At 1658hrs on Friday November 21, the MVA assignment was transmitted for the tractor trailer that crossed the median in the vicinity of mm211 southbound.  Harford Fire and EMS along with the Rescue were dispatched.  While enroute, communications advised PSP was on location with a tractor trailer over the embankment with one pinned by the dash.  The next due heavy, Rescue 7, along with a heavy wrecker from Kozlowski’s was requested.  Chief 18-3 marked on scene confirming PSP’s report also advising the crash would be in 18’s first due and requested the run card be filled out accordingly.

Pin job within sight of the Fire Station
On Sunday November 16, at approximately 2030hrs, the MVA assignment was transmitted for SR106 near the carnival grounds for a vehicle into the trees and possibly pond with entrapment.  Lt18a marked on scene confirming entrapment and began EMS care.  Chief 18 marked on scene reporting one SUV into the trees with heavy entrapment and requested a full deployment off the rescue upon its arrival.  
 

The rescue marked on scene going to work forcing the driver’s door, removing the rear door and “B” post for the wide body.  Due to the location of the vehicle and trees, a second crew began efforts to prepare for the dash lift if necessary.  The crew was able to remove the victim thru the wide body and was transported to the trauma center aboard 18-9.  Ch2 was the ALS rig.  Units remained on scene for approximately 45 minutes for lighting assisting 18PD. Pictures

Constructions gone and the cuttin’ begins
Friday morning October 24,  started out around 0900hrs with a traffic control assist to PSP.  Chief 24a responded to the location with nothing found. Upon further investigation, the incident was found at the intersection of SR2023 and SR247 – a hydraulic oil spill that stretched about 3 miles. R18 was added to the run for additional resources.  While operating at the spill, the MVA assignment was transmitted for a rollover on the “I” at 206 southbound.  Susquehanna County communications advised they were receiving multiple reports on the incident. 

This section of interstate was very quiet over the summer due to construction – the construction’s gone and so is the quiet.  On the assignment: R18, E24, 18-9 and 24-9. R18 cleared the initial run and headed for the interstate. 

Chief 18-1 marked on scene reporting a one car rollover blocking one lane with two occupants confined to the vehicle.  The Rescue and E24 arrived and went to work removing the driver’s door and rolling the roof.  Both patients were extricated and transported to the local trauma center aboard 18-9 and 24-9.  Crews cleared in approximately 40 minutes. Photos

Ladder on Decker Road Box 

Photo courtesy of 59 Fire On Thursday Oct 23, the 24 box was transmitted for a working fire at 126 Decker Rd, Greenfield Township.  E24 marked on scene with Chief 24 reporting a 2 ½ story wood frame residential with a smoke condition at the eaves.  E24 along with a crew from E36 stretched an 1 ¾ to the A/D corner for the initial knock.  L18 set up at the A/B corner and sent the main ladder to the roof as a precaution.  Interior crews checked for extension, ventilated with a PPV and opened up where necessary.  Crews cleared in less than one hour. Chief 24A had the “Decker Rd” command.

2 alarm fire consumes barn, wooded area
On Monday, October 20, the 1801 box was transmitted for a working barn fire on Rt 106 in the Village of Royal.
Chief 18-1 reported he was responding and received updated information on the dispatch that this would be a confirmed barn fire with extension into the brush/woods. 

A second alarm was requested.  18-1 marked on scene with two structures fully involved and approx 4-5 acres of heavy brush burning. 

Additional brush units were requested.  L18 and E24 arrived together with E24 laying out approximately 900’ of LDH and hit the structures with their deck gun. 

L18 was assigned to the front of the residence for protection and to stop the advance of the brush fire before it moved into a heavily wooded area.  As units arrived, they went to work controlling and extinguishing both fires. 
18-9, 24-9 and SQ59 handled rehab with FCEMS and HAM2 standing by.  HBE2 established a fill site with multiple tankers in the shuttle.  Rescue 18 served as the command post.  Crews remained on scene until approximately 18:00hrs.  Photos

Truck Class in Area 51 wraps up
On Sunday, October 19, the crew from 18 finished the 16 hour truck company operations class with a full day of practical skills. Crews from Carbondale City, Jermyn, Clifford, Waymart were under the direction of Captain Larry Semenza from area 93. 

For some it was a refresher, for others it was all new – but for all it was a great training.  From ground ladders to roof top ventilation, there was a lot of ground covered in the two nights and Sunday.  A huge thanks to the City of Carbondale and Chief Brennan for their hospitality and an excellent training opportunity. Photos

Good Day at Mt View Elementary

On Thursday October 16, crews from Clifford, Harford and Hop Bottom spent the day at Mt View Elementary School for Fire Prevention.  18 sent crews for the Rescue, Ladder and 18-9 and had a great day with the Kids.  There are a variety of programs administered during the day depending on the age.  Some are given walk-arounds of the fire apparatus and ambulances, some take part in a presentation in the gym, while others are sent  thru a Children’s safety trailer that offers an array of situations a child may be involved in at home such as tornado’s and fires. 

This year Michael Zeshonski and David Krizauskas headed the fire prevention for Clifford – an excellent job by both! This year marked the return of a fire safety trailer.  A special thanks to Deby Kominsky, Chief Pratt,  and all of Honesdale Fire Department for making this possible. 

Walt Turner coordinated the arrival and Deby was on hand all day to handle the trailer for us.  Again, thank you to Honesdale for adding this resource for our kids.  Following the fire prevention activities, a fire drill was held at the facility.  Harford, Hop Bottom and Clifford participated in the drill. A great day and thanks to all who helped. Photos....

Ladder supports certification class at Great Bend
On Sunday September 21, the Ladder headed to Great Bend Fire to assist with the Fire Fighter recruit program being hosted there.  Sundays class was focused on ladders, both ground and aerial operations.  The ladder and crew spent the morning there and were treated to lunch by the host department.  Good luck to all who are pursuing Fire Fighter 1 certification! Photos

9-11 Memorial Service held 
On Thursday September 11, Ladder 18 and crew headed to South Montrose to honor and remember all those lost seven years ago.  Ladder 18 along with Ladder 2 from Meshoppen, Wyoming County, held the American flag above the entrance to service. 

Along with Ladder 18 and Ladder 2, many other Susquehanna County Emergency services were represented as well as over 100 citizens.  A beautiful service was held with many speakers echoing the same message “We must never forget”. Photos

Steady pace continues
The steady pace of EMS, Fire and Rescue runs has continued into this week with multiple runs keeping the crew at 18 busy.  On Sunday, September 7, 18 rescue and EMS assisted the Northeast Rails-to-trails group with their first distance run.  The event ran from Forest City, thru Clifford Township, Uniondale Borough and Herrick Township then returning on the same route.

A very large portion of the run went thru 18’s first due, which was supported by a very good crew from 18.  Along with 18-9, the Jitney (Teryx), two PATV’s, and the Rescue, crews from FCEMS, Uniondale Fire, 28 EMS and 51 EMS were on the detail. Crews from Clifford staged along the course with Capt 18 establishing a med station at the midway point.  18-9 Staged at 171 and Upper Stillwater Road while the Rescue served as the race Command Post at the start finish line. 

EMS was quiet with no transports required; however, during the race 18-9 ran a medical on SR2027 and assisted 28 with a two car MVA on Rt 171. 

Crews cleared the detail at approximately 1230hrs only to run another crash and med call before the day was out. Half marathon photos
 

Two car crash with one over the bridge at 206
After a very busy weekend at 18, the MVA was dispatched on Tuesday morning at 0745hrs for the one car crash at 206.2 southbound, car over the embankment.  On the assignment: R18, E24, 18-9, 24-9 and ALS.  Chief 18 requested any updated information due to the high-hazards of the immediate area.  County advised they had confirming reports of a rollover with one still in the vehicle.  Lt18b arrived at the 206 with one vehicle on its wheels with no injuries and one vehicle over the bridge, on its roof near Rt374 with one occupant still in the vehicle.

Chief 18 special called R36 to assist E24 with the interstate portion while the rescue and 18-9 would handle the Rt374 portion.  Chief 18-1 arrived establishing the Rt374 command confirming the reports with a heavy confinement. The rescue and 18-9 arrived and went to work stabilizing, gaining access and handling pt care.  The lone occupant was extricated and transported to the trauma center with ALS.  Chief 24a handled the interstate portion reporting no injuries.  Crews from 24 and 36 assisted with the Rt374 incident as well.  Units remained on scene while the vehicle was being removed assisting PSP. Photos

Another 2 alarm fire makes for long night
At 0243 hours on Sunday August 17, Susquehanna County Communications dispatched the 1802 box for a structure fire in the Lenoxville area with the cell call being disconnected.  On the assignment: E24, HE4, R18, R36, R59, L18, T24, HT3, T36 , 18-9 and 24-9.
 

While responding, Communications updated the location to Robinson Road off SR2021.  Chief 18-3 marked on scene with a single story residential with heavy involvement in a substantial section of the structure requesting additional companies into the scene. 

L18 arrived and placed the 2 ½” attack line in service while additional crew threw ladders and began opening up.  E24 arrived placing in service an additional line along with supplying L18.  As crews arrived additional lines were deployed to suppress the stubborn blaze which had a strong hold on the structure.  The second alarm was filled out a short time into the incident.

HE4 established a tanker fill site and all water was supplied by a tanker operation.  R18 served as the command post and 18-9 under the direction of Captain 18 handled rehab.  Multiple crews worked through an extensive overhaul project prior to clearing around. 0700.  PSP Fire Marshall was conducting the investigation. 
Photos     More photos.... Photolink courtesy of  43fire.com 

Units on the box:
E24, HE4, NE1, HBE, E41, E52, L18,  L58,R18, R36, R59, T24, HT3, HBT, T52, NT, T63, 18-9, 24-9, HAM
C43
 

Ladder and Rescue on Village Apartments Drill On Thursday evening August 14, the Ladder and Rescue crewed up and headed to Harford to take part in a drill at the Harford Village Apartments.  The three story structure is one of Harford’s target boxes within their district.  Harford, Hop Bottom, Clifford and New Milford Participated in the exercise.

18 on Up-Valley commercial job Photo courtesy of 58Fire On Wednesday March 26, as the crew from L18 was returning from training, the 21 Box was dispatched at approx 2300hrs for a commercial structure on the Eynon-Jermyn Road, Lackawanna County.  Communications advised the 21 Chief of multiple reports.  Crews from the first alarm arrived to find a heavily involved two story commercial structure. 21 Command requested additional units into the scene with a defensive attack mounted.

First due structure fire starts Monday
At approximately 0710hrs on Monday, March 10, the 1804 box was transmitted for a working fire in a mobile home on Round Pond Road, Lenox Township.  On the assignment: E24, HE4, NE1, L18, R18, R36, T18, T24, HT3, NT, 189 and HAM2.  18-20 marked on scene reporting a fully involved mobile home, flames venting from side B.  With the report, one additional tanker was added.  Chief 18-1 marked on scene confirming the report and requesting the ladder to put the 200' 2 1/2" in service upon arrival with the next due tying into the ladder for water. 

The ladder marked on scene getting the 2 1/2" and an 1 3/4" into service darkening the fire.  Next arriving, E24, nursed into the ladder and handled the water operations.  The crews from 18, 24, and Harford handled the knockdown while R36 stood fast as the RIT.  Two additional engines were requested for manpower to assist with overhaul.  E41 established a fill site at a nearby pond, laying out 7 lengths of hard tube to hit the water while sending the rest of the crew up for overhaul.  Units operated for approximately two hours before picking up.  Thanks to all for a good and safe job.  Photolink

2 alarm residential in first due 
At 0152hrs on Saturday, February 23, 2008, the 1805 box was transmitted for an attic fire on Rt247, Clifford Township.  On the run: E24, E41, E52, L18, R18, T18, T24, T52, 18-9 and 24-9. 18-10 (Fortuner) marked on scene quickly reporting the working residential with a fully involved attic.

Chief 18 requested the sector RIT and two additional tankers bringing L43, T28 and T36.  Chief 182 arrived establishing the 247 command confirming reports and requesting E41 make the lay to the dry hydrant at Crystal Lake. L18 arrived taking side D in the driveway with T24 right behind establishing the initial water.  The crews from the first alarm placed (2) 1 ¾” and a 2 ½” attack line in service in division one immediately upon arrival and mounted an aggressive interior attack. 

Crews found light to moderate smoke on division 1 with a fire storm above in the attic.  One line was advanced into the attic while crews pulled ceilings and attacked from below.  The challenge was multiple attic spaces in the sprawling ranch.  Units operating:  Engines:  24, HE4, 52, 41, TE1   Ladder:  18  Rescue: 18, 36   Tankers:  18, 24, HT3, 52  Ambulance:  18, HA2

A second alarm was transmitted with the work ahead.  Once the ladder pipe was shutdown, crews regrouped and headed in for the enormous overhaul. Captain 43 handled the division one overhaul operations.

Over 2500’ of LDH was laid to complete the supply with HE4 relaying in the middle.  Two additional water supplies were established by R36 and E281.  Crews worked for an additional four hours to overhaul the residence.  A special thanks to the move-up companies SQ22 and E60 for coming in and assisting packing up. Captain 18 established two rehab areas to keep a check on the crews.  The last units cleared at 0740hrs.
 

Final respects paid to  Jack Tellep It is with the great sadness, our family at Station 18 said  a final  goodbye to Life-member Jack Tellep.  Jack passed away December 31 after a brief illness.  We offer Jack’s wife Connie our most heart felt condolences and support during this time. Jack held offices in administration and Line Officer duties creating a benchmark of what true dedication is.

Jack was a true example of a great person.  We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all who helped us and Jack's family during this difficult time. Particularly we would like to acknowledge the support received from Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company and Crystal Fire Company for their help with the funeral service.  While we remained focused on saying goodbye to Jack, our station was filled with apparatus from Harford Fire Company, Forest City FD and Browndale Fire Company.  Finally,  thanks  to all the members of Clifford Township VFC  and Ladies Auxilary for all the sacrifices made this week. Again thank you to all. Photolink.
 

First due attic fire on  cold night On Monday February 11, at 2031hrs, the 1806 Box was transmitted for a structure fire on SR2033 Clifford Townhip.  On the assignment: E24,HE4, E52, L18, R18, T18, T24, T52, 18-9 and 24-9.  L18 responded within minutes with 6 to the location.  Communications update the Chief while enroute that the homeowner stated he had a chimney fire that had progressed into a working attic fire.  With the update, 43 car, R36(RIT) and two additional tankers were added to the box

Chief 18-1 marked on scene establishing the 2033 command with smoke pushing from around the chimney and no access to the area. L18 arrived taking the A/B corner of the building, splitting crews with one crew heading to division 1 interior to open up and the second crew laddering the structure. 

E52's crew stretched a line from L18 while Chief 18-3 set the main ladder for roof operations.  E24 headed for a water source approx one mile away planning for the tanker shuttle.  R36 would arrive and handle the RIT assignment. 

Division 1's crew opened up and knocked the fire while the ladder group assessed the structure from roof.  Due to the new, mostly finished home, extra time was spent to minimize the damage from overhaul as large amounts of blown-in insulation would need to be removed.  The crew took proper steps to breach a bedroom wall to gain access to the rear of the fireplace to remove the insulation.  After approximately 90 minutes, the crews had removed the burnt material and began to pack up.  Car 43 handled the accountability and staging while 18-9 and 24-9 took care of the EMS.Photolink

Slick roads = multi-vehicle wreck at 206
As the snow moved into the area on Tuesday, February 12, it was just a matter of time.  At 1422hrs the MVA assignment was dispatched at mm206 on the interstate for a SUV that slid thru the median and collided with two tractor trailers headed southbound.  On the response: E24, R18, 18-9 and 24-9. 18-21(B. Price) arrived within minutes updating the crew that a secondary crash had happened in the northbound lanes with unknown injuries involving a tractor trailer and additional passenger vehicles.  18-1 marked on scene establishing the 206 command requesting two additional BLS, one ALS, and HT3 for traffic.  Thankfully, no serious injuries resulted from the violent crash.  Two were transported to local hospitals while R18 handled the hazardous and safety zone.  E24 and HT3 positioned north of the accident to slow traffic. On the response: R18, E24, HT3, 18-9, 24-9, HAM2, 36-9, CH1, MMM  PHOTOLINK

18 runs 28 box for early morning house fire
On Saturday December 22 at 0109hrs L18, R18, and the tanker were special called to a first alarm structure box in area 28.  E28, E52,and E41 were operating on a two story residential with heavy smoke showing and fire in the rear. The Ladder arrived on scene as the first due truck and positioned at the A/B corner with the assignment of opening up the roof.  The crew vented the main roof of the structure and then went to work with the crew from 41 on a division 1 flat roof on side C of the structure. 

The fire had traveled from division 1, thru the walls of the balloon construction and made its way into the addition on the rear while following the chimney to the roof.  When all was done, the crews had removed one of two roofs on the addition, opened up the entire side C wall behing the chimney and completed extensive overhaul on the inside.  E43 handled the RIT duties.  A good job by all companies involved.  Units cleared at 0432hrs.  Links to more pictures

Engine goes to Oregon, L-18 gone South
"The final payment for the engine was received this morning and as of that time the Engine was pulled from service.  In discussions with you previously, we had asked for your support during this transition.  With the engine gone, our alarm assignments will bump the next due automatically on all runs requiring an engine. We have re-structured our in house response to accomplish our mission with your support.  I have attached our SOG on what will be responding to our assignments and in what order.  The quint hunt continues along with exploring the "demo" market.  I will keep everyone up-to-speed on our progress and thank you in advance for your help"  Chief Turner  Ladder 18 was  removed from service on August 15.  The ladder has been purchased by a department in Georgia where it will enjoy warmer weather and less road salt.  As with the engine, we are relying on our neighbors during this transition period into the quint. We will keep everyone up to speed on our progress and continue to provide truck company operations off of Rescue 18.  Our run cards at the communications center will bump up the next due truck for our emergencies.  Read the revised SOG  Read the revised SOG 

Fire hits Greenfield Twp. business
On July 31, 2007 at 03:28 hours, the 24 box was dispatched for a commercial building fire on Rt. 247.  On the assignment from 18 was L-18, R-18, T-18 and 18-9.  Chief 24 marked on scene reporting a heavily involved building and requested the second alarm. The ladder arrived on scene as the first due truck taking side A of the building and establishing ladder pipe operations and opening up the front. T-18 arrived and deployed the porta-pond and dumped its load to begin shuttle operations. The Rescue arrived and provided lighting and was designated the command post while 18-9 came in to assist with rehab.  E-24 mounted an aggressive exterior attack while the ladder pipe from 18 went to work trying to darken the fire.  As additional units arrived, a large LDH lay was completed and supplied by E-36 along with multiple porta-ponds at the scene.  L-58 positioned at the B side of the structure and also placed into service its ladder pipe.  The incident went to three alarms bringing companies from four counties.  The ladder crew worked along with L-58, R-59, R-25 and E-24 for an extensive overhaul. Units cleared near 1100 hrs. Click here for more photos