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Halifax Fire Department
Operation Save a Life- Free Smoke Detectors
12/19/09- The Halifax Fire Department has teamed up with ABC27 and Kidde to offer those in need for a smoke detector the chance to get one for FREE at the Fire Station. Just by having working smoke detectors your chances of escape during a fire increase dramatically. Please contact any Fire Department member or call the Station at 717-896-9029 for your smoke detector.
Working Fire- N River Road - Halifax Township
1/1/10- At 1453 hours Box 29-4 was transmitted for smoke in a structure bringing Co 29 and Engine 20. Chief 29 (Stout) responded and was advised the homeowner had smoke in the house and the power went out. On arrival at 1459 hours heavy fire was showing from the all windows on the 2nd floor and the 1st alarm was transmitted bringing Co 29, E20, 216, P2, L20, T216, 20, R21 (RIT), C35, and EMS. Engine 20 arrived and dropped a supply line and pulled the initial line. Engine 29 with tankers supplied E20. Crews then pulled a 2 more lines and held the fire to the 2nd floor. Extensive salvage operations occured in the rest of the residence which kept damage to the other areas minimal. The fire was investigated by the State Police and Dauphin County CID Fire Marshall and electrical in nature. No injures reported. Great job done by all involved. Thanks to E37-1 for covering our district.
Crash with a Pin- S River Road - Halifax Township
1/15/10- Today around 0600 hours Box 29-1 was transmitted for a reported vehicle accident with entrapment. Chief 29-3 (Bisking) responded and was advised by DCC of a single vehicle into a tree with one trapped. The Rescue-Engine responded with 3, Engine with 4, Utility 29 with 4, and several went POV. Upon arrival found one person heavily entrapped. Once the vehicle was stabilized the roof and drivers door were removed. After careful hand removal of plastic surrounding the patients lower extremities the dash was pushed forward. The drivers seat was then moved back and laid down to allow for removal of the patient. Extrication was complete in 30 minutes and the patient was flown to the local trauma center by Life Lion Helicopter.
1/21/10- About 1745 hours Box 29-6 was transmitted for a reported structure fire bringing Co 29 and Engine 216 (Fisherville). Chief 29 (Stout) responded and was advised the caller reported the oven was on fire and the fire was now out. Chief advised to place the 2nd due engine co in service and responded to investigate. Upon arrival a light smoke condition was found in the residence. Crews conducted ventilation and installed 2 new smoke detectors in the residence. Cleared at 1810.
2/11/10- About 1300 hours Box 216-1 (Fisherville) was transmitted for a reported structure fire bringing Co 29 and other Departments to assist. Chief 29-1 (T. Pottiger) arrived 1st and found a 2 story farmhouse with fire showing from the 1st division starting to extend to the 2nd. Engine 29-1 arrived and layed from the main road about 1/2 way down the drive way to complete the lay from Engine 216. Crews then pulled a line from Engine 216 and started an aggressive interior attack from the charlie side after opening up all windows and forcing a door. Shortly after entry a flashover occured in the adjacent room from entry causing the initial crew to back out.. Crews then once again made entry and started to knock the fire until command determined no progress was being made and ordered defensive operations. Crews from many departments worked great together and extinguished the fire and did extensive ovehaul. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
3/15/10- About 1100, Box 38-3 transmitted for a reported garage fire. Initial reports indicated a truck servicing garage with hazardous materials and welding gases involved. First alarm transmitted at 1113 bringing E29-1 & T29. 1 Civilian & 1 Firefighter transported for burns. We wish them both the best in their recovery.
3/16/10- 1717 hours - Box 29-4 transmitted for a reported field fire in the area of 460 McClellan Rd, Halifax Township. Lt 29-1 (Chandler) responded and was advised that the caller stated that their neighbors field was on fire and the fire was spreading towards Route 147. Chief 29-1 (T Pottiger) AOS with the fire spreading west ~ fire was at the crest of the ridge. Chief 29-1 established command - Lt 29-1 took Operations on the fireline.
Attack 20 arrived and began working the perimeter of the fire with their front turret, as well as deploying a hoseline to the interior of the fire. Crews from Companies 29 & 20 began working a line around the fire to contain it. Two additional brush units were requested and then placed availble, with one being special called (Perry Brush 2) after it was determined that Attack 20 was too heavy to drive through the field.
Crews on scene until 1842, E29, E29-1, E20, T29, A20, B2, U29
Multiple Incidents - Halifax Township
3/13/10- Crews ran multiple calls on this date due to rain and high winds. What started out as a quiet day at the station, with an essentials class scheduled, ended up seeing a station staffed with at least 20 firefighters for the day. 14 total incidents, mainly trees and/or wires down, with the occasional medical assist thrown in. The day started for some at 0430 and ended up around 2200.
Company Level Burn- HACC Shumaker Public Safety Center
4/30/10- Tonight the Department traveled to the HACC PSC to conduct a company level burn. Members have worked over the past few months at HACC doing dry runs and hose management drills. Tonight was the chance to put it all togehter and include live fire training. Fox 43 News was also on site to do a story on Firefighter training (See link below). We are very lucky to have the HACC PSC available to us free of charge. The Halifax Fire Department has had a long standing relationship with the HACC PSC and use the facilities often. Thank you to HACC for supporting our Department and helping us better protect our residents and visitors. Please visit www.hacc.edu so you can learn more about a huge expansion campaign of the Shumaker Public Safety Center. Do your part and support this important training facility for your first responders. The Halifax Fire Department and Halifax Township have already contributed towards this important project! Thank you to Co 20 for covering a crash in the 29-1 box. Thank you to Fox 43 for covering our training. Please visit www.fox43.com for other breaking news!
7/8/10- The members of Halifax Fire Department responded to three wildfires on this date. With record high temperatures and lower than normal rainfall, conditions are right for this type of incident to be worse than normal.
1418 hrs - Company 29 dispatched - mutual aid to Jackson Twp for a reported wildfire. E29-1 & T29 dispatched to cover for Company 216 who were busy with a motorcycle accident at the opposite end of the township. Chief 29-1 (T Pottiger) arrived to find the home owner burning rubbish. Sq216 & Chief 216 arrived and placed the box in service.
1502 hrs - Box 29-1 struck for a reported field fire in the area of Million Dollar Rd & Shammos School Rd. E29 responded with 4 and observed a large column in the area, upon arrival E29 observed a newly harvested rye field burning with rapid fire spread. T29, U29, & A20 responded shortly after, followed by E29-1 which reported to the fill site at Masser & Smeltz. Additional units were requested for manpower, bringing B38, Perry B2, E216, T216, and Perry U2. Units operated for 2 hrs. Total Acreage - 8.2.
1721 hrs - Chief 29-3 (Bisking) received a call reporting a wildfire at Strohecker trailer park. Company 29 dispatched at his request. U29 and E29-1 arrived to find a small rubbish fire with extension into a wooded area. Fire was knocked down by civilians using a garden hose. E29-1 stretched 100' line to wet the area. Units on scene less than one hour, E29, E29-1, T29, U29.
Working Fire- S. Fourth St. - Halifax Boro
7/5/10- At 1549 hours Box 29-6 was transmitted for residential structure fire bringing Company 29 and E216. E29-1 responded with 5. Chief 29-1 (Stout) arrived and observed light smoke from the exterior. E29-1 arrived and stretched a line to the second floor where conditions worsened. Crews reported two rooms off which brought the first alarm. T29 arrived and supplied E29-1 while E29 stretched supply line to the closest hydrant. L20 took side A and prepared to go to work, crews assisted with salvage and ventilation. Units on scene - E29, E29-1, E216, E20, Perry E2, L20, R38 (RIT), Sq216, T29, T216, T20, Perry T2, U29, U216, Air35, Canteen 29. Units cleared shortly after 1900, cause is still under investigation.
Working Fire- Market St. - Millersburg Boro
7/1/10- At 1155 hours Box 20-1 first alarm transmitted for commercial structure fire. Chief 20-3 on scene with working fire in the basement. E29-1 normally assists with RIT. Upon arrival, crew was assigned to stage at the manpower pool, as Company 20's crew had made a quick knock on the fire. Shortly after arrival, E29-1 released from the scene.
Friday, July 9, 2010 A veteran member of Williamstown, Dauphin County's Liberty Hose No. 1 fire company died this morning after going into cardiac arrest as he tried to respond to a call.
Scott Slough, the company's chief, said Douglas L. Smith, 50, of Williamstown, arrived at Liberty's station to head to a house fire in Orwin, Schuylkill County, about 10:30 a.m However, Smith did not look well, Slough said. Slough said an ambulance was called and as crews rolled out, Smith's heart stopped..
Smith was a 29-year member of the fire company and had been a member of the Williamstown Ambulance Association for about as long, Slough said. "He was well-known and well-liked throughout all of upper Dauphin County," Slough said. "He will be missed."
Halifax Fire Department and it's members offer our condolences to the family and the members of the Williamstown Fire Company.
