October marks Fire Prevention time of the year and Station 65 is getting into full swing.  The first event was Saturday at the Upper Hanover Wal-Mart.  65 was joined by other companies from the Upper Perkiomen Valley to kick off the month.  Crews set up displays with literature and fire prevention goodies for everyone.  Crews also were selling baked goods to help fund new material for next years Fire Prevention Activities.  FF Belmont performed 3 high angle rope exercises. 

On Sunday, crews were positioned at Rita's Water Ice on Pottstown Ave in the borough for more activities.  Crews spent a few hours handing out material, showing kids the equipment and having them try on the fire gear. 

Also on the schedule this week is our Annual Open House.  Please come join us for a night of fire safety tips, fire prevention material and to meet the volunteers that protect you everyday.

At 1830hrs Station 65 was dispatched to cover Bucks Station 57/75 while they operated at a field fire on Mill Road in Milford Township.  Crews were originally sent to Station 75 but then were moved up to Station 57.  Squad 65 was dispatched to cover Bucks Station 56 a short time later.  Fire Police were also sent to the scene to provide scene security and traffic control.  Crews cleared around 0230hrs.  A short time after 0600hrs, Station 65 crews were alerted to assist Bucks 57 at the scene.  Engine 65 responded and assisted 57 Command till 1030hrs.  Station 57 was back to the scene numerous times during the next few days putting out hot spots.  In all, the field was filled with around 500 or so hay bales. 

Ladder 65 was dispatched to assist Station 67 on a dwelling fire on Niantic Road in Douglas Township.  LT67 arrived to find a second floor apartment with heavy smoke showing.  All occupants out.  67 Command requested 2 additional engines bringing E65 and Berks E15. Berks Eand T14 arrived and pulled 1-3/4" line.  Ladder 65 arrived and assisted crews with extinguishment and overhaul.  Crews worked for about 90 minutes before returning.  Fire Police clsoed Niantic Road while crews worked. Also on the Box were Berks R14, E67, SD67 and Berks R15.

Congrats to the members who worked hard and quick to get Engine 65 in shape today.  With Ladder 65 being OOS most of the week and the new Squad in the house being worked on, it was tough to get the Engine out of town for the day.  But after hard work this past week and this morning, the crew made quick work and off to Skippack's New Station Dedication.  The station looks incredible and a special thanks go out to all the officers and members of Skippack Fire Company for supplying food and beverages today.  It was a great time and all of us were surprised that Engine 65 took home 1st Place for 2000 to present Engine.  The competition was tough in all of the catagories.  Another Congrats goes out to Souderton Fire Company and Chief Al Sergio for taking home Best Appearing Fire Company Overall. 

Station 65 was alerted @1630hrs for debris removal and traffic control at Rt.663 and Geryville Pike in Upper Hanover.  Chief 65 arrived and found the traffice light directing Rt.663 Southbound was destroyed by a possible tractor trailer that left the scene.  Squad 65, Engine 65 and Traffic 65 responded and assisted Upper Hanover Township workers and State Police with debris removal, traffice control and use of the Squad to assist with removing what was left of the light.  Units cleared in about 30 minutes.

At 1930hrs, the new Squad 65 made it's way home to Pennsburg.  A crew went up to Monticello, NY to pick up the new Sutphen Rescue Pumper.  Chief 65 made the final turn onto Penn Street with the siren blowing.  Over the next few weeks, crew members will mount and secure all of the equipment and Danz Lettering will be applying the goldleaf.  We hope to have the Squad in service sometime early October. 

Station 65 was dispatched at 2230hrs for a vehicle accident with injuries at Rt. 663 and Geryville Pike in Upper Hanover Township.  Chief 65 (Seip) went enroute and was advised there was possible entrapment.  Chief 65 arrived and found a 2 vehicle accident with one vehicle off in the ditch and confirmed one patient was trapped. The call was upgraded to a Vehicle Rescue.  SD65 went enroute and was advised that the roof, both drivers doors and the B Post need to go to remove the patient.  E65 went enroute and was advised to perform crew safety with a 1-3/4" line and hazard control.  Crews worked hard and removed all needed parts to extricate the patient.  Medic 369 provided patient care with Green lane EMS 328 assisting.  Crews assisted PSP Skippack with lighting and debris removal and Fire Police had both Rt 663 and Geryville Pike closed while crews worked.  All units cleared around midnight.

Station 65 was dispatched to assist Stations 35/36 for a building fire at 203 Washington Street in Conshohocken.  Conshy 5 arrived with light smoke showing from a 3 story building that was under construction.  Withing 10 minutes multiple buildings under construction were fully involved.  The alarms quickly escalated thru the 5th and the Eastern and Western County LDH Task Forces were called.  That brought E65 along with numerous other engines from Montco and Berks Counties.  The fire quickly engulfed 2 occupied 5 story condo buildings.  With the water supply being drained, the LDH engines laid multiple 5" lines to the scene to feed multiple ladder pipes.  Crews are still on scene at this time and some companies will be there on a rotating basis for much of the week while the investigation by FM42 and PSP Fire Marshal's continue.

Box 87-55T was dispatched @ 1237hrs for a reported dwelling fire at 1082 Rosemont Terrace in Upper Hanover Township.  Units due on the box were E65, SD65, L65, TR65, PL38, SD71, T71 and Bucks T75.  Chief 65 arrived to find smoke from the roof and transmitted a working fire and assumed command.  This brought Bucks R58 as RIT.  He also requested 2 additional engines due to the building construction.  This development is a townhome cluster with truss roofs and floors.  E65 laid a supply line and advanced a 200' 1-3/4" smooth bore line to the second floor.  Interior reported a working fire in the attic area.  Crews pulled the bedroom ceiling and extinguished the fire.  A PPV fan was used to remove the smoke and check for extension.  Crews remained on the scene assisting FM87.   

Station 65 was dispatched for a vehicle accident with injuries on Rt 663 and Macoby St. in the borough.  Squad 65 and LT65 (Sink) arrived and found a 2 vehicle accident with one patient sitting on the sidewalk and 2 patients still in a vehicle.  Medic 369 arrived and decided the doors needed to go to remove them.  The call was upgraded to a rescue and crews used the combi tool and cutter to remove both drivers side doors.  Crews assisted with patient removal and hazard control.  Fire police closed Rt 663 for about an hour while crews worked.  All units cleared within 60 minutes. Other units on the call were Fire Police from Station 71 and Berks Bally 505 BLS and BLS 328.

Station 65 was dispatched around 1430hrs for an accident with injuries at 5th and Macoby Streets in the borough.  Deputy 65 (Diehl) arrived and found a 2 vehicle accident with one entrapped.  The call was upgraded which brought R38 on the assignment.  Crews from Squad 65 and R38 worked to pop a door to remove the trapped patient.  Crews helped EMS with packaging and all units cleared within an hour.

Just before midnight crews from Station 65 were alerted to assist Berks Station 58 on a dwelling fire on Gravel Pike in Hereford Township Berks County.  Ladder and Chief 65 responded on the call as did Traffic 65.  Chief 58 arrived and found a kitchen fire that had been partially extinguished by the homeowner.  L65 arrived and was given the assignment to assist interior crews with checking for extension and ventilation.  Crews split up and set up a PPV fan on side A and worked in the kitchen checking the walls and area around the stove.  The homeowner was concerned for the well being of her 4 cats so FF Menendez was assisgned to cat patrol.  With all the smoke cleared, all the cats safe and the home checked out top to bottom, 65 crews packed up and went home just before 0100hrs.  Fire Police had Rt 29 closed for the duration to protect the crews.  Other units on the box were Berks E58, E58-1, T58, Berks E39, Berks Medic 505, Montco E38, PL38 and R38.

Monday proved to be a "Manic Monday".  Around 1230hrs reports came in that there was a suspicious device in the storm drain at 5th and Penn Street in the Borough, across from Station 65.  Police responded and found a similar situation as the previous Thursday night.  Home made pipe bombs were located in the storm drain again.  Police requested Station 65 to stand by and to have Fire Police secure the quadrant around the intersection.  As a precaution the blocks in each direction were evacuated and moved to the Civic Building at Borough Hall.  EM83 (Merolla) coordinated temporary shelters for the evacuated.  Chief 65(Seip) establish command and secured the scene. Station 65 was utilized as a command post for various local and Federal agencies.  

While still operating along with 83 PD, ATF and the FBI, Station 65 was dispatched for a motorcycle accident in Brooke Run on Grace Lane in the Township.  Chief 65, Deputy 65 and Squad 65 arrived to find a male subject lying on the road with a compound fracture of the leg, open and closed head trauma, and numerous other injuries.  A helicopter was placed on stand by and crews from the Squad performed various EMS functions until Medic 369 arrived.  Engine and Captain 65 (Young) responded and performed LZ duties for the injured subject.  Crews cleared and returned to the previous incident.  Crews worked most of the afternoon assisting the PD and all residents were returned to their home before evening.  The Bomb Squad detonated the devices on scene.  The investigation is ongoing therefore no pictures of the incident can be published at this time.

Squad 65 was dispatched @1215hrs to assist Station 42 for a vehicle accident with injuries near Marlborough Elementary School on Gravel Pike.  Also on the initial was Squad 71.  BLS 328 arrived and found a two vehicle accident with heavy entrapment at McLeans Station Road and Gravel Pike (Rt. 29).  Squad 71, Squad 65 and Rescue 42 arrived and went to work to free multiple patients in both vehicles.  Additional ALS units were requested as well as a MedEvac helicopter.  2 patients were extricated and transported to Lehigh via ambulance.  A male patient was extricated by crews from 65 and 71 and was transported by helicopter to Lehigh where he later passed away. Fire Police directed traffic around scene whiles crews worked and police conducted their investigation. Crews cleared in around 2 hours.

 It was later known that the gentlemen who passed away was a former Fire Chief for Lansdale Fire Department.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Members of Station 65 took the trip north to visit the new Squad 65 at Sutphen East Plant in Monticello, NY. The meeting was to discuss compartment layout and needed options that are going on the new Squad. We are still looking for a September 2008 delivery and to be in service soon after. Here are some update pictures.