Newsletter

Monday, July 19, 2010  At approximately 5:35pm, Companies 06,42, 04, and RIT 44  were dispatched to the 1000 block of Andrews Ave for the dwelling fire reported to be a toaster. Quint 06 quickly hit the street under the Command of 06-9A (Asst. Chief Hanly) and arrived to a 2-story MOR with light smoke showing with 42-9B on location. Quint 06's crew found an oven to be on fire in the kitchen and went in service with a dry chemical extinguisher. The crew assisted by 06-1 and Engine 42's crew checked for extension which turned out to be negative and started ventilation. Crews were on scene for 25 minutes.

Units on scene: Quint 06. 06-1, Engine 42, 42-1, 04-1, RIT 44, Medic 06-7, 06-7B

From the Milmont Fire Company Website:  The Milmont Fire Company regrets to announce the LINE OF DUTY DEATH of Charles Hornberger. Charlie passed away on July 12th from complications of a heart attack he had after a call on June 30th 2010. Call #45 came in at 11:32 on June 30, 2010, for a fire alarm at the Target Building on MacDade and Milmont Ave.  After the call, Charlie suffered a severe heart attack, and was rushed to Taylor Hospital.

     Charlie was a life member of the Milmont Fire Company, as well as the Vauclain, Holmes and past Rutledge Fire Companies. Charlie held the position of Assistant Engineer, as well as past Deputy Chief of the Milmont Fire Company, and Past Chief of the Vauclain Fire Company. He was also a Dispatcher of 20 years for Ridley Twp. as well as Delaware County. He was an avid fire truck collector, and also enjoyed model railroading. Charlie was also a member of several Delco Organizations, to include the Delaware Valley Chiefs Assoc.., and the Shamrock Judges. Charlie touched a lot of lives throughout the fire service, and will be missed by all.
 

   The Officers and Members of Collingdale Fire Company #1 sends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Hornberger.
 

Tuesday, July 13, 2010  Early this morning a powerful rain storm hit our region and as last week, caused extensive damage throughout Delaware County.  With the heavy rains, parts of Collingdale and Aldan Boroughs experienced extensive flooding which brought numerous emergencies to attend to.  At approximately 0820 hours, we were dispatched to the intersection of Clifton Avenue and Pitman Avenue for a Water Rescue with a vehicle reported stuck in the flooded intersection.  At approximately 0827 hours, the company was dispatched to the intersection of Oak Ave & Providence Rd for the same.  The Engine quickly hit the street for both incidents and arrived on scene to find the flooded intersections clear of any trapped vehicles.  Engine 06-1 and Utility 06 also ran several service calls within both boroughs pumping out flooded basements of resident’s homes.  Around 1:15PM, Company 04, 06, 21 and 42 were dispatched to 213 N. 7th Street in Darby Borough for a Building Fire with smoke reported in the basement which turned out to be a problem with the heater and the companies were made available.  In total, Collingdale Fire Company #1 ran eight total fire calls  due to the storm.

Monday, July 12, 2010  At approximately 1415 hours, Company 06 and Company 42 were dispatched to the unit block of Rhoades Avenue in Collingdale Borough for an Investigation.  Engine 06-1 quickly hit the street under the command of 2nd Lieutenant Mike Boyle and were advised by Fireboard they were receiving numerous calls reporting something on fire in the area of the CSX tracks.  Engine 06-1 arrived on location with a good amount of smoking showing from behind a wooden fence in the area of the tracks.  The crew from Engine 06-1 pulled a booster line to quickly extinguish a 10x10 brush fire while also saving a residents wooden fence which was starting to catch fire as we arrived.  Companies were available within twenty minutes. 
 

Friday, July 9, 2010  Early Friday morning at 0540 hours the commercial box assignment was struck for the building fire at the Dunkin Donuts at Springfield Rd. and Macdade Blvd. in Collingdale. On the assignment was Company 42, Company 06, Company 04 ( Darby #1), Company 21 (Darby #2), Company 01 (Folcroft), Company 75 (Briarcliffe), RIT 19 (Lansdowne), RIT 43 (Holmes) and Medic 06-7. Just as Fireboard finished dropping the tones, Collingdale PD went on location reporting heavy smoke showing upgrading the assignment to a Working Fire. Engine 42 arrived under the command on 42-9A (Asst. Chief Guerra) and shortly followed by Quint 06 under the Command of 06-9 (Chief McCann) and went to work. Quint 06 split their crew, sending a crew to the roof  with Chief McCann and Assistant Chief Hanly  as 06-13A (2nd Lt. M. Boyle) and Engine 42's crew advanced the first line into the building, shortly followed by a second line from 04-2's crew.  Fire was found in the 2nd floor and extinguished as Quint 06 opened up the roof.


Units on Scene: Quint 06, 06-1, Medic 06, E42, R42, 04-1,04-2, 21-5, R01,E75, RIT 19, RIT 43,

Also later in the day Companies 06, 42, 75, and RIT 44 were dispatched to 319 Patricia Ln in Aldan for the building fire, reported to be the oven. Quint 06 under the command of 2nd Lt. Mike Boyle arrived to find a smoke condition in the building with no fire, the assignment was held to 06 and 42 and companies were available within minutes.

Friday, July 9, 2010   It is with regret that Collingdale Fire Company No.1 reports the passing of 50+ Year Life Member Al Nied. (pronounced "need") Mr. Neid during his active years was an extremely active fire fighter and community supporter. As a younger man, Al ran a local service station and on more than a few occasions, he was known to shut down to answer a citizen's call for help. Al left behind his wife, Genevieve and more than a few people who will miss him. To his family and his many friends, Collingdale No.1 sends its sincerest condolences.

Around 6:30pm, Company and Medic 06 along with Rescue 42 were dispatched to Providence Rd and Springfield Rd in Aldan for the Accident with Entrapment. 06-1 under the Command of 06-13A (2nd Lt. M. Boyle) hit the street shortly after the dispatch and were advised by fire board that the Police were requesting all units expedite to the scene . 06-1 and Medic 06-7 arrived on scene to find a Motorcycle into a SUV with 1 subject pinned under the SUV. Rescue 42 arrived shortly after and 42-12 (Benson) assumed Providence road Command and 06-13A (M. Boyle) had Rescue Operations. The crew from 06-1 and Rescue 42 went in service with stabilization via cribbing and high lift jacks and lifted the vehicle utilizing rescue airbags.  Crews worked well together and had the patient removed within five minutes.  The patient was transported to a nearby hospital by Medic 06-7 for further evaluation.


On Saturday June 26, Company 06 also handled an Assist the Ambulance on Providence road, a Building Fire with Possible entrapment which ended up being a burnt motor on a fan and also later in the evening a Smoke Detector activation which ended up being a false call.

Sunday, June 6, 2010  The Chester County Fire Chiefs Association wants residents to be aware that professional solicitors have been asking for donations while claiming they are raising funds to help local firefighters.

These organizations act as though they are affiliated with local fire departments, according to Glenn Allison, president of the fire chiefs association. Allison said these solicitations have been conducted by phone and by mail in recent years.

"We want residents to understand that if they want to support local companies, solicitations will come by mail, not by phone," said Allison.

Allison said the fire chiefs association has sought help from Chester County Detectives regarding these incidents in the past.

Chester County Detectives Lt. Joseph Brooks said although these solicitations may come from legitimate charitable organizations, most of the donations made go to the fundraisers while only a small portion helps the firefighters.

Brooks recalled how county detectives looked into a case in 2006 after being contacted by Allison regarding the Association for Disabled Firefighters Inc.

Chester County District Attorney Joseph Carroll addressed the public about the Association for Disabled Firefighters in an Oct. 20, 2006, news release. The association was traced back to Santa Ana, Calif.

The association had no connection to any Chester County emergency services organization or fire company, Carroll said. He also noted that, according to the charity's 2004 tax filing, the company raised more than $2 million and used less than $8,000 for "charitable purposes."

"In other words, only 40 cents out of every hundred dollars raised actually goes for the charitable purpose, while the other $99.60 goes to the fundraisers," Carroll said.

The district attorney's office recommended potential donors to any charity to ask the fundraiser specific questions, such as inquiring about the fundraiser's address, phone number and contact name. Also, Carroll urged potential donors to find out in advance how much of their donation will be used by the charity and how much will be spent on operating costs.

"Be skeptical of high-pressure tactics for immediate donations, especially if the solicitor wants to make arrangements to have someone pick up the donation immediately," Carroll said. "Do not give credit card numbers or personal information over the phone when dealing with an unfamiliar organization.

"Legitimate charitable organizations and legitimate fundraisers will not be offended if you ask for an opportunity to confirm information."

Allison said residents interested in donating to their local fire departments or emergency services personnel should visit www.helpfightfire.com.

"We understand times are tough, but we need funding to keep our doors open," Allison said.