Ambler Road Block Party

Each year the residents of Ambler Road close off the street and have their annual block party.  For the past several years they have asked that the Fire Department to bring a truck by and speak with all the children.  The highlight for the children and some of the adults is always when the truck is connected to a fire hydrant and water is flowed from the deck gun into the field at the corner of Randolph & Ambler Roads.  We are always happy to come out to local events and get to know our neighbors..

Annual Oreland 4th of July parade.

Each year on the 4th of July the Oreland Lion's Club sponsors this parade. Several area Fire Departments, car clubs & floats wind their way through the parade route which passes through Springfield & Upper Dublin Townships.  

MVA Rollover

Station 88 was dispatched for a vehicle rescue w/fire at the intersection of Jenkintown & Fitzwater town roads on Saturday April 29, 2006..  Upon fire department arrival, the patient had been removed from the vehicle by EMS.  Squad 88-1 & Engine 88-1 secured the vehicle and put down oil dry for fluids on the roadway.

Training At Selas

Monday April 24 at 7:30pm members from the Fort Washington Fire Company worked together in a simulated building fire training event at the former Selas Corporation.  Training officer Mike Duffy organized the drill.  

Area Fire Police Join Forces in Public Service Event

On Sunday March19th, 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.  

Originating at Dager Road and Penllyn Pike, the walk continued into Spring House where it turned on to Norristown Road and then north along Tennis Avenue and east on Welsh Road, ending at the new Synagogue on Butler Pike. 

In addition to providing assistance for the event, it enabled local area Fire Police units to work together and practice effective traffic control activities that would have been employed in a real local emergency situation.  

Local Police cruisers from Lower Gwynedd, Ambler and Upper Dublin also participated in the event.

Hundreds of traffic cones were placed along the route to create safe walking lanes at critical high traffic areas while Fire Police directed traffic as the walkers approached.  

Recognizing Our Own

Each year the Fort Washington Fire Company holds a banquet to honor long service and the extraordinary contributions of the volunteers that put in their time in serving our community. This year, on February 25th, we held our 54th such banquet. Members were recognized for 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50 and yes, even 60 years of service.

Additionally, 3 members were honored for 1 year's perfect drill attendance.

Five were honored for turning out for the most emergency calls. They each responded to between 325 and 346 calls last year. A lot of recognition also goes the families of these firefighters for all of the interrupted sleep and mealtimes that they too experienced.

A special recognition was made of outgoing Chief Ed Hurt for his thirteen continuous years serving as our Chief. Ed received the annual Haggar Award for service above and beyond the call of duty. Only one other person has served longer as chief in our past 98 years as a company. Our hats off to Ed Hurt.

 

At the right is a montage of some of the awards photographs.  Click here to see larger photos with captions.

Fort Washington Fire Company Offers Monthly Newsletter

The Fort Washington Fire Company wishes to improve its communications with the residents and taxpayers of Upper Dublin. This newsletter is aimed at updating everyone on the activities of their Fire Company along with fire prevention/safety tips, and interesting recent fires and rescues handled by the FWFC. To sign up simply go to their Website by clicking here and entering your e-mail address. Your e-mail address will not be shared with any other organizations. You may unsubscribe at any time. The first issue is January 2006.

Best Friends 'Cause for Paws' Program Provides Pet Resuscitation Masks  for FWFC

At the regular monthly meeting of the Fort Washington Fire Co Sonya DeFazio and “Malachi” of Best Friends Pet Care of Willow Grove presented the fire company with three sets of Pet Oxygen Rescue Masks.

Sonya explained that pets are at risk of injury from smoke inhalation during home fires -- just as people are. However, human oxygen masks don't fit properly on animals, and many pets die from smoke inhalation. The purpose of "Cause for Paws" is to help protect pets by outfitting emergency teams in Best Friends service areas with specially-designed dog and cat oxygen masks.

To encourage community giving, Best Friends has established a matching program, matching community gifts on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Muriel Resh and Doris Dondrea of Fort Washington Estates heard about “Cause for Paws” and made the matching contribution.  Muriel told the Fire Company “I thought that is was a wonderful idea and I don’t even have a pet”.

Tim Evard, president of Fort Washington Fire Company No 1, thanked Sonya and “Malachi” for the pet oxygen masks and the demonstration and more importantly thanked Muriel and Doris for their kind and generous contribution.

 “Malachi” demonstrates the use of a Pet Oxygen Rescue Mask

Tim Evard (right), president of FWFC accepts Pet Rescue Masks from Muriel Resh of Fort Washington and Sonya DeFazio of Best Friends as “Malachi” watches

2005 Fire Prevention Expo A Success In Spite of Rain

On Monday, September 26th The Fort Washington Fire Company No. 1 held its annual Fire Prevention Expo at the Fort Washington Expo Center. As it turned out the Expo Center was the perfect place for the event as nearly all the exhibits were able to be held indoors during the rain showers. As usual, companies throughout the Montgomery County area showed up to make this event another great success. People came from afar, some in buses, to see the expo and learn about fire prevention. For some home schooled children, the Expo help meet the state mandated requirements.

Robot 88 attracts and fascinates young and old alike.

Zach Velivis (right) teaches the value of Thermal Imaging as a means of saving lives in a burning building.

Jerry Smith Sr. lets young visitor try on water rescue safety gear that is worn by our first responders.

The New Engine 88 will be delivered soon!

On Thursday May19th several FWFC members took a trip to see the new Engine 88.  As you will see in the pictures below, the truck is very well on its way to being completed.

Monday Night           Water Flow Drill 

On Monday May 16th, FWFC held a water flow drill / preplan in the Willowmere development off of Willow Ave.  Deputy Chief Mike Duffy organized this drill to test the local water supply and also find a secondary source of water.  Engine 88-1 supplied tower 88 from one of the hydrants in the complex & members took residual readings from other area hydrants.  Engine 88-2 simultaneously constructed a dam & drafted water from the Rose Valley Creek which runs underneath Bethlehem Pike at Hagues Mill Road.. 

 Although most dwelling fires will only require a single water supply, a larger fire may require  alternative water sources.  Fort Washington Fire Company continues its commitment to preplan for extraordinary situations that may occur within the township.  

FWFC Issues Photo ID/ Electronic Key Cards

All members of the Fort Washington Fire Company have been issued a combination Photo ID and Electronic Key to the two stations. These credit card sized devices show the member's name and photograph along with an imbedded device that opens the firehouse doors when they arrive. When used to enter the station a record of the time and date is recorded on a computer. If a member resigns or loses his card, the number is simply cancelled. This system replaces an older system where new cards had to be issued each year. We are grateful for the help of Corporal John Sullivan, Communications Supervisor of Upper Dublin Township for his assistance in printing the ID cards

Corporal John Sullivan (left) shown receiving a plaque from Ed Schuler, Secretary of FWFC, issued in appreciation for his help in printing the ID cards

Photo by Firefighter Bill Gift