5/31/08--
A pursuit of a reportedly
stolen vehicle by its owner resulted in a late morning accident.
The incident at Fells Church Road and Rostraver Road was caused by a
dispute that originated in the City of Monessen. Several
patients were evaluated by EMS and one transported to Mon Valley
Hospital. The Rescue Truck assisted with traffic control while
officers surveyed the scene. Rostraver & Monessen Police were
investigating to determine what charges would be pending.5/29/08-- Station 105 and Engine 80 were alerted to a vehicle on fire at the Exxon on Rostraver Road. First arriving personnel found the car well off under the fuel pump canopy. The Rescue Truck and E-80 arrived and stretched lines to extinguish the fire and protect exposures. The fire was controlled within minutes. No injuries were reported.
5/29/08-- The Rescue Truck was called to an MVA with injuries on Route 51 at Willowbrook Road. The southbound lanes were closed by debris that had been thrown from the truck involved. Fire personnel assisted the driver from the cab of his truck, cleared debris, and controlled leaking fluids. Crews assisted police on scene for approximately one hour.
5/19/08-- Traffic was tied up by an afternoon crash on Route 51 at Finley Road. The Rescue Truck arrived to find one vehicle overturned with debris strewn about the north and south traffic lanes. All occupants had removed themselves from the vehicles and were quickly in the care of EMS. Fire personnel assisted with cleanup, spill containment, and traffic control.
The first
production images of Truck 105 are here. Take a look in the new
Truck 105 Construction Photo Gallery.
The $1 million state-of-the-art ladder truck is due for delivery in
early July. Expect more updates in the coming weeks.
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.
Click here for more images in the Photo Gallery
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
