In March the Fort Washington Fire Company responded
to:
49 Alarms
Averaging 17.5 responders per call
Totaling 376 responder hours
For the year to date:
199 Alarms
Averaging 19.8 responders per call
Totaling 1064 responder hours
For All of 2005 the Fort Washington Fire Company
Responded to:
644 Alarms
Averaging 25 responders per call
Totaling 7217 responder hours
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Profile Of The
Month
Each month we profile one of the many Volunteers
that make up the Fort Washington Fire Company. This
month we are highlighting Chief Engineer, Bob
Lester.
Meet Bob Lester
Our Chief Engineer is
comparatively new to the Fort Washington Fire
Company but he comes with an impressive
firefighting and engineering background.
Bob has been an area resident all his life.
While he grew up in Flourtown, he joined the
Oreland Fire Company in 1987 while still
attending Bishop McDevitt high school because
Oreland had a “junior program” and Flourtown did
not.
After high school, Bob entered
Villanova University where he graduated with an
Electrical Engineering Degree. He is now the
Director of Engineering at the Pennsylvania
Convention Center.
Bob and his wife Lisa moved to
Upper Dublin in 2003 when he then joined the
Fort Washington Fire Company. He became
Assistant Chief Engineer in 2004 and then Chief
Engineer in 2005. Additionally, he serves on the
Fire Company Board of Directors and as Chairman
of the Apparatus Committee.
The Chief Engineer is ultimately
responsible for the proper operation and
maintenance of the entire Company fleet of
eleven vehicles and all the tools and equipment
that they carry. Further he is responsible for
the training of Firefighters as Drivers — not
just anyone is allowed behind the wheel of an
emergency vehicle, all drivers must go through
an EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operators Course) as
well as many hours behind the wheel under the
supervision of an instructor.
Bob Lester, known by his friends
as “Squig”, is a welcome and valued addition to
our Company.
_______________________________
_______________________________
Help Wanted
In 2006 we want to add 6 additional Firefighters to
our rolls. If you are interested contact
Chief Newhall. We will provide all the necessary
training.
_______________________________
Help Wanted
If you are a skilled Network Manager
and have 2-3 Hours per month to volunteer... Use
your skills to help us maintain our Network
consisting of a server running Server 2000 and six
clients running XP Pro. Please contact
Ed Schuler . It's a great way to serve the
Community while enjoying the company other talented
and interesting people.
_______________________________
If you
know someone who would enjoy receiving our
newsletter, click on the "Forward email" link at the
bottom of this newsletter to send them a copy with a
personal note from you.
_______________________________ |
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This is one of a series of newsletters from the Fort
Washington Fire Company No.1 in an effort to keep
the citizens and taxpayers of Upper Dublin informed
about the many and varied activities carried on by
our organization. Anyone may opt out of receiving
these e-mailed newsletters by clicking on the
unsubscribe link at the bottom of this Newsletter.
In each newsletter we will endeavor to provide
information that is informative, useful and even
entertaining. |
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Fire
Marks
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By
Andrew Rathfon
In your travels around
Upper Dublin Township you may have noticed keystone
shaped plaques affixed to the front of many homes.
These plaques are known as fire marks,
which were purchased by the homeowner from the Fort
Washington Fire Company. While the current purpose
of fire mark is only aesthetic, the history and use
of the fire marks in the early days was sometimes
tragic for the uninsured.
Fire marks originated
centuries ago in England, when insurance companies
issued these plaques as an indication that the
homeowner was a policy holder. The insurance
companies founded their own fire brigades, each of
which were funded and sponsored by a particular
insurance company. These fire brigades were charged
with the task of protecting the homes of those
displaying their sponsor insurance company’s fire
mark. Unfortunately, fire brigades that arrived at a
burning house that did not display their sponsor
insurance company’s mark, or that of another
insurance company, would allow the structure to
burn.
Continued: |
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New
Air Packs Placed In Service
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By
Ernie Racz
On March 6, 2006, the Fort Washington Fire Company
finished training on their new MSA Self-Contained
Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
In early 2005, a committee was
formed to discuss available options and meet with
representatives from the 3 most recognized air pack
manufacturers in the industry. After about 6 months
of meetings, demonstrations and hours of
discussions, the committee made its recommendation
to the Fire Company.
Continued: |
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By
David Levy
The term “Special Fire
Police” is used to describe members of a Fire
Company that are confirmed by the Township
Commissioners and sworn to uphold the laws of Upper
Dublin, the State of Pennsylvania, and the United
States of America.
At a minimum they have received 32 hours of training
from the Montgomery County Fire Training Academy.
Additionally, they receive annual training or
re-certifications in topics such as hazardous
material awareness, first aid, and CPR that for many
Fire Police Officers total hundreds of training
hours.
Continued: |
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By Howard Schmuckler
Burn
injuries are among the most traumatic injuries
the human body can endure. A serious burn
injury affects all bodily systems and can lead
to multiple surgeries, disfigurement and
emotional scarring. Most burns can be
prevented!
There are three
types of burns: thermal, chemical and
electrical. Thermal burns are caused by contact
with open fires, hot liquids, hot surfaces and
other sources of high heat. A scald burn is a
type of thermal burn. The most serious scald
burns occur in the bathtub, while the greatest
number of scald burns occurs in the kitchen.
Burn injuries common to children are also common
to adults. While the injuries are similar, the
causes differ.
Continued
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Carbon Monoxide The Silent Killer
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By Zach Velivis
**Call 911
in the event of a Carbon Monoxide Emergency**
Carbon
Monoxide (CO) is a common danger that all homeowners
should be familiar with. It’s the leading cause of
accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to
the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Carbon monoxide is a flammable, colorless, odorless,
tasteless toxic gas produced during incomplete
combustion of fuel - Natural Gas, Oil, Coal, Wood,
Kerosene, etc.
Carbon
monoxide inhibits the blood's capacity to carry
oxygen. Slight exposure to carbon monoxide can
often be confused with a common cold, such as
shortness of breath, mild headaches & nausea. As
the level of CO in the blood grows dizziness,
confusion, severe headaches are common. High levels
of CO can lead to unconsciousness and sometimes
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Continued: |
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Fire
Police Assist Beth Or Walk
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By
Ed Schuler
On Sunday March 19th,
approximately 1500 members of Beth Or Synagogue
walked over three miles from their old location in
Lower Gwynedd for the dedication of their new site
in Upper Dublin.
In keeping with tradition,
young and old carried Torahs from the old to the new
Synagogue at the intersection of Butler Pike and
Welsh Road.
Wissahickon Fire Police planned
and coordinated approximately 30 members of seven
Fire Police Units including Horsham, Willow Grove,
Montgomeryville, North Wales, Hatboro and Fort
Washington to protect the walkers from traffic along
the route.
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