At 0559 Co. 85 was requested by Squad 650 (Supervisor Roth) to assist with Search & Rescue of a hunter that fell from a tree stand. Deputy 85-2 (Strause) responded on the assignment and requested all units to standby at State Game Land parking lot to assemble a team to find the patient. R-85 & C-851 responded to the area of Mohns Hill Road and Vinemont Road. Crews were assembled and began their search. Communications with the patient were continued throughout the search via cell phone. After approximately 45 minutes of searching, the patient was located. Crews found that the patient fell from about 15 feet from a tree stand and sustained unspecified chest injuries. Patient packaged by EMS, fire and police personnel.

It took approximately 1 hour for crews to remove the patient from the heavily wooded area and to the ambulance. Patient was transported to Reading Hospital and treated. All units cleared the assignment in about 2 1/2 hours.

Command: Deputy 85-2 (Strause)
Units Responding: R-85, C-851, C-60, R-56
EMS Units: Squad 650 (Supervisor Roth), M-6508
Spring Twp. PD

At 0137 hours, company 85 was dispatched to the 2000 block of Cleveland Ave for a carbon monoxide alarm activation. RE851 arrived on scene within minutes to find the homeowner waiting outside and began to meter the residence. Crews found zero levels of CO and found the cause to be low batteries in the detector.

At 1812 hours, Company 79 and E852 were dispatched for an automatic fire alarm in the 100 block of Reading Blvd that is reported to be false. Assistant 79 (STRAUSE) responded and resquested that E852 hold at station and T79 report into the scene normal flow of traffic. E852 stood by at station with a crew of 5 until released by Assistant 79 who reported that smoke from cooking had set off the alarm and they would be reseting the system.

Just after the duty crew had fallen asleep last night, they were dispatched at 0057 for  a reported dumpster fire at Wilson School Lane. Chief 85 (ROTH) had arrived on scene and confirmed a dumpster about 5' by 5' on fire with no exposures. E852 arrived on scene and stretched the booster reel to the fire, soaked it down, and cleared the scene in less than 10 minutes.

At 0332 hours, the company was again suddenly awoken for two additional dumpster fires at Wilson School Lane and PD on location confirming . Chief 85 again arrived on scene and confirmed two dumpsters with small fires and no exposures. E852 arrived on scene again streched their booster line to extinguish the first dumpster and then drove down about 100 yards to the second dumpster. Crews had the fires out in less than 20 mins and returned hoping to get some sleep.

 At around 1230 company 85 was dispatched to assist EMS with lifting on Reading Ave. Crews worked on scene for about 30 minutes until patient was loaded and taken to RHMC.

At 2302 hours on Saturday evening, the 85 house's D-Platoon snapped a relatively quiet day with an entrapment dispatch on southbound 222 just north of route 12, assisting 79 (Wyomissing), 650 (Western Berks Ambulance), and Reading EMS with one on it's roof.  Rescue 85 & C85-1 responded and assisted with vehicle stabilization, patient removal and packaging of an adult and three children from the single vehicle crash.  While on that call, E85-2 was sent to an AFA at the Stone House in Wyomissing.  FC39 (LONGENECKER) freed up the engine, which diverted to the Berkshire Mall Parking lot to set-up a landing zone for multiple inbound aero-medical units dispatched to transport trauma patients from the 222 crash.  PennStar and Medivac each transported a pediatric patient to LVMC.  Station 85 maintained an additional crew on stand-by at station during the event. 

COMMAND OF MVA: ASSISTANT 79 (STRAUSE)

COMMAND OF LANDING ZONE: DEPUTY 85-1 (HOSTETTER)

During Monday night’s department meeting, Company 85 RIT was requested to respond to Muhlenberg Township for a working fire at an Industrial complex. Rescue 85 and Air 85 responded immediately with two full crews. Crews stood by without incident until released by command. Just after the department meeting was over at 2037 hours the company was dispatched to Penn Ave and Woodside Ave for a reported motor vehicle accident with injuries. Rescue Engine 85-1 responded with a crew of seven and found a two vehicle accident in the intersection with one minor injury. Western Berks EMS handled the injury while the crew from the Rescue Engine secured the power to both vehicles and applied oil dry to the fluids down. Fire Police assisted Spring Twp. PD with traffic control. Just after returning from the accident, the company 85 Rehab Unit was dispatched to assist at the fire in Muhlenberg Township.

The weekend again kept the 85 House busy with calls. Friday was quiet with NO calls, but quickly ended starting at 0950 hours Saturday morning with a reported AFA at the Wyomissing Hills Elementary School. Engine 85-2 and Tower 79 arrived within a few minutes of each other. Crews investigated and were unable to find a cause for the alarm. Less than an hour later at 1041 hours Company 85 was dispatched to Rt.724 and Morgan Drive for a reported vehicle fire. Chief 85 (ROTH) arrived and found the vehicle parked on Ted Smith Floor Coverings lot with a small fire in the engine compartment which was caused by oil leaking on the manifold. The last call of the shift for the C-Platoon was for a fire alarm sounding in a residence on Kendal Ct. The crew from E-85-2 investigated and found the problem to be a bad battery in one of the smoke detectors. Saturday ended with a reported AFA on Fairwood Ave in Lower Heidelberg assisting Company 43.  Sunday the Company was dispatched to two separate incidents within seven minutes of each other. The first call came in at 0628 for the RIT to respond to the 3000 block of Reading Crest Ave in Muhlenberg Township for a working residential structure fire. Companies 10, 11, and 13 were on the scene of a two-story single family dwelling with heavy fire in the basement/garage with extension.  85 covered the call with 11 members on R-85 and A-85 with Deputy 85-1 (HOSTETTER) in charge of the RIT. Crews placed additional ground ladders, treated ice on the street to prevent “slip and fall” injuries, and staged split-crews on Side A and Side C.  There were no firefighter incidents, and crews were released within the hour.  Seven minutes after the first call was dispatched, Company 85 and Tower 79 were sent to Heather Lane for a fire alarm sounding in a residence. Crews investigated and found no cause for the alarm activation. The last call for the weekend was at 1758 hours on Sunday evening to check a vacant residence on South Morwood Ave for smoke detectors going off. The crew from E-85-2 made entry into the residence which had no power and found the problem to be low batteries in the detectors. In between all the calls on Saturday a group of firefighters still were able to find some free time and got together to play a game of touch football, and on Sunday afternoon a group got together for some ice skating at Body Zone.

On Wednesday evening as the TSVFD Chief Officers were having their monthly meeting, the Company along with Tower 79 and 67 RIT were dispatched to Cambridge Ave for a reported dryer fire with possible extension. Chief 85 arrived on scene and had light smoke on the 1st and 2nd floor. Homeowner reported the neighbor came over with a fire extinguisher and knocked the fire down. Engine 85-2 arrived on scene and the crew was meet by a heavy smoke condition as they made entry into the basement. The crew found a small fire outside the dryer which was quickly extinguished with a pressurized water extinguisher and minor extension to the underside of the basement stairs.   The crew from Tower 79 set up fans and ventilated the residence and the dryer was removed to the outside.

Command Chief 85 Units on scene: Engine 85-2, Rescue/Engine 85-1 Tower 79 Air 85 Just prior to this call the Company was dispatched to Keats Drive for a Natural Gas Leak outside.  

Monday night’s training topic was Patient Packaging which was taught by Tom Kemery. Due to the Company now running accidents with injuries in the Township and running the occasional medical assist, it was felt this would be a good class for everyone to brush up on the skills and also learn some new things. TSVFD personnel got to practice packaging pts onto backboards and Western Berks EMS stopped by with a Medic Unit to show everyone how to operate their new Striker power litters and also how to use the new Striker stair chairs.  

On Monday, November 17, six members of TSVFD took R-85 and Collapse 85 to Friendship Hook & Ladder of Boyertown (Station 15) for a demonstration. About 60 members from Stations 14, 15, 16, 19, & 22 were present for the tour.  Attendees got to see the vast array of equipment carried on our trailer, and we had the chance to demonstrate the specialized equipment such as the search cameras and life detectors.  Chief Nuebauer and Assistant Bingaman participated in our Trench Rescue class last month, and felt it was necessary to have their members  familiar with our equipment cache should the need ever arise for us to respond to their end of the county for assistance.  Any Berks County agency that would like a demonstration should contact our station for arrangements 610-898-1452.

The 85 House was kept busy this weekend running a total of 11-Calls. The weekend started on Friday morning with an early wake up for the A-Platoon (0645) for a possible structure fire at Penn State Berks. Penn State Police were on location at the Franco Bldg. Reporting smoke in one of the class rooms. The crew from E-85-2 and Tower 79 found a light haze in the room but could not find the source. After checking a number of possible sources it was found to be a problem with a motor on one of the roof top HVAC units. @ 1446 Engine 85-2 responded to the 900blk of Penn Ave assisting Co#79 with a commercial Fire Alarm. 1644 the Company along with ladder 51 were dispatched to Duffield Lane for a residential fire alarm. Later in the evening @1840 Chief Engineer Angstadt came to the Station and reported there was a Pedestrian struck at Garfield Ave & Reading Blvd. Rescue/Engine 85-1 with a crew responded and began pt care prior to arrival of EMS. The Rescue/Engine remained on scene and provided lighting for Spring Twp. Police to do their investigation. The Rescue/Engine was released once Utility 85-1 arrived on scene. On Saturday Morning at 0116 the C-Platoon this time received the early wake up for a reported AFA at Vanity Fair in Wyomissing Borough. 1002 Saturday morning Engine 85-2 responded to the Inn at Reading assisting Co#79 on a reported AFA. Later in the afternoon a fast moving storm came through the area bringing high winds. @ 1607 the Company was dispatched to Durwood Ct. for trees down with one on top of a garage five minutes later @1612 the Company along with Companies 51 & 60 were dispatched to Mountain Home Rd. For Tree and Wires down also two trailers that were blown over. Crews arrived on Mountain Home Rd and found a large tree down on top of some wires and a office trailer on its side at Amerigas and trailer that was parked on Automotive Services lot over turned. Crews on Mt. Home Rd began cutting up the trees and securing the trailers until they could be up righted. On Sunday Morning the C-Platoon again received an early wake up for a reported AFA at the Sheraton Hotel in Wyomissing.   Monday morning ended the weekend with two calls the 1st came in at 0449 for a Carbon Monoxide alarm activation at a residence on Sage Dr. Then at 0657 the Company along with Tower 79 were dispatched to the West Lawn Library for a reported AFA.

On Saturday night members of the TSVFD gathered at the Inn at Reading for the Firefighters formal banquet. TSVFD members and their significant others were treated to a seafood buffet and lots of deserts. After dinner numerous members were given awards which are listed below. After the awards the dance floor was open for everyone to enjoy some dancing or to just sit around and socialize and have a good time.   Special Thanks to Spring Twp. Commissioners Bill Collins and Patty Smith for coming out and showing their support for the TSVFD. 

Award Recipients: Unit Citation for Rescuing Lt. Angstadt from the basement of the Reading Hospital Chief Michael Roth, Career FF Justin Rhoads, FF Jeremy Yeager and Lt. Ron Stoudt Citation for Injury in the Line of Duty: Lt. Kevin Angstadt Most Calls: FF Jeremy Yeager Most Fire Police Calls: Fire Police Capt. Ron Zdunowski Most Drills Attended: FF Robert Desh Most Hrs spent attending training outside the Department: Matt Karas Award Recognizing Chip Burns for his dedication and hours given to the Relief Assoc. Fire Prevention: Lt Ron Stoudt                               Career FF Gary Riegel                                FF Joe Stemler                                FF Cal Homan  Award to Deputy Chief Schartel recognizing him for the TSVFD Training Program  

 

At 1020 hours this morning, company 85 responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident, car on its roof with entrapment on Tulpehocken Road. PD and a chief from another company were already on location reporting one vehicle overturned off the road with one female being suspended by her seat belt. Rescue Engine 85-1 was the first piece to arrive on scene and began to stabilize the vehicle. The vehicle was located off the road and down a small embankment. Crews placed step cribbing under the A-Post of the vehicle and under the rear driver side corner of the vehicle. Crews then placed farm jacks on the rear of the vehicle and placed a chain and come-a-long around a nearby tree and connected it to the rear axle of the vehicle to keep it from sliding forward against the crews working in the mud. FF/EMT Justin Rhoads made patient contact and ascertained she had sustained only minor injuries. Patient freed herself from her seat belt and the crew began to extricate the patient and board and collar her. She was then carried up the hill toward awaiting EMS personnel. Crews remained on location until tow companies could remove the vehicle.   COMMAND: LIEUTENANT 85-2 (STAMM SR.) APPARATUS ON SCENE: RE851, R85, CAR851   Company 85 also responded to multiple automatic fire alarms throughout the day: (2 AFA’s) Chucky Cheese at N. Meridian Blvd   Reading Hospital Building ‘U’ ·         Crews arrived to find the building evacuating. Assistant 64 arrived on scene and found the power to be out in the building. Found no cause for alarm and held a crew on scene and recalled the rest of the assignment. Berks then notified Asst. 64 that there was a reported pole/transformer fire nearby. E64 was redirected to the pole fire when Berks then notified Asst. 64 that employees from Manor Care in West Reading saw flames across the street coming from a window. E852 then stood by at station 79 awaiting a report on the possible structure fire. E79 was redirected to investigate that call believing that the pole fire was related. No fire was found there and all companies cleared their assignments.   Residential Fire Alarm on Garfield Avenue in Spring Twp.

At 2050 hours, Cumru Township fire department's were dispatched for a structure fire on Doral Drive. Additional reports kept pouring in as units were responding. Berks first stated there was a structure fire with flames visible, then reports stated there was possible entrapment with a disabled occupant still inside. Then Berks reported possible collapse.  FC-34 (BRADY) arrived on location and the situation was quickly raised to the 3rd alarm with the 4th on standby.

EMS requested Rehab 85 to respond to assist in caring for fatigued firefighters. Rehab 85 reported with Capt Tim Woll and Sherry Gould, Deputy 85-3's wife. FF Scalesi met with the rehab on scene and the crew went to work setting up tables, chairs and gave out chips, crackers, squencher, coffee, and water. The Rehab was on scene for about 5 hours and served about 100 people.

Over the past two weekends, nineteen members of the TSVFD and two guests from the Friendship Hook & Ladder of Boyertown participated in some phenomenal trench rescue training taught by Joe Kaleda and Robert Rhea from ARK Rescue Training.  This 32-hour course trained the members to the competencies outlined by the NFPA as Trench Rescue Technician.    While the weather was stellar for most of the course, we did experience some torrential downpours on day three that soaked us to the bone and formed clay pizzas on our boots.  There was very little complaining, however, as we worked through the foul weather without hesitation.    Throughout the course, we stabilized straight, "T", and "L" trenches with a variety of obstructions using "old school" lumber tactics as well as Paratech rescue struts.  Our rescue dummies helped provide some realistic challenges, and the instructors allowed us very few shortcuts; reminding us that even though this was training, the trenches were indeed very real.    The final scenario presented as a real-time incident was particularly extraordinary.  We found a "T" trench with one "patient" positioned at the trench intersection in a seated position with a 3,000 pound concrete pipe on his legs.  A few backhoe buckets of dirt on top left only this patient's head and hand exposed.  The second patient was standing erect against one trench wall, buried to the neck by a side wall slough-in that included a six-foot long limestone rock that rested against his thighs and abdomen.  To add to this problem was the bucket of the backhoe, pressed against the uncollapsed sidewall of the trench, just over the patients left shoulder.    While shoring the entire space, simultaneous extrication efforts commenced.  Using 13 shore panels, over 20 shores, low and high-pressure pneumatic bags, concrete breakers, cribbing, shovels, hand trowels, and Tower 79 as an overhead anchor, the crew successfully recovered both patients in just over 5 hours (which is a reasonable time, given the situation)   Many thanks are due, and I hope to hit everyone who deserves our gratitude:

The Township of Spring Sewer Department for funding the class.

The VFRA of TSVFD for supporting costs associated with the training.

The Township Streets Department for their help digging, filling and managing the dirt, fencing, and concrete pipe.

The ARK Instructors, Bob and Joe, for another very educational program.

The Fire Commissioner, for coordinating with the Township representatives and PA One Call.

Sherry Gould for the delicious lunches.

Berks County EMA for allowing us to borrow the extra equipment needed for the class.

Chief Neubauer and Assistant Chief Bingaman for participating on such short notice.

Wyomissing Fire Department for Tower 79.

Captain Woll, Lieutenant Sheperak, FF's Sileski, Dickinson, and Nelligan and all the others who lent a hand getting the class materials ready to go.

The volunteers and career staff who chose to sacrifice two weekends in a row to gain some very important training and experience.

October was a very busy month for TSVFD's Fire Prevention Lieutenant Ron Stoudt. As many of you know October is the National Fire Prevention month when your local fire department's go out and teach school classrooms, have open house station tours, and take out their fire safety houses to teach the community about fire prevention and fire safety. This year, however, was one of Lt. Stoudt's busiest years yet. He headed classroom visits that totaled 2,784 students, station tours that had 1,246 people come through, and took out the fire safety house with 1,365 people going through.
TSVFD would like to thank Lieutenant Ron Stoudt for all of the time he volunteered this year and all the hard work he put into this year's prevention month. Keep up the great work!

On Monday night the 85 House headed to the Southern end of the Township for training. The Crew from Engine 85-3 got to practice their drafting skills by drafting from a nearby pond and setting up a tanker fill site along with Adamstown, while crews drafted out of Porta Tanks at TSVFD Station#2 supplying master streams.   

Special Thanks to: Lower Heidelberg (43), Smokestown (Lancaster 1-11) for supplying their tankers along with Tanker 85.