Orwigsburg, PA 17961
OFD members spent several evenings this month participating in company level training. Members completed hands-on training with foam operations, pump operations, vehicle rescue practices, and air chisels.
As always – a special thank you to USS Achey Inc. for supplying the vehicles for extrication / stabilization training. Also – photo credits to members Deb Shepler and TJ Mollick.
On Thursday September 21st, the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department was dispatched to 13 E. Liberty St. for a possible structure fire. First arriving units quickly confirmed a working fire and upgraded to a second alarm which included units from Pine Grove, Cressona, Landingville, and Orwigsburg.
The Friendship Hose Company responded with Engines 56-10 and 56-11. Members of the Orwigsburg Fire Department were initially sent to standby at the front of the residence before being sent to division 3 to takeover hose operations as the Schuylkill Haven crew already inside would soon require a break. The fire was started as a decorative light on the back porch caught fire and spread to a propane tank which was not shut off causing the back porch to engulf.
TIMEOUT: 0651
LOCATION: 291 Pheasant Run Rd. West Brunswick Township
The Orwigsburg Fire Department along with New Ringgold, and Deer Lake were dispatched to an automatic fire alarm. Chief 56-01 arrived on scene and cancelled all units as it was a false activation.
TIMEOUT: 0933
LOCATION: 1559 Red Dale Rd. East Brunswick Township
The Orwigsburg Fire Department was again dispatched along with New Ringgold and Deer Lake for an automatic fire alarm. Enroute a caller on scene advised it was a false activation – units went available.
TIMEOUT: 1555
LOCATION: 1076 W. Market St. North Manheim Township (Blue Mountain High School)
The Orwigsburg Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle accident with no injury and fluids down at West Market St. and the entrance to the Blue Mountain High School. Members provided floor dry and traffic control.
The Orwigsburg Fire Department was dispatched to USS Acheys for an unknown type fire. Engine 56-10 responded with six on board. Schuylkill County Communications advised while enroute, that the “fluff” pile from the shredder was on fire.
While responding, the crew could see a large smoke column at the location from the 200 block of W. Market St. A tanker task force was requested bringing tanker units from Landingville, Deer Lake, Schuylkill Haven, Auburn, New Ringgold, and Friedensburg. Crews arrived to find a large pile of various automobile parts heavily involved. An initial attack line was deployed but after a few minutes, engine 56-10’s water supply ran out until the first tankers arrived on scene a short time later.
Once a water supply was established, an additional hand line from 56-10 was utilized. After the fire was under control, a crane was used to pull apart the pile so that all materials could be wet down and smoldering debris extinguished.
While 7 members of our Department were at the Schuylkill Fire Training Center in Frackville working on the 3rd Module of the Essentials of Firefighting Course, OFD was dispatched to move up to Pottsville Fire Station 30 to cover for the Pottsville Fire Department who were committed to a multiple alarm, multiple structure fire in the City.
Engine 5610 and Chief 56 took the assignment at Station 30 and were joined by Mahanoy City Humane Engine 451 and Frackville Goodwill Ladder 43-20. Assistant Chief 5601 remained on duty in Orwigsburg and before the afternoon was over, he would respond with Engine 5611 and Rescue 56 to a structure fire involving a shed in E. Brunswick Twp. Seventeen OFD firefighters were in operation throughout the day.