Changing of the Guard The members of the 93 Engine would like to extend our congratulations to the Asst. Chief Taglitera to his appointment to Chief & to Capt. Bill Stull Jr. on his appointment to Asst. Chief.  We would also like to say thank you to retiring Chief Bob Aulisio who years of service has had a major & positive impact with the fire service over the past many years.

Congratulations to the Germania Dive Team 
The 96 Dive Team just celebrated its 25th anniversary. Numerous dive & swift water teams from around were in attendance to help celebrate this accomplishment. We would like to wish the Germania Dive Team continued success & continue to working with each other in the future.
 

Cold Weather Brings  Car Fire The 93 companies made quick work on a car fire, Capt. 933 arrived on scene reporting a working car fire. The 933 & 93 Engines stretched the line as the 93 Ladder opened the car up.  The fire was quickly extinguished with all units back in service a short time later.

The Party is Set
Bob Aulisio’s retirement/roast has been set for February 19th on a Friday night.  The party is being held at Eagle McClure Hose Company and will begin at 6:30pm. Food will be served at 7 and a small presentation honoring Bob will follow.  A band is scheduled to play (Gold Dust) from 8:30pm to 11:00.This night will celebrate Bob’s 17 years as Fire Chief.  Hopefully a nice turnout will be on hand in honoring Bob.  The cost is $12.00 dollars with tickets available from either Bill Stull (241-4061) or Jim Williams (840-8481).  Hope to see you there. 
 

Just my opinion.... Fire Chief Bob Aulisio  announces his retirement "Well as I described my departure from being Captain months ago, as a chapter closes a new chapter begins, the way I describe Bob’s is the book gets put on the shelf and new book will have to be purchased...." Jim Williams, Captain (ret.) Engine 93 Read on...

Company Ops  Drill
The crew of the 93 Engine along with Station 933 & Station 98 attended a night time structural burn at the Luzerne Co. Comm. College – Public Safety Training Center Tuesday night. A total of 5 evolutions were run consisting of engine, truck & RIT operations. This was an excellent opportunity to “train as we play” along with some of our first alarm assignment companies. Our sincere thanks to Station 98 for putting this training together & extending the invitation as well as to LCCC & their instructors for allowing us use of the facility. 

Early morning arson fire draws response in area 98
Early in the morning of 11/9 a first alarm assignment was struck for a working structure fire in area 98. Chief 98 on scene reporting a 1 story unoccupied residential that was over 50% involved. The 98 Engine crew did a great job establishing a water supply & getting 2 master streams in service to darken down the structure & protect exposure buildings. Upon arrival the 93 & 933 Engines assisted in getting hand lines into operation, all units were placed back into service approx. two hours later. Also on the box, Rescues 95 & 23, Ladder 96, Chiefs 93, 93A & 23, & Lackawanna Ambulance.

93 SWRT completes boat ops On 11/8/09 the 93 SWRT completed their final phase of PA Water Rescue Training. Members of the team along with members of the Susquehanna & William Walker FD’s all gathered at the Fall’s boat landing to, put into practice what was learned during the class room session of the class. Members demonstrated their knowledge in ferrying, eddy peel outs, person in water rescue, over turned vessel drills, etc.

We survived Crazy Walter
Before we left we brought a set of t-shirts that said it all, I Survived Crazy Walter.   When we got to the water park he came in the classroom all smiles, but little do we know what he would have in store this year.  He went over some of the basics and had us tell him what had happened to us during the year.  He wanted to know what we wanted to work on the most.  He did some drawings of scenarios that showed how to and how not to.  We saw some video but we knew he wanted us on the water. 
 

So off we went getting dressed and took a walk around the course, letting the 2 new guys get familiar with the course.  We entered the water doing all the basic swimming techniques, how to roll into an EDDY, how to dive thru the current and get into that EDDY.  Oh if you don’t know EDDY is our friend. LOL.

We practiced crossing the current as groups of 2 and a pyramid crossing with 6.  He had us bounce off strainers and walk across it and swim straight into the water and roll off.  He really wanted us to do many more swimming exercises to keep building our confidence. 

We took a ride through the 2 sections which had two nice drop offs very similar to low head dams.  He showed us the difference entering in a ball method verse a pencil method.  He explained when each was better to use and after doing several of these it again kept building confidence in the enter Team.  What impressed me the most was how the young guys really did well, even the 2 new guys did great.

With everything going well he threw in a little wrinkle.  He brought us the low head dam set up and had us swim out to it and bob up a down like a seal then basically dive down into it and how to come right up and out of it.  I shook my head and looked a Capt. Stull and thought this is crazy, why, he is nuts, but we did it.  It wasn’t as bad as I thought, but it was still crazy.  Just when we got done there he moved us up to the next one about 5 more feet in the drop than the first one.  With this one you had to really swim hard and get out of the current and not let the back current pull you back into the low head dam.  That was the hardest thing I thought we were hit with and it really played with your mind.  He kept preaching let the water help you and don’t fight it use it to your advantage.

When this part completed the Team went back to the beginning and went through some great class 3 and 4 rapids.  We got to the part where we would practice doing GO RESCUES.   I could see the excitement in many members on the Team.  After doing at least 10 to 15 of these we set up a new buoy that he is part of working on with a company.  He had the prototype and we were going to demonstrate using it.  We set up some lines and floated it out to the middle and after the rescuer either got the victim or missed we would get it to them in the water and then pull them to shore.  It worked unbelievable. After doing about 15 of these we did some more floating and swimming.

Before we know it 5 hours in the water was done and day one was in the books. That night I got to sit there on the porch with Chief Aulisio and Capt. Stull and realized that we have something very special going on.  Day 2 ….. Photos here

Another attempted arson
A 15 year old child was taken in by the OFPD after an early morning fire at 318 Vine St.  A small fire was lit on the back steps of a vacant house but seemed to burn itself out. The first arriving Chief slowed down companies when he saw that the fire was out.  Details are limited do the nature of the case but more information will follow when released. The officers responding in noticed the individual and immediately started a dialogue with the child.  Good work by the PD.  According to television reports the child is being looked at for other local fires in surrounding communities.

Arson fire in Old Forge
A state police fire marshal said Monday a fire at a printing company in Old Forge was intentionally set.
The fire chief said a fire started in the press room of Global Graphics on Oak Street about 10:30 p.m. Sunday. The owners said some equipment was damaged in the fire. Just last year the same place was burglarized. Anyone with information about the arson is asked to call Old Forge police or state police at 570-963-4292.
 

The Future? At a recent call when the Chief, 933 Engine, and 93 Ladder were sent to a MVA.  The call went smoothly but it was after when the Firefighters got a treat.  Standing there on the the curb was maybe a little boy all ready to get to work.  It was a delight to see that there is hope for the future.  Getting their picture with the little boy was Firefighter Sal Luzio and Chief Bob Aulisio.

Picture worth a thousand words What was a typical food on the stove ended being just that, well sort of.  Upon arrival 933 Engine arrived first due at the hydrant so they thought.   A car pulled in alongside them and blocked the hydrant.  Capt. Stull being ever so gracious opened the doors and stretched the 5” line through the front of the car establishing the water supply.  I must say he didn’t take out the windows like some of us would have. The 93 Engine crew pulled the attack line and entered the home and with the ladder crew found the food on the stove and vented the structure with its fan.   In all the call lasted 20 minutes.

When it rains it pours

As the old saying goes when it rains it pours, well they aren’t kidding. Sunday afternoon Old Forge was hit with very heavy rain causing wide spread flooding.  The Old Forge Fire Department ended pumping out 6 basements with 2 of them having 6 foot of water in them.  The Companies kept moving from area to area assessing the damage and setting up pumps.  Sussex Street section seemed to get the worst.  In the entire department spent about 3 hours out doing the public service calls. Photos

93 Engine responds to I-81 The 93 Engine was special called to N81 to assist the 98 Engine on a fully involved truck fire.  Upon arrival the 93 Engine gave its water supply and had its crew back up the nozzleman from 98.  The 95 Rescue responded in going south in the north bound lane and also pulled a foam line to help extinguish the fire.

The 933 Brush was dispatched to pull in the Lower Lackawanna Recourse trailer and also had to come in the south bound way on the north bound road. 

In all 3000 pounds of absorbent was put down.  Lackawanna EMA and Teem were also called in with the white hats from Penn Dot. The 98 Rescue along with the 93 Chief were also on the call.   While the incident was underway the 98 Command requested Lackawanna Count Comm. Center to switch over to the Lower Lackawanna Frequency which was able to keep fire band clear. This seemed to work very well for the incident.  The 93 Companies with the 95 Rescue were released after two hours.

Old Forge Community Action Committee presents check The Lawrence Hose Company received a nice gift in what is considered very difficult times in today’s economy. A check of $15,000.00 was presented to the Hose Company by The Old Forge Action Committee for the purchase of a used Rescue vehicle that will carry its Department’s Swiftwater Team on all emergency calls.

With only dreams of getting a vehicle on the horizon, the Company never gave up hope and kept looking for a very good but inexpensive vehicle.  When Lt. Shaffer found one, the Company looked into it with the price part seemed right.  The problem was to get the money.  Capt. Williams and Lt. Shaffer drafted a letter explain the need and the purpose this vehicle would give the Team so a meeting was sent to the Old Forge Community Action Committee. 

The two Company Officers along with Chief Aulisio presented its case and were very excited to here that the Old Forge Community Action Committee approved its request and the ball started rolling.  The Company traveled to Vandergrift Pa. near Pittsburgh and brought our new (yet old) Rescue home.  The members in one week’s time had the vehicle stripped and had Thornton Graphics re-letter it.  The Department then went to work loading and mounting the Rescue.  “This gives us a chance to have all equipment in one place, not spread out in 3 vehicles which will make us more efficient”, said Chief Aulisio. 

The Company got first hand in using its vehicle on a Water Rescue on The Lackawanna just a week ago.  “Knowing when we arrived that we had all our equipment there made the operation a lot easier, since we weren’t guessing were everything was”, said Capt. Williams.  This vehicle will serve us for many years to come but it wouldn’t have happened with the help from The Old Forge Community Action Committee.  We thank them in so many ways and hope to keep serving the Community of Old Forge like we have since 1874.
Click here to see photos...

OFPD officer pulls girl from river

When officer Jason Dubernas responded to a girl possible in the river little did he know the first thing he would see, was her trapped against a rock in the middle of the river.  Officer Dubernas swam out to the victim and pulled her across the river to shore.  The 93 Swiftwater Team with 93 EMS and a LA truck crew made their way to both of them and assisted with a host of other companies in getting them off the shore line. (The yellow star in the photo shows the approximate location of where the female entered the Springbrook Creek, She was pulled downstream into the Lackawanna River. The red arrow shows the location of the rescue).

The girl was reported to have fallen in the water apx. ¼ mile upstream and was to be in the water for 20 minutes.  The PD units from 94, 95, and 93 were all on scene looking thru the backyards of Moosic residents in an attempt to spot the girl.

The initial Command Post was set up on Lonesome road but once a report came in from the Moosic PD that the officer and the victim was out on the Old orge side and the Teams moved to the old PCB site and enter from there.

The 98 Rescue with the 93 Ladder helped hoist the girl out of the area in a stokes basket and loaded her in an ambulance.  The victim was transported to CMC. The Command was handled by the 98 Chief and 126 SCUBA was also on the scene set up downstream. (Scranton Times)
 

Swiftwater Team assists Archbald with Riverfest Nine members of the 93 Swiftwater Team went to Archbald to help with the launch of the 2009 Riverfest.  The Team was split up along the Lackawanna River in several locations ready to assist and boaters that got in trouble. The Team did end up helping out one set of boaters when they had turned over off the first bend.  In all the team was out on the water for about an hour. Click to enlarge photos

More Photos

Training continues in the river
 C. Molinaro

Members from the Lower Valley continued with training in preparation for a problem with the 81 work being done. Members of 98 Rescue, 112 Rescue, 95 Rescue, and 933 Engine worked on ropes from above the black bridge on Route 502.The 93 Swiftwater Team worked below in the water for about 2 hours. The team worked on swimming techniques, rope bag throwing, and Go Rescues.  In all the team felt that the continued work just helps in getting them  more prepared.

Busy Friday for the Lower Valley

It was a confirmed report of a working fire when Chief Molinaro had requested the 93 Engine to lay in.  After arriving the 93 Engine along with the 98 Rescue Capt. Pulled a 2” line and proceeded to knock down a fully involved garage fire. The 933 Engine arrived and did the second due hydrant job while the 98 Crew pulled the 2 1/2'' back up line.  The 95 Rescue helped due truck work with the 96 Ladder while 23 handled the RIT Team work.

The call lasted about an hour with help from the Red Cross in re-hydrating the fire crews. 98 Chief was Operations while 93 Chief did Command.

Just two hours later a tape alarm was given and another 2 hours after that a second tape alarm was also transmitted.   Within one hour later 93 Departments were sent on a brush fire.  Good thing  the weather was nice not cold.

Special Thank You
We would really like to say thank you to the boys over at EMS 93.  They let us store our Engine there while we worked on the Rescue from stripping it, to lettering it, and now loading it.   We even ran a car fire out from there Station the other morning.  Well again we do like to say THANK YOU for helping us out.

Transforming 151 Rescue to 93 Rescue

In just a few short days the members from 93 Engine and 933 Engine stripped down the Rescue just purchased and had Thornton Graphics give it a whole new look.  With the lettering done, now filling the compartments are next.  If everything goes well it should be in service by Friday.  Note on the one picture the big apple which honors were the vehicle had started.  See more photos.

	Earlier...The Return of Rescue 93 In the movies you would call this a sequel but in the Fire Service we call it a new beginning. The Lawrence Hose Company ran a Rescue from its inception (1975 to 2004).  Well 15 years later we are going to put back in service a walk in style vehicle which is to compliment the Swiftwater Rescue Team.
This was a dream never thought to happen especially with the let down in the fall but with a lot of help is has become reality.  The vehicle was picked up on Saturday and should be full in service by next Saturday.  The is a lot more to the story so stay tune for pictures and more details on how this came all about!

Old Forge Council approves FD position

On Tuesday night the Old Fore Council approved the application to fill one of the vacant Assistant Chief positions. Lt. Mark Tagilterra from Ladder 93 applied for the job and was approved. The positions have been vacant since the late 90’s with Chief Aulisio using Chief Molinaro and Chief VanLuevender on calls.  This will give the group a new resource with Mark getting more involved in the Command structure.

Mark considered by many as an outstanding member of the Fire Department will be sorely missed in the actually fire ground operations but I’m sure he will do very well in the Command aspects of the fire ground.  This move according to Mark was difficult but was something he thought about for more than a year.  Mark has completed a tremendous amount of training being FF1 and FF2 along with being a State Fire Instructor to give a little background of his knowledge.  Good luck in your new role.

Mass Casualty trailer coming to Lower LA County 

Sunday, March 22, 2009 - Through the cooperation of Lackawanna County Department of Emergency Services, Lackawanna County EMA, PEMA & Department of Homeland Security, the 3rd Mass Casualty resource trailer has been placed in the Lower Lackawanna Valley stationed at Fire Station 98. This trailer is stocked with supplies and equipment to treat 50 to 100 patients that may be involved in a large scale accident. Two similar units exist within the County, one being stationed at Blakely EMS and one at Cottage Carbondale EMS.

Over the course of the next several weeks, members will be unpacking and stocking the trailer making it ready for use anywhere in the region. Final preparations are also being made to ensure that several area departments will be able to tow this vehicle. Participating commitments have been received from Old Forge Fire, Taylor Fire & Rescue along with Scranton City. 
 

CPR/OXYGEN/AED training for OFFD Members of the Old Forge Fire Department re-certified in CPR, Oxygen, and AED training on Saturday from a class held at Eagle McClure’s Fire Station.  Instructor for the Red Cross (our own) Lt. Chris Shaffer taught the class for 14 people. View photos of members working on the mannequins.

 

	Dates set for Maryland SWRT Training The 93 and 21 Swiftwater Teams are set for a return trip to Maryland for a second round of training.  The Team’s first traveled during July of 2008 for a 16 hour training session.  Without a doubt it turned into one of the best classes ever! This year besides reviewing the basics, crazy man Walter plans some more intense training.
	The team does have a few openings for additional people so contact any 93 SWRT Members if interested in going.  The lodging and meals will be included in the trip.  The Team will be leaving July 30th and participating in classes on July 31st and August 1st and return on August 2nd.  As you can see from the following pictures this year’s class will be very interesting. View the  pictures from last year’s training.

Another day on the ice With the weather much better than last time the team traveled up into Harding to do some training on the Susquehanna River. The team went onto the ice and practiced several methods of removing victims entrapped in the ice.  The team used its sled, a grab style pole and used a sling in three different methods of training.  In all the team accomplished a lot with another good training day. Several members of the team will be participating in a 16 hour course being held at Archbald Fire Station at the end of February.  More pix

93 Engine gets work  in Moosic  M. Cotter About 50 firefighters battled the two-alarm blaze at 3521 Birney Ave. The fire began shortly after 11 a.m. in the basement of the Nail Depot — a three-story house used for apartments and commercial space — and spread throughout the structure, according to Old Forge Fire Chief Bob Aulisio.  Video Photos by Mike Cotter More at 98

Tense moments in OF
A propane gas leak forced a woman out of her home Tuesday afternoon and shut down part of her neighborhood. 

"We got houses evacuated, about two or three houses evacuated to err on the side of caution.  Rather err on the side of caution than have a problem later on and someone say why didn't you get the people out of there," said Buddy Kania of Lackawanna County Emergency Management Agency.

Ice Training at Montage

Most people on Sunday stayed home while the temperature didn’t get above 15 degrees.  Not the 93 SWRT Team as they ventured out to a pond up in Glenmaura. After taking over an hour to cut the hole needed to start the training the Team using its ice sled which was purchased last season. With over 2 hours of training the Team felt a lot more comfortable using the new sled and got more acquainted with its ice equipment.  This just furthered the Teams commitment in being as good as possible.

The Team is scheduled to go out again only this time on the Susquehanna River.  Stay tuned for more pics.  Will also like to thank Lt. Wrubel for braving the cold and taking the pictures on Sunday. Photos
 

Third time: hope it will be the last It once stood for a thriving business that employed many residents in the Old Forge Boro.  Now it is becoming very dangerous.  With 3 fires in recent times the empty building is hopefully going to be scheduled for demolition.

Photo courtesy of Station 112 On 933 Engine’s arrival they grabbed the hydrant and laid in.  The 93 Engine hooked up and pumped the hydrant valve.  The 93 Ladder investigated the smoke condition and found fire on side d of the building on the first floor. The crews of both engines put together a 400 foot preconnect of 2” line and proceeded to enter and knocked down the fire.

The Ladder Company moved to the basement to find more fire.  Chief Aulisio filled out the box which was only sent as a smoke report in the area.

The 95 Ladder, 112 Rescue, 98 Engine came in and went to work pulling ceilings and advancing the attack line to the basement to help knocked down the fire. The 143 Engine and 23 Rescue did the fast truck assignment. The 112 Chief and The 98 Chief handled the Command Post while Chief Aulisio was Operations Chief.

The fire was contained and all companies were back in service in about 2 hours.
 

Heroes at every corner Station 112 Normally when we having a working fire we talk about what we did at the call, but this one is different.  This one will be about the residents and the people from the neighborhood who showed some pretty heroic efforts on Friday night.  When the initial call was made to the 911 center, a woman notified them that here house was on fire and she and her daughter were trapped in the second floor in a back bedroom.

Hero number 1:  The dispatchers who get a lot of grief from us time to time, kept the resident on the phone and tried to keep her calm and assure her help was on the way.  By doing his job right he helps defuse a situation which could of went bad very quickly.  An excellent job and credit needs to be shared with the 911 center.

Hero number 2:  The mother who made the call did an outstanding job, even though scared her action saved her daughter’s life.  She explained to us that when she heard the smoke alarms go off, she went to her bedroom door and tried opening it.  She immediately experienced heavy black smoke and closed the door.  She took a blanket and put it at the bottom to help keep the smoke and fire out.  Making the call to 911 and giving them vital information helped pinpoint where she was in the house, this gave a better idea of the conditions of the incident.  She then went to the window and opened it and proceeded to hang her daughter out the window and drop here to neighbors who were trying to rescue them.  She then did the same for herself and was caught by the same neighbors.Even though completely shooken up, she did an outstanding job which needs to be recognized.

Hero number 3:  For people who remember how neighborhoods were much closer years ago, this reaffirms that it still exists.  Several neighbors who did a tremendous job made attempts to save the two residents.  There were people in the front and back ready to risk their lives for them.  Several men caught the little girl and mother as they jumped out of the second floor.  Never worrying about what might happen to themselves and doing what was heroic, helped save the mother and little girl and kept them from serious injury.

Hero number 4:  That little girl decided to sleep with her mom that night and when she woke and heard the smoke alarms, she told her mother, “We need to get down on the floor and crawl to the window and yell for help”.  Even in a time of near death she remembered what she learned from fire prevention and helped keep her mom focused.  She never panicked and was very courageous in doing what her mom told her to do.  This six year old is a great example of learning, remembering, and doing what she was taught. 

In all a vey heroic night by several people kept Old Forge, PA, from having a terrible tragedy.  We are so thankful in a night that won’t soon be forgotten, for the good not the sad.  In closing several good lessons were learned:

1.Having working smoke alarms saved their life.
2. Keeping your bedroom door closed kept the heavy smoke and fire out and bought them sometime.
3. Fire Prevention Programs even as little as possible, taught that little girl what to do.
4. Never under estimate the power of good neighbors.

New Year’s brought in with a bad headache!
When the Old Forge Fire Department was dispatched to Sampson Street in Old Forge, they were told one car was completely involved.  On the way to the call the OFPD told them they had a second car burning.

Upon arrival the 93 Engine pulled a 2” line and knocked down the initial fire. A crew from 933 Engine used a second line to help extinguish the rest.  The 93 Ladder opened up both cars and the fire was knocked down quickly.

With treacherous conditions on the scene having temperatures hovering around 6 degrees, the Chauffeur of the 93 Engine, Gary Evans hit a patch of black ice. Gary went down whacking the back of his head hard on the cold pavement.   Gary was immediately looked at by EMS and transported to CMC hospital for observation.

After several tests were taken Gary was released from CMC but did have a concussion.  Gary who is the senior chauffeur of the 93 Engine is home resting comfortable but I know he has a bad headache.  Get well soon Gary.

Side note was that the emergency room doctor told him it was a good thing he wasn’t wearing his helmet.  The design of our firefighting helmets is to take a blow from the top, not from the brim area.  This could have done some damage to his neck area.  Also he felt the beanie cap even though is thin, did help cushion his head.  Just food for thought.

Earlier stuff.... 2008