Just about quarter past midnight the Company was dispatched to the area of 76 Ardmore Avenue in the first due for a building fire. Engine 19 was quickly on the street as the Company had just returned from a wires call to end 2008. Also due on the first alarm were Companies 20(Drexel Hill), 03(Clifton Heights) and RIT 09(Sharon Hill). As units began to hit the street Fire Board advised they were receiving several calls and the police were on location with smoke showing. Chief 19(Young Sr.) arrived and reported a working fire in a 2.5 story twin. Engine 19 arrived and stretched an attack line to the second floor to begin extinguishment. As crews began to knock the fire some type of explosion occurred, lifting a portion of the roof. Evacuation tones were sounded and the crew was pulled out of the building. A second RIT 43(Holmes) was quickly requested as command was not sure if there was a collapse. The crew from the Engine was accounted for and a new plan developed. Company 16(Yeadon) was special called. Followed quickly by a second alarm as the fire was spreading across the roof to the exposure. The second alarm brought Companies 06(Collingdale1), 42(Collingdale 2), 04(Darby 1), 24(East Lansdowne) and Tower 74(Primos-Secane).  Crews placed 2 ladder pipes and several 2.5" lines in service to knock the fire. Crews managed to keep the fire from spreading to the exposure, other than the roof. After knocking the bulk of the fire, the building was determined to be stable and crews went back to extinguish hot spots. Crews also had to battle icing conditions as temperatures were in the 20's during the fire. Thanks to all the EMS units on scene, as well a North Penn canteen unit for hot drinks and food. Several firefighters received minor injuries, all were treated and released from local hospitals. The Company was back in service at about 0430. Cover for Station 19 was Truck 63(Green Ridge). This was the first of 4 calls for the day. The year is off to a busy start.

Tonight the Rescue was dispatched to 422 Ellis in Colwyn as the RIT on a working building fire. The Rescue was quick to respond and arrived to find fire showing from the first and second floor of a 2 story twin. Crews placed several master streams and large lines in service. The fire was fed by a propane tank in the rear. As crews began to enter the exposure building a firefighter became lost, requiring the activation of the RIT. As the first members of the RIT began to enter the building the firefighter was located by his crew. The RIT was than stood down. Command then decided to go completely exterior and crews placed several master streams in service. The Rescue remained on scene till almost 0300 hours before returning. Also while in Colwyn the Company also ran a building fire in East Lansdowne.  

Some more pictures from the Stewart Avenue fire. All pictures are from Frank Wesnoski. Thanks for the pictures Frank.

This morning just after 10:20 the box alarm was sounded for the area of 87 E Stewart for a house fire. Lansdowne Police quickly arrived and reported a working fire at 75 E Stewart. Engine 19 hit the street quickly and dropped a supply line. Chief 19(Young) arrived and confirmed the police report of a working fire with fire showing from the first floor of a three story single. First alarm companies 03(Clifton Heights), 16(Yeadon) and 24(East Lansdowne) were quickly put to work. Engine 19 lead off with a deck gun in order to knock down the heavy fire. RIT 09(Sharon Hill) was ordered to work in firefighting duties, and a second RIT from 44(Springfield) was requested. A second alarm was also requested bringing companies 04(Darby 1), 20(Drexel Hill) and Tower 74(Primos Secane) was also quickly requested by command. Rescue 42(Collingdale 2) was requested for the air bank. After the quick knock with the deck gun crews were able to enter the building and control the remaining fire. There was minor extension to the basement and second floor. Crews were on scene for almost 3 hours before returning to service. Thanks to Engine 63(Green Ridge) and Rescue 01(Folcroft) for the cover.

This morning just past 8:40 the company was dispatched to the 400 block of Holly Road in Yeadon for a building fire. Police arrived and reported a working fire, with fire showing from the first floor of a two story twin. Truck 19 arrived first and took the front of the building. Engines 16-2, 24 and Pipeline 19 quickly followed. The crew from Truck 19 went to the roof and began opening up. Pipeline 19's crew stretched a 2.5" line to the rear and began fire attack. A second alarm was quickly requested due to the fire load and some short staffed units. As crews were attempting to knock the fire on the first floor a hole was discovered in the front of the building and crews were evacuated. Master streams were placed in service to knock the bulk of the fire. After regrouping several times crews were finally allowed on the upper floors for final extinguishment. Crews from 19 finally cleared early in the afternoon. Cover for the station was Tower 5(Glenolden).

The Officers and Members would like to congratulate Bill and Jen Shuker on the birth of their first baby girl. Emma Lee came into the world on Nov.28 weighing in at 9lbs and 7oz. Mom, Dad and baby are doing great.

This morning just about 6:30 the Rescue was dispatched to the 100 block of Melrose in East Lansdowne for an accident with one overturned with entrapment. Chief 19 arrived and found one on it's side with one unresponsive inside. The Rescue arrived and stabilized the vehicle then began to remove the roof for access. Crews made quick work and flapped the roof. The driver who was now responsive, was removed and transported to a local hospital. Engine 24 was also on scene and provided a precautionary line. Almost 5 hours later the Rescue was again dispatched to East Lansdowne for one overturned with entrapment. Units arrived to find one on it's roof with a subject trapped. Again the vehicle was stabilized and this time the door was popped. The patient was again transported to a local hospital. 24 again had engine company duties.

Today just after 4:30 PM the Company was dispatched along with Medic 105 and Medic 16-7 to Lansdowne and Marshall for an accident with entrapment, vehicle into the house. Ambulance 19 was inbound to Delco Hospital with a patient and stopped for a quick check and reported 2 vehicles involved, with one trapped, and no vehicle into the house. 19-9A(Worley) arrived and reported one trapped and advised Rescue 19 that the drivers door would need to be popped. The Rescue crew quickly popped the door and the patient was removed and transported. All units were clear in about 30 minutes.

Tonight, just after the Phillies finished off another World Series win, the Company was alerted for an accident with entrapment at Plumstead and Green. Further reports stated that one vehicle was into a house. Medic 105 was also on the initial dispatch. Medic 16-7 was also added as they were in the area. The police arrived  and confirmed one trapped and requested that the fire department expidite. EMS units arrived and advised that the vehicle was not into the building. Rescue 19 arrived and began to take the passenger door and roof of the vehicle that was struck by a van. Crews quickly removed the passenger door and roof from the vehicle to extricate the single trapped patient. In all 4 subjects were transported to HUP, one via helicopter. Also added on the assignment were Medic 04-7 and Ambulance 03. 7th district fire police assisted with traffic control.

This morning just before 4:30 the Rescue was dispatched as the RIT to the 1100 block of Elmwood in Sharon Hill. The Rescue responded with a crew of 5 and was recalled while responding. Just as members were falling back to sleep from the first call, the Rescue as the RIT was dispatched again to Sharon Hill. Police arrived and reported a working fire. Chief 9(Beneke) arrived and reported heavy fire showing from the 1st floor of a 3 story apartment building with people trapped on the roof. First in companies managed to make several rescues and began an agressive attack. A second alarm was requested and Truck 19 was special called as there were several more reports of people trapped. Rescue 19 arrived and set up RIT operations in the front. Due to the size and layout of the building a second and third RIT were requested. The RIT from Company 43(Holmes) had the rear, while Company 03(Clifton Heights) provided supplemental manpower for both RITs. Crews managed to keep the fire to the building of origin, with no injuries to firefighters or civilians. In total the Rescue and Truck operated for about 3.5 hours. Thanks to Ladder 20(Drexel Hill) for the cover.