Box 83-51 was dispatched for a dwelling fire in the 500 block of Main Street in Pennsburg.  Due on the box were E65, L65, SD65, TR65, SD71, E38 and Medic 369.  Chief 65 arrived soon after dispatch and found a single family dwelling with nothing evident.  Further investigation found a slight haze in the basement.  The response was held to 65 units and SD71.  Interior crews searched the basement and found an overheated light fixture.  Natural ventilation occurred and crews cleared withing 30 minutes and resumed training exercises.  Fire Police directed traffic around the scene.

Congratulations are in order for Firefighter Christopher Lord.  Chris has attended the Bucks County Fire Academy for the past few months taking his Firefighter 1.  Today the phone calls were received that he has passed and is now certified as an Interior Firefighter.  Again, congratulations Chris.

A normal Friday night was not in store for some members of Station 65.  Crews were called to the railroad in the area of 2nd Street by some residents who had concern of rail cars.  Chief 65 and FM 83 responded and found 14 pressurized rail cars that had contained UN1075 LP GAS.  HAZ Mat was contacted and no actions were taken.  As Engine 65 was heading over to cover Milford Fire Department while they operated at their annual carnival, a Local Box was struck for an AFA on Milford Square Pike.  E65 took the call in and found a faulty alarm.  Crews cleared and headed to the Carnival.  After eating a great meal supplied by the Station 57/75 members, crews assisted in a search for a missing person at the carnival.  Just before the fireworks were set to go off, crews were alerted for a 3 vehicle MVA at Rt.663 and Mill Hill Road.  Crews assisted with fluid control, EMS packaging and traffic control for about an hour.  While operating at the MVA, Field 65 was being utilized spraying down the grounds where the fireworks were set off.  All units cleared and returned to service around 0030hrs.  Pics will be up later.

Crews were alerted Saturday night to assist Station 71 on a gas leak.  Engine and Squad 65responded to 6th Street and stood by while crews from 71 evacuated the surrounding homes.  PECO arrived and secured the main and 65 crews were made available.  While returning to station crews from Bucks County were operating in Trumbauersville when a fireworks display went wrong.  Embers from the fireworks came to rest on multiple buildings.  Command requested multiple ladder trucks to the scene to check for extension.  The call for Ladder 65 came from Chief 65, who was on ember patrol with Firefighter Hinkle on Field 65.  Ladder 65 and Squad 65 arrived and set the main up to the roof of the Chocolate Factory on Main Street.  Crews checked for extension and cleared the roof.  Command was advised and 65 units were returned in about an hour.

May 2009 seemed like the month that all of our calls were accident with injuries.  Many times we visited Rt.663 and Geryville Pike, Main Street and many cross streets and other locations throughout our coverage areas.   Too many calls to list and too many units to speak of.

Congratulations to the members who attended the ringing Hill Fire Company Dedication.  Ladder 65 took first place for Best Aerial and Squad 65 (aka Engine 65-1) was judged in the Engine category and took First Place.  Unknown why it was moved from the Rescue category.  Again, thanks for those who helped out cleaning up both trucks and spending the day out there.

The officers and members of the Pennsburg Fire Company would like to welcome a few new members to the family.  Ben Baver, John Bialoboki (aka Johnny B) joined as probationary firefighters and Jared Nyce joined as Fire Police.  All three are new to the fire service and will start their training right away.  Again, welcome to the family.

Box 83-53 was struck around 1815hrs for a building fire in the 700 block of Montgomery Ave in the borough.  Initial units on the box were E65, L65, SD 65, TR65, SD71 and PL38.  Chief 65 arrived to find heavy fire showing Side C/D.  MCEOC upgraded it to a working fire bringing Berks L15 as RIT, Bucks E57, Berks E58 and Air 38.  Crews from E65 layed in, pulled handlines and went into defensive operations.  Command was set up in L65 and E38, in place of PL38, hit the plug for E65.  SD 71 pulled another handline and went into service on Side D.  E57 hit a second plug at 8th and Montgomery.  Crews from L65 and Berks E58 went to the roof to open up.  The fire was under control in about an hour.  Fire Police directed traffic around the scene for the duration.  Additional units on the call were initial stand by companies, Bucks E56, L52 and SD 78.  E56 and L52 were called into the scene for manpower and TW74 and Bucks E58 replaced them.  Canteen 41 set up on Montgomery Ave and 369 had a medic unit and rehab on scene. Reports were that juveniles were seen leaving the area as the building caught fire.  FM83, MC Detectives, PSP Fire Marshal and 83PD continued the investigations.

Crews participated in RIT evolutions at the firehouse using the new MSA air packs.  Evolutions centered around a firefighter down missing from their hose team.  Crews worked together to extricate the downed firefighter using the new RIT Pack and search rope.  Lessons were learned and experience was passed on to everyone.  Pics will be up soon.

Even with the weather a mess, the members of Pennsburg Fire set out to hide many dozens of Easter Eggs for the kids of the area.  Crews and their families spent hours dying the eggs and a few members labeled some of them the "prize eggs".  At 1230hrs, crews set up at the Borough Garage and hide all of the colored eggs.  Even with the rain pouring down, some kids and their families braved it and took home a large quantity of eggs.  Thanks to all the members who helped dye the eggs and hide them.  Hopefully next year will have different weather.

16 members of Station 65 took the long trip down the NE Extension to Montgomery County Fire Academy to complete the written and practical tests for Pro Boards Haz Mat Operations.  Crews had 2 hours for the written test and a few more more for the practicals.  Everyone did a good job and we all wait for our Certificates.

Station 65 was alerted for Squad and Ladder 65 to relocate to Berks Station 21 (Topton) while they were assisting Hamburg Station 61 on a 5 alarm fire.  Crews stood fast until aroun 1830 hours.  While 65 crews were up the hill, a brush fire was called in on Layfield road just south of Wild Run Road.  Due to the other units being committed, PL38 and Berks Brush 58 were added.  Assistant 65-1 (Latshaw) responded and found a small brush fire along side of the house.  Crews from 65 and 38 extinguished the fire within 30 minutes.  Units cleared from that call aroun 1730hrs.

At exactly 0000hrs, Station 65 was dispatched to assist Station 71 (Red Hill) on a search of a missing subject from a vehicle accident.  Squad 65 and Assistant 65-1 (Latshaw) responded to St. Pauls Church Road to stage.  Chief 65 directed crews to seach along St. Pauls Church Road for a possible missing male that may have been ejected from the accident.  Crews worked for about 45 minutes searching the area as well as adjoining streets but found nothing.  The accident was at 6th Street and James Road. in Upper Hanover Township  The vehicle went straight while the road curved.  The vehicle wound up about 25 down an embankment in the creek.  Crews were released at 0103hrs.

Wednesday nights are always busy at Station 65 but this one was above and beyond the normal.  Crews had adjusted the monthly meeting to start at 1815hrs and then proceeded to Upper Perk High School for Haz Mat Operations class.  As Instructor Bartow was teaching Decontamination, Station 71 was alerted for a brush fire behind the High School on Walt Graber Road.  Soon after, Chief 71 requested Field 65 to respond.  As a few members left class to respond with the Field truck, Instructor Bartow tried to continue but moments later, Chief 71 added Engine and Squad 65 to the assignment.  Both trucks were at the High School already so crews were excused from class and responded.  Chief 71 (Lehr) had a large area of brush on fire near the reservoir that was spotted by 2 teenagers out walking.  Crews from 71, 65, 42, 87, Bucks 57 and Berks 58 worked for about 2 hours containing the fire.  As crews were in overhaul mode, MCEOC (Dispatcher 153...aka Deputy 65) advised of another large brush fire in Milford Township.  Crews from Bucks Field 57, Berks Field 58 and Field 65 responded over to assist crews.  Numerous tankers were on scene to control that fire off Upper Ridge Road near the Finland Inn.  The fire attack was hampered by downed high voltage lines in the area. 65 units cleared from the Red Hill call around 2300hrs.  All units cleared from that call around 0100hrs the next morning.  Special thanks goes out to Bucks Engine 56 who covered Station 65 while we were at the Red Hill call.  Pics should be up soon.

Station 65 was alerted around 0430hrs for a reported dwelling fire on Schwoyer Road in Upper Hanover Township.  Reports were that a second floor bedroom was on fire and the homeowner was trying to extinguish it.  Chief 65 (Seip) arrived and found a 2 1/2 story SFD with heavy fire second floor.  E65 (A65-2 Sink) to lead off with heavy water line.  Command was set up and crews were in defensive operations with 3 blitz fires and 3 hand lines.  Tanker operations were run by Asst.65 (Gibbs) and Manpower by LT65 (Worthington) and Operations (CH38).  Crews worked for about 2 hours to bring the fire under control.  Crews were on scene until 0900 hitting hot spots.  Fire Police directed traffic around the scene and keep the scene clear.  Other units on the box were, L65, SD65, PL38, Berks E14-T14, Berks T58, Berks T22, T71, T68 and BucksT75.  Berks E58 worked the draft site off Kutztown Road. Crews put in Station 65 to cover the Valley were Bucks T18, Bucks E56 and Bucks T58. T86 originally was requested but had mechanical problems and returned.  Berks Ladder and R15 responded as the RIT and split into 2 crews on sides B and D.  Medic 369 transported one civilian for an unknown injury and BLS 328 stood by at the scene.  Canteen 41 was called and fed and hydrated the firefighters.  The incident is under investigation by FM87 and Montgomery County Detectives Fire Marshal.  More pictures will be at a later date.