Monday August 11, 2008

EAST ALLEN TOWNSHIP

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY STATION NO. 46

East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department - 5354 Nor-Bath Blvd. - Northampton, PA 18067

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2007 Archives

Dwelling Fire on Franks Drive

On Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at 04:16 hours, East Allen Twp. Station 46 and Allen Twp. Station 45 were dispatched to a dwelling fire on Franks Drive in Spring Lake Village East Allen Township, just west of Airport Road.  Upon arrival Chief 4651 confirmed a working attic fire and requested a full response from Bath Station 40.  Engine 4611 arrived and 1-1 3/4" hand line was used to attack the fire.  Ladder 4621 vented the roof.  Most of the fire was knocked down quickly, however, numerous hotspots required the pulling of ceilings and extensive overhaul.   Additional manpower was requested from Hanover Township Station 15 and Northampton Station 42.

Video Credit: WFMZ-TV 69 NEWS -

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Christmas in the Park at  Bicentennial Park West

On Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007,  East Allen Township held its first annual 'Christmas in the Park' at Bicentennial Park West.  Numerous activities and events were enjoyed by all, including Santa arriving on Ladder 4621.  See Photos.

7 Alarms in Northampton Blaze

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, EAFD Ladder 4621 was dispatched for a high occupancy structure fire in Northampton.  Quickly the request was upgraded to a full response from Station 46, for Engine 4611 and Rescue 4641 to respond. 

Video Credit: WFMZ-TV 69 NEWS -

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Fire Prevention Week Oct. 7 - 13, 2007

On Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, EAFD took our Fire Prevention Week show on the road to the children in Sunday School at St. Peters United Church of Christ.  In spite of the cool weather everyone seemed to enjoy the outdoor activities, including the firefighters.  See photos.

On Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, EAFD provided a morning of Fire Prevention and Fun for about 32 youngsters and about a-dozen-and-half parents and teachers from St. John's Nursery School.  The kids learned about Fire Prevention Week, how to evacuate, what to do in smoke and if clothing catches fire, and fire safety with Bert and Ernie.  See photos.

On Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, a group of youngsters, parents and teachers from The Wonder Kids Day Care Center visited the fire station.  They heard about fire safety, got to see a firefighter in full firefighting regalia, toured the station, saw fire trucks, and got to squirt water from a real fire hose.  The weather was hot so no one minded the water games.  See photos.

MVA on Nor-Bath Blvd.

On Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, Dispatched for Motor Vehicle Accident on Nor-Bath Blvd. On arrival (4691) advised units that there was one patient entrapped in the car.  Rescue 4641 and Engine 4611 responded to on scene.  Engine 4611 crews stretched a 1¾ inch hand line to protect the rescues and patient.  Rescue 4641 crew used the Hurst spreaders to free the patient.  The units cleared the scene within 45 minutes.

Command: Fire Capt. 4654

Units: Rescue 4641, Engine 4611

New Concrete Apron for Fire Station

For the past month we have been working to improve the area directly in front of our apparatus bays.  The macadam was showing its age and was beginning to fail under the weight of apparatus when parked for periods of time.  Much of the labor and material were donated.

Car plunges into house with collapse and entrapment!

On Friday, July 6, the above dispatch came over our pagers for an MVA on Weaversville Rd.  It's the kind of call that sends all first responders' hearts into tachycardia.  East Allen Fire and EMS Stations 46 and Allen Township Fire Station 46 were dispatched initially.  First arriving units confirmed the situation.  Dues to the time of day and the not knowing if anyone was in the home at the time, Chief 4651 requested additional units from Hanover Fire Station 15 and Lehigh County Han-Le-Co Fire Station 33.  For a while it was an 'all hands' call.  A protective hose line was stretched, extrication and patient care were initiated, a primary search of the house was conducted and shoring up of the front wall was begun.  All work proceeded well and extrication of a lone occupant was completed without further incident.  Following removal of the victim, the car was removed from the dwelling, which allowed a search of the collapse area immediately adjacent to the vehicle.  The lone occupant of the home turned out to be away at the time of the accident.  Fire, EMS and State Police worked together seamlessly to get a difficult job done on this hot day.  See photos

Command: Chief 4651

Units: Stations 46, 45, 15, 33

Gracedale Drill

On Saturday, June 2, all of the planning of the last several months came together for a full scale drill at Gracedale in Upper Nazareth Township.  The scenario was a fire on Tower 3, with fire involving at least three rooms and multiple victims needing to be located, rescued, removed and triaged.  There were the traditional challenges of dealing with a fire in a high-rise building.  There were the newer challenges of trying to incorporate NIMS and ICS along with an evolving communication system, and organizations not accustomed to working with one another.  The drill was deemed a success on many fronts, however, the extreme heat limited the activities to one full evolution. East Allen Fire acted as the RIT Team for the event.  See photos

Command: Chief 54

Units: Stations 14, 40, 46, 50, 52, 53, 54

Dwelling Fire at Whispering Hollow Mobile Home Park with Allen Twp. Station 45 

On Sunday, May 13 - Dispatched to assist Station 45 on a dwelling fire. On arrival Tanker 4631 was requested for manpower. When the next unit arrived the crew from Engine 4611 went to the rear of the dwelling to assist the crew from Station 45. Ladder 4621 also responded for manpower. 4651 was accountability officer.  See photos

Command: Assist. Chief 4552

Units: Stations 45, 46, 47, 42

New Trailer 4643

On Saturday, May 12, a new trailer was received to replace the 1986 Mack Haz-Mat Truck.  The unit is currently being outfitted with shelving and other components prior to being placed into service.

MVA at Airport Road and Nor-Bath Blvd.

On Tuesday, May 1, upon arrival found three-vehicle accident. One vehicle on the northwest corner on the grass and the other vehicle on Airport Road north of Nor-Bath Blvd. A third vehicle involved was parked in the lot of Barnhouse Restaurant.  EMS 4672 took EMS command. Fire personnel stabilized vehicle 1 and vehicle 2. Also provided spill control and traffic control.

Command: Fire Chief 4651

Units: R4641, E4611

Farwell Brush 4642

On Saturday, April 28, members of EAFD, said good-bye to Brush 4642, a 1989 GMC after 18 years of service.  Later this year we will be taking delivery of a replacement unit.

 Brush Fire at Blue Mountain with Lehigh County Station No. 24

On Saturday, April 21 - Dispatched for a Mountain Fire with Lehigh County Station 24. The request came thru Lehigh Township Chief 4751. Responded with 4647, 4645, Township Pubic Works Truck, Chief 4651 and his ATV and trailer. A five man crew went to the east end of the fire and proceeded up the mountain. 4651 and 4652 both on ATVs proceeded to the west end of the fire to transport equipment and personnel into the fire area. 4751 ordered that all crews be removed from the mountain before nightfall. All 46 crew members rehabbed and accounted for. Released by 47 command.

Command: Fire Chief 4751

Units: B4647, ATV4645, PW46

Haz-Mat on Chrisphalt Drive and PA Rt. 512

On Saturday, April 14 - Dispatched for diesel fuel spill at Chrisphalt Dr. and PA 512. On arrival (4651) found a semi trailer disconnected from the tractor. The trailer was a refrigeration unit and it had a 50 gallon diesel tank under the trailer. This tank as a result of the trailer disconnecting from the tractor was split open causing the spill. There was approx. 30 gallons of diesel fuel on the roadway (Chrisphalt Drive). No injuries reported. Provided spill control and containment.

Command: Fire Chief 4651

Units: R4641, B4642

Dumpster Fire on Nor-Bath Blvd.

On Monday, April 9 - Dispatched for dumpster fire.  Upon arrival found 6 by 6 dumpster smoking.  Used 1 inch line to extinguish fire.  Assisted by Station 45.

Command: Fire Marshal 4660 

Units:  E4611, E4511

 MVA with fire on Airport Road

On Monday, April 9 - Dispatched as Motor Vehicle Accident with unknown injuries.  Updated to vehicle into house and vehicle on fire.  Requested County put Stations 15 and 40 on standby.  Updated by TEAMS to vehicle on fire but not into house. 

Upon arrival there was a Jeep in the yard of a home on Airport Rd. fully involved and a Hyundai on the roadside.  There was a driver only in each vehicle.  Both were out of the vehicles.  Fire units from Station 46 stretched a 1¾ inch hand line to extinguish fire, assisted by Station 45.  Fire was extinguished without incident.

Command: Fire Marshal 4660 

Units:  E4611, T4631, R4641, E4511

Congratulations to Josh Smith

On Friday, March 30 - Josh Smith placed third at a state competition of firefighting skills at the Schnecksville Fire Co. and won a BRONZE METAL.  He placed first at a local  district competition of firefighting skills at the Bethlehem Twp. Fire Co. and won a GOLD METAL.  This was a program provided by the Bethlehem-Northampton Area Vo-tech School. 

Decon Engine Company Drill at Catasauqua High School

On Saturday, March 24, East Allen Township Fire Department took place in a Lehigh and Northampton County joint emergency exercise program at the Caty High School.  The drill included the evacuation of a number of victims from the school who had been 'exposed' to a white powder substance from the air handling system.  Engine 4611 set up a mass decon operation along with several other mass decon engine engine companies.  Engine 4611 is one of only 3 or 4 such companies in Northampton County.  A mass decon engine is equipped with a special Trident nozzle, a tarp with curtains, and a number of decon kits (protective clothing and replacement clothing) for those going through decontamination.  The crew has also received specialized training.  See photos

MVA at Weaversville Road and Bullshead Road

On Sunday March 11, 2007, a lone occupant of an SUV sustained minor injuries when her vehicle lost control on the ice and struck a utility pole.  The accident brought down live wires on her vehicle, and the victim could not be removed until the arrival of the power company.  Rescue 4641 and Engine 4611 responded, while Chief 4651 took command.  See photos

Farwell Haz-Mat 4643

On Saturday March 10, the members of EAFD, said Good-bye 1986 Mack MS after 16 years of service.  Later this year we will be taking delivery of a replacement unit.

Brush 4647 upgraded

Brush 4647 is getting an electrical system upgrade.  Much of the original wiring is being replaced due to age and the lighting is being brought up to current standards.  All the work is being done in-house.

NIMS 300

A group of 12 members of EAFD recently completed the 24-hour NIMS-300 training program.  This is the first such program in Northampton County.  Those completing the program included Assistant Chief Ray Anthony, Captain Lee Boehning, Jr., Fire Chief Barry Frantz, Firefighter Sean Frantz, Firefighter EMT Julie Hamilton, Firefighter Donnie Hunter, Deputy Chief Brett Kresh, Fire Police Lieut. Gary Maursky, Fire Marshal John McDevitt, Fire Police Captain Carl Schafer, Junior Firefighter Josh Smith and Fire Captain Marc Wisniewski.  The course was taught by Chris Post, Dave Swoyer and Tom Barnowski.