County causing numerous emergencies throughout the county including several working fires. With a thunderstorm of this calibur going through an urban area, the chances of something happening that would require Fire Department services are greatly increased. The station maintained a crew throughout the storm, however, in typical Leedom fashion, no calls of service were recieved, and the crew just got to enjoy the show as they watched from the Engine room. A little after the storm passed through the area, the medical assignment as well as Engine 70 were dispatched to Stewart Ave. and Industrial Hwy for a subject struck by lightning. After several confusing minutes of radio traffic with fireboard and Engine 70 trying to figure out what exactly was going on, it was learned that the call was actually at Boeing, and their Fire Department as well as their BLS unit were already on scene, and they were just requesting an ALS unit from the "outside". After all this was figured out, Chief 70 returned the assignment with the exception of Medic 102B who proceeded in to assist 79-7(Boeing ambulance).
 
Later on in the evening the crew got together for our weekly training night. This weeks topic was SCBA (airpack) farmiliarization. The crews first started by reviewing the parts of the SCBA as well as reviewing how to complete an inspection of the SCBA and mask. After all this was completed, the crew worked on donning the SCBA in under a minute, as is expected of everyone to be "Pak qualified". After a few turns for everyone, and of course, some friendly competition, all the men were well under a minute total donning time.
 
During drill, the Engine ran a CO alarm in the 200 block of Willard Drive in the first due. After checking the house with the meter and finding nothing, and consulting with the homeowner, it was detemined that the detector was just calibrating itself for use after a new battery had been put in the unit. The crew assisted the homeowner with calibrating the detector, and then returned to the station to continue with drill.

On Tuesday night, utilizing some of our beautiful water front property, and a vehicle donated by Firefighter Chris Smith, the crew practiced the fine craft of vehicle rescue. The crew first discussed our primary responsiblilities on an accident scene, which is providing fire protection for the scene and assisting the Rescue Company with the extrication. The crew reviewed proper fire protection measures for an accident scene including utilizing multiple extinguishers and deploying a hand line. Next the crew went through stabilization of the vehicle and gaining initial access to the vehicle to provide patient care, and proper glass removal. Once all of that had been completed, the Combi Toll was placed in service and the extrication process began. The crew took all four doors and the roof off the vehicle, with everyone sharing the time on the tool and practicing their skills. Once all the doors and the roof had been removed, the crew discussed the evenings training and were reminded of several important things to remember when extricating someone from a vehicle. After a quick clean up, the crew turned in for the night.