Santa Sunday 2011 was yet again, a great day as the Oakmont Fire Company came out in force to chauffer Santa through Havertown. Thanks to all who came out! This day is not just a fun tradition for families in our local but an exciting day for the firefighters also and this is because of the great support that our residents give to us year in and year out.
Just hours before the firefighters of Oakmont were set to greet Santa for his annual pre-Christmas tour of Havertown, Companies 38 and 35 (Brookline) were dispatched for a working dwelling fire at 713 Haverford rd. in the Bryn Mawr section of Haverford Township. 38-9 (Chief McGoldrick) was en route when police advised that the fire was visible through the roof from the front of the house. 38-9 was the first arriving fire unit followed shortly thereafter by Squad 38 which was put into immediate service, stretching an 1 3/4″ hose to the front of the house. At this point, 38-9 requested Squad 56 (Manoa) for the RIT, and Rescue 58 (Bon Air) for the Air Bank. Also on scene was Haverford Car 1 (FIRE MARSHALL MARINO) Ambulance 34-7, Medics 108-108-9A-and MontCo 313. Haverford PD and HTBF Fire Police assisted with traffic control while units operated on the fire ground. No one was injured at the home and the company was able to make it back the station in time to great old St. Nick.
We regret to pass on the sad news that life member and former Chief Arthur J O’Connor Jr. has passed away. Arthur joined Oakmont in 1954 and served as Chief from 1981-88 before retiring a 35 year member. The thoughts and prayers of the Oakmont family go out to his loved ones at this time. At this time, funural arrangements have not been announced.
On Monday, October 17th, the crew from Oakmont completed the 2011 HazMat refresher, a two day course on rapid response to hazardous materials incidents. The course goal was to ensure that HazMat knowledge and skills were maintained the fire company. Foam 35 and Engine 35 were brought in for equipment review.
The crew stood by at Darby and Clearfield after being dispatched around 21:15 hours on Tuesday, October 19th. PECO contractors struck a low pressure main around that time and immediately notified the Delaware County 911 center which dispatched police and fire. Thanks to a PECO Emergency Response crew responding quickly, the hole in the main was temporarily patched until a crew could respond later for a permanent fix. Squad 38, Ladder 38, and Engine 38 stood by in case the natural gas ignited while assisting families from four houses in temporarily evacuating. Rescue 58 was also called in to ensure that PECO responders had a sufficient air supply while working in the trench. The scene was declared under control 2 ½ hours after the initial dispatch and the families were allowed to return home. No gas services were disturbed by the incident.
Thanks to all who joined us for our fire prevention demonstration. We hope this week has been both informative and interesting for you and that you will join us again next year for this important annual event. Remember to stay safety smart and check your smoke detector batteries every time you change your clocks. Have an emergency exit plan and rally point in place and a practice using them. Keep baking soda near any cooking areas and don’t play with fire. In case of an emergency call 9-1-1 and don’t go back to retrieve belongings. Finally, as everyone knows, if your clothes are on fire just Stop-Drop-and Roll.
The display this evening has been moved from Grasslyn Park to the Firehouse at 23 W. Bendict and will start as planned at 7:00 PM. We hope you will join us for this exciting and informative event.
The crew will be visiting St. George’s Childrens Ark on Tuesday, October 11th at 10:30 AM. On Wednesday we will at St. Denis school at 9:30, Coopertown Elementary at 10:30, Haverford College at 1:00, and back to Coopertown at 2:00. Thursday the 13th will bring the crew back to St. Denis twice at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Wrapping up fire prevention week we will host students from Chestnutwald at the firehouse 9:30 AM and 1:15 PM before our Fire Prevention Exhibition at Grasslyn Park at 7:00 PM. We hope that any residents interested will feel free to join us for the exhibition in home safety and preparedness where we will discuss prevention and reaction before demonstrating a car and house fire response.
Roughly around 3:27 PM on 9/13 a witness reported a house fire across the street from Llanerch Fire Company (Co. 34); walking in and notifying members. 34-9 (Chief Roberts) notified fireboard by radio of a working fire at the corner of Darby rd. and West Chester Pike. A dwelling response was dispatched with Co. 35 (Brookline) requested for assistance, Co. 38 (Oakmont) for the R.I.T. who was requested by 34-9 to respond full company just before dispatch, Co. 56 (Manoa-temporarily taking over R.I.T. responsibilities) and Co. 58 (Bon Air). The two story twin dwelling had heavy fire in the rear with visible lateral and vertical extension and heavy smoke conditions. As fire fighters from multiple companies were progressing with an interior attack, it became apparent to Chief Roberts that conditions were rapidly worsening as heavy fire began to blow out the front windows on the second floor, and evacuation tones were sounded. A third alarm was sounded with the request for Ladder 26 (Highland Park) for manpower, Co. 20 (Garrettford-Drexil Hill) for the R.I.T., and MontCo Co. 21 (Penn Wynne-Overbrook Hills) for man power and totake on cover responsibilities for Llanerch. Crews eventually made their way back inside the dwelling to knock down any remaining fire and check for extension & hot spots while MontCo Co. 25 (Merion Fire Company of Ardmore) covered for Oakmont. EMS and Rehab crews on scene included 34-7, 56-7, 75-7 (Briarcliffe), Medic 103 (DCMH), Medic 108 (Haverford Paramedics), 108-9, 108-9A, 108-A, and MontCo Rehab 313 (Narberth). The homeowner was transported to a nearby hospital for injuries but is believed to be free of serious injuries. No other casualties were reported. No official source has been named to have started the fire.
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