RESCUE-ENGINE RESPONDS TO MINOR ACCIDENT
July 23, 2008

In the mid-afternoon hours, units were dispatched to a vehicle accident on Main Street in Franklin Borough. Engine 5-1 responded and arrived to find that a car had lost control and struck a parked car. The rescue-engine's crew checked for hazards, placed absorbent on spilled fluids, and cleared debris. One patient was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Engine 5-1 returned to service approximately one hour later.

RAPID INTERVENTION RESPONSE TO FERNDALE
June 20, 2008

Just prior to 1300 hours, Franklin's rapid intervention crew was dispatched to respond to a working structure fire on Franklin Street in Ferndale Borough. Engine 5-1 responded and arrived to set up in front of the residence while crews attacked the basement fire. Once the fire was extinguished, Engine 5-1 was released and returned to service at 1418 hours.

SECOND DUE STRUCTURE FIRE
May 27, 2008

At 1421 hours, Engine 5-1 was dispatched on a first alarm for a structure fire on Frankstown Road in Conemaugh Township. First-arriving units found that a garage being demolished had caught fire and had already collapsed to the ground. Engine 5-1 and Squad 5-1 responded and assisted with water supply and removal of a tree that impeded operations. Since the garage was being demolished, crews protected an exposure and ensured that the fire did not spread. Engine 5-1 and Squad 5-1 were back in service at 1615 hours.

MEMORIAL DAY ACTIVITIES
May 26, 2008

Franklin firefighters had a busy morning attending various Memorial Day services and parades. While Truck 5-1 attended the Sgt. Michael Strank VFW Post 5107's memorial service at the Bonair Veterans Memorial in Conemaugh Township, Engine 5-1 traveled to the Westmont Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Service at Grandview Cemetary.

Following these two events, all of Franklin's fire apparatus attended the annual Conemaugh Valley Memorial Day Parade which starts at the Franklin Loop. After a short flag-raising ceremony at the Franklin Loop Park, the parade commences down Main Street and across the bridge into East Conemaugh with brief stops for flag raisings at the fire stations, municipal buildings, Sgt. Michael Strank VFW Post, and Conemaugh-Franklin American Legion Post. The parade concludes with a memorial service at the East Conemaugh Park.

RAPID INTERVENTION CREW RESPONDS TO WESTMONT FIRE
May 18, 2008

While Engine 5-1 was on display at the 2008 Fire Expo in Harrisburg, a residential structure fire was reported on Minno Drive in Westmont Borough. Engine 308 arrived first and reported a working structure fire. As part of the working structure fire assignment dispatched at 0930 hours, Truck 5-1 responded with the rapid intervention crew. While Engine 23-4 was establishing the water supply from a nearby hydrant, the truck company (Truck 28-6) found a small fire in the basement that they knocked down with a pressurized water can. Truck 5-1's crew stood by as the rapid intervention crew for just over one hour before returning to service.

STANDBY DURING 911 OUTAGE
May 13, 2008

The Cambria County 911 Center lost all power just before 1830 hours and was unable to communication via radio or phones. As a result, all fire and EMS stations in the county were staffed to handle calls and responses. Franklin firefighters staffed one crew in station until 2130 hours when power was restored at the 911 center. The power failure occurred while contractors were installing a new backup generator.

FULLY INVOLVED PICKUP TRUCK FIRE
April 18, 2008

In the early afternoon, at 1333 hours, units were dispatched to a vehicle fire at a Main Street business. Engine 5-1 responded and arrived to find a pickup truck fully involved in fire. The engine company pulled the 1¾" trash line and extinguished the fire using Class A foam. Engine 5-1 was back in service in a ½ hour.

WORKING STRUCTURE FIRE INVOLVING TWO STRUCTURES
April 10, 2008

At 0218 hours, a first alarm was dispatched for a structure fire on Rosenbaum Street in East Taylor Township's Village of Parkhill. Assistant 17 arrived first to report a fully involved greenhouse with fire extending into a nearby residence and also threatening a neighboring residence. Engine 17-2 (the first-arriving apparatus) began fire attack and exposure protection. Truck 5-1 arrived with Engine 15-4 and positioned in front of the residence while Engine 15-4 established a water supply from a nearby hydrant. The truck company assisted with ground ladders, ventilation, fire attack, and overhaul. Upon arrival, Engine 5-1 provided its water to Engine 42-2 before its crew assisted with fire attack and overhaul. Franklin firefighters returned to service at 0430 hours.

WORKING STRUCTURE FIRE
April 6, 2008

A first alarm was dispatched at 1840 hours for a working structure fire on William Penn Avenue in the Headricks section of East Taylor Township. Arriving units found heavy smoke pouring from all windows and fire blowing out of a window on Side Charlie of the two-story single family residence. All residents safely escaped the fire. Engine 17-1 established a water supply while crews from Engines 17-2, 42-1, and 42-2 advanced lines inside. Truck 15-2 laddered the building as Engine 5-1's crew advanced an attack line inside. The rescue engine company also provided scene lighting, refilled breathing air cylinders, and assisted with overhaul. Truck 5-1's crew assisted Truck 15-2 with ventilation, using equipment off our rescue engine, before assisting with various other tasks after the fire was knocked down. Franklin firefighters returned to service after approximately 2¾ hours.

RESCUE ENGINE INVESTIGATES ODOR
March 4, 2008

In the mid-morning hours, Engine 5-1 responded, along with other units, to investigate a reported large odor of home heating fuel outside of a Fourth Street residence in East Conemaugh. Engine 5-1 arrived on scene to find an odor of propane outside. With assistance from Engine 17-2 and Squad 5-1, crews shut off the gas and checked the gas levels with multi-gas meters. The propane tanks were filled that morning and the propane company was contacted to respond back to take care of the situation. Fire units returned to service after operating for 40 minutes.

RAPID INTERVENTION CREW RESPONDS TO RICHLAND FIRE
February 17, 2008

At 1213 hours, the Franklin Fire Department was dispatched (as the rapid intervention crew) to assist the Richland Township Fire Department with a working structure fire on Solomon Run Road. Engine 5-1 and Squad 5-1 responded with seven personnel (while Truck 5-1 remained in station with a small crew). First arriving crews from Richland encountered heavy fire coming from one side of a ranch-style house. Upon arrival, Engine 5-1's rapid intervention crew sized up the house and stoodby in front of it until the fire was extinguished, at which time the crew was released. Two crewmembers from Engine 5-1 also used a chainsaw to remove a large bush that was obstructing egress from a window. Engine 5-1 and Squad 5-1 were back in service one hour after dispatch.

WORKING HIGH RISE FIRE - 1^ST RESPONSE FOR ENGINE 5-1
February 6, 2008

Engine 5-1's first response came at 1030 hours after Assistant 4 (and police) quickly upgraded a fire alarm to a working structure fire on the 8^th floor of the Garden Terrace Apartments in Dale Borough. Engine 5-1 was due on the "working structure fire assignment". Assistant 4 found a working fire contained to one apartment with heavy smoke banked down nearly to the floor.

Engine 5-1 was the fourth-arriving engine and its crew proceeded to the fire floor along with personnel from Truck 28-6. Upon arrival on the fire floor, Engine 5-1's crew assisted firefighters from Engines 7-1 and 6-1 with extinguishing the fire. This crew later assisted with multiple tasks, including salvage and overhaul, refilling breathing air (SCBA) cylinders, and standby as the rapid intervention crew. Truck 5-1 also responded to assist and its crew assisted with performing searches on the lower seven floors.

After two hours of operating at the fire, Engine 5-1 and Truck 5-1 were sent to stand by in the Oakland fire station to cover any additional incidents in that area. Franklin firefighters finally returned home at 1513 hours. Residents from the three upper floors were safely evacuated and most were able to return to their apartments later that night. Crews from 11 fire departments and 3 ambulance services operated at the fire.

TRUCK ENDS UP IN RIVER
January 12, 2008

At approximately 1445 hours, emergency personnel were dispatched to a vehicle into the Little Conemaugh River along the Norfolk Southern Railroad mainline tracks. Crews arrived to find a small railroad utility truck into the river with the driver self-extricated and uninjured; luckily the truck landed on its wheels after rolling down the steep riverbank. Truck 5-1's crew retrieved several containers from the truck before they floated away and then awaited the arrival of tow trucks, along with the crews of Engine 15-4 and Truck 15-2. Water rescue personnel from the East Taylor Township Fire Department were brought to the scene to assist the towing company with removing the truck from the frigid 3-foot deep waters.

1^ST CALL OF 2008
January 5, 2008

Franklin Fire Department's first call of 2008 was at 1539 hours to assist police with forcible entry on a check on the welfare call; the fire department was cancelled prior to response when police were able to get the resident to finally answer the door.

BUILDING FIRE IN INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
December 11, 2007

A first alarm assignment was dispatched at 2212 hours for a structure fire at Freightcar America's railcar manufacturing plant. Security personnel led Chief 5 to a working fire in a 12-foot by 12-foot room containing transformers and other electrical equipment. After plant personnel shut off the electric supply, Truck 5-1's crew entered to attack the fire with Engine 15-4's crew backing them up. Attack 6-6 provided scene lighting and a water supply was established by Tanker 43-3; all other units were held in a staging area. The fire was quickly extinguished and all units were released within 45 minutes.

RAPID INTERVENTION CREW RESPONDS TO BLACKLICK
October 28, 2007

At 1647 hours, Station 5 was dispatched for the rapid intervention crew to assist with a working structure fire on School Lane in the Twin Rocks area of Blacklick Township. The Nanty Glo FD arrived on scene with fire through the roof of a single family dwelling that was back a narrow dirt lane. Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 responded with a total of seven personnel. Upon arrival, the rapid intervention crew (RIC) was set up in front of the structure. Company 5's crew remained on scene until released and was back in service at 1930 hours.

HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT PATROL
October 27, 2007

Franklin firefighters spent the evening patrolling the streets during the Halloween Trick or Treat in an effort to keep the streets safe for the children that were trick or treating.

FIRST DUE COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE FIRE
October 18, 2007

At approximately 0720 hours, a first alarm assignment was dispatched for a structure fire at Rollock Inc. in Franklin. Chief 5 arrived first to find a working fire in a 15ftx15ft (approx.) storage room inside a large former steel mill building that is now used by a recycling company. Truck 5-1 arrived next, followed shortly thereafter by Engine 15-1. Truck 5-1's crew conducted a primary search, checked for fire extension, set up ventilation, and then assisted Engine 15-1's crew with the initial attack line. Engine 36-3's crew performed a secondary search and stretched a second attack line, which was used to apply compressed air foam. Attack 6-6 set up interior lighting and provided manpower, Tanker 43-3 provided a water supply for the engine companies, and Engine 43-1 established the rapid intervention crew. Tanker 29-3 stoodby on scene with additional water if needed. Firefighters were at the scene for approximately 2½ hours.

Firefighters encountered extremely high heat while battling the fire that consumed a large quantity of used kitchen cooking oil which was stored in this room prior to being recycled. The fire was contained to the room of origin but sustained severe structural damage. Additionally, five sets of firefighter protective clothing was damaged or destroyed, along with several sections of attack hose, from coming into contact with the cooking oil, which saturated the gear. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Companies operating:

Quint Co. 5, Engine Co. 15, Rescue Engine Co. 36-3, Attack Co. 6
Engine (RIC) & Tanker Co. 43, Tanker Co. 29

TRUCK ASSISTS AT MALFUNCTIONING FURNACE

CVHS HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES
October 27, 2007

Franklin firefighters spent the evening participating in Conemaugh Valley High School's Annual Homecoming festivities. The evening's events began with a parade through the streets of East Conemaugh and Franklin Boroughs, ending with a pep rally and bonfire at the Franklin Ballfield. Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 participated in the parade and then performed fire watch duties until the bonfire burnt itself out. Lighting was provided by Rescue 13-3, Engine 17-2 (a rescue engine), and Truck 5-1.

TRUCK TRANSFERS TO RICHLAND
August 21, 2007

Truck 5-1 was transferred to the Richland Township Fire Department's headquarters at 1622 hours. The truck company stood by to handle any additional incidents in Richland while they were operating at a nursing home fire in neighboring Somerset County. Truck 5-1 returned home at 2235 hours without responding on any incidents.

RAPID INTERVENTION CREW FOR STRUCTURE FIRE
August 16, 2007

At 0333 hours, Station 5 was dispatched as the rapid intervention crew for a working structure fire on D Street Extension in Lower Yoder. Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 responded with eight personnel. Upon arrival, the crews established and stood by as the rapid intervention crew until operations were changed to a defensive mode and all crews were removed from the structure after fire went through the roof. Truck 5-1 then set up the aerial for aerial master stream operations; Engine 29-1 supplied Truck 5-1. The two-story structure contained a automotive repair garage on the first floor and an apartment on the second floor; the second floor was gutted and the first floor sustained heavy smoke and water damage. Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 returned to service at 0820 hours (nearly five hours later).

RAPID INTERVENTION CREW FOR STRUCTURE FIRE
August 16, 2007

At 0333 hours, Station 5 was dispatched as the rapid intervention crew for a working structure fire on D Street Extension in Lower Yoder. Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 responded with eight personnel. Upon arrival, the crews established and stood by as the rapid intervention crew until operations were changed to a defensive mode and all crews were removed from the structure after fire went through the roof. Truck 5-1 then set up the aerial for aerial master stream operations; Engine 29-1 supplied Truck 5-1. The two-story structure contained a automotive repair garage on the first floor and an apartment on the second floor; the second floor was gutted and the first floor sustained heavy smoke and water damage. Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 returned to service at 0820 hours (nearly five hours later).

TWO ALARM, TWO HOUSE FIRE
July 16, 2007

At 2206 hours, Truck 5-1 was dispatched on the working structure fire assignment as the rapid intervention crew to assist the Lower Yoder Township FD with a fire involving two houses on Virginia Avenue. Upon arrival, Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 combined crews (total of 9 personnel) to establish the rapid intervention crew which was later split into two RIC's (one on Side A and one on side C). Later during the fire, one of the RIC's was reassigned to assist with interior operations and eventually the other RIC was also reassigned to other duties. After being sent through rehab, both crews were once again assigned as the rapid intervention crew. The fire went to two alarms and Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 were not returned to service until over four hours later (0220 hours).

MULTIPLE CALLS
June 27, 2007

The first call came at 1807 hours, when a first alarm assignment was dispatched for a residential structure fire on Edgehill Drive in Westmont. Responding units arrived to find a working fire and requested Station 5 for the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC). Upon arrival, Truck 5-1 set up and stood by as the RIC in front of the structure until released. This fire occurred during a major thunderstorm.

While operating at the first fire, a first alarm assignment was dispatched to a lightning strike on Hipp Street in Cover Hill (Truck 5-1 is normally due on this call). Responding crews arrived to find a working structure fire. Upon being released from the Westmont fire, Truck 5-1 contacted Chief 13 to see if the truck company would be needed at their incident and was requested to respond. Upon arrival, the crews from Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-6 stood by in a manpower staging area until released a short time later as the fire was quickly knocked down by on scene crews.

Finally, at 2322 hours, units were dispatched to a vehicle accident with a vehicle rolled over on Bonair Street. Chief 5 arrived first to find a single vehicle on its side near the intersection with Arthur Drive Extension and nobody around the vehicle. Truck 5-1 checked for hazards and stood by until the vehicle was towed.

WORKING STRUCTURE FIRE
May 31, 2007

At 0107 hours, Station 5 was dispatched for the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) assignment at a working structure fire on Carnahan Street in Nanty Glo. Truck 5-1 arrived on scene and was assigned to set up the RIC in front of the structure. As the fire progressed, tactics were changed to a defensive fire attack and Truck 5-1's crew was reassigned to set up the aerial device for use as an aerial master stream. Once the fire was knocked down, Truck 5-1's crew was again assigned as the RIC for a short time until released.

MAJOR FUEL SPILL
May 18, 2007

At 0957 hours, units were dispatched to a shopping center in East Taylor Township after a truck ruptured its fuel tank in the parking lot. Truck 5-1 responded to assist with containing and cleaning up approximately 50 gallons of diesel fuel. Crews were on scene for just over three hours.

VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH MULTIPLE INJURIES
May 6, 2007

At 1819 hours, units were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident near the intersection of Truman Blvd and Birch Street. Crews arrived to find four injuries with one of the vehicles sustaining severe damage to the driver's side. Rescue Engine 5-2's crew secured the vehicles, assisted EMS with patient care, and cleared the debris from the roadway. A total of four ambulances were requested to transport four patients to a local hospital. The fire department cleared in an hour.

SHORT PURSUIT ENDS IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT
May 1, 2007

During the early morning hours (0254 hours), units were dispatched to a vehicle accident on River Avenue. EMS and Chief 5 arrived to find a single vehicle involved with the driver refusing EMS care. The driver had wrecked while refusing to stop for police after police attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding. Squad 5-6 assisted with debris cleanup and cleared from the scene just over one hour later.

WORKING VEHICLE FIRE
April 12, 2007

At 1000 hours, Rescue Engine 5-2 was dispatched for a working passenger vehicle fire on Chestnut Street in East Conemaugh. On scene personnel held the fire in check with fire extinguishers until the arrival of Rescue Engine 5-2. The rescue engine crew pulled an 1¾" attack line to extinguish the fire in the engine compartment. The rescue engine cleared within an hour.

RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE FIRE
April 6, 2007

A first alarm assignment was dispatched at 0608 hours for a structure fire on East Jackson Street. Arriving units found a working structure fire in a single family dwelling with "log cabin"-style construction. Truck 5-1's crew was assigned to open up walls to gain access to the fire that was hidden in the walls; the fire started as a flue fire and then spread into the walls. Truck 5-1 was on scene for almost three hours.