95 STEVENS LANE ~ DISTRICT 128 ~ AFA

The Chief & Engine would be dispatched on the SRN for a working structure fire at 201 Wyalusing Street in Old Forge. Chief 93 arrived on scene to find fire showing from the second floor of a two story, multiple unit building. The first arriving crews would establish a water supply and made quick work of knocking down the fire.

Chief 143 would assist at the Command Post while the crew from Engine 143 would handle the RIT duties. All of the crews would operate on scene for over two hours before being released.

The Chief & Engine would be dispatched as part of a second alarm assignment for a working residential structure fire on Wilson Street in Dupont. Engine 125 arrived on scene first to find fire and smoke showing from the back porch of a one and a half story wood frame residence. The first arriving crews would handle the fire on the back porch with an aggressive attack and prevented it from spreading into the attic space.

Once on scene, Chief 143 would be assigned as the Incident Commander while Chief 125 remained as the Operations Chief. The crew from Engine 143 would remain in staging in case a second attack line was needed. All of the crews would operate on scene for less than an hour before being released.

On Sunday, February 5th, the Line Officers from Station 143 will be leaving for the American LaFrance Factory in Summerville, South Carolina.

The following morning, February 6th, we will begin the final inspection process. We will spend the day meeting the staff at American LaFrance, completing a road test, and checking over the apparatus for any problems.

The next day, February 7th, we will start off the morning by returning to the factory to give the apparatus a second look over to make sure that everything is perfect and we will end the day with a visit to the North Charleston American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center.

On the morning of the third day, February 8th, we will begin the ten hour drive back to Station 143.

The members at Station 143 are extremely happy to have chosen American LaFrance to build our new rescue pumper. The staff at American LaFrance have been wonderful to work with throughout the entire process so far. They have made themselves available to us for any questions on a daily basis and have proven to us that they have a compassionate, hardworking staff that has gone above and beyond our expectation level.

Below are some recent pictures of the final days of the assembly phase.

The Chief & Engine would be dispatched as part of a first alarm assignment for a working structure fire on East 6th Street in Wyoming. Chief 191 arrived on scene to find heavy smoke showing from the basement of a two and a half story wood frame residence. The first arriving crews would handle the fire in the basement with an aggressive attack and prevent it from spreading into the upper floors.

Chief 143 would assist with accountability and the crew from Engine 143 would be assigned to handle the RIT duties. All of the crews would operate on scene for over two hours before being released.

During the recent installation dinner, several members of the hose company were honored for being the top monthly and yearly responders during 2011. As part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) the department obtained in April 2011, the top monthly and yearly responders recieved a certificate and a pre-paid gift card as a reward for thier hard work and dedication.

The three top yearly responders each received a framed certificate and a $100, $50, or $25 pre-paid gift card respectively. The three yearly top responders were Department Chief Jamie Merlino (239 calls), Todd Kuna (188 calls), and Jason Mandicott (183 calls) during the 2011 year.

The following members were the top monthly responders, which recieved a certificate and $25 pre-paid gift card. The top monthly responders were Bill Aruscavage (April -13 calls, November - 16 calls), Joe Meranti (May - 10 calls), Patrick Kaczmarczyk (June - 13 calls, August - 33 calls), Brandon Collins (July - 16 calls, December - 14 calls), Frank Zielinski (September - 22 calls), and Steven Kerish (October - 22 calls).

The department would like to congratulate these members for a job well done. The top responder awards will continue over the next three years as part of the grant funding.

As a yearly tradition, the members of the Hughestown Hose Company gathered for the annual Installation Dinner to install the Administrative Officers, Chief Officers, Line Officers, and Fire Police Officers in the department. Hughestown Mayor Paul Hindmarsh provided the oath of office and swore in each of the members to their respective offices. Following the oaths of office, Length of Service Awards and Certificates were issued to all of the active members of the department with 15 or more years of service to the department to honor their service and commitment to the department and Hughestown Borough. Following the ceremony, members and their families were treated to dinner from Crystal’s Catering.

Length of Service Awards was provided to Ed Strubeck (45 years), Pete Loiacono (39 years), Joe Meranti (30 years), Phil Falvo (25 years), Carl Sarti (25 years), John Merlino (20 years), Bob Blake (19 years), Linda Falzone (19 years), Jamie Merlino (16 years), and Bill Aruscavage (16 years). The Hughestown Hose Company Officers and Administration would like to thank these members for there many years of hard work and dedication to our department.

Late Wednesday afternoon, a box alarm would be transmitted for a residential fire with entrapment. Ladder 226 was first due and reported that all victims were out and confirmed a working fire at the rear of the structure. Engine 126 was next to arrive and handled the first due engine assignment, placing an attack line into service and knocking down the bulk of the fire.

Assistant 226 would pass off command to Chief 143 and he then assumed the role as the Operations Chief. Once on scene, the crew from Engine 143 was tasked with placing a second attack line into service to the rear of the building and checking the exposure building for extension.

A police officer would be transported from the scene with smoke inhalation and later on a firefighter who slipped and fell on some ice was also transported to the hospital. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the PSP Fire Marshal. No other injuries were reported and the crew from Station 143 operated on scene for almost five hours.

In late October, the members of the Hughestown Hose Company decided to terminate the agreement with the apparatus manufacturer that we originally chose back in January of this year because of several major delays. Then in November, we decided to have American LaFrance build us a new rescue pumper and delivery is expected at the end of January, 2012.

Our original rescue pumper was supposed to be a rear mount style but due to body availability and delivery time, we decided to have American LaFrance change our pump location to a more traditional mid-ship design.

The staff at American LaFrance have been amazing to work with during this difficult ordeal. Their executives, sales team, project manager, and engineering personnel have been very easy to contact and have gone out of their way to assist us.

Below are some pictures of the process throughout the last seven weeks. Also, you can click on the icon below for a list of some of the options that are included on our new rescue pumper.

The Hughestown Hose Company would like to thank all of the people who attended this year's annual Breakfast with Santa. This year's breakfast was another great success, during which many of the borough residents enjoyed good food and company.

The canned food drive was also a great success, raising much needed canned goods for the local food pantry in Pittston City. It was estimated that the canned food collected during this years food drive will feed close to 100 families in the Greater Pittston Area over the holiday season.

The Hughestown Hose Company would like to wish everyone a Merry and Safe Christmas.

The Chief & Engine responded to Slocum Avenue in Exeter for a reported chimney fire late Sunday evening. Engine 128 was first arriving and reported a working fire. Once on scene, Chief 143 would be assigned as the Operations Chief by Command 128. The crew from Engine 143 would then split crews, one crew checked for extension inside of the structure while the other assisted on the roof.

The crew from Station 143 would operate for over an hour on scene before being released by Command 128.

The Hughestown Hose Company, in conjunction with WNEP Operation Save A Life, is offering free smoke detectors to the residents of Hughestown. To receive a free smoke detector, contact the fire department at 654-4188 and leave a message. The supplies are limited and the detectors will be given out in the order that they are requested.

While returning from the our eighth run since before lunch time, a box would be transmitted for a car over a thirty foot embankment on Center Street in our first due. Upon our arrival on scene, the male driver would be self extricated and only have minor injuries.

While Ambulance 543 assessed the driver, the crew from Squad 143 would perform hazard control and cut down multiple trees so the vehicle could be safely removed from the steep embankment. The driver ended up refusing transport to the hospital and crews would operate for almost an hour on scene before being released by Command 143.

For the second time in a week, crews would respond to the Grimes Industrial Park in Pittston Township for a working commercial structure fire. Engine 166 was first to arrive, reporting smoke showing from the large building. A second alarm would immediately be transmitted which added Chief 143 and Engine 143.

The fire originated in a bailer machine located in the building. The crew from Engine 143 would split up to man two attack lines to assist the first alarm crews with the suppression efforts.

As additional crews arrived, extension was noted in the ceiling area so additional lines would be placed into service to contain the running fire. There were no injuries reported during this incident and all of the crews would operate on scene for close to three hours before being released by Command 166.

Chief 143 & Utility 143 were requested by Command 166 to respond to a working commercial structure fire at the Maui Cup Plant on Commerce Road in Pittston Township early Thursday morning. The first alarm crews arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the roof, smoke throughout the building, and the sprinkler system activated.

Once on scene, Chief 143 was assigned as an aide at the Command Post, while the crew from Station 143 would initially set up as the Rapid Intervention Team. A short time into the incident, Command 166 would request a second alarm, which then brought Engine 143 to the scene.

The crews from Engine 143 and Utility 143 would then team up together and when they were relieved as the Rapid Intervention Team by Rescue 98 and Rescue 149, they would be tasked with assisting the crew from Engine 933 with stretching a 300’ hose line into Side “B” on division one.

Due to the aggressive work by the crews on the roof and the sprinkler system, most of the fire on the interior would already be knocked down so the crews would then begin to start overhauling. The personnel from Station 143 would operate for more than four hours before being released by Command 166. In all, the fire would go four alarms, bringing in units from across Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties.