The 2014 Oakmont Fire Company Social will be held on Thursday, May 15th from 7pm – 10pm at the firehouse (23 W. Benedict Ave, Havertown). All you can eat food and beverage as well as a 50/50 and a raffle for various door prizes! Come out for a good time with great people. All are welcome!

On Thursday, April 24th the Volunteers of Oakmont were kept busy. The day started off at 2am with a Building Fire response to the Bryn Mawr Terrance Assisted Living Facility. Crews arrived and found a small fire in the laundry room. The fire was contained to the room by the building’s sprinkler system and the companies on scene fully extinuished the fire and removed the smoke from the building. Units on scene included Oakmont, Brookline, Haverford Paramedics, Llanerch EMS and Haverford Police. Three automatic fire alarms, two brush fires and a gas leak inside were also handled by the company, for a total of seven emergencies before midnight.

April 3rd, 2014- Leadership change: After six years of leading the Oakmont Fire Company, the current chief, Robert J. “Mags” McGoldrick, retired from his leadership role. Many family members, friends and representatives from the other township fire companies attended the ceremony.
In a heartfelt ceremony, Chief McGoldrick touched on his trials and tribulations from the time he was promoted to Lieutenant all the way up to Chief. He added that our future is derived from our past. Making note of past Chief Jack Healy’s presence.
McGoldrick expressed his thanks to family, friends and his firehouse family for their unwavering support and dedication. He went on to ask the firefighters to continue moving forward and fully support the new chief. He then officially turned the “helm” over to William Hatton, Jr. who also, in turn, thanked his family and friends for their support. Bill was ceremoniously handed the Oakmont Chief’s hat by his father, William Hatton, Sr., Chief emeritus.
Attendees then retired to the crew room for food and refreshments.
Thank you to Mags for your contributions and leadership over the years. Good luck to Bill in his future as Chief of the Oakmont Fire Company. Semper Paratus!!

Photos courtesy of  Pete Bannon

The Oakmont Fire Company would like to send our deepest sympathies to the Boston Fire Department. Last week two firefighters were killed in the line of duty when they became trapped in the basement of a four-story dwelling that was engulfed in flames. Today, the second of the two funerals were held. Firefighters from all over the country made their way to Beantown to lay their fellow brother’s to rest. Rest in peace FF Michael Kennedy and LT Edward Walsh, we have it from here.

On Saturday, March 29th Ladder 38 headed down to Glenolden Fire Company to cover their station while their company participated in a multi-agency drill at Amtrak’s 30th St Station. The ladder’s crew of six stood-by for approximately six hours and were first-due in Glenolden’s fire district. During their time at the cover-up the company handled no calls.

On Saturday, March 15th Oakmont participated in a township-wide drill at an acquired structure on Steel Rd. The building was given to Bon Air for the day to conduct “real-life training” to help keep Haverford’s firefighters at the top of their game. Approximately 30 members from Oakmont, Llanerch, Brookline, and Bon Air participated in the training. Companies trained on searching for trapped victims, roof ventilation, downed firefigther scenerios, hoseline advancement and overhaul techniques. This type of training proves invaluable to firefighters as they are able to train together in a unfamiliar setting, similar to what is encountered on an actual fire scene.

As winter ends, spring is coming so on Sunday March 9th, 2014 clocks will be moving forward one hour. Also with the changing of time please dont forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Around 15:00 hours the fire assignment went out for a house fire in the 600 block of Darby Road, Company 34 (Llanerch) Company 35 (Brookline) and Rescue 58 (Bon Air) were dispatched. Engine 34-1 arrived to find a smoke condition on the 2nd and 3rd floor. As the crew stretched attack lines the request was made for the 2nd alarm, which brings Rapid Intervention Team from Oakmont (Engine 38) and an Engine from Station 56 (Manoa). When the crew from Engine 38 arrived and started to place ground ladders up for the safety of the firemen, part of the crew was assigned to interior firefighting. A requeste was then made for the remainder of Company 38 and 56. Ladder 38 extended its main to the “B” side of the building, cutting a large hole in the roof. Crews operated on the scene for an extended period of time and Company 38 went available at 17:30 Hours. A special call was made to have Montgomery County Ladder 25 (Ardmore) and Squad 23 (Bryn Mawr) cover Station 38 while we were at the Darby Rd Assignment.

On Friday Feburary 28th at 11:55 am Company 38(Oakmont) and 35 (Brookline) were dispatched to 2412 Linden Drive for a Building Fire. 38-9(McGoldrick) arrived on location and reported fire through the roof of a 3 story single family dwelling. 38-9 requested the call to be redispatched as a working fire and to upgrade to a second alarm which brought RIT 34 (Llanerch) Ambulance 34-7 and Rescue 58 (Bon Air). Engine 56 (Manoa) was requested for manpower. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a small attic space that was being used as a bedroom. There were no injuries reported. Montco Ladder 25 (Ardmore) covered Station 38 while we were operating on Linden Dr. All crews were made availble around 13:30.

During the storm Oakmont and Manoa responded to 103 wood lane for the building fire. Crews arrived to find a fire in the stove. The assignment was held to engine and ladder 38 for ventilation.