At 4:20 am, Saturday morning, Company 26 (Highland Park), Rescue 20, and several area medic units were dispatched to 8101 West Chester Pike, out front of the car wash, for an accident with entrapment. Upper Darby Police were on location in seconds reporting one vehicle into a tree with three injuries and one victim heavily pinned. Ladder 26 arrived first and began stabilization of the vehicle and extrication of the victim. Rescue 20 arrived, under the command of D/C 20-9A (M. Morgan), and the crew went to work with assisting in extrication, as well as patient packaging. The extrication was completed in about 20 minutes, and Rescue 20 was back home around 5:15. Later in the morning, after responding to a fire alarm in the Drexel Park Section of the local, Engine 20-2, Rescue 20, and the "Old Ford" headed down to the east end of town for SEPTA’s 100th Anniversary Parade. From there, 20-2 was off to the Garrettford Elementary School, and Engine 20-3 and the "Old Ford" went to the Aronimink Elementary School. Both schools were holding their annual May Fun Day, and as usual they asked for the fire company’s attendance. Members handed out fire prevention items, as well as displayed the apparatus for the public. All the events were over by 5 pm, and members had a chance to relax. Then, around 8:20 pm, the tones dropped for a house fire at 324 Lakeview Ave., reported to be in the bedroom. On the assignment were Companies 20, 26 (Highland Park), Tower 74 (Primos-Secane), and Medic 103-7B (DCMH Paramedics). As units were responding, fireboard advised that police were on location with smoke showing from the second floor, and fire visible from a second floor window in the rear. Because several township units who were normally due on this call were tied up on another emergency, Company 19 (Lansdowne), was dispatched to assist. Engine 20-1 arrived under the command of D/C 20-9A, and confirmed the police report. 20-1 then went in service with an 1 3/4" attack line. The crew from 20-1 encountered heavy smoke on the second floor of the home, and heavy fire in a rear bedroom. Engine 20-2 dropped a supply line and Ladder 26 started ventilation. All additional units assisted in ventilation, searches, salvage, and overhaul. Truck 19 took the R.I.T. assignment. The fire was placed under control in approximately 20 minutes, and Company 20 units cleared the scene in about 1 1/2 hours.

Around 10:20 am Monday morning, Rescue 20 was dispatched as the Rapid Intervention Team to assist the other township companies at 7114 Penarth Ave. in the Beverly Hills section of the township. Crews encountered a working fire in a bedroom and made quick work of it, bringing the job under control in about 15 minutes. Rescue 20 responded under the command of D/C 20-9A (M. Morgan) and stood by on the scene for about 20 minutes before returning to quarters. Just after calling off radio, the Company was dispatched to the east side again, this time for a fire alarm at the SEPTA maintenance facilities at 110 Victory Ave. The alarm was malfunctional and the company recalled. The volunteers would handle one more alarm before the day was through, at the Aronimink Swim Club, 1160 Dermond Ave., in the first due. This system was tripped by workers and again the company returned.

Late last week, a memorial service was held for fallen Upper Darby Police Officer Dennis McNamara (#121), a ten year veteran of the force, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on the night of January 30, 2002. The memorial was held outside the firehouse of Company 36 (Cardington-Stonehurst), as the tragedy happened right next door on Perry Ave. while Officer McNamara was investigating suspicious activity. Officer McNamara is gone but will never be forgotten, as this beautiful tribute to his life and service will remain as a reminder of his sacrifice. We pray for Dennis’ family and that he may continue to rest in peace. Sadly, on Saturday, another of our area’s finest was tragically taken from us. Philadelphia Police Department Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski was killed on Saturday, after stopping three men in connection to a bank robbery in the city. Sgt. Liczbinski is the second Philadelphia Officer to lose his life in the line of duty in just over six months, and the third in two years. Sgt. Liczbinski leaves behind a wife and three children, and we pray they find peace in knowing what a true hero he was. Rest in Peace Sergeant.

The officers and members of the Garrettford-Drexel Hill Volunteer Fire Company wish to send our wishes for a speedy recovery to Pennsylvania State Constable Carmen "Skip" Damiani. Skip, who lives in Upper Darby Township, was wounded yesterday afternoon, while attempting to serve an eviction notice to an individual at an apartment complex in Yeadon Borough. During the service, an altercation took place and the individual being evicted shot Skip in the head, and also shot the apartment complex’s manager in the stomach. Fortunately, both men were very lucky and escaped with non-life threatening injuries, although they still remain hospitalized in serious condition. Skip, in particular, has remained in high spirits despite the ordeal, and family members are at his bedside. A job well done to all of the surrounding departments who assisted in searching for and apprehending the suspect, who fled the scene. Best of luck to Skip and the other man injured on their recoveries, and we hope to see both get well very soon.

The company was dispatched to a mulch fire outside the Commerce Bank at 2200 Garrett Rd. a little before 5 pm on Sunday afternoon. As Engine 20-2 went responding, under the command of 20-13A (Stevenson Jr.), they drove through a small stream of white paint which was running down the side of the street. As the engine continued on to the bank, members standing by in the station began investigating for a source of the paint. As it turned out, a car driving down Edmonds Ave. knocked a five gallon bucket of white paint off the curb, causing a pool of it in front of 311 Edmonds Ave. A concerned neighbor then decided to use a garden hose to clean up the spill, but instead created a river of white stretching for several blocks and causing quite a mess, as numerous vehicles were now driving through it and tracking it throughout the neighborhood streets. As the crew from 20-2 handled the small mulch fire, the members left at the station went to work blocking off the streets and controlling the paint spill. 20-2 returned in about ten minutes and assisted inthe cleanup. The street was finally clear of its unplanned paint job in about a half hour.

At about 8:10 am, Saturday morning, Companies 20 and 26 (Highland Park), Truck 19 (Lansdowne), and Medic 103-7B (DCMH Paramedics), were dispatched to 3722 Taylor Ave. for a house fire. As units were hitting the street, fireboard advised that the caller was reporting a fire in a bedroom and all residents were being evacuated. Engine 20-1 arrived, under the command of D/C 20-9A (M. Morgan), and reported smoke showing from the second floor of a single family dwelling. First arriving crews also observed clothing and linens on fire outside the house, with a resident extinguishing them with a garden hose. The crew from 20-1 stretched an 1 3/4" attack line to the second floor, where they were confronted with a heavy smoke condition. As the line was advanced into a rear bedroom, several small fires were found throughout the room. The engine crew made short work of the fire, and began overhauling the extremely cluttered bedroom. All units then went to work ventilating and placing salvage covers on the first floor. Engine 74-2 (Primos-Secane) was dispatched to the scene for RIT, but because the fire was placed under control by the first 20-minute mark, they were re-directed to Station 20 for the cover assignment, along with Truck and Ambulance 19. Crews operated on Taylor Ave. for about an hour and a half. While on the scene, the covers handled an investigation at the Drexelbrook Banquet Facility, which was unfounded. Engine 20-3 also responded to the second emergency.

On Thursday night, as members were enjoying the intense Flyers game, Company 19 (Lansdowne) was dispatched to 225 Scottdale Rd., in the area of "B" building at the Gladstone Towers Apartments, for a transformer fire. Upon arrival of Engine 19 and Chief 19-9 (Young), crews investigated to find heavy smoke throughout the six story apartment building. 19-9 then requested the assignment upgraded to a building fire, bringing in the balance of 19, as well as Companies 20 and 03 (Clifton Heights), Tower 05 (Glendolden), RIT 09 (Sharon Hill), and Medic 105 (Fitz Hospital Paramedics). Engines 20-1 and 20-2 blew out the doors as the tones were still dropping, under the command of D/C 20-9A (M. Morgan). As units approached the scene, 20-1 took the order to prepare to establish a water supply, and all firefighters would be needed to assist in evacuating the building. The crews from 20-1 and 20-2 were ordered to the sixth floor for evacuations. As additional units began arriving, 19-9 requested PECO to expedite to the scene, as well as a tactical ambulance box, which brought in numerous EMS units from throughout the area. Crews worked for quite some time evacuating, as many occupants were not ambulatory and required extra assistance in being removed from the building. Rescue 16 (Yeadon) was special called to the scene for additional manpower, along with Canteen 47 (Chester Twp.). As if crews didn’t have their hands full already, they began discovering high reading of carbon monoxide on the third floor of the building. The Red Cross was notified to assist in relocating all residents, who were transported via Septa bus to the 20th Century Club in Lansdowne. PECO was able to secure the transformer and crews began ventilating and performing several other miscellaneous tasks. The situation was brought under control in about two hours, and Company 20 cleared the scene around 1:30 am. Rescue 20 and Engine 20-3 also made the response.

Crews learned the good news of the Flyers’ double-overtime victory while resting in the rehab area at the Lansdowne job. Go Flyers!

Early on Tuesday morning, shortly after 7 am, the Company was dispatched to Burmont and Marshall Rds. for a vehicle fire. Initial reports indicated a pick-up truck on fire. Engine 20-2 hit the street in moments, under the command of D/C 20-9A (M. Morgan), who reported fire visible from the station, as this location is only one block from the firehouse. 20-2 pulled up seconds later to find a large stake-body truck fully engulfed in flames. The crew stretched a supply line to a nearby hydrant and stretched two 1 3/4" handlines to attack the fire. D/C Morgan advised fireboard of a severe exposure problem, as power lines above the truck were beginning to burn and the fire was also threatening nearby houses. He then had PECO notified for a priority response, and also requested Squirt 36 dispatched to the scene to assist with checking the exposures. The crew from 20-2 was able to contain the fire in a few minutes and began overhauling the truck, while the crew from the Squirt checked the exposures and found no extension. The company then mopped up and was back in the station about an hour later. The rest of the day remained quiet until late in the afternoon, when the company received a rush of calls, enabling us to crack the 300 mark. At 3:45 pm, the building fire assignment was sent to 403 Lansdowne Ave., at Monsignor Bonner High School, for reports of heavy black smoke coming from the roof. On the ticket were Companies 26 (Highland Park), 37 (Upper Darby), 20, Tower 74 (Primos-Secane), Tower 34 (Llanerch), and Medic 103-7A (DCMH Paramedics). Units arrived to find smoke coming from the gymnasium of Archbishop Prendergast High School. Crews forced entry into the boiler room to find an oil-burner backfire, creating a heavy smoke condition throughout the building. Power to the unit was then secured and several fans were placed in service for ventilation. Only minutes after backing into the station, another building fire was dispatched. This time it was for 5000 State Rd., at the Drexeline Supermarket. On this assignment were 20, 26, Tower 74, and Medic 103-7A. Crews discovered a faulty light ballast at this location. Then, less than a half hour later, yet another building fire assignment was struck. This time it had Companies 19 (Lansdowne), 20, 03 (Clifton Heights), Tower 74, RIT 09 (Sharon Hill), and Medic 105 (Fitz Hospital Paramedics) going to 120 W. Baltimore Ave. in Lansdowne. Crews from 19 arrived shortly to discover burnt food on the stove with a burn victim in the residence. The assignment was soon held to Company 19 and the medics. Company 20 started the day with 298 calls, and ended with 302 on the year thus far.

Good effort to member Adam Drabinski doing the best he could to capture the truck fire on his cell phone.

After much hardwork from many of our dedicated volunteers, the gym has finally been completed. The company took on two deliveries of fitness equipment in the past couple of weeks, and it has all been set up and placed in service. Members and their families have been enjoying the new and improved gym. There are still many decorative touches to be added to the room, as well as a couple of high-def flat screen TV’s. We look forward to the further improvements and are proud of the progress that has been made. A thank you once again to all members who have helped make the gym a safe, clean, and comfortable place to exercise.

On Tuesday morning at a little after 10 am, the company was alerted for a vehicle fire out front of 204 Blanchard Rd. Engine 20-2 responded under the command of Lieut. 20-13C (G. Tully), and upon arrival discovered a broken radiator hose in the engine compartment. Then, just before 11 am, 20-2 was back on the road. This time it was headed to Station 19 (Lansdowne), for a cover assignment. Crews from numerous companies throughout the 7th District were battling a stubborn 2-alarm house fire in Yeadon. The engine covered for about three hours under the command of D/C 20-9A (M. Morgan). 20-2 was accompanied by Rescue 44 (Springfield) and Truck 63 (Green Ridge). No calls were logged while in Lansdowne. While on the cover, the balance of the company was dispatched into Company 74’s (Primos-Secane) local for a building fire. It was soon determined to be burnt food on the stove and all units recalled. Just a couple of hours after returning from Lansdowne, Engine 20-2 was again on the street for a fuel spill at 5101 State Rd., at the Sunoco A-Plus. 20-2 arrived under the command of A/C 20-9B (B. Tully) to find a large gasoline spill of approximately 20 gallons. The crew tossed several bags of oil-dry and cordoned off the area, before returning in about a half hour. The final call of the day had the company going into Company 26’s (Highland Park) local for a Carbon Monoxide Alarm. The call was held to 26 units in a few minutes and the balance of the assignment was returned.

After responding to a fully involved Porta-Potty fire on the 400 block of Turner Ave. last Saturday night, the company was dispatched shortly before 10 pm to the 600 block of Turner Ave. for another trash fire this past Saturday night. This time, as Engine 20-2 went responding under the command of Captain 20-12A (Castellano), the report was for a couch on fire. 20-2 arrived to find a couch fully involved in the middle of the street. The crew stretched two booster lines to extinguish the fire and then moved the remains of the couch from the street. The engine was back in the station around 10:15 pm.

The officers and members of the Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Company would like to congratulate Firefighter John Durst and his wife on the birth of their second son. Michael James was born at 6:04 pm on Friday, weighing in at a healthy 7 lbs. 3.5 oz. Mom, Dad, Big Brother, and Baby are all doing well. Congratulations Durst!

Thursday had the Company running five calls. It began very early, at 3:50 am, when the fire alarm activation came in for the Haskins Nursing Home on Rhoades Ave. in Company 74’s (Primos-Secane) local. It was determined to be a malfunctioning alarm and all units recalled. Then at 5:30 am, just as members were getting back to bed, the bells rang again, sending the company to the 500 block of Penn Ave. for a smoke investigation. This call was unfounded and the company was back in the station in about ten minutes. Members then had a chance to relax as the rest of the morning was quiet. At 12:50 pm, it was back to Company 74’s local for another fire alarm, this time at the Burlington Coat Factory on Baltimore Pike. This was another faulty alarm and again all units recalled. Just before 6 pm, the building fire assignment was struck for 155 Berkley Ave., in Lansdowne, at the Berkley Apartments. On the assignment were Companies 19 (Lansdowne), 20, 03 (Clifton Heights), Tower 74, RIT 09 (Sharon Hill), and Medic 105 (Fitz Hospital Paramedics). Engine 20-1 arrived under the command of Deputy Chief 20-9A (M. Morgan), and assisted Engine 19’s crew in investigating a possible heater backfire. A malfunctioning heater was found to be the problem, but there was no smoke inside the building so all units recalled. The final call for the day came in around 10:40 pm, when the tones dropped for a Natural Gas Leak Inside at 329 Cheswold Ave., in the local. Crews investigated under the command of 20-9A, and again found a malfunctioning heater. After checking the building for natural gas and carbon monoxide and finding negative readings, all units returned. The company was back home, for the night, just before 11 pm.

On Tuesday evening, around 6:40 pm, the company was dispatched to W. Township Line Rd. and Dermond Rd. for an accident with fluids and debris on the roadway. Engine 20-2 made the response under the command of Lieutenant 20-13A (Stevenson). Just as the engine was pulling up to the scene, a second emergency went out in the local, as the tones began dropping for a house fire at 644 Shadeland Ave., reported to be in the kitchen. On the assignment was the balance of Company 20, Company 26 (Highland Park), Tower 74 (Primos-Secane), Squirt 36 (Cardington-Stonehurst), and Medic 103-7A (DCMH Paramedics). Lieutenant 20-13 (Mignogna) arrived shortly after dispatch to report smoke showing from the rear of the house and a working kitchen fire. Engine 20-1 arrived, under the command of Firefighter Justin Koopman, and rapidly stretched an 1 3/4" handline to attack the fire. The crew was met with a fire in the wall behind the stove, which was extending up into the cabinet and ceiling area. The fire was knocked in under a minute and the job was placed under control in about fifteen minutes. Other units assisted in overhaul and ventilation. The assignment was held to Company 20 in about 45 minutes, and all units were available shortly before 8 pm. Deputy Chief 20-9A (M. Morgan) had Shadeland Ave. command. 20-2 made quick work of the accident scene, tossing oil dry and sweeping up, before responding to the house fire.

Pictures courtesy of John Colden (www.firegroundaudio.com).

At around 10:40 pm Saturday night, just minutes after returning from a fire alarm at St. Andrew’s School, the company was dispatched to Turner Ave., at the trolley tracks, for a trash fire. As Engine 20-2 went responding, under the command of Asst. Chief 20-9B (B. Tully), fireboard advised that it was reported to be a porta-potty on fire. 20-2 arrived to find a porta-potty fully involved, along with rubbish around it, creating an exposure problem to a nearby pile of railroad ties. The crew from 20-2 made quick work of the fire using two booster lines, and the company was back in the station by 11 pm.