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Come out and join the OFD for our annual McFit & Able Run/Walk on June 21, 2008. The start/finish point this year is located at the West Brunswick Township softball fields, on Pheasant Run Rd, behind Russo’s Pizza Den Rt 61 North. Click on story to download race entry form for details and link to register online.

2008 Hole-In-One Prize

Come out to Mountain Valley Golf Course and hit the links for a good cause on May 31, 2008. This year’s hole-in-one prize is sponsored by Schaeffer’s Harley Davidson and there will also be entry gifts and prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive and pot-o-gold. We guarantee no one leaves empty handed or hungry with our famous on-course chili dogs and steak dinner at the close of the tournament. Click on story to download entry form and link to register online.

Help your neighborhood raise money for YOUR local fire service organization during Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night. For the second year, Baskin Robbins is partnering with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to support Americas firefighters and will donate $100,000 to the cause. Locally, Baskin-Robbins is providing an opportunity for firefighters and store owners to come together for an event of fun, smiles and fundraising for local fire service organizations.

On Wednesday, April 30th, 2008, Baskin Robbins stores across the country will hold 31 Cent Scoop Night from 5 - 10pm to honor Americas firefighters. Baskin Robbins shops will reduce prices of small ice cream scoops to 31 cents* and create an opportunity for customers to donate to local fire charities. Read more about the NFFF programs at http://www.firehero.org.

On Wednesday, April 23 2008 , the Orwigsburg Fire Department DUI program coordinators (Tom Bowitz & Kris Fessler) assisted Shenandoah Fire , Shenandoah EMS , Lost Creek EMS and Shenandoah PD with their Mock DUI program. The Orwigsburg Fire Department would like to extend a "Job Well Done!!" to all the volunteers and to the student participants that made this program a huge success. Participants included: Columbia Hose, Polish American Fire, Shenandoah EMS, Officer Hall(Shenandoah PD), Lost Creek EMS, Dave Truskowsky Funeral Home, Geisinger Life Flight, Nick Gera , Matt, Brian, Nina, Joe O’Donnell and Dave Everly (North Central Highway & Safety).

At 8:00 p.m. OFD was dispatched to a fire in an outdoor light at Oak Dale Estates. A bird’s nest inside the light housing had ignited and destroyed the fixture. While waiting for the development’s maintenance man, we had some visitors who toured Engine 56-10. After the power was turned off the remains of the nest were removed.

At 5:14 p.m. OFD and Co. 47 (Landingville) were dispatched to the intersection of Rt. 61 and Brickhill Road for a two vehicle accident with entrapment. Rescue 56 arrived to find the injured driver of one of the vehicles confined to his car by the damage to the driver’s side and by the center console. The driver side doors and "B" post were removed to facilitate moving the victim from the car. He was then tranported to a local hospital by Orwigsburg EMS. OFD’s Fire Police assisted State Police with traffic control until the highway was reopened. Rescue 56 cleared the scene in about 30 minutes.

At 5:20 p.m. Engine 5610 was dispatched to establish a Landing Zone at Blue Mountain High School. Medevac 7 was inbound to rendevous with Orwigsburg EMS Ambulance 933 to transfer a patient to a Regional Trauma Center. OFD cleared the scene in about 25 minutes.

Taking advantage of the warm weather OFD’s drill program went back to the basics with lectures by Chief Dave Hardinger on "Fire Behavior" and by Captain Scott Rarick on "Portable Fire Extinguishers". Following a turnout gear inspection, 15 members turned out for a live fire drill using portable extinguishers. Even the Chief got to take a turn at the fire (although we backed him up just in case).

At 9:55 a.m. OFD was dispatched to N. Manheim Township to the intersection of Rt. 61 and N. Greenview Dr. for a vehicle accident. Rescue 56 and Engine 5610 arrived to discover a two vehicle accident with the two occupants of one of the vehicles injured and still in the car. Both victims were removed from the vehicle by the Rescue’s Crew and transported to a local hospital by Orwigsburg and Auburn EMS Units. OFD cleared the scene in about 30 minutes.

Girl Scout Brownie Troop #1781 visited the Orwigsburg Volunteer Fire Department on March 27, 2008, to earn the Safety Sense Try-It Badge and Safety Award for Brownies. After watching a safety video, Frank McDonough taught the girls what to do if someone is choking and had each girl pair up to complete basic bandaging. Jeffrey Hartman continued instruction by showing the girls the fire engine and allowing each of them to sit in the cab. Jake Brensinger donned full gear to show the girls that firefighters might look scary, but they are there to help in an emergency. The girls each have to complete a pre-plan with their parents by the next Girl Scout meeting in April.

Despite a biting wind accompanied by periods of rain and snow, the OFD technical rescue team spent the weekend at the Schuylkill County Fire School in Frackville and completed the Confined Space Rescue Technician Class. Friday night’s written test was followed by two days of Confined Space scenarios during which the class was continuously evaluated by instructors from Harrisburg Area Community College. Simulated rescues included entries into the training tower, a cistern, a railroad tank car and the confined space simulator. Special thanks to Randy Padfield, Senior Education Specialist with HACC who was the lead instructor for the class.

OFD Firefighter Michael Sinitsky Jr. won 1st Place in the Pennsylvania High School Computer Fair at the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Regional Competion. Mike’s Multimedia Presentation entitled, "Supporting Local Fire Departments" took top honors in the competition. Congratulations Mike!

At 10:00 p.m. as a heavy rainfall covered the area, Company 56 was dispatched to a report of a vehicle accident on Rt. 61 near Red Church with unknown injuries. Rescue 56 and Engine 5610 discovered a two vehicle accident at the intersection of Brick Hill Road and Rt. 61 in W. Brunswick Township. One of the drivers involved was transported to an area hospital by Orwigsburg EMS. The two damaged vehicles were on opposite sides of the highway and due to the poor visibility caused by the storm, OFD remained on scene for almost an hour to assist Pennsylvania State Police with traffic control until the cars were removed.

A contingent of OFD firefighters, along with rescuers from West End Fire Co. in Mahanoy City and Yorkville Hose Co. Pottsville, spent the weekend working toward certification in Confined Space Rescue as part of our commitment to the Schuylkill County Technical Rescue Task Force. The course concludes in two weeks with both written and practical tests. The program is being instructed by Randy Padfield, Senior Education Specialist with Harrisburg Area Community College.

At 10:45 p.m. as a fast moving snow storm was covering Schuylkill County roadways, Rescue 56 was dispatched with Co. 55 New Ringgold to a report of a vehicle accident with possible entrapment on Rt. 895 in E. Brunswick Township. While we were enroute, the Communications Center reported that additional information indicated the vehicle involved in the accident was a tanker truck. Fortunately, the vehicle involved turned out to be a bulk carrier loaded with sugar, rather than a tanker and there were no injuries. Co. 56 assisted with traffic control and cleared the scene in about 30 minutes.

Shortly after 15:00hrs the department was dispatched for an MVA with entrapment along Second Mtn. Rd. Rescue 56 arrived on scene and found a single car MVA, with the vehicle over the embankment. Due to low staffing, Rescue 56 requested Company 47 (Landingville) to handle engine company responsibilities as well as SHFD - Station 1 (Rainbow) for assistance with rescue operations. The crew of Rescue 56 as well Company 47 personnel stabilized the vehicle utilizing the Airshores and chaining the van to the apparatus winches. The Rescue crew then "popped" the passenger side door to facilitate patient extrication. A ground ladder was used to assist with the patient removal up the embankment.

At 9:40 p.m. OFD was dispatched by County Communications to a reported vehicle accident on Lawrence St. in the Borough. Engine 5610 and Rescue 56 responded to find a two vehicle accident with one injury and fluids leaking from one of the cars. Fire Police established traffic control around the area while the crew of the Rescue set about assessing the victim. E-5610 handled the spill. EMS arrived and transported the injured driver to an area hospital. Company 56 cleared the scene in about 30 minutes.

On Sunday afternoon, the department was dispatched with Company 47 (Landingville) in their first due area for an MVA with reported entrapment. Shortly after dispatch, the Rescue was enroute and advised of a single vehicle that rolled over with entrapment. However, Asst. Chief 47-01 (G. Thomas) arrived on scene to find a single car accident and all subjects out of the vehicle.