Snow Causes Problems

At 1117 hours on February 18th, the Franklin Fire Department was dispatched to assist police with traffic control on Bridge Street and Truman Blvd due to several disabled vehicles and accidents on the snow covered hill. Squad 5-1 assisted with shutting down the road until PennDOT crews plowed the roadway. Then, approximately one hour after returning to service, the fire department was dispatched to the same location to assist police with removing debris from the vehicle accidents. Squad 5-1 responded again and cleared the debris before returning to service at 1311 hours.

Heating Fuel Spilled

On February 10th at 1007 hours, units were dispatched to a spill of home heating fuel outside a Sabina Street residence in the Parkhill section of East Taylor Township. Engine 5-1 arrived on scene first to find a 275-gallon fuel tank overturned outside the residence with a small leak from an opening on the top of the tank. The engine crew, with assistance from Squad 17-6’s crew, contained the leak and then utilized air bags to lift the tank but up onto its legs.

River Avenue Accident

Units were dispatched at 0919 hours on February 4^th for a vehicle accident on River Avenue near the Maple Avenue bridge. Engine 5-1 arrived first to find a single vehicle involved, partially on a concrete barrier. The driver was already out of the vehicle and walked to the ambulance. The rescue/engine crew (assisted by Squad 5-1) secured and stabilized the vehicle, checked for hazards, and placed absorbents on leaked fluids. Crews returned to service an hour later after the vehicle was towed.

Multi-Vehicle Accident

On January 29th, emergency crews were dispatched at 0959 hours to Locust Street & River Avenue for a vehicle accident. Engine 5-1 arrived to find six vehicles involved during snowy weather. Crews from Squad 5-1 and the engine checked for hazards, secured the vehicles, cleared debris, and assisted EMS before returning to service. One patient was transported to a local hospital by EMS.

Three Alarm Fire in Oakland

A first alarm was dispatched at 0403 hours on January 25th to a working structure fire at Carmen’s Wholesale Tires on Bedford Street in Oakland. Within minutes, an Oakland fire chief arrived on scene and quickly asked for a second alarm, which brought Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-1 to the scene.

Upon arrival, Truck 5-1 was positioned on Penrod Street at the rear of the tire shop and instructed to protect a residence and shed that were less than 15 feet away from the massive fire. After getting a water supply, Truck 5-1’s aerial master stream was utilized to assist with attacking the fire. Engine 5-1 (which responded a few hours later) provided manpower for several operations including fire attack and carbon monoxide metering in nearby homes.

Less than an hour into the fire, a Richland Township firefighter had to be rescued by his department’s rapid intervention crew after he fell through the roof of the burning building while making a trench cut of the roof. Though the building is a total loss, we are glad to say that the firefighter was successfully rescued and was treated and released from the hospital. For details on the mayday situation, visit the Richland Township FD’s website.

The fire eventually went to a third alarm, with numerous special calls for tankers and engine companies. Water supplies were established using a  tanker shuttle from Dale Borough and three lengthy hose lays (one of which required 3 engines and over ½ mile of hose to complete). Franklin firefighters finally returned to service at 1537 hours (11½ hours later) while some firefighters remained on scene well into the following day. It is believed that there was over 30,000 tires in the building.

The Franklin Fire Department would like to thank the Adams Township (St Michael) Fire Department for standing by in our station with an engine and with helping to get our fire apparatus back in service following the fire.

Pictures coming soon!

Standby & RIC Response

While Truck 5-1 and Squad 5-1 were standing by in Richland Township’s Scalp Avenue firehouse on January 17th, the department was dispatched at 1044 hours to assist Lower Yoder Township with a rapid intervention crew at a working structure fire on Blawn Street. Both units responded from Richland while Engine 5-1 responded from our station. Upon arrival, crews stood by as the rapid intervention crew and assisted with overhaul and manpower before returning to service just over an hour later.

First Call of 2009

At 1634 hours on January 14, 2009 , the department was dispatched to its first call of the new year. Chief 5 responded (with several personnel meeting him on scene) to assist police with traffic control at a vehicle accident with no injury at the intersection of Main & Franklin Streets. Firefighters assisted for 12 minutes before returning to service.