A second Alarm was transmitted quickly as a structure fire on Rock Street in the Borough of Hughestown came in around 3pm on Tuesday. The 93 Engine and 93 Ladder responded to the scene.  The Ladder Company went to work as soon as they arrived.  The Engine Company stood by till they were assigned to the second floor to help pull ceilings and extinguish some hot spots in the upper rooms. A nice job by the first response companies prevented the homes on both side from any further damage.  The header was seen from several miles away.

98 MVA was a tough one April’s month ended with a tough one, a motor vehicle under a tractor trailer.  The 98 and 112 crews did an outstanding job extricating the victim while the 93 Engine crew had a 2” line pulled standing by. The crews ended up cutting the partial roof that was exposed off to get the victim out. The 95 Rescue was dispatched to assist but the victim was removed upon their arrival.   The 98 crew responded with the reserve Engine as the Rescue was out for service.

Former Ladder 93 Lieutenant Receives Award It’s with great pride to see that former Ladder 93 Lieutenant Bobby Aulisio received the Arlington Chamber Valor award.  Bob, on the right in the photo blewo, who served the Old Forge Fire Department proud for over 10 years before moving on to his current job as a paid Firefighter.  All the members of the department are so proud to see Bob succeed.

Nice day on the lake
The Swiftwater Rescue Team decided with good weather it was time to try the new motor out.  The Team took both boats on the water but it was Boat 1 which had the team buzzing.  The new motor, a 20 hp Mercury ran excellent.  Chief Aulisio which has the most experience should everyone how to run the boat in different positions.  The Team also took Boat 2 on the water and practiced some rowing.  With both boats out the Team worked with throw bags to sharpen their skills.   I’m sure it won’t be the last time the Team will get out on the open water, stay tuned.
 

Drill goes well When Chief Molinaro was faced with having to put a plan in place for the 81 project now underway, he met with some of his first alarm Companies and developed one.

With putting together a refresher rope class and meeting with the Company Officers, a drill was scheduled to put what they learned on lowering a victim from the project bridges. With a lot of rope work going on up top the 93 Swiftwater Team with the 21 Swiftwater Team provided support from underneath.   The teams put Boat 2 in the water and set up under the victim and waited for the Rescuer to be lowered done and tie into the victim.  The drill went thru 2 evolutions and went extremely well. The Companies involved were the 98 Company, 933 Engine, 93 Engine, 95 Rescue, and the 21-1 Company.  The TEAMWORK displayed was again as usually very good.  It’s a shame some Companies don’t like playing in the same sandbox, but a it shows life goes on without them.  Good job by all.

'08 Fund Drive has no surprises With the 2008 Fund Drive underway the Lawrence Hose Company has few surprises, it seems the same people give year in and year out. The biggest disappointment is always the business. Each year it seems less and less give. With just one of the three companies in town,  he Lawrence Hose is responsible for the Engine Company work (putting the wet stuff on the red stuff) and has spear headed the Swiftwater Rescue Team.

With the second mailing going out we hope people realize this is our main source of income. The money raised pays insurance, vehicle maintenance and repairs, equipment purchases, and training. The Company is also understanding of today’s economy but also knows that without any support it won’t be able to continue.  Please Give!
Residents sent out: 3505   Residents contributing: 655 that’s 18.69%
Businesses sent out:  206  Businesses contributing:  26  that’s 12.62%
Apartments sent out: 47   Apartments contributing:  5 that’s 10.64%
Kitchen Fire Handled Quickly
A kitchen fire broke out on Saturday evening and was extinguished quickly.  Captain Stull arrived and transmitted a working kitchen fire. The 933 Engine came in establishing a water supply and the 93 Engine arrived at the front door taking in the 1st line in the door.  The 933 Engine took the line into the 93 Engine and supplemented the 1st line.  The 98 Engine arrived at the hydrant and had the 2nd line ready to operate.

The 112 Rescue did Truck Company work by opening up windows and setting up a fan.  In all the fire was extinguished easily and units were back in service within 45 minutes. 93 Chief handled the Operations while 98 and 112 Chief did the Command.  The 23 Rescue was dispatched as the Fast Team, but sent back when the fire was quickly put out.
Sadness just won’t go away
When Chief Aulisio called Sunday morning I knew in his voice something was wrong.  When the words came out that Tony Mordente had passed away, shock and sadness took over.  Tony who was President of Old Forge Hose and Engine was one of those guys you couldn’t help but like.  In 30 years I never heard a bad word about him spoken and that says a lot. Tony leaves a beautiful wife and 2 children that will deeply miss him, as we will too.  Tony will always be part of the Old Forge Fire Department and we just pray for his family in this unbelievable time.  The following article in the Scranton Times is a great tribute to a great man that always wanted his home town to succeed. Read
SWRT Teams adds new boat
When it was decided to start a Swiftwater Rescue Team a list of equipment and training classes were put together.   Well almost 2 years later and over $50,000 spent the Team has grown. The addition of a second boat has made the Team more diversified.  The first boat is a 12 footer and is great for going after someone in the water.  It is also the right size to have a larger motor (15hp) attached which can fight the current in fast moving water. 

The problem with the boat was that you needed 4 people to get it in the water.  The newest boat to the Team is an 8 footer than can be carried by 2 people at half the weight as the first boat.  This gives the Team a chance to get the boat in the water much quicker.  The Team plans on mounting Boat 1 on an open trailer with its motor attached and ready to be deployed quicker.  Boat 2 will be kept in its enclosed trailer that the Team has put together with its various equipment.

Practically all members have taken the entry level class not just once but twice realizing that you never have enough training and are committed to be ready and able to do the job they are trained for.  They are also close to achieving completion of the 4 main courses that are offered in Swiftwater Special Training.  The last class will certify the Team in Boat use and safety. The Team members have worked really hard with extra training and actually are handling double the wok load with keeping up on there firefighting skills.  Keeping with its goal of doing the best job possible is the only way they know how. 

Fire on the interstate Scranton Times When the call came in a little before 8am the 98 Engine found out this wasn’t a ordinary car fire like the day before.  With a very short handed crew, Chief Molinaro responded up on the Interstate alone with not one, but 2 fully involved cars on fire with a 3rd just starting.  He had the 93 Engine dispatched which found out what traffic congestion is like getting to the call.

On arrival Chef Molinaro had a Line off and was knocking the fire when the 93 Engine Crew took the line and extinguished the remaining fire. 

I guess when you have an ALLSTAR CREW of 2 CHIEFS, 2 CAPTAINS, and 2 LIEUTENANTS you expect nothing put smooth sailing.  Again seeing Chief Molinaro and Chief Aulisio getting back in the trenches is very inspiring. My only concern is that for over 10 years of being what some of us call dormant in a active role of putting out fires, we all hope that they don’t over do it, because there Command Leadership is to VALUABLE. 

And last but not least it was brought to some of us that maybe drug testing might be in order in the Fire Departments since this new found energy from the 2 Chiefs has surfaced.  We hope this isn’t another baseball scandal and Aulisio isn’t another Roger Clemens and Molinaro isn’t another Barry Bonds.

4th floor kitchen fire A fire was reported on the 4th floor in 119 North Main St. in Old Forge. The OFPD were first to arrive and reported a heavy smoke condition on the 4th floor and had all people evacuated from the building.  The 93 Engine laid in and pulled a 200 ft. 2” line to the 4th floor while 933 Engine pulled a back up line with 98 Engine crew assisted.

The 93 Ladder was on the fire floor first and opened up the ceilings and did the primary.  The fire was found in the kitchen of Apt. 8.  The 112 Rescue took care of utilities and helped with the rest of the search of apts. And the 85 Truck did ground ladder work on the outside of the building. The 98 and 112 Chiefs handled the Command. The 23 Rescue was on scene as the fast team.  In all the call lasted 45 minutes.
Life saving tool can be the difference
About 9 months ago seeing an article about a new filter that can give a firefighter apx. 15 minutes of more time to survive once there air  ran out, seemed very intriguing. With some research done on the matter and with also seeing 2 FDNY Firefighters lose there life when being trapped and running out of air helped speed up the process.

We contacted the Last Chance Air Filter Company and had a demo model brought in with about 30 pages of research.  This device is mounted on your strap of your breathing apparatus.  If a Firefighter has no other option and is completely out of air, you can take this cylinder and mount it on the mask and give the firefighter apx. 15 more minutes to breath.

We also plan to have training filters brought in and used as part of our everyday SOG’s.  The 98 Company along with the 3 Companies from Old Forge won’t stop looking for anyway to help make our job easier or safer.  Hopefully this investment will never have to be used.  Having one more opportunity in this business is all you keep looking for and the  LAST CHANCE AIR FILTER could end up being  priceless!!  Learn more about Last Chance Filters

3 am house fire extinguished quickly An early morning house fire had the 93 Engine Company busy Sunday.  A quick grab was reported by the OFPD as they took a lady who was passed out from the building when they arrived.  The 93 Ladder arrived and did the rest of the primary search and reported fire on the 2nd floor and spread to the attic.

The 93 Engine arrived and pulled a 200ft 2” line and proceeded to the 2nd floor and reported to the 2nd arriving Engine the hydrant location, which was 500 ft. down past the home.  933 Engine grabbed the hydrant and tagged up with the third due Engine (E98)  to get the 2nd preconnect into place.

The 112 Rescue helped out with the truck work when fire was found on the first floor and was quickly knocked down by the second line.  The attic area was opened up and fire had rolled thru the attic space burning several sections of the framing. The utilities controlled with quick response by PPL and PGW.  The Operations Officer was Chief Aulisio with Command being handled by Chief Molinaro and Chief VanLuevender.  The 95 Truck was also used and the 23 Rescue was called on as the Fast Truck Assignment. The call lasted about  2 hours and the State Police Fire Marshal was called in and arrived later Sunday afternoon. 
Ice Ice Baby!
After completing the 3rd phase of water training, the 93 Swiftwater Team came away completely exhausted.  The class held in conjunction with Harvey’s Lake Fire Department , was again a well run and very difficult segment in the continuing education on water safety.  Eight members attended the 16 hour course and all came away with a whole new perspective in ice itself. 

The different techniques used, showed how to self rescue yourself if you every fell through the ice and methods on how to get a victim out of that same hole.  Using new equipment added to the team, gave a very valuable idea how important it will be to keep up on these methods that were shown.

Some methods that  were taught  in the 16 hour class were using an ice staff which gave you to the chance to hook on the victim and have both of you pulled to shore,  a rope attached to the rescuer who entered the hole from behind and hooked around the victim, a Rescue Sled that got you out to the victim and let you slip a ring buoy around them and locked you and the person to the board, a ladder with a buoy attached to take out multiply victims, and a boat which was slide across the ice and then enabled you to pull the victims in and out to safety. 

Probably what goes under appreciated is how much work the shore crews had to due in mostly every evolution.   With out proper people trained on shore none of these could be done. A special thank you goes to the dynamic trio  of Joe and Lisa Perugino and their sidekick  Len Besara.  Some say they are the Batman, Robin and Bat Girl of the water experts. They have made the past year and half so enjoyable, but also very expensive.

The Team has now spent in the neighborhood of $57,000 dollars with the recent purchase of there new ICE SLED, and 15 hp Motor for there boat.  Furthermore this summer a second boat will be added to the fleet with you never know what else might crop up. Click here for more pictures

93 pays last respects The members and officers of the 93 Engine spent Thursday paying their last repects to Scranton FIre Department's Captain Jim Robeson who did died at a two alarm for on Sunday.

Vic Navarra's funeral both somber, uplifting

Friend of the 93 Engine succumbs to cancerVic Navarra, a FDNY lieutenant who organized the NYC Marathon's start for 26 years, died at his home in Staten Island. Navarra, 55, had retired from Ladder 35, Engine 40 at 66th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in 1997, but after September 11, he went to the World Trade Center site and worked rescue and recovery. In 2005, he became ill with sinus cancer, which he attributed to Ground Zero toxins. Vic was a long time friend of the 93 Engine owned a seasonal home in this area. Our condolences to his family.