May 21, 2013

Ambler Borough – 58 Reiffs Mill Rd – House Fire

Squad 6 responded along with multiple companies including Wissahickon, Fort Washington, Spring Mill, North Penn, Plymouth, Centre Square, Colmar and others to a single family house fire with heavy smoke and stubborn flames emanating from the first floor and working its way into the attic and roof voids. The emergency call was received at 12:26 PM reporting smoke coming from the home.

Taste of Springfield – To Benefit Springfield Township Fire Companies

April 28, 2013
5–7:30 PM

Flourtown Country Club

Enjoy delicacies from local restaurants, bakeries, & caterers

Wine and beer tastings

Live & Silent Auctions

Proceeds benefit Flourtown, Oreland, & Wyndmoor fire companies…plus companies with most tickets sold get an additional $200

Tickets $25.00

Purchase tickets and sign up for your fire company at:

www.taste2013.eventbrite.com

 

For additional info or to donate auction items, contact:

Laurie Cipolla 215-582-0738 or Jason Charles 267-278-6174

Springfieldfoundation

298 Blair Mill Road – Squad 6 Responds as RIT

On Sunday afternoon, 4/7/13, Squad 6 and Engine 6 were both a part of the response to a large wind-whipped fire in Horsham as 298 Blair Mill Road burned from a fire which allegedly began as a brush fire quickly burned in the neighboring professional business center.

A crew with Engine 6 stood by at Station 88A (Fort Washington) to cover Upper Dublin Township after crews from that station responded directly to the fire.

Squad 6 Crew (pictured below in a photo from Bob Wilmot, Jr.) served as a Rapid Intervention Team (firefighter and safety crew) at the scene. That crew included: (r – l) FF Tyler Buckley, FF Matt Caro, Asst. Chief Chris Buckley, FF Ross Pike, FF Andrew Johnson, Captain Chris Manning, and FF Sal Santangelo.

20130407_BlairMill_Road_Horsham

Stenton Avenue Motor Vehicle Head-on Collision

At 10:38 PM on Saturday, March 2, 2013 Flourtown was dispatched to assist Station 29, Barren Hill Fire Company with an extrication of a driver involved in a head-on collision on Stenton Avenue between Joshua and Militia Hill. The severely injured driver needed the vehicle to be removed from his legs and overhead so he could be placed on a back board and rushed to a local trauma center by Medic 313.  The second driver, a young woman was transported to a local hospital for evaluation by Medic 308.  Squad 6, Ladder 6, Engine 6 all responded along with Utility 6 for traffic control. Rescue 29, Pipeline 29, and Traffic 29 responded from Barren Hill’s station.

 

 

E Gravers Lane and Stenton Avenue House Fire

600x316_EGravers_Stenton2013A little after 7AM on Tuesday, February 26, Flourtown Fire Company was dispatched along with Wyndmoor Hose Company, Oreland Fire Company and two battalion units from Philadelphia Fire Department to a house on the corner of E. Gravers Lane and Stenton Avenue that a passerby saw smoke coming from the building. When the first units arrived on scene they found heavy smoke pumping out of the first floor of a three story house. Flames soon showed from the windows and other areas of the home as they spread to the second and third floors, and neighboring trees. Units from Barren Hill, Glenside, Edge Hill and Springfield Ambulance also responded, as well as Springfield Township Public Works which helped with traffic control signage on Stenton and barricading other surrounding streets. The stubborn fire was deemed under control about an hour later and units started overhaul.

Rittenhouse Lumber Storage & Cutting Shed Fire

600x316_Rittenhouse_lumber2013On Saturday, February 9, 2013 at roughly 10:40PM Flourtown Fire Company was dispatched to a confirmed building fire at Rittenhouse Lumber. The storage/cutting shed behind the main buildings of the lumber yard was fully involved as units arrive. Joined by Oreland Fire Company, Wyndmoor Hose Co, Barren Hill Fire Company, and Fort Washington Fire Company to stubborn blaze pushed on by a steady cold wind made guarding exposures a priority. The fire totally destroyed the shed, but did not spread to any adjacent buildings or the nearby gas station. No injuries were reported. Extinguishment and hot spot operations lasted most of the night, with the last units leaving the scene at 5AM the next morning. Salt for icy conditions and backhoes had to be called from Whitemarsh and Springfield Township public works.

Photo credits: FFCo, Scott Lynch and Karl Ross

 

Electrical Fire at Local Shopping Center

On Sunday, January 6, 2013, Flourtown Fire Company, along with Oreland Fire Company and Wyndmoor Hose Company responded to a smoky electrical fire outside the Dollar Tree store in the Flourtown Plaza. A dry chemical extinguisher was used to put out the fire. PECO and the shopping center’s realty company took over the scene after first responders secured the scene and made sure the stores and surrounding stores were properly evacuated. All photos by Bob Wilmot, Jr.

Santa Visits Erdenheim 2012

Santa once again visited Erdenheim neighborhoods a few days before Christmas. For 10 years now, Flourtown Fire Company has escorted Santa through the neighborhoods of Erdenheim to the delight of children, young and old. The event is a volunteer partnership between the Erdenheim Civic Association and Flourtown Fire Company.

See you next year, St. Nick!

 

 

Stenton Avenue Garage/House Fire

At approximately 3 PM on November 25, 2012, Flourtown Fire Company was dispatched along with Barren Hill Fire Company to a fire that began in the garage on the 300 block of Stenton Avenue and spread to the roof of the residence on the Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival the fire was immediately escalated and companies from Wyndmoor, Spring Mill, Centre Square, Harmonville, Glenside and several other were dispatched for additional resources. Engine 6 arrived at the home and went into service with 2.5 inch hose line and additional hose lines once a water source was established. Addition units checked for extension into the home and other areas of the property. The cedar shingle roof added to the fire load and the three car garage and its contents were a loss, but the fire was halted from extending further into the home. Photos supplied here by Flourtown Fire Company photographer, Robert Wilmot, Jr.

Fire Safety: Holiday Fire Safety

Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season.  Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire.  Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 170 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year.  Together, these fires resulted in 21 deaths and 43 injuries.

Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy.  Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home.  Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees.  Help ensure that you have a fire safe holiday season.

Christmas Trees

What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree?  If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person’s suggestion – “Keep the tree watered.”

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually.  Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires.  Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Selecting a Tree for the Holidays

Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut.  The trunk should be sticky to the touch.  Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground.  If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long and, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree

Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.  The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks.  Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.  Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks.  Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.  The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

 

Holiday LightsMaintain Your Holiday Lights

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

Do not leave holiday lights on unattended!

Holiday DecorationsUse Only Nonflammable Decorations

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Do not Block Exits

Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace

Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

Candle CareAvoid Using Lit Candles

If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down.

Never leave the house with candles burning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree

Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.

As in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help, and remember to practice your home escape plan!

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