WEFR Places New Brush Truck In Service...

After almost 22 years WEFR has placed a new brush truck in service. The unit a Ford F550 extended cab diesel with a body built by Kovatch (KME) arrived at WEFR on Monday evening July 18, 2011. The rig features a Waterous E-511 225 gpm pump, a 400 gallon ploy water tank, a five gallon class "A" foam tank and a Scotty around the pump foam system. It is mounted on an aluminum 114" flatbed body the rig has a overall length of 273", height of 89 1/2" and a wheelbase of 162".

On Friday afternoon July 22, 2011 at 1430 hours WEFR placed the new unit into service. Training is still on going on the rig and some supplies such as the booster lines have yet to arrive.

On Thursday July 28, 2011 at 1431 hours Brush 15 responded to its first fire call at 1655 Coldsmith Road for a rekindle of a previous barn fire.

This may not be the older history that you became used to seeing here it is still history and it will provide our past members that no longer live around here an opportunity to keep up to date. I do plan to make additional post next week as the SFD continues to make more history with new buildings, additions and substations.

More Items For Sale...

Super Pumper book, published by Fire Apparatus Journal and written by John Calderone, $20.00.

Nice old 2 1/2" brass nozzle manufactured by Elkhart Brass, the bale is marked Colt. Unpolished and great condition, $175.00.

FDNY 12 inch truckman with saw, tic and other tools, $10.00.

N-tek fire rescue 12 inch firefighter, $5.00

Yes, more items for sale, the sooner you guys purchase all my items the sooner I can afford to pay the Internet bill and start posting history again. As in the past, email me, call or leave a message on here to arrange purchase. Don't see something you are looking for let me know maybe I have it and will be willing to part with it.

More Items For Sale, Check Previous 2 Posts For More

Matchbox in packs $1.00 each, two loose Matchbox and Hot Wheels, 75 cents each.

Same as above, $1.00 and 75 cents.

Funrise, larger than matchbox cars with working lights and sirens but they all need batteries, 75 cents each.

Hess truck $5.00, figure and dump truck $1.00 each and the five pack is $5.00 or I will break them up for $1.00 each.

Two Pa. State Police cars that were hard to find $5.00 each, loose Matchbox 75 cents each.

Three in packs $1.00 each, the micros are $1.00 each for the two American LaFrance rigs and the other three including the two Matchbox size cars are 25 cents each.

Cars movie fire trucks, the larger one is $1.00 and all the smaller one are 75 each. Sold pending payment.

The two Hot Wheels Ahrens Fox rigs were special productions, they are $2.00 each, the Boston rescue and Lebenon Seagrave are $3.00 each.

The two carded toys are $1.00 each and so is the special release chrome colored Hot Wheels, the other four Matchbox are 75 each.

Don't forget to check out my two previous post if you have not done so already for other fire items including Shippensburg stuff. I have updated those posts and removed items that already sold and marked others as payment pending.

I will be adding more items soon so please check back.

I also have numerous slides of Shippensburg fire apparatus that are duplicates for sale for $2.00 each, I will not be listing those separately so let me know if you are interested.

More Fire Items For Sale, Please Check Out Previous Post For Shippensburg Fire Items

Glove Strap for gear, $5.00. Please check my previous post for Shippensburg Fire Dept. items and stay tuned for more items, toys, axe's etc. coming soon.

SCBA cylinder carrying strap, $5.00.

Irons strap only used a couple of times, $10.00 or take all three of these items for $15.00.

Proximity suit in great condition, $25.00, not for use but a collection piece only. The kid does not go with the suit unless the price is right.

Old beer tray used to serve beer at bars many years ago, this is one of the few that featured a fireman on it, $30.00.

Reverse view to show writing around the edge.

Close up to show the damage to the tray that does not effect the fireman or display.

Come on people once you all but my extra stuff I will have money to pay for my electric and Internet to make new fire history posts in the future.

Fire Items For Sale

Code 3, 1/32 Diamond Plate Edition Squad 61, awesome detail, retails for $230.00 , yours for $100.

Set of 10, 4 X 6 photos from the October 28, 2007 1100 block of Mainsville Road house fire. I have three sets of 10, $10.00 each.

Many photos from the job in the first block of East King Street on July 31, 2006, $1.00 each.

These key chains Haney had made for the Vigilant banquet in 2005 or 2006 but they were not shipped on time so he cancelled them. The dealer sold them out and I purchased about a dozen on Ebay a couple of years ago. Almost two inches in size and very nice, $2.00 each.

I am shore that for those of you waiting for a new post this is not what you expected, sorry I hope to get back to posting incidents again real soon. Time is still short with other commitments and overtime but I hope to get the data base filled in again sometime soon. I have been cleaning out and trying to downsize and the one thing I found out was that I had too many duplicated items or things that I do not need. Many of the photos were duplicated when I made the WEFR book and that is why there is more WEFR photos than the other two companies, I do think I have duplicates from Viggies and CV's that I just need to get out of the file cabinet. I have more items that I will be listing soon, maybe Wednesday night like axes, K tools, toys, firefighting movie memorabilia and other items, emergency items, FAJ and Enjine Enjine magazines and many other things. I am also listing some toys and books below that I did not photograph (by the way these were all with the point and shoot camera). I think everyone that looks at this knows how to get a hold of me either by house phone or cell phone and many have my email address, if you have none of those leave a message in the comments and I will get in contact with you. Help me clean my house up, I want less to pack when retirement comes.

BOOKS

1. "One Hundred Years" by Jerome Gray, copyright 1929, 9 inch by 6 inch hard bound, 81 pages, a short history of fires and the methods of fighting fires during the past 100 years is Pennsylvania. $10.00

2. "Fire" by Robert Stella, 1987, 10 inch by 8 inch, soft bound, 192 pages, black and white photos of jobs from Massachusetts (Boston, Quincy, Brockton etc.) $8.00

3. "Volunteers A Portrait of Small Town Firefighters" by Raymond Pompilio, 1979, 111 inch by 81/2 inch soft bound 144 pages, black and white photos of volunteers from the state of New York. $5.00

4. "Fire" by Steven Scher, 1978, 11 1/2 inch by 8 1/2 inch soft bound, 150 pages of awesome black and white photos of the FDNY. $10.00

5. "Were Stretching" by Bill Eisner, 1987, soft bound, 11 inch by 8 1/2 inch, 184 pages of color photos black and white and a few color photos of fires from the Detroit FD. $10.00

6. "The Best Fire Pictures of 1985" by Quinlan Press, 1986, soft bound, 119 pages, 11 inch by 8 1/2 inch, color and black and white fire photos from all over the US. $8.00.

Code 3 brand new never removed from the box all 1/64 scale;

FDNY E-One/Saulsbury R2 $30.00

FDNY CF Mack E290 $28.00

FDNY Seagrave E10 $26.00

FDNY Seagrave E273 $26.00

Baltimore City TDA Seagrave Truck 10 $45.00

Silver Spring Garage Fire Cont...

I thought I would make a second post here to fill in a few more blanks about the garage fire and to post a video of the fire. The date and location was already reported in the last post so I will skip that part on move on to responding apparatus. The 31-02 box brought companies 33 (New Kingston), 31 (Silver Springs), 27 (Citizens Mechanicsburg), Truck 28 (Washies, Mechanicsburg), 25 (Monroe Twp.), Engine 23 (Upper Allen for R.I.T.) and Air 45 (Carlisle, for obvious reasons). Numerouse pieces arrived fairly quickly with the first in engine and tanker from New Kingston arriving back to back. Two handlines were quickly deployed and the fire was knowcked down rather quickly with no injuries to firefighters. I didn't speak to anyone abbout the incident so I do not have a dollar estimate or cause. According to the local news paper the occupant started the car and went back inside to return and find the garage burning.

In the video you will hear the sound of a 220 pond propane tank venting and burning you will also notice the intensity of the flames in that area (1/2 corner), yeah I don't use alphabets for areas because I know I am right and the modern fire service is wrong.

A question was posed about the incident on my last post. It is one I do not want to get into on the net but would be glad to in person. It does show the difference in the world we live in when it comes to the fire service and the different areas. NOW BEFORE ANYONE STARTS I AM NOT MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING OR PICKING ON ANYONE, I AM JUST SHOWING HOW DIFFERENT AREAS WORK. This call required the response of at least 10 rigs from seven different departments and maybe as many as 50 firefighters. If you put the same fire in Harrisburg you would have gotten four rigs with nine firefighters, a lieutenant and either or a Battalion Chief or Captain. Now we are lucky enough to have hydrants every few hundred feet and people paid at station to respond right away. At different parts through out the county the response of apparatus may have been different. My guess is in DC you would have gotten many more rigs than in Harrisburg and probably more men than on this call.

Do I have a point? Not really but if there is one it is that the public should hold their criticism unless they are educated enough or part of the solution. Often I hear why do they run so many fire trucks? The answer is because you need to ask that question instead of stepping up and volunteering to be part of the solution. I do this for a living and love every second of it (I hate the politics part, but that is another post), but all these people are doing this for free, often with not even a thank you.

And nothing brought about me getting on my soap box, sometimes I just feel like climbing up on it and starting. Besides now that the end of the year, beginning of the year battle for me at work is over I am still in full combat mode. Now to take a month or two off and then prepare for the same battle at the end of this year.

A New Post, And A Fire, Not A Shippensburg Fire But A Fire...

Wow! it really has been a long time since my last post. I want to thank the few of you that posted supportive comments on my last post and that went out and signed our petition, I guess there is about seven of you that remember the brotherhood. That is so very sad. Soon I will make a new post on what has happened in the last 25 days in Harrisburg. Lets just say it has been a crazy and busy time period.

An incident that occurred yesterday morning (12-30-10) prompted me to make a post today as I planned nothing more for today except for hockey, football and beer. Did I say beer?, I meant good old Porter beer and winter ale. After getting home a little late from work yesterday morning I was making breakfast when at 9:16 a.m. Cumberland County 911 toned out area companies for a reported garage fire at 160 Texaco Road in Silver Springs Township, Cumberland County. With Texaco Road being just behind the house I though I would get the camera out dust it off and see if it still worked. Looking out the back window at the header gave me all the incentive I needed and off I went. I arrived the same time as the incident commander and ahead of the fire apparatus. The photos go on a time line in order and as you can see the garage was well involved upon my arrival. It was a one and a half story block and frame two car unattached garage with one car inside. In photo two you can see when the springs left loose that held the door up allowing it to come down. This is just one of many dangers a firefighter faces on these types of calls along with flammable liquids, floor pits, pesticides and other items stored in the building. Photo three shows the lines man on the first in engine stretching an attack line to extinguish the blaze. I must say he did a very good job in deploying the line. In the last two photos he and his partner begin attacking the fire.

Within the next few days I will make another post on this fire with a few more photos and some video. And hopefully next week I will post about what has been going on in the city recently. With the show of support we received from this site compared to my photography site I do not know if or when this one will be back to regular postings.

For now I hope everyone out there had a safe and joyous Christmas and an equally safe and Happy New Year.

Help Save My Brothers...

I need to be very careful what I type in here to insure that I am not in the unemployment line also. For those of you that live in my area you already know what is going on since it has been the main attraction in the papers and news for the last 11 plus months. For those of you that do not live in my area then I will tell you that I have been a Harrisburg Pa fireman for more than 20 years know. Because of decisions NOT MADE BY THE FIREMEN the city finds itself in debt by almost $300 million dollars. It was decided that it would be fixed on the backs of the hard working firemen so effective January 1, 2011, 10 of my brothers will be laid off. These guys worked hard to get this job, passing numerous tests waiting long periods of time, completing a fire academy and most of all uprooting their families from their homes and moving them into the city as a condition of employment. They would also like to close the Paxton Station, the only one located in the high hazard downtown area. Our work schedule will also be changed to 24 hours on and 48 hours off raising our work week an additional 14 hours per week. Along with the downsizing to three platoons nine officers will be demoted. I would like to point out that the scheduling change is all in violation of our contract.

Please if you live in my area work, play, live or visit Harrisburg please sign our petition to attempt to stop this. Someone is in the Union Hall, 2048 Derry Street every evening from 4 to 7 p.m. and firefighters are out walking door to door in all neighborhoods, one can also be found online at http://www.saveharrisburg.com/. Feel free to write city hall and the local rag we call a news paper. Our men did not create this problem, in fact you will see none of our names on the documents to borrow all the money that put us here. I really do not see why we need to be the only ones to feel the pain when the FOP, ASCME, and managers in city hall do not miss a beat this holiday season.

Please do not believe everything you see and hear on the television, for some reason they all appear to be on the take. We have presented cold hard facts about just who did create this mess and why our overtime is so high along with many other items to channels 43, 27, 8, 21 and the bathroom wipe my ass with it Harrisburg Patriot but for some reason the never air or print any of it. Yet just this morning (SAT) channel ABC 27 Dennis Owens was quick to point out that we (HFD) were given a four year contract extension by Mayor Steven Reed before he left office tying the hands of Thompson and creating her more heartache. Why do they never mention that the other two unions were also given extensions or even that ours does not go into effect until January 1, 2013, so how is that effecting us now. I will not even go into the differences between the contracts and what the police get compared to us. But if you visit the cities web site the contracts are on there.

Because of my work schedule and other commitments and the lack of anyone looking or contributing other than Sparky this will be my last post for some time. I may post again sometime in the future so please stop back from time to time to check. By the way when I retire next week, next year or whenever it may be, I will be glad to set here and type away.

Thanks
Tired, pissed off, confused and just plain fed up, Brad, Union steward, Local 428 IAFF

Fiery Crash Kills One

On December 4, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. Franklin County alerted a 15 box for a rescue local at the intersection of Mt. Rock Road and Possum Hollow Road, Southampton Franklin. Crews arrived to find three vehicles, a dump truck, van and passenger car involved with vehicles well involved and entrapment. The driver of the van died at the scene and the people in the other vehicles suffered minor injuries. The West End Fire and Rescue, Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose along with Shippensburg EMS answered the alarm.

Mt. Rock Road House Burns

On December 2, 1954 at 3 a.m. firemen were awakened from their slumbers for a house fire on the Mt. Rock Road for a . A fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed an occupied 2-½-story frame dwelling. The family was sound asleep and only escaped the blaze after hearing their pet dog barking. Firemen battled the blaze for over an hour and a half before bringing it under control. Damages were estimated at $7,000. The Vigilant Hose and Letterkenny Fire companies answered the alarm.

Firemen Battle Borough Blaze

On December 1, 1929 at 7:00 a.m. firemen were sent to 408 East King Street or a house fire. A fire started by overheated oil stove used to keep pipes from freezing caused heavy damage to an unoccupied 2-story frame house. The blaze spread rapidly and threatened another house and church before the firemen were able to bring it under control. Freezing temperatures hampered firefighting efforts. Damages were estimated at $1,200. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies battled the blaze.

Jackson Gerhart

The last three years I posted jobs from 1909, 1989 and 1997 along with hat I will be posting today. I have no more major incidents to report for this date. On November 30, 2004, Jackson Gerhart a retired fireman from the Washington D.C. fire department and a Shippensburg volunteer was severely injured when he apparently fell from the rear of an engine and struck his head while attempting to lay a supply line on a house fire. Jack was flown to York hospital in serious condition. The alarm was turned in at 1006 hours for 541 E. Washington Street and gutted a second floor bedroom causing $10,000 in damages. This post has been made every year since the blog started and will be continue as long as the site is up and running.

Borough House Damaged In Fire

On November 28, 1998 at 11:02 p.m. Cumberland County 911 dispatched firefighter to 314 N. Morris Street for a house fire. A short in an extension cord started a fire that did heavy damage to a 1-½ story brick house and displaced a family of five. Firefighters had the blaze under control in five to ten minutes. Two cats perished in the fire. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm along with personnel from Waynesboro and Marion that were covering WEFR's apparatus while they held their annual banquet.

Barn Burns On Olde Scotland Road

On November 27, 1983 at 4:44 p.m. units were sent to 4761 Olde Scotland Road for a barn fire. A fire of undetermined origin destroyed a barn and hay. The farm equipment was removed before the fire department arrived. Damages were estimated at $10,000. Firefighters were on the scene four hours. The Fayetteville, Franklin, New Franklin, Letterkenny and West End Fire and Rescue Company operated at the scene.

Kitchen Fire Damages Mobile Home

On November 26, 1973 in afternoon hours firemen were sent to Route 533 in Pleasant Hall for a mobile home fire. A fire that started in a kitchen of an occupied mobile home caused $10,000 damage. Firefighters were on the scene 1-½ hours. The Pleasant Hall and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

Metal Twp. Barn Destroyed

On November 25, 2004 (Thanksgiving Day) at 12:16 p.m. Franklin County alerted units to a barn fire at 1747 Creek Road, Metal Township, box 21-01. A fire of undetermined origin destroyed the barn and milking equipment. About 50 firefighter from 10 companies battled the blaze for nearly three hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Fannett-Metal, Metal Twp., Pleasant Hall, West End Fire and Rescue, St Thomas, Mercersburg, Shade Gap, McConnellsburg, Hustontown and Cumberland Valley Hose companies operated at the scene.

Firefighters Extinguish Fire In Southampton Franklin

On November 24, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. Franklin County 911 alerted units to a house fire in Box 15-1, 1768 Orrstown Road, Southampton Twp., Franklin County. Units arrived to find a two story frame dwelling with light smoke showing. A small fire was located in a second floor bedroom and was quickly contained with the use of a crosslay. The second floor suffered smoke damage and slight water damage occurred on the first and second floors. Two civilians were slightly injured and transported to Chambersburg Hospital. A damage estimate was not given. The West End Fire and Rescue, Cumberland Valley Hose, Vigilant Hose and Pleasant Hall Fire companies answered the alarm.

Careless Smoking Cause Fire

On November 23, 2002 at 1:46 a.m. firefighters were sent to 151 Gardner Drive, Shippensburg Mobile Estates for a fire. Smoking in bed caused a fire that did considerable damage to an occupied mobile home. About 35 firefighters had the blaze under control in 20 minutes and remained on the scene for almost two hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue, Franklin County Air 10 and Newville fire companies battled the blaze.

Mountain Fire In Horse Valley

On November 22, 1990 (Thanksgiving Day) at 4:30 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to Horse Valley for a mountain fire. Approximately 75 firefighters from nine fire companies battled the hard to reach fire until almost 3 a.m. About 15 to 20 acres of state game lands burned more than a mile from the nearest dirt road. Firefighters were transported as far as they could on four-wheel drive vehicles before hiking in the final distance. No injuries were reported and a cause went undetermined. The Pleasant Hall, West End Fire and Rescue, Vigilant Hose, Fayetteville, Franklin, St. Thomas, Newburg-Hopewell, Fannett-Metal and Letterkenny fire companies answered the alarm.

Runaway Freight Cars Crash Into WMRR Train

On November 21, 1898 around 10 p.m. three Reading RR freight cars loaded with coal broke free and traveled down an incline before crashing into a Western Maryland freight train just beyond the Burd Street crossing. Upon impact the caboose was destroyed and came to rest on a flat car in front of it along with the first car loaded with coal. A burning stove in the caboose soon caused a fire that destroyed the three cars. An alarm of fire was sounded and within a few minutes firemen were on the street guided to the scene by the glow in the sky. The accident being located so close to the Branch Creek a bucket brigade was formed quickly and along with the Cumberland Valley Hose Company that attached their line to the plug at Moorhead's quickly had the blaze extinguished.