In-House Training

On March 31, 2009, crews gathered to review SCBA along with certain fire ground operations.  Proper use of SCBA was quickly reviewed, and crews then worked through different scenarios that regularly occur.   Pictured to the left the crew is about to make entry in the final scenario of the night, and pictured right the crew discuses improvements that could be made after completing the scenario.  In both pictures are the following members: Firefighter M. Ryman (black helmet), Chief T. Saxton (white helmet), and Firefighter A. Siegrist (yellow helmet).  Some time was also spent reviewing pump operations with Engine 63.

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Engine, Brush, and Tanker Roll on 1^st Due Brush Fire
At approx. 14:30 hours on March 24, 2009 Box 63-02 was dispatched for the brush fire endangering a structure on Jordan Hollow Rd., in East Benton, a section of Benton Twp.  This brought a full response from 63 along with Engine 9 and Tanker 9 (Factoryville) and Rescue 36, Tanker 36, and 36-9 (Scott Twp.).  Due to the dispatch, Brush 36 was added to the run.  63-40 (G.Ryman) arrived on scene and established the Jordan Hollow Rd. command, reporting a multiple acre brush fire spreading away from the residence.  Chief 63 (T.Saxton) arrived on scene shortly afterward and assumed command.  Multiple lines were pulled from Brush 63 to attack the fire, while an 1 ¾” line was pulled from Engine 63 to protect the structure.  Tanker 63 supplied Engine 63, while Engine 9 and Tanker 9 assisted with manpower.  Brush 36 worked the opposite side of the fire, while Tanker 36 was used to refill the brush truck and indian tanks.  The fire was quickly contained, but crews spent the next hour extinguishing hot spots.  Units operated on scene for approx. 2 hours.

Units on the Box: E-63, B-63, T-63, E-9, T-9, R-36, B-36, T-36, 36-9

Engine and Tanker Due on 36 Box
On March 23, 2009 at 01:06 Station 63 was requested for a full response to assist Station 36 (Scott) on a working structure fire on Rushbrook Road.  Upon arrival of the first Scott units the structure was reported to be fully involved. Engine 63 responded with a crew of three and Tanker 63 with a crew of two.  Upon arrival Engine 63 crew was requested to assist with manpower.  Tanker 63 was staged as a possible water supply.  After the fire was knocked down a secondary search of the structure was completed.  Due to the extensive overhaul required, Tanker 63 was returned to service and the Engine remained on scene for approximately 2 1/2 hours.



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Photos Courtesy of George A. Ippolito Elegante' Photography

Busy Saturday for Brush 63

At approximately 11:30 hours on March 21, 2009 the tones dropped for the first run of the day.  Brush 63 was requested to assist Susquehanna County Station 18 (Clifford) for a brush fire endangering a structure near the intersection of SR2035 and SR2037 in Lenox Twp.  Brush 63 responded with a full crew, and assisted with fire suppression.  Approximately 4 acres of field were involved.  After the fire was extinguished, Brush 63 was released by command and returned to service after operating for 1 1/2 hours.

63 Triple Pulls for Reported Brush Fire
At approximately 20:00 hours on March 20, 2009 Station 63 was dispatched to the reported brush fire on Route 438 between Interstate 81 and Route 407.  Brush 63, Engine 63, and Tanker 63 all responded to find a small controlled burn, and returned to service.  Chief 63 (T.Saxton) had the command

Wednesday Offers Back to Back Calls for 63
At approximately 17:50 hours on Wednesday March 18, 2009, Station 63 was alerted for Fire Police to assist PSP on a tree down near the intersection of Hack Road and SR 438.  Captain 63 (G. Barber) arrived on scene reporting a small tree down across the roadway.  The Captain requested a chain saw to the scene for tree removal.  Brush 63 along with Captain 63 and Fire Police 63 (H. Otto) operated on scene for approximately 15 minutes.

Just prior to clearing the tree down, Station 63 was dispatched for a reported brush fire in the area of Baylor's Lake Road and SR. 407.  Chief 63 (T. Saxton) arrived on scene, established command and reported approximately two acres with an old school bus and utility van also involved. Command requested a brush tanker and brush truck from Nicholson Fire.  Brush 63 was positioned in front of the fire line and began suppression.  Nicholson brush truck assisted with containing the fire and extinguishing hot spots.  Nicholson Tanker 5 was assigned to extinguish the bus and van.

With a great effort by all, the fire was contained in approximately 15 minutes.  Units operated on scene for approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Units On Scene:  Brush 63, Engine 63, Tanker 63, Nicholson Tanker 5, and Nicholson Brush 3.  

Structure Fire Turns Into Maple Syrup Production?
At approx. 15:30 hours on March 10, 2009, Engine 63 and Tanker 63 were dispatched to assist Lackawanna County Station 36 (Scott Twp.) after multiple calls to the County 911 Center for a working structure fire about 2 miles off of Interstate 81 exit 199.  Units from 36 arrived on scene to find smoke showing, and after investigation discovered it to be caused by the production of maple syrup at Hull’s Tree Farm on Route 524.  All units were returned to service about 10 minutes after dispatch.

1^st Due Chimney Fire
At approx. 21:45 hours on March 4, 2009, Station 63 along with Station 9 (Factoryville) and Lackawanna County Station 36 (Scott Twp.) were dispatched for the reported chimney fire on Baylors Lake Rd. in Benton Twp.  Chief 63 (T.Saxton) arrived on scene and established the “Baylors Lake Rd. command” reporting fire contained to the chimney.  Engine 63 arrived and part of the crew stretched a 1 ¾” line to the door.  The rest of the crew emptied the wood stove and checked for extension on division one.  Tanker 63 arrived and tied into Engine 63 incase a water supply was needed.  Engine 9 arrived next with their crew laddering the building and going to the roof and attic.  The crew from Rescue 36 assisted as manpower, while Tanker 9, Tanker 36, and Ambulance 9 stood by.  The fire was found to be contained to the upper part of the wood stove and lower part of the chimney.  With no extension and the stove emptied, crews returned to service in approx. 1 hour.

UNITS ON THE BOX: E-63, T-63, E-9, T-9, A-9, R-36, T-36

3 Run Sunday for 63
Sunday, March 1, 2009, started out early for 63, as the tones were dropped at approximately 01:30 hours for the medical emergency at a residence on Rt. 407 about 2 miles north of Fleetville corners. Squad 63 responded along with Ambulance 9 (Factoryville) and the patient was transported to the hospital. 

The next run came in around 04:00 hours for another medical emergency, this time on Amasa Rd. Squad 63 responded again along with CLS 8 and this patient was also transported to the hospital. 

The final run of the day was dispatched at approximately 16:00 hours for the reported structure fire on Tompkinsville Rd. in Area 36 (Scott Twp.).  The initial dispatch was for Engine 63 and Tanker 63, but units from 36 arrived on scene quickly to find a brush fire in the area of 2 acres in size and requested additional brush trucks.  Brush 63 responded instead of the Engine or Tanker and was staged on Matechak Rd. for a few minutes before being returned to service by command.