New Shippensburg Emergency Services Building...


 

These were sent to me by T.J. a couple of weeks ago, thanks T.J.  I thought it would be easier to post these now so whenever I post on the building you will have an idea of what you are looking at.  The top view would be from Orange Street looking at the SAEMS portion.  The bottom view would be from the Walnut Bottom Road approaching from the King Street Exit of I-81.

 



This view is from the rear of the building or what you would see if you were approaching from Shippensburg on the Walnut Bottom Road.

 



First floor floor plan.

 


Second floor floor plan.  Click all of the images to make them larger.  I am still learning this new blogger that I am using and I had them larger on the home page but they went under all the existing items so I had to change it.

 My first post on the new Emergency Services building can be found here, I hope to start posting more on this project soon as I have taken many photographs so far and I would like to get everyone up to date.

Quick Post On SAEMS...

Just a quick post today and maybe my last for a week as I am back to work today and it looks like it will be the tour from hell. My guess is I wont be back home much before next week sometime, I have worked to many floods in this city and I hope it will be my last one. When I photographed the WEFR building on Labor Day I noticed the new sign on the building advertising SAEMS Station 2 and the bus sitting out back. This is the first time I have seen the bus there. Before anyone gets there panties in a bunch I only stop by once a week so maybe it is there more often. I did try to add a video of the trusses being set on the WEFR addition but blogger did not want to cooperate.

Shippensburg Area EMS Opens Substation...

Shippensburg EMS has opened a new substation at 119 Lurgan Avenue. The station is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays on a trial basis to provide better coverage for Southampton Township Franklin County. After a 90 days the station will be re-evaluated, the long range plan is to man a station 24 hours a day. A space in the building was provided Todd West State Farm Insurance, free to SAEMS and the unit sits behind the building when there.

If you have not been to the SAEMS web site lately check it out. The have recently launched a new site to replace to older one. A link can be found on the right hand side of the screen under the other SFD links.

Yesterday Shane and I took a drive through Shippensburg to photograph the new buildings. The Vigilant building lot is taking shape and you can now get a better idea how it will set on the lot. The WEFR building has the footers poured and the block is going up quickly. I will not have a chance to post any of these until next week and by the time I get back up next Tuesday or Wednesday WEFR's will really look like a building.

Ground Broken Fore New Shippensburg Emergency Services Building...

On Thursday June 30, 2011 the Shippensburg Emergency Services building was started with a ceremonial ground breaking. I was out of town an unable to attend so I have no photographs to post of this historic event. The News Chronicle article on that event along with other articles and a progression of the building can be found by clicking on Shippensburg Emergency Services Building. You will also find a link to this site on the right hand side of the screen along with my other SFD links. Thank you Haney for starting this site to keep us informed and up to date.

These photographs were taken on July 27, 2011. I will be trying to get to Shippensburg once or twice a week to photograph the work being done and will post it on this site from time to time.

For anyone that surfed onto this site and are not aware of the SFD happenings this building will house the Vigilant Hose Co. and Shippensburg Area EMS when completed.

Nothing To Post Today...

I am out of runs and out of space fillers that are ready, I had today skipped and then I found this. Does anyone out there know that this site exist Shippensburg Area Emergency Medical Services. I didn't until recently surfing unto it. I remember the site they used to have that was linked to this blog but after it disappeared I deleted it. This one is now in the links to the right along with the three fire companies and Bill Strites WEFR site and two new ones I just added yesterday, the CCVFA and the FCFCA. Is there any others out there that I do not know about? If you have face book pages I do not know about those because I do not use face book, that's right I don''t want to be pestered by people I have not seen since school and did not want to see then. If you know of any others please post them in the comments so I may add them to the links on the right. I would like to have links on here for all the Cumberland and Franklin County Fire Company web sites but I do not want all those scrolling down the side if I can figure out how to make folders or do it a way that I like it then they will show up on here. Also later this week I have another day with nothing to post, Dave Myers was kind enough to send me some more photos that will be posted that day, I will ask here for the last time if any one else has any they want to see on here or anything to contribute it would be appreciated. This site can only be as good as the followers.

While I am here I will plug my other site, Bradley Myers Photography. It is a daily photography blog that I post to four times a week for any of you that have never been there. Most of the posts are wildlife like whitetails or elk but there is the occasional fire post from Shippensburg, Harrisburg or someplace close.

C.V. Ambulance Celebrates 6th Anniversary

On May 26, 1937 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company ambulance celebrated its 6th anniversary. Before the ambulance was formed in 1931 when a person needed to go to the hospital they rode in a car provided by their physician, rode in a friend’s car or waited for an ambulance to arrive from Chambersburg or Carlisle. In the six years the ambulance was in service it responded to 633 calls, or one call every three days. In making those calls the ambulance traveled 36,000 miles.

CV's 1938 LaSalle Ambulance

No major incidents have ever occurred on this date.

At the March 4, 1938 meeting of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company, members decided to purchase a new ambulance. On April 15, 1938 the company announced that they had ordered a 1938 LaSalle ambulance from the Wolfington Body Company. The unit was mounted on a LaSalle chassis, the body was of all steel construction with a special cabinet in the interior for first aid equipment and supplies. The ambulance was powered by a V-8 motor and the unit was painted a light tan. An unusual feature on the ambulance was an apparatus for fighting small fires that was built into the fender well on the one side (it didn't mention anymore on this but I can only assume that it was a fire extinguisher). The ambulance went into service on June 3, 1938 and was dedicated on June 16. The original price of the ambulance was $2,890.25 less $790.25 trade in allowance for the Studebaker for a final cost of $2,100.

The ambulance replaced the company's first unit a 1931 Studebaker. On February 7, 1941 it was reported that the ambulance was in need of a overhaul. A committee was formed to replace the unit. In March 1941 it was replaced with a 1941 Cadillac. Wolfington gave the company a allowance of $1,987.00 for the LaSalle.

CV's Recieve 1949 Cadillac Ambulance...

The Cumberland Valley Hose Company accepted delivery of their new 1949 Cadillac Superior ambulance on this evening in 1949. The unit was purchased from Wolfington Body Company Inc. of Philadelphia. The total cost of the unit was $6889.55 less $5889.55 trade in allowance for the 1948 Cadillac ambulance plus $25.00 for chrome wheels bringing the total to $1,025.00. The unit was in service the next day and taken to it’s first parade two days later.

CV Ambulance, Iron Lung

The only major incident to occur on this date was a fire in 1996, that incident was posted last year.

The photograph was published in The New Chronicle on February 25, 1947. The following article appeared in The News Chronicle on March 4, 1947.

Inhalator Again Saves
Life Ambulance Crew Uses Lung, Oxygen Unit To Revive Trucker Poisoned by Monoxide

For the second time in less than six years the inhalator, which is held in constant readiness for use in conjunction with the local community ambulance by Cumberland Valley Hose company firemen, has saved a life.

On Saturday morning, William Hatfield and Edgar Hockersmith, who recently received special training in the application of the iron lung purchased last month by the local chapter of the Red Cross, rushed to the Blue Mountain service station of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the community ambulance to render first aid to a truck driver who had been overcome by carbon monoxide gas.

Arnold Repp of Pritchard, Alabama, was found in an unconscious condition by service station attendants who summoned aid here immediately.

Removed From Truck
Upon the arrival of the local men, it was discovered that the afflicted man’s skin already had turned to a dark hue and his breath was very weak and irregular. He was carefully removed from the large truck to the ambulance cot and placed inside the service station.

The automatic iron lung recently purchased by the Red Cross chapter here, was applied to the victim and artificial respiration was started immediately. About that time, Dr. E. R. Disbrow Jr., of Lansing, Michigan, who was traveling toward Pittsburgh, stopped at the service station.

Following a hasty examination of the afflicted trucker, Dr. Disbrow ordered the removal of the iron lung and the application of the inhalator to administer oxygen. The lung had done its work well, Dr. Disbrow said, and the inhalator was the better instrument at that point of the procedure, he advised.

Taken To Hospital
The unconscious man was removed to the Carlisle hospital under Dr. Disbrow’s instructions where he was placed under an oxygen tent for 19 hours.

On Monday morning, hospital attendants reported that Mr. Repp’s condition was fine and that he would be discharged in several days.

Mr. Repp was a driver of one of the large trucks of Midwest Haulers, Inc., of Chicago.

The inhalator was used in the summer of 1940 so save the life of Miss Valida Massaker of Plymouth a girl living at the National Youth Administration hostael, Hosfeldhall, who suffered a cramp while swimming at Big Pond, and collapsed after being rescued from the water.

Shippensburg EMS Places New Ambulance In Service

The only major incident to occur on this date in the Shippensburg area was in 2000, that call was posted last year.

On Saturday November 15, 2008 Shippensburg EMS housed a new ambulance. The unit is the first new ambulance purchased by the organization since they separated from the Cumberland Valley Hose Company and also the first to sport the company’s new colors of silver, red and blue.

The ambulance was purchased through VCI, Berlin New Jersey and is a 2008 GMC 4500 custom Horton. The unit was placed into service on January 22, 2009 shortly after noon and is designated Ambulance 473. Later that day the unit ran it’s first call in Shippensburg Township.

I would have been nice to post better photos of the unit but this winter has not cooperated. I will post additional photo of the inside and outside sometime in the future. Also the other image was recently purchased by me (it is the first actual photograph I have found of the unit), I thought this would be a good time to post it. It was the first ambulance Shippensburg operated, a 1931 Studebaker. The unit was featured on this site on November 7, 2008 if you follow this link http://shippensburgfiredepartment.blogspot.com/2008/11/cumberland-valleys-1931-studebaker.html it will explain why this photo was taken in Mechanicsburg.

LOCAL UNDERTAKER INSTALLED NEW AMBULANCE

LOCAL UNDERTAKER INSTALLED NEW AMBULANCE

Mr. H. S. Roth, the local undertaker, Bruce Berry, Manager, has added another attraction to his equipment. Last week he received from the Hoover Wagon Company of York, a very attractively gotten up ambulance.

The same is of the motor type, painted in steel gray and is quite an addition in every respect and very attractive in appearance.

This article was taken from the Wednesday January 22, 1919 edition of the Shippensburg New it gives a little insight into early EMS before the community had an ambulance.

C.V.’s Buys Two Ambulances and Turns 150 Years Old

On January 12, 1978 at the regular monthly meeting of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company members voted to purchase two 1978 Dodge Continental van ambulances for an estimated cost of $32,874 including trade ins. The units were to replace two 1973 Cadillac’s and marked the first time the company would operate ambulance’s not of that style. The decision was made after months of discussions within the company about the type of ambulance to buy.

Today also marks the 150Th birthday of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company.

Cumberland Valley’s 1931 Studebaker Ambulance

On Friday April 1, 1931 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company No. 2 announced that they would be purchasing their first ambulance. It was on January 2, 1931 that the first steps were taken to obtain the first community ambulance. A committee was established consisting of James B. Hockersmith, Chariman, H. L. Sheaffer, Albert Clark, Clarence Naugle and Beattie Watson.

The ambulance was a 1931 Studebaker Samaritan coach type free wheeling straight eight. The exterior was finished in chrome nickel and the main body was Seashore tan trimmed in Pinto tan. The interior consisted of two compartments one for the driver and the other for patients. The patient’s area contained a white enamel chair cot, a medical cabinet fitted against the back of the front seat and was also equipped with a vacuum thermos bottle and two folding attendants chairs. From the belt line down it was trimmed in genuine brown leather, the floor was covered with brown linoleum and the glass compartment was leaded. The ambulance had a 100-horse power motor and was purchased from Charles Weicht, a local dealer for $2,250.00.

On May 1, 1931 company members voted to spend and additional $45.00 for a siren to be installed on the unit.

The ambulance was delivered to Shippensburg on Tuesday May 26, 1931. The unit was officially dedicated to deceased firemen on June 9, 1931 with a ceremony and parade.

On November 6, 1931 company members voted to have doorplates installed on both sides to read C.V. HOSE CO. NO. 2 SHIPPENSBURG.

The ambulance was replaced on June 3, 1938 with a new LaSalle ambulance. The company was given $790.25 from Wolfington for trade in on the new unit. Wolfington sold the 1931 unit to the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company in Mechanicsburg, Pa. on June 7, 1938. This ambulance had the distinction of being the first ambulance for two different Cumberland County companies.

Defective Wiring Sparks Apartment Building Fire

On October 12, 1932 at 9:00 a.m. firemen were sent to East King Street, exact location unknown for a building fire. A fire caused by a defective wire broke out in the third floor common hall and extended into the ceilings and floor above. A fourth floor tenant was awakened by a crackling sound and jumped out of bed to find fire coming out of the floor. The fire was contained to the voids causing heavy smoke and water damage to the four-story taxpayer. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Today's photograph is of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company's ambulance fleet, circa 1989.

Cumberland Valley Ambulance Celebrates 50 Years

On September 19, 1981 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company held a banquet at the Shippensburg Senior High School to celebrate 50 years of ambulance service. Featured speaker was Sister Rita Moriarty. Guest were treated to a meal and entertainment. Various awards were presented for outstanding long-time service and dedication.

C.V.’s Order First Ambulance

On April 3, 1931 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company approved the purchase of the first community ambulance at their regular monthly meeting. The company purchased a 100 horsepower 1931 Studebaker Samaritan coach.

Cumberland County Fire Losses For 1915 To 1919

The Chronicle, Thursday March 24, 1921
COUNTY FIRE LOSSES
The Bureau of Fire Protection has just completed a five-year analysis of fire losses in Cumberland County.

The fire losses in Cumberland County were as follows: 1915, $158,900; 1916, $85,715; 1917, $105,000; 1918, $95,500; 1919, $55,000.

Reed’s Grocery Store Burns

On February 23, 1949 the night manager of the Shippen Hotel noticed a glow in the front windows of the lobby, upon further investigation he noticed a fire in Reed’s Grocery Store, 80 West Kings Street and turned in the alarm for local firefighters at 10:30 p.m. Firemen were on the scene quickly and had the blaze under control in short order but not before fire, heat and smoke damaged most of the goods in the store. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies battled the blaze.