FIERY CRASH ON I-70 WEST
 4/19/08--
A passing motorist
pulled the driver from her overturned vehicle during a fiery crash on
I-70 West. Station 105 and Engine 31 were initially dispatched
for a vehicle fire but reports quickly updated the call to a rollover
MVA with fire. The Rescue Truck arrived first and stretched a
line to control the fire. Passing motorists had helped the
driver from the vehicle and she was in the care of EMS. Engine 105 was directed to enter I-70
against traffic since the lanes were closed. While crews worked
on the vehicle fire, EMS requested a landing zone at the Gabriel
Brothers plaza. Engine 105 was reassigned to the LZ. Fire
personnel remained for just over an hour dousing hot spots. The
PA State Police are investigating.
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2 INJURED IN ROUTE 51 COLLISION
4/16/08-- An
afternoon crash on Route 51 South at Webster Hollow Road sent two
people to the hospital with minor injuries. The collision
involved a tri-axle and a passenger car. The Rescue Truck and
Engine assisted EMS, cleared hazards, and controlled traffic while the
police investigated. Units were on scene approximately 90
minutes.
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1 INJURED IN ROSTRAVER SQUARE MVA
4/12/08-- The
Rescue Truck handled an afternoon accident on Sara Way & Pricedale
Road. One patient was transported to a local hospital with minor
injuries and the Rescue's crew handled spills from both of the
vehicles. Rostraver Police are compiling their report on the
cause.
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DIESEL SPILL CONTAINED, SARA WAY
4/11/08-- A
truck making a delivery to the Rostraver Square shopping plaza damaged
its fuel tank causing approximately 125 gallons of diesel fuel to
spill. The Rescue Truck responded and secured the spill from
further entering the storm drain system and made efforts to control
the leak at the tank. The spill was contained to the surrounding
trafficway and a small segment of the storm drainage system.
Fire personnel operated approximately 2 hours until private cleanup
personnel and the PA Dept of Environmental Protection arrived.
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CHIMNEY ON FIRE, COLLINSBURG
4/9/08-- Township
Companies were dispatched for a chimney fire at 108 Ivy Lane in
Collinsburg. Service 103 arrived, found the problem confined to
the flue, and held the alarm to 103 and 105. The Engine's crew
assisted with clearing debris from the chimney and checking for
extension. The situation was controlled and all units cleared in
under 1 hour.
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E105 ASSISTS ON WASH TWP FIRE
4/4/08-- Engine
105 responded as automatic aid on a House Fire at 715 Fayette Avenue,
Washington Twp. Crews from 105 assisted with interior overhaul
and hotspots, and also sent personnel to assist with roof
ventilation. The fire was brought under control quickly after a
good initial attack by the first crew from Washington Twp. Also
assisting at the scene were Fayette City, Belle Vernon, North Belle
Vernon, and a RIT crew from Monessen #2. The assist was call #4
of the day for 105, along with the truck fire, an MVA, and an
automatic fire alarm.
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TRI-AXLE ON FIRE @ ARNOLD CITY EXIT
4/4/08-- Station
105 and Engine 31 were dispatched for a truck on fire at the Arnold
City exit ramp of Interstate 70 West just after 7am. Engine 105
and The Rescue Truck arrived first and stretched a preconnected line
to attack the fire. The fire originated in the engine
compartment and spread to the cab before being controlled. Crews
remained on scene approximately 45 minutes overhauling the truck and
dousing hot spots.
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ONE BEACHED ON I-70 WEST
4/3/08-- Just
after 5pm, The Rescue Truck was sent to I-70 West for a reported
vehicle accident. On arrival, fire personnel found a pickup
truck towing a boat that had jackknifed after the trailer
overturned. No one was injured in the accident and crews secured
a gasoline spill coming from the engine of the "Quick
Decision". PSP cleared fire personnel after about 30
minutes.
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EARLY A.M. CRASH AT ROSTRAVER SQUARE
4/2/08-- The
Rescue Truck was dispatched for an accident near Wal-Mart at Rostraver
Square. After several conflicting reports on the location, the
crash was discovered on Sara Way near the Pricedale Road
entrance. The Rescue's crew handled a small spill and removed
debris. Fire units were cleared by Rostraver Police after
handling the hazards.
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INCINERATOR EXPLOSION AT BVA HS
3/28/08-- Just
after 10am, Township Companies were alerted for an incinerator
explosion at the Belle Vernon Area High School. Engine 105
arrived first and found 2 patients being treated by EMS for burns to
the face and upper extremities. The explosion was apparently
caused by a can exploding in the trash incinerator. Crews
laddered the roof and checked to make sure there was no extension of
the fire. Also assisting at the scene were 103 (Collinsburg) and
Township Police.
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BRUSH FIRE AND A CRASH
3/26/08-- Station
105 responded for a brush fire on Gallitin Road. First arriving
crews reported approximately 1 acre on fire and sent Squad 105 into
the field to start to control the fire. Stations 103 and 31 also
assisted at the scene. While on scene at the fire, Fire Dispatch
reported an MVA on Route 51 South. The Rescue Truck cleared from
the brush fire to handle the accident. Crews controlled hazards
and assisted with traffic until the vehicles were removed.
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A FOUR CALL DAY FOR 105
 3/24/08--
A busy day started
with Engine 105 being sent to a possible electrical fire at the West
Newton Senior Center. 2nd alarm companies were dispatched due to
Station 82 being committed to another call. E-105 arrived second
and assisted with a TIC checking the interior. The problem was
traced to a faulty light ballast and all units cleared in under an
hour. At just before 2pm, The Rescue Truck was called to an
accident with injuries on Route 51 at Plaza Drive. 4 patients in
one vehicle suffered minor injuries in the accident. Fire crews
handled a small spill and assisted with traffic. The third call
of the day was an accident on Rostraver Road at the entrance to
Interstate 70 East. The Rescue Truck again assisted with a spill
and hazards. Later in the evening, The Rescue Truck responded
for another accident in the 1500 block of Rostraver Road. First
arriving crews discovered a car that had sheared a utility pole.
Personnel remained on scene for just over an hour while Allegheny
Power secured their pole and assisted with traffic.
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MVA WITH INJURIES, ROSTRAVER ROAD
3/21/08-- Station
105 was dispatched for a MVA with Possible Entrapment on Rostraver
Road at K-Mart. The Engine picked up the call in place of The
Rescue Truck, which was receiving equipment upgrades. Township
Police arrived and reported all occupants out of the vehicles.
Fire crews controlled hazards from the cars and assisted the ambulance
with patient packaging.
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2 FLOWN FROM I-70 ROLLOVER
3/16/08-- As
the 105 units were clearing Comanche Drive, Fire Dispatch called for
the Rescue Truck to respond to I-70 West near Mile 43 for a rollover
accident. Engine 105 responded direct, with Rescue and Squad 105
coming from the Central station. E-105 found a 3-car accident
with 1 overturned, leaving 2 patients with moderate to severe
injuries. EMS arrived and requested 2 helicopters for
transport. With the Rescue Truck and Squad securing the
interstate, Engine 105 responded to the Amcel Center on Finley Road
for the LZ. LifeFlight and STAT MedEvac both sent units to take
the injured parties to Pittsburgh trauma centers.
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ANOTHER CHIMNEY FIRE, 1st DUE
3/16/08-- The
Township companies were alerted for a chimney fire at 340 Comanche
Drive. Engine 105 arrived first and threw a ladder to the roof,
also sending personnel to the basement fireplace and other floors to
check with a TIC. The buildup in the flue was quickly cleared
and fire did not spread beyond the chimney. Crews ventilated the
house and cleared in 45 minutes. Assisting at the scene were 103
(Collinsburg) and 31 (Webster).
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DIESEL SPILL, I-70 AT ROUTE 201
3/12/08-- A
tractor-trailer traveling on I-70 East struck debris in the road and
punctured the truck's fuel tank. The driver noticed the problem
and pulled over at the Route 201 interchange. The Rescue Truck
responded and found an approximately 150-gallon diesel spill going
into the storm drain system. The crew went to work securing the
drain and containing the spill, as well as plugging the leak on the
tank to prevent further spillage. Command requested Station 31
(Webster) to check the drain outlet on Pricedale Road for
product. The Department of Environmental Protection was also
requested. Crews worked with DEP for several hours to isolate
the spill before turning over the scene to a private cleanup
company. Luckily, the spill was held to a small area of the
drainage system and out of major waterways. Station 80 (North
Belle Vernon) also assisted with extra absorbent supplies.
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RESCUE FREES 1 ON ROUTE 51
3/10/08-- Station
105 was dispatched for an MVA with Injuries on Route 51 at Finley
Road. On arrival, one patient was discovered to be confined in
the vehicle. The Rescue Truck provided the Jaws of Life to
perform a quick door removal. All victims were treated by
Rostraver/West Newton EMS. Rostraver Police are investigating
the accident.
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RESCUE TRUCK ON S.H. TWP ENTRAPMENT
3/6/08-- The
Rescue Truck was dispatched to assist the South Huntingdon companies
on an MVA with Entrapment near Mile 48 on I-70 West. R105's crew
deployed the Hurst® Rescue System and went to work on the
entrapment. After resolving a difficult entanglement, the
patient was extricated and transferred to a waiting R/WNES
ambulance. EMS took the patient to a landing zone near the
Rostraver GetGo for transport to a trauma center by LifeFlight.
I-70 West was closed for the duration of the accident with traffic
diverted through Smithton.
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BOMB SQUAD CALLED TO TOWNSHIP
3/4/08-- Rostraver
Police were called to Goodwill Industries on Finley Road
after employees discovered hand grenades in a box of donated
items. Officers called for Station 105 and the Allegheny County
Bomb Squad to assist. The Rescue Truck assisted with securing
the area and evacuating an adjacent store until the Bomb Squad
arrived. Technicians made entry to the building and removed the
devices without incident. Emergency crews cleared in just under
2 hours. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding
the incident.
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QUAD ACCIDENT WITH LZ, FELLSBURG
 3/3/2008--
An afternoon ATV
accident left one male seriously injured on Fells Church Road.
The Rescue Truck arrived first and reported a disoriented male with
severe head injuries. Chief 105 requested the closest helicopter
on standby. Rostraver/West Newton EMS packaged the patient and
took him to a landing zone at Station 105 to meet with LifeFlight
1. Engine 105 handled the LZ while the Rescue Truck assisted at
the scene. The Rescue Truck also filled Station 147 (Central)
later in the day while they operated at a gas explosion in the Boston
section of Elizabeth Township.
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ANOTHER CHIMNEY FIRE: LAUREL DRIVE
3/2/08-- Township
companies were activated to assist 105 with Smoke in a House at 154
Laurel Drive. Chief 105 arrived to find a chimney fire, confined
to the flue. Crews from Engine and Rescue 105 laddered the roof
and worked to extinguish the fire. Personnel from 103 (Collinsburg)
and 31 (Webster) assisted with checking the interior with a TIC for
extension. Damage was minimal and firemen operated for just
under 90 minutes.
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RESCUE TRUCK ASSISTS PSP
2/27/08-- Rescue
105 was alerted to assist the State Police with gaining access to a
rented room at the Relax Inn on Finley Road. Troopers were trying to apprehend a suspect that had
barricaded himself in the room. As the Rescue Truck's crew was
preparing forcible entry tools to open up the room, the man decided to
surrender voluntarily. Troopers took the man into custody and
all fire department units cleared without incident.
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CHAIN REACTION CRASH ON ROUTE 51
2/26/08-- The
Rescue Truck responded to Route 51 at Plaza Drive for an MVA with
Injuries. Chief 105 arrived first, reporting a chain-reaction
crash with several injuries. Fire personnel assisted with
traffic control and debris cleanup while Rostraver/West Newton EMS
assessed and packaged patients for transport. Rescue and Squad
105 operated on scene for just under an hour while the aftermath was
cleared from the roadway.
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A FIRST GLIMPSE...
 2/15/08--
The final design
and construction of the new Truck 105 is underway. Sutphen
engineers have provided a preliminary shop drawing of the SPH-100
Tower Ladder. The picture will enlarge, though not to life
size... they don't make monitors that big! Enjoy your first
glimpse of the latest addition to the fleet at Everyone's Favorite
Fire Department™!
More information on
the family of Sutphen Fire Apparatus is available at Sutphen.com
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TRAILER FIRE KILLS 1
1/25/08-- Station
105 was alerted at 2am for a trailer fire with reported entrapment in
the Dongilli Mobile Homes off of Route 981. With personnel still
at the station from the earlier standby in Smithton, Engine 105 was
enroute immediately and arrived in minutes. A search crew
entered the residence and quickly located the handicapped
victim. However, rescue efforts were too late as the victim had
already expired. The suppression crew entered directly behind
the search team and knocked down small fires in the living room and
kitchen. The PA State Police Fire Marshal investigated
determined the fire as not suspicious, pending further
investigation. The preliminary cause of death was asphyxiation
by smoke inhalation. Engines from 17 (Smithton), 31 (Webster),
and 103 (Collinsburg) assisted at the scene. The investigation
was led by Rostraver Police, assisted by the Westmoreland County
Coroner's office and R&I unit and the State Police.
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CHIMNEY FIRE, 117 LAUREL DRIVE
1/19/08-- Township
fire departments were dispatched for a chimney fire at 117 Laurel
Drive. Engine 105 arrived first, threw a ladder, and sent a crew
to the roof with the chimney kit. Next arriving engines from 31
(Webster) and 103 (Collinsburg) took crews to the interior with TICs
and salvage equipment. EMS arrived and treated 1 occupant for
smoke inhalation. The fire was contained to the flue and all
fire units cleared in just under 1 hour. Damage to the home was
minimal.
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WINTER WEATHER CAUSES ACCIDENTS
1/17/08-- Winter
weather caused accidents this week throughout the township. On
Monday 1/14, an afternoon snow squall coated local roads sending
Station 105 to accidents on Fells Church Road and Route 51.
Squad 105 handled the Fells Church call and found no injuries.
The accident on Route 51 involved a vehicle that flipped, rolled down
an embankment, struck the business sign, and came to rest in front of
Mon Valley Chiropractic Center. The vehicle was off the
road and caused no hazards. Occupants were evaluated by
Rostraver/WN EMS. On Thursday 1/17, a daylong wintry mix of
precipitation created icy spots on some secondary roads. One
vehicle lost control on Fells Church Road and struck an
embankment. The Rescue Truck arrived first and found a female
with facial injuries. Personnel from 105 assisted with debris
cleanup and traffic control until the vehicle was removed.
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1 TRAPPED, FINLEY RD at HOLIDAY INN
1/11/08-- The
Rescue Truck was dispatched for a two-car accident with injuries on
Finley Road at Holiday Inn Express. When the EMS crew arrived,
they found the driver of one vehicle trapped behind a jammed
door. The Rescue Truck personnel deployed the Hurst® Rescue
System and performed a door removal. Extrication was complete in
less than 10 minutes. The patient suffered a leg fracture and
was transported by Rostraver/West Newton EMS to a local hospital.
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TRUCK 105 COUNTDOWN BEGINS
1/4/08-- Design
has been completed and the construction of the new Truck 105 will be
underway shortly. Members of the Rostraver Central design team
met with Sutphen engineers to finalize plans on the SPH-100 Tower
Ladder. Current manufacturer estimates place delivery in late
May or early June. Thanks to Jeff Britt, Ryan Grove, and the
Sutphen team for their help.
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'08 CALL #1: WORKING FIRE
1/2/2008-- January
2nd brought the first call of the year for 105... a working
fire. Dispatched minutes before 8am for smoke in the building at
The Fairway Inn on Route 981, the Engine and Rescue Truck went enroute.
The bar owner had opened up the building and found a heavy smoke
condition on the main floor. An initial crew from 105 completed
a search of the 1st floor with thermal imagers, finding no fire, but
smoke that seemed to have originated in the basement. Forcible
entry was then made to the rear basement entrance and the crew
extinguished a fire with a handline. No injuries were reported
and the cause is being investigated by the State Police Fire Marshal
from Troop B Washington. Assisting at the scene were Collinsburg,
Webster, and North Belle Vernon. Crews from 105 cleared after
approximately 3 hours on scene.
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