Firefighting News & Site Updates
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Despite what many may think, Hoopie World is not dead. I thank those that inquired throughout the last few months regarding the status. The editor was involved with moving to a new home, changing jobs (twice), and dealing with a bunch of other life events that pretty much moved Hoopie World to the back burner.
I am happy to say things are getting back to their normal hectic levels, and the site will be being updated again in the near future. Check back for updates to the normal sections and some site revamping. Also look for an upgrade of the forums in 2012, with more integration with Facebook.
So for now, I would like to thank every one for their continued support, and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
Annual Pittsburgh Fire Muster and Memorial for Firefighters
Sunday, August 14th, 2011 – 9am to 2pm
Memorial followed by awards at 12pm
Location: Pittsburgh’s North Shore near Heinz Field
Admission free, rain or shine
Registration is $20 for apparatus
Fire related vendors, Dalmation contest, pumping, vendors welcome, no fee
SPAAMFAA Chapter, contact R. Clifford 412-487-8312, bob.barb.clifford@verizon.net
O’Hara Twp & Guyasuta VFD Situation
Interesting situation in O’Hara Twp involving Guyasuta VFD. Here is an article from WTAE/Pittsburghchannel.com:
O’HARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The O’Hara Township Council voted Tuesday night to suspend the Guyasuta Volunteer Fire Department from providing emergency services to the township.Township manager Julie Jakubec said in a press release that she hopes the suspension is “short-lived” and that it could be lifted in the future if “an acceptable reorganization of the department and corrections to fire call assignments are made.”Jakubec said a culmination of events led to the Council making the change, but cited the final straw as being when the department failed to make changes to its fire call assignments, even though it told the township it had.Jakubec said the changes were required as part of fire funding agreements between the department and the township.The changes were suggested to improve response times to Fox Chapel Area High School and O’Hara Elementary, Jakubec said.Fire departments from Blawnox, Aspinwall, Fox Chapel and Sharpsburg will cover Guyasuta’s region during the suspension.
Lincoln Vehicle Accident – Guard Rail Through Rear Window
Crews were alerted to a single vehicle accident with injuries in the 4600 block of West Smithfield during the afternoon of March 3rd, 2011.
Chief 184 arrived on scene to find a vehicle with a guard rail through the back window with multiple people injured. Lincoln Engine 184 and Liberty Rescue 183 responded to the scene to assist with hazard control and patient packaging. Liberty Service 183 blocked traffic at Liberty Way and West Smithfield. Elizabeth Twp EMS and Lincoln Ambulance 610 provided patient care.
Amazingly there were two passengers in the back seat at the time of the crash, and somehow both were able to avoid getting hit by the guad rail.
A landing zone was established in Lincoln by Port Vue Engine 237 and Stat Medevac flew one patient to a downtown hospital. Another patient was transported by ground to a local hospital by Ambulance 610.
Lincoln Borough police were on scene and are conducting an investigation.
More info can be found at LincolnVFRC.com
Forward Twp Police Officer Injured After Accident
This afternoon on March 1st, 2011, Forward Twp Police 1885 reported to dispatch that he got run into in the lot of the Citgo on Route 51 southbound. EMS and Fire requested to the scene. Elizabeth Boro PD arrived on scene and reported air bag deployment and requested a tow for the police car. The Forward Twp officer involved was transported to a local hospital. Forward Twp companies 154, 155, 156, and Elizabeth 139 were dispatched for the accident. Units from 139 arrived on scene first and reported they were good with resources on scene. Elizabeth Twp PD also assisted on scene.
Motor Vehicle Accident on Rt.380 and Rt. 366 on January 31, 2011
Photo by: Sardis Volunteer Fire Company
On Monday, January 31, 2011, just before 8:30 am there was a car accident involving two vehicles on Rt.380 and Rt. 366. Upon arrival, it was reported that there was entrapment with multiple patients. The Rescue rig from Station 78 went into service with a crew of four. The Rescue crew went to work on the removing the entire drivers side of the vehicle. Life Flight was called to the scene to transport a victim by air to a area hospital. The other patients were transported by ambulance.
Check out other photos at http://www.sardisfire.org
Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Full Resigns
A major announcement was revealed yesterday as Chief Bob Full has announced his resignation to take a position as Chief Deputy Director for PEMA (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency). He starts his new position on March 7th.
Per WPXI, Chief Full started in 1998, and was the first person to hold the position.
No interim or replacement has been named as of yet.
Hoopie World will be following this story and will have updates as they are announced.
Train Horns on Fire Apparatus in Western PA
The Fire Critic has written an article about train horns on fire apparatus. You can read the original article here. The article discusses Granville VFD in West Virginia, and how they put train horns on their apparatus.
That got me wondering how many companies in Western Pa utilize train horns. I can only think of one, which is Central VFC in Elizabeth Twp. Their 140 Rescue 7 is equipped with train horns and their site has a video with them responding to a call and using them which can be seen here. Let me know in the comments of other departments in the area that use them.
Also, those that are members of the companies that use them, how well do they work? Do they get people to yield or does it seem to just be overkill?
Be sure to comment below, how do you feel about train horns on fire apparatus?
Possible Structure Fire at The Lighting Store on Old William Penn Highway on January 30, 2011
Photo By: Sardis Vol. Fire Co.
On Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 16:19, there was a reported structure fire at 3700 Old William Penn Highway at The Lighting Store. It was reported that there was smoke showing from the roof and the interior was charged with a moderate smoke condition. Station 78 roof’s crew opened up 2 vents on the roof and had a significant smoke condition in the attic area. Division 2 crews investigated the interior and found some plastic PVC piping on fire in the furnace area. After a lengthy investigation, command returned the companies.
Check out other photos at http://www.sardisfire.org
Hampton Twp House Fire
photo by Shaun Nestler
The North Zone Scrapbook has pictures and audio from a fire that occurred in Hampton Township on February 2nd, 2011.
Check out the other pictures and audio at this link
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