At 2 a.m. on March 14, 2010 it is Daylight Saving Time.  The OFD would like to remind our community to inspect and change the battery in your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors. 

Smoke Detectors - Equipping a home with at least one smoke detector cuts in half the chances that the residents will die in a fire.  Smoke alarms more than 10 years old no longer offer a reliable level of safety. The Orwigsburg Fire Department urges all residents to determine how old their smoke alarms are. (The date of manufacture is located on the back of the alarm.) If they’re 10 years old or older, replace them immediately! This includes smoke alarms that use 10-year batteries and/or are hard-wired. Please remember to replace your battery!!

CO Detector - Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas.  You should replace CO detectors every two years or have them tested by a professional with CO test gas every year. Another important factor in keeping your family safe would be to have your furnace and other fuel-burning. appliances professionally tuned up with a safety and CO inspection every year. Please remember to replace your battery!!

For more information you can visit nfpa.org and select safety information.

Bensalem paramedic Daniel McIntosh responded to a call of a suicidal man out on the 2600 block of Knights Road. When he and his partner arrived, the young man fled on foot.

McIntosh chased him but didn't get very far. He suffered a massive heart attack and died on the scene.  It was originally reported that the Paramedic was attacked by the patient, but this is not what happened.

The OFD would like to extend it deepest sympathies to Paramedic McIntosh's family and Bensalem EMS.

Taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, OFD members spent part of the day drilling with the Department's complement of ground ladders.  Nine members, including OFD's three newest recruits, attended Saturday's Company Drill, which was conducted by Capt. Scott Rarick.  After class, attention was turned to the rigs.  Both Engines and the Rescue received a thorough cleaning.

During the "Snowmegeddon" earlier this month OFD members scattered the town to shovel out and clear hydrants on as many streets as possible. Hydrants in some areas of the boro were left inaccessible by the excess of snow; which we are very thankful to the boro workers spent tireless hours clearing and removing the white stuff.  With the anticipation of more snow on it's way tonight through Friday and the chance of high winds and snow drifting the OFD would like to ask Orwigsburg residents to make note of the hydrants in your area of the boro and aid your volunteer fire department by clearing the area around fire hydrants allowing access to the street. In the case of an emergency this can save precious time for emergency responders.  We also would like to ask boro residents to be wary of senior citizens and residents with medical issues during such an weather event as aiding fellow boro residents with snow removel of walk-ways  and driveways can save Fire/EMS personnel precious time in a life or death situation. Take Care and Be Safe ~ OFD

The OFD was dispatched to an reported early morning accident with unknown injury at the jug handle leading into Orwigsburg by The Freeze. Upon arriving on scene 56-02 (Fessler) reported a vehicle beached on a snow pile entering the off ramp. 56 Units confirmed there were no occupants in or around the vehcile, secured the vehicle until State Police could arrive and established traffic control before clearing the scene at 04:30hrs.

After a busy morning of shoveling snow and getting ready for the Kauffman's Chicken BBQ on Superbowl Sunday. OFD firefighters turned out for a 10:00 a.m. in house drill at Station 56 to go over 50 ways firefighters can die by Vincent Dunn. The presentation was given by Assistant Chief Fessler and covered everything from backdraft, flashover, and cellar fires to disorientation, electric shock and tunnel vision. Go to www.vincentdunn.com for a PDF download to do this training for your fire station.

Rescue 56 was dispatched to 2nd Mountain Road in N. Manheim Township at 11:30 a.m. for a reported vehicle accident with rollover and entrapment. A light rain had been falling over the area for two hours and although most area roadways were unaffected, conditions in the 2nd Mountain area produced a dangerous icy condition on several roads. Over the course of the next two hours, seven single vehicle rollover accidents occurred in the area of 2nd Mountain Road, Ranch Road and Hemlock Drive. Sch. Haven's Rescue 727 joined Rescue 56 to handle the accidents, while Fire Police from both departments shut down the roadways until the Township Crew was able to spread salt and anti-skid material. Fortunately, despite the large number of accidents, there were no serious injuries.

Despite a busy night, OFD firefighters turned out for a training drill at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Center. The day's training consisted of practicing with the Center's new standpipe system.

At 2:49 a.m. OFD was dispatched with Co. 55 New Ringgold and Co. 42 Deer Lake to a possible house fire on Rauschs Road in East Brunswick Township. While enroute to the scene, County Communications advised responding units that reports were being received of a possible barn fire at the same location. First arriving units confirmed a working residential structure fire with flames visible on an exterior wall of the home extending into the attic and second floor, as well as smoke issuing from the nearby barn. Engine 5610 split it's crew, with half the team conducting a primary search in the residence then advancing a handline to handle fire extension in the attic. The remainder of the crew assisted with extinguishing and overhauling a small fire in the barn. Chief 55 Chad Jones had the Command. OFD cleared the scene at 6:00 a.m.

At 2:30 a.m. OFD was dispatched as part of the second alarm assignment to a working barn fire in W. Brunsick Township. Crews faced an uphill battle in 19 degree temperatures against a fully involved barn fire. Two aerial ladders and several portable master streams were used to battle the fire. Chief 42 Mike Strouse had the Command. OFD cleared the scene at 8:30 a.m.