A little before 4 this afternoon the building assignment was dispatched to the Wildman Arms Condos on Baltimore Pike in Lansdowne. Engine and Truck 19 responded quickly and were advised of a call for smoke rising past a 4th floor apartment window. Fireboard quickly advised of numerous calls and a pull station activation from the 3rd floor. Engine 19 reported smoke showing from the 3rd floor of  a 6 story apartment building. Also on the initial dispatch were companies 03(Clifton Heights), 20(Drexel Hill) and 09(Sharon Hill) as the RIT. Engine 19 began to enter the building and were met by numerous subjects exiting the building. Police were advising of a working fire on the 3rd floor and numerous subjects trapped on the 4th, 5th and 6th floors. Crews from Truck 19 and Ladder 20 began to search apartments on the 3rd floor as Engine 19 located fire in two apartments. Company 09 was placed in service to assist with rescues as crews from 03 made a rescue over the aerial ladder of Quint 03. A second alarm was quickly requested along with a second RIT. The second alarm brought companies 04(Darby 1), 16(Yeadon), 24(East Lansdowne). Springfield(44) was added as the next RIT. Several rescues were made and 5 civilians were transported to local hospitals. A 3rd alarm was requested bringing companies 22(Milbourne), Tower 05(Glenolden), Rescue 42(Collingdale 2) and 43(Holmes) as an additional RIT. Also responding were numerous EMS units. Along with the 5 civilians, 2 firefighters were also treated for heat related injuries. Companies remained on scene for over 5 hours and the fire is still under investigation. Thanks to Engine 06-1(Collingdale 1), Truck 63(Green Ridge) and Rescue 01(Folcroft) for providing cover. While covering the local the cover companies also ran 2 calls.

Early this morning the Rescue was dispatched to Lansdowne and Providence in Yeadon for an accident with entrapment. Units arrived to find a single vehicle that had struck a pole and one trapped inside. Crews from Rescues 16(Yeadon) and 19 removed the passenger door and rolled back part of the roof, before pushing the dash to remove the victim. Crews worked for about 20 minutes to extricate the victim. Also on the scene were Fitz EMS units and 7th District fire police.

Here are some pictures from some recent incidents. The Rescue company has been unusually busy for the last couple weeks. Running several accidents with entrapment, a couple RIT runs and a residential rescue.

On Sunday morning just before 10 the box alarm was dispatched to Yeadon for a house fire. First arriving police and EMS units reported smoke showing from a twin and a working fire. Chief 16 (Melazzo) arrived and assumed command. Crews reported a fire in the basement. Truck 19 the first arriving truck company entered and began to search for possible victims. Lines were stretched to the basement and first floor to begin extinguishment. Pipeline 19 arrived and their crew was also sent to search with the Truck crew. As members of the Pipeline crew began to ascend the stairs to the second floor conditions began to deteriorate quickly. At this time fire began to climb the stairs forcing the crews to take refuge in several bedrooms. As heat and smoke began to build, and visibility dropped to zero the Truck crew issued a mayday and began to bailout the rear bedroom. The Pipeline’s crew managed to secure the bedroom door that they were in and requested ladders to the window they were at. The RIT was activated and ladders were placed to assist the trapped members. A second alarm was requested. One member of the truck crew managed to bail out a window on the “D” side to a small roof. The other member managed to get out a window on the “B” side head first onto a ladder. The Pipeline’s crew also got out of a window on the “B” side on an extension ladder. In all three firefighters were transported to hospitals for minor injuries. Of those who were forced to bailout the most serious injuries were minor burns to one member’s wrist and another with a burn to the jaw. The fire was brought under control in about 90 minutes, with units remaining on scene for about 3 hours. Also on the assignment were Companies 16(Yeadon), 24(East Lansdowne), 03(Clifton Heights), 04(Darby 1), 09(Sharon Hill), 36(Cardington), 70(Leedom) and numerous EMS units. Cover for Station 19 was Engine 06(Collingdale 1) and Truck 63(Green Ridge).

This morning just before 9 Fire Board was advised by Millbourne Police of a working fire at Market and Millbourne with possible entrapment. Units from Upper Darby were dispatched as this is the border of Millbourne and Upper Darby. It was quickly determined the fire was in Millbourne and the box assignment was dispatched for Millbourne bringing Truck 19. The Truck responded with 5 and was quickly sent to open the roof. Companies had fire in the basement and first floor of a 3 story twin divided into apartments. Companies had fire running the walls in the void spaces and the first two RIT crews were placed in service for firefighting duties. Rescue 19 and Engine 03-1 were requested as a third RIT. Soon after assembling in-front of the fire building this RIT crew was placed into service for firefighting duties. Pipeline 19 responded as well for additional manpower due to unusually warm April temperatures taking a toll on the crews. Crews remained on location for about 2.5 hours before returning to service. Cover for station 19 was Truck 63.

This morning at 1:45 the Rescue was dispatched as the RIT to the 200 block of Marks Avenue in Darby Boro for the building fire. Crews had fire showing from the 2nd floor of a 2 story twin. Rescue 19 responded with a crew of 6 and set up in-front of the fire building and assisted throwing ladders. Crews from Darby and Collingdale were able to quickly bring the fire under control and the Rescue was back in service by 3:15.

QUARTERLY PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT STATION 19 ON APRIL 8TH, 2010 STARTING @ 1930 HRS. SIGN-UPS WILL BE POSTED IN THE STATION SHORTLY. QUESTIONS, SEE CAPTAIN TUTTLE

Lansdowne Fire Company Members are advised that drill will be conducted on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 1930 hrs. The topic will be aerial ladder operations for the firefighter. Drill will tenatively be conducted at the Penn Wood High School Campus. Members are asked to arrive at 1925 hrs. to ensure a prompt departure from Station 19. As always, this is an all weather training event. That is all.

LFC members should be advised that drill this week will be conducted on Thursday, 03-11-2010. The topic will be "Search and Rescue Procedures for the Lansdowne Fire Company". Start time will be 1935 hours in the meeting room. Members planning on attending drill the next several weeks should make every effort to attend, as this week's drill will serve as the basis for the next several weeks of practical training.

Several of our members will be participating in the Tough Mudder Competition on May 02, 2010 held at the Bear Creek Mountain Resort. The members participating in the event are also raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project and are in need of donations. Anyone who is able to help raise money for our Wounded Warriors is asked to contact Steve Costa ASAP at scosta@lansdownefire.com