Thursday evening, the Engine headed down to the Burn Building at the Training Center along with companies 8 and 7 to run through scenarios utilizing the building. The crews alternated assignments between Engine and Truck crews on several different, in depth, scenarios including a basement fire scenario, two second floor fire scenarios, as well as a scenario with fire on the third floor. All three scenarios included a person trapped somewhere in the building. The crews were divided up into fire attack, search, outside vent, and a roof team. The incident command system was also utilized throughout the night. The crews worked for two and a half hours before wrapping up.

On Saturday morning, the crew mounted up on the Engine and ventured up to Station 8 for some rope rescue training. The crews first had a discussion on proper rigging and safety regarding repelling. The crews then got into harnesses and took turns repelling off the back of Station 8 for two hours. After cleaning up and enjoying some cold drinks, the Engine returned to Leedom.

On Thursday night, the Engine went up to the Prospect Park Industrial Park and joined with Station 8 for a night of Truck Company Training. The crews ran through a scenario throwing ladders to the roof, bringing the appropriate tools to the roof, as well as properly stretching a handline to the roof. The crews then had a discussion on operating on the roof including ventilation techniques, safety on the roof, and different types of roof construction. While wrapping up after the first scenario, the assignment was dispatched to I-95 for a vehicle fire. The Engine responded from Prospect Park, as well as Chief 70 and Rescue 62. Engine 70 and Chief 70 arrived in the area and were unable to find the vehicle, Rescue 62 checked the area as well and located nothing. The assignment was cancelled, and the Engine returned to training. The crews worked on throwing ladders for another hour before wrapping up for the night.

Tonight 30 members, significant others and friends traveled to South Philly and Citizens Bank Park to watch the Phillies take on the Houston Astros. Anyone following baseball knows that didn’t go so well for the Phightens, but we had a great time. Members gathered early for some burgers, fun and brotherhood. Everyone had a great time. Thanks to President Steve Yeager for organizing the event, who, was at the game but working.

Another round of heavy rain fell on the area today and the Company was dispatched with Station 8 for a water rescue at 12th and Lincoln under the Amtrack Railroad trestle. It’s not unusual for this to happen, in fact it’s a common occurrence in heavy rain and you would think more area residence would not drive through the 6-8 feet of water that is obviously blocking the road way. The Engine with 6 men responded and assisted with removal of the vehicle occupants. Shortly after returning the assignment went out for the building fire investigation. Chief 70 arrived to a two story twin residence and investigated what was reported as water in the electrical panel. The chief and crew encountered water from the continued heavy rains traveling from the roof area down the walls to the basement and into the breaker box. The Chief had two members go to the flat roof surface to investigate the source of the leak. The crew found holes in the tar roof surface causing the leak. The power was secured and PECO was notified. While the crew was drying out from that call, the call went out for Route 291 at Stewart Avenue for a wreck. Lt 70A, in the area, went on scene with a two vehicle accident one minor injury. Chief 70 held the assignment to Engine 70 and the medics.
On another note as the Engine was arriving at the Building investigation, FF Buddy slipped from the engine causing a shoulder injury. FF Buddy is one of our most active and trusted members. We all wish Todd a speedy recovery.

With the summer coming to an end, the sun will be setting earlier, the air will be getting cooler, and the water temperatures will be dropping. The crew utilized one of the last few Thursday nights left of the summer with nice weather conditions to conduct Marine training.  The crews utilized both Marine units to go through several evolutions of a subject in the water, both conscious and unconscious. Both Marine units used several different methods to remove the subject from the water, and tried a few new methods, some successful, some not so successful. Firefighter Josh Kohlbrenner was nice enough to volunteer to be the subject in the water for all of the scenarios, and with safety in mind, donned a PFD prior to entering the water. After multiple “subject in the water” scenarios, the crew ventured out to the Delaware River and discussed navigation issues including the multiple sand bars in the area. Also, a discussion was had on the various navigational aids on the river to assist in navigating the river during the night. After two hours of solid training, the crews returned to the marina and wrapped up for the night.

One thing that seems to be consistent in the fire service these days is the amount of fire alarms activations that departments are responding to is ever increasing. However, Leedom has not seen a significant rise in our fire alarm responses for the last several years, usually answering less than five annually. But when plans for a hotel in the first due began to surface, the men from Leedom knew this meant one thing: an increase in fire alarms. Not that we mind answering fire alarms, we are firemen, and it’s a part of the job (and fire alarms can be a great time for training, providing the crew with an opportunity to perform a walk through of the building and learn the in’s and out’s of it in the event of an emergency.) On Tuesday evening at 2220, the Engine was dispatched to 201 Sellers Ave, at the hotel, for a fire alarm. The hotel is not yet occupied by guests or employees, but construction crews are working all day putting the finishing touches on the project. The Engine arrived, reporting a five story hotel with nothing showing. The crews began to investigate and found an odor of some kind on the third floor. The odor was quickly traced to a cigarette that was not extinguished properly, the alarm was silenced, and the company returned. A quick side note: we promise this will be the last story we post about fire alarms that we respond to.

At 1000 on Saturday morning, the crew mounted up on the Engine and met up with Prospect Park and Ridley Park to train for a few hours. The crews continued to concentrate on engine company operations, as has been the topic for several weeks now. The first part of the drill was spent flow testing various lines off of all three engines, and explaining how proper pump pressure leads to proper GPM at the nozzle. The teams then ran through a few standard forward lay evolutions, as well as stretching attack lines. Also, leader lines were once again reviewed as Engine 7 was utilized to stretch a leader line to the football field at Witmer Field and wet down the field. Engine 70 supplied Engine 7 with tank water. After three solid hours of training, the Engine crew picked up some lunch and returned to the station.

At 14:54, the first due box assignment was dispatched to 131 Stoney Hill Rd for the working house fire. Ridley Township PD arrived on the scene before the original dispatch was complete reporting the fire was "going good". Chief 70 arrived next reporting a one story ordinary construction twin, with heavy fire showing side "C", and established the "Stoney Hill Road command". Chief 70 ordered Engine 70 to back into the cul-de-sac and pick up the plug at the bottom of the circle. Engine 70 arrived, stretched the 200' crosslay, and handjacked the 5" to the plug. Engine 70's Nozzleman (T. Buddy) and back up man (Lt. Silpath) advanced into the house and encountered fire involving the two back bedrooms, extending down the hallway and beginning to involve the kitchen and living room. The men worked the line through the house knocking the fire down as the crew from Ladder 48 began taking the windows to ventilate for the line crew. Engine 70's exterior crew, as well as Chief 8, threw ladders for egress. Pipeline 62's crew stretched a back up line into the house and stood by. The bulk of the fire was knocked down quickly, however the crews had their hands full chasing hot spots and minor extension into the "D" side exposure. At the thirty minute mark, command placed the fire under control, and the units worked together to complete the extensive overhaul that was necessary. This fire was a great example of how training, dedication, and hard work pays off when it comes time to do the job. Great job to all on scene.

First alarm assignment: 70, 62, 43, Squrt 67, Ladder 48, RIT 8, Medic R-7.

Photos courtesy of secretary Linda Kelly and Tinicum Township Fire Company.

Additional Photos:

http://www.phillyfirenews.com/content/firewire/detail/4516.php

We apologize for the break in the action on our website, but the regular updates will continue now. Even though the fire runs have been hit or miss throughout the summer, the training has increased, despite the very hot and humid weather all summer. The crew has continued training on Thursday nights, as well as Saturdays, and recently has began training with station 62 on Monday nights. We will continue our torrid training pace for the remainder of the summer, and jump right into the fall training schedule in a few weeks.