Company
News
The Boyertown Fire
Department proudly announces the 5th Annual Boyertown
Fire Department Custom Truck, Car and Motorcycle
Show. For information, click on the logo or HERE.
September
3, 2008 - At 1551 hours Ladder 15
was requested on the initial structure assignment
to assist Montgomery County Station 67(Gilbertsville)
at a barn fire in the 100 block of Hoffmansville
Road. Ladder 15 arrived and was staged and the crew
was sent to assist with extinguishment of the original
barn and two out buildings that were involved. After
assisting with the above the company was available
and at station at 2000 hours.
August
27, 2008 - This evening Stations
15 and 16 were invited to Rita's Ice for a display
of our fire equipment to the customers. Engine/Tanker
16 and Ladder 15 were setup in the front lot and
showed the citizens what we do and how we use our
equipment. After showing off our equipment the owners's
Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer allowed our members to eat
the fine "Cuisine" that Rita's has to
offer. Both companies thank Rita's and the owners
for the invitation to show off to the public and
can not wait until next year.
August
24, 2008 - At 0556 hours the structure
assignment was dispatched for the Boyertown Inn
for a reported structure fire. EMS was sent for
a person choking on the fire escape and arrived
to a smoke condition in the building and requested
fire. Chief 16 arrived and assumed command and reported
a smoke condition with a fire on the second floor
and occupants still on the third floor and requested
the next alarm. Engine 15 laid a supply line and
arrived first and the crew advanced the 300' attack
line to the front door. Upon reports of people still
in the building the engine crew began a search of
the third floor. Chief 15 advanced the line to the
second floor landing and Ladder 15 arrived and the
crew was split to assist with the search and attack.
Engine/Tanker 16 arrived and laid from a hydrant
to the fire department connection. Occupants were
found still in their rooms on the third and fourth
floors and were assisted out of the building. The
crew under command of Chief 15 found a fire in the
room with a mattress burning. The fire was knocked
down and the smoldering mattress and box spring
were removed from the structure. There was a heavy
smoke condition in the structure and Chief 15 reported
the fire out and ventilation required. All occupants
were accounted for and overhaul and ventilation
was performed. Units assisted the Fire Marshall's
office with the investigation and were available
and at station at 0926 hours.
August
21, 2008 - Today State Representative
David Kessler came to the station and presented
a check in the amount of $8,000.00 to the apparatus
crew to offset some of the costs of the new highband
alert pagers that were required to be purchased
to be compatible with the new Berks County Communications
paging system. The total project cost the fire company
over $17,000.00 and the money from Representative
Kessler is much needed and will help defray the
costs of the new pagers. The Apparatus Crew thanks
Representative Kessler for assisting us with obtaining
the grant and for his continued support toward the
fire service of Berks County.
August
13, 2008 - At 1835 hours Engine
15 was requested as part of the Western Montgomery
County Large Diameter Hose Task Force to assist
the Conshohoken Fire Companies with an 8 alarm structure
fire that was in an apartment complex consisting
of five story units. The fire began in a unit under
construction and spread to multiple occupied units
before being brought under control at 2230 hours.
Upon arrival the engine laid over 1500' of 5"
and setup draft along the river to supply one of
three supply lines laid by the LDH task force. The
ladder was also requested as part of a multi unit
request to respond to staging at the Lower Providence
Fire Company. Upon arrival the ladder was sent to
the Goodwill Fire Company in Bridgeport for standby.
Both units cleared and were at station at 0132 hours.
August
10, 2008 - Shortly after a thunderstorm
rolled through the area the calls started to come
in. The afternoon began at 1244 hours with the automatic
alarm activation at Federal-Mogul Corp. on E. Second
Street in the Borough. Engine 15 went responding
full crew and during response was redirected at
1246 hours to a possible structure fire on S. Sunrise
Lane in Douglass Twp. Stations 16 and 17 continued
to the fire alarm and Station 15 along with Stations
49(Amity) and 19(Earl Township) went to the structure.
Engine 15 arrived at the same time as Engine 49.
Engine 49 was told by Chief 15 to enter the driveway
and Engine 15 laid a supply line in to the scene.
Chief 15 assumed command reporting a 25x25 frame
out building with smoke showing. The crews from
both engines pulled attack lines and accessed the
building to find a front end loader style tractor
well involved. Ladder 15 arrived and was given instructions
to proceed in the driveway for possible use. All
other units staged at the end of the driveway. The
fire was knocked down in minutes and overhaul was
performed. During both these incidents at 1308 hours
cover companies were sent to the electrical substation
in the Borough for a possible transformer smoking.
It was determined to be steam from the rain and
heat of the transformer. As units were clearing
all these at 1335 hours the structure assignment
was sent to assist Station 17(New Berlinville) with
a possible structure fire at Wal-Mart. Units arrived
and found an electrical odor and determined the
source to be a faulty breaker in the mechanical
room. Units secured the power and all units were
available and at station from all the incidents
at 1433 hours.
August
9, 2008 - At 0141 hours Stations
15 and 16 were sent to the 400 block of East Philadelphia
Ave for an accident unkown. The additional was given
of a vehicle that struck a parked vehicle. Assistant
15 arrived and reported a vehicle that struck a
parked vehicle and a tree. Rescue 15 arrived and
the vehicles were stabilized and powered down. After
assisting with debris clean-up the companies were
available and at station at 0250 hours.
August
2, 2008 - At 1613 hours Stations
15 and 16 were sent to Greshville Road for an accident
with unknown injuries. Lieutenant 16-2 arrived and
reported one vehicle over the embankment with negative
injuries. Rescue 15 and Engine/Tanker 16 arrived
and the vehicle was powered down and stood-by until
the towing service removed the vehicle. The companies
were available and at station at 1801 hours.
July
27, 2008 - After running a residential
fire alarm earlier in the day a severe thunderstorm
rolled through the area bringing high winds, rain,
hail, and lightning. At 1311 hours the calls started
to come in for numerous storm related incidents
including trees and wires down including one on
an unoccupied vehicle at a local eating establishment.
At one time during the storm we had crews at four
different locations. After being dispatched to 9
incidents in an hour and a half the company was
at station at 1538 hours.
July
26, 2008 - At 1500 hours the structure
assignment was sent to 817 South Reading Avenue
for a garage fire. Assistant 15-1 arrived and reported
heavy smoke from the detached garage and made it
a working fire. Engine 15 arrived and the crew forced
entry and had fire in the second floor loft area.
Engine/Tanker 16 arrived and laid a supply line
to Engine 15 from the hydrant and the ladder crew
vehtilated the roof. Engine 17 arrived and the crew
was sent to assist in operations. Due to the high
temperatures and humidity command requested Station
49 (Amity) for one engine with manpower. After overhaul
and assisting the Fire Marshall with investigation
the companies were available and at station at 1710
hours.
July
24, 2008 - At 0655 hours the rescue
assignment was dispatched to assist Station 17 (New
Berlinville) with a vehicle accident with entrapment
on Route 100 in front of the Super Wal-Mart. The
rescue responded with a crew of nine and arrived
at 0706 with a two vehicle head-on accident with
one driver trapped. The vehicle was stabilized and
a roof and driver's side removal was performed.
The dash was also dispaced with the spreader to
accomplish the extrication. The company also assisted
with debris clean-up and was available at station
at 0804 hours.
July
22, 2008 - At 1905 hours Station
15, 16 and 17 with one engine were sent for a vehicle
fire to the rear of 120 East Philadelphia Ave in
the borough. Assistant 15 arrived and reported a
working vehicle fire in the engine compartment.
Engine/Tanker 16 and Engine 15 arrived and attacked
with preconnects and the piercing nozzle. Engine
17 arrived and stood by at the hydrant and sent
their crew to assist with extinguishment and overhaul.
After overhaul and investigation the companies were
available and at station at 2005 hours.
July
22, 2008 - At 1001 hours Engine
15 was requested to assist Montgomery County Station
79 (Upper Pottsgrove) at a motor vehicle accident
with injuries on Route 100 north of Moyer Road.
Chief 15 was given the additional of a truck overturned
with one injury and fluids and debris on the roadway.
The engine arrived and pulled a safety line from
Engine 79 and assisted with controlling the fluids
leaking from the dump truck. After standing by and
assiting with hazard control the company was available
at station at 1339 hours. Thanks to Berks-Mont Towing
for the photos.
July
13, 2008 - At 1612 hours a vehicle
accident assignment was sent to Douglass Twp. on
Farmington Avenue in the area of the Colebrookdale
Twp. line for an accident with injuires. Additional
was given of a two vehicle head-on accident with
injuries and no entrapment. Companies arrived with
the vehicles heavily damaged and two drivers injured
both still in the vehicles. Stabilzation was done
to both vehicles and personnel controlled the hazards
and assisted EMS with patient packaging. The companies
were available and at station at 1725 hours.
July
8, 2008 - At 1526 hours Ladder 15
was sent to assist Station 20 (Bechtelsville) at
a possible structure fire on Spring Street. Chief
20 arrived with smoke showing and made the incident
a working fire. The ladder arrived full crew and
was told to split crews and ladder the building
and get ready for roof ventilation and also to the
basement to secure utilities and check for extension.
The fire was contained to the rear wall with a smoke
condition throughout the structure. Mechanical ventilation
was setup and crews checked the entire residence
for extension. Engine 15 was sent to setup for drafting
for a possible water supply and the crew from Rescue
15 assisted with RIT duties. After assisting with
these tasks the company was available and at station
at 1656 hours.
July
7, 2008 - This evening the equipment
awarded from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant
program was delivered by Mid-Atlantic Fire and Air.
We were awarded enough funds to replace all our
Self Contained Breating Apparatus and also add a
supplied breathing air tool cart. The new Scott
SCBA have many new features including a firefighter
locating device used to track a downed firefighter.
A representative from Mid-Atlantic did a training
session on all the new equipment. We would like
to thank FEMA for making the grants available and
choosing our company to recieve the much needed
funds. Without this grant we would not be able to
afford the equipment.
July
6, 2008 - At 2019 hours the structure
assignment was sent to 128 East Philadelphia Ave
for alarm bells ringing and reported smoke in the
structure. Engine 15 arrived several minutes later
with a full crew and had an alarm caondition with
a smoke condition on the third floor. Upon investigation
it was determined to be a cooking fire out with
a light smoke condition. Mechanical ventilation
was setup and the area was checked for extension.
The rest of the building was checked for smoke and
after clearing the smoke condition and resetting
the alarm the companies were available and at station
at 2103 hours.
July
4, 2008 - Again this year the company
was asked to participate at the Pottstown Annual
July 4th Parade. A crew and their families braved
the rainy weather and setup the flag arch with the
Sanatoga Fire Company. Although it was a little
damp all the members attending had a good time watching
the parade and look forward to attending next year.
On a side note, E-Man did not get wet because he
spent the entire day watching the parade from inside
the truck.
June
21, 2008 - This weekend several
members attended the Elevator Rescue Course which
was conducted at the fire station. The instruction
included classroom the first day and performing
practical evolutions the second day at various locations
in our first due area. Members practiced polling
of a stuck elevator door and removing a patient
from an elevator stuck between floors. The class
was very informative and the fire company would
like to thank Campbell Fittings, Ott Funeral Home,
Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Chestnut Knoll Assisted
Living Center, and the National Penn Bank for allowing
us to use the elevators at their facilities for
the training.
June
24, 2008 - At 2354 hours Stations
15 and 16 were sent to the intersection of West
Philadelphia Ave and Orchard Hills Drive for an
accident unknown. Chief 15 arrived and reported
one vehicle against the building and the driver
out. Engine 16 and Rescue 15 arrived and the crews
split to perform the tasks of powering down the
vehicle, checking the structure for damage and assisting
the police department with cutting the stop sign
off. After it was determined that there was no major
structural damage the companies were available and
at station at 0043 hours.
June
20 , 2008 - At 0239 hours Ladder
15 was requested as the RIT team to assist Montgomery
County Station 65 (Pennsburg) at a working fire
in the 500 block of Main Street. The ladder arrived
with the fire knocked down and units working in
three structures of a middle of the row dwelling.
The team setup on side "A" and stood by
as the RIT with no services required. Command released
the company and were available and at station at
0414 hours.
June
10, 2008 - At 2019 Stations 15 and
16 were sent to the 700 block of East Fourth Street
in the Borough for a transformer fire. Chief and
Assistant 15 were already enroute as a column of
smoke was visible from the station. Arriving to
a bank of transformers for a commercial building
burning threatening the structure. Montgomery County
Station 67 was also dispatched as calls were being
received by their County. Engine 15 arrived and
laid a 5" supply line and pulled a 1-3/4"
preconnect. Engine/Tanker 16 and Ladder 15 arrived
and laddered the building to check the roof. When
the utility company arrived the serviceman attempted
to extinguish the oil fire with no luck the crew
started to cool the transformer with the water line
and extinguished the fire. Crews also gained access
to the building and checked the entire building
for any extension with none found. The crews were
available and at station at 2218 hours.
June
6 , 2008 - At 1254 hours the Rescue
was requested to assist Station 17 (New Berlinville)
at a vehicle accident with entrapment on Route 73
and South Ironstone Drive. It was reported to be
a head-on accident of a vehicle versus a dump truck.
Assistant 17 arrived and determined a female driver
trapped over an embankment and the dump truck overturned.
The rescue arrived at 1302 hours with a crew of
11 and went to work with stabilization and a roof
and driver's door removal. The patient was extricated
at 1327 hours and transported to an awaiting helicopter
for transport. The crew also assisted with packaging
the truck driver for transport. After all patients
were transported the crew assist in setting up booms
to stop the spread of fuel and oil in the water
where the truck landed. The company was available
and at station at 1933 hours. At 1607 hours during
this incident the company also ran a report of wires
down along the detour route around the accident.
Deputy 15 arrived and determined it was a cable
tv line torn down by a truck. The wire was removed
from the roadway and the company was available at
1617 hours.
June
4 , 2008 - At 1607 hours the Rescue
was requested to assist Station 19(Earl Twp.) at
a motor vehicle accident with injuires involving
a school bus on Route 73 at Pond Road in Earl Township.
The rescue arrived and was given instruction by
Chief 19 to assist with patient packaging of the
driver of the vehicle and assess if the students
on the bus were injured. It was determined that
no students required EMS treatment and after assisting
EMS the company was available at 1650 hours. While
returning from this accident the Rescue was again
sent to Earl Township, this time on Route 562 at
Fancy Hill Road for a two vehicle accident with
unkown injuries. Chief 15 arrived and determined
that there were no injuries and no fire service
required. The company was available from this accident
and at station at 1803 hours.
June
3 , 2008 - At 1444 hours Stations
15, 16, and 17 with one engine were sent to the
2100 block of Farmington Ave in Douglass Twp. for
a possible structure fire. Chief 15 was given the
additional of a possible electrical fire in the
bedroom and the homeowner was attempting to extinguish.
Engine 15 arrived first in with a smoke condition
in the structure and smoke alarms activated. The
crew went to investigate and determined the fire
out with a heavy smoke condition on the second floor.
Engine/Tanker 16, Ladder 15 and Engine 17 arrived
and the crews were sent to secure power and setup
ventilation. It was determined to be a short in
an extension cord which ignited the carpet and dresser
in the bedroom. After ventilation was complete the
companies were available and at station at 1534
hours.
June
2, 2008 - At 1738 hours the company
was requested to assist Station 19 (Earl Twp.) on
the 1st alarm for a working fire in the 300 block
of Longview Road. The company responded with all
the apparatus manned with 27 volunteers. Arriving
on location with a log cabin type residence with
fire through the roof, personnel were requested
to assist with suppression efforts. Once the bulk
of the fire was knocked down the Ladder was requested
to back up the long driveway to the scene to assist
with extinguishment and overhaul. After assisting
with all the above the crews were placed available
and at station at 2250 hours. Thanks to the crews
from Pennsburg, Bechtelsville, and Gilbertsville
for covering our area.
May
26, 2008 - This morning the station
was requested to setup a memorial flag arch at the
Boyertown Memorial Day Parade. Ladder 15 along with
Montgomery Ladder 37 (New Hanover) setup at the
"Main Intersection" in town and enjoyed
watching the parade go by honoring our veterans
present and past. Our own Junior Firefighter Michael
Allmendinger marched with the Boyertown Senior High
School Marching Unit and was honored to play Taps
at the cemetary during the service. The company
then proceeded to the Fairview Cemetary and watched
the ceremonies which included several guest speakers.
It was an honor to participate again this year and
we look forward to doing the same next year.
May
7, 2008 - At 0352 hours Ladder 15
was requested to assist Station 22 (Barto) at a
possible structure fire at the Woodside Villa on
Route 100 in Washington Twp. The Ladder responded
with a full crew of eight arriving at 0403 and was
requested to setup positive pressure ventilation
as the fire was out with a smoke condition in the
structure. The personnel assisted in setting up
mechanical ventilation and after the smoke was cleared
the company was available and at station at 0444
hours.
May
4, 2008 - At 1812 hours the Fire
Police were requested to assist at a police incident
involving a double shooting on Laurel Valley Lane
in Douglass Township. Fire Police Captain Richards
assumed command and shut down the area surrounding
the incident. At 2126 hours the police requested
the Rescue and Utility for lighting of the scene
to continue with their investigation. The rescue
and utility arrived and setup lighting of the crime
scene and assisted the police with gaining access
to the roof of the residence. After a long night
the police completed their investigation and the
rescue and fire police were available and at station
at 0218 hours.
May
3, 2008 - This evening Deputy Chief
Glenn Trate was honored along with other recipients
for the annual Boyertown Jaycees and Berks-Mont
Newspaper Citizen of the Year Banquet. Each year
the committee picks a Citizen, Firefighter/Ems,
Educator, Student, and Law Officer of the Year.
At a packed firehouse of over 300 attendees the
recipients were presented with awards and Citations
from Local Representative Kessler, Berks County
Commissioner Leinbach, and Senator Michael O'Pake.
In addition the apparatus crew presented Deputy
Trate with a Firefighter Watch from the Swiss Watch
Company. Congratulations to Deputy Trate on a well
deserved honor and we are proud to serve under your
command.
