Main Bike World Fire  November 1989

 

On a cold night following a festive Thanksgiving day, one of the worst nights in fire department history occurred. At approximately 1:30 a.m. the department was dispatched to a structure fire at the Main Bike World.  Upon arrival the first due Engine stretched a attack line to the exposure 3-4. After making entry they found fire in the rear of the apartment. With the initial task  started the second due Engine started to search the second front of the building entrance.  Captain Jim Williams, Lieutenant Glenn Gray, and Firefighter Jim Ralston started up the stairwell of the three story building. Upon making entry to what seemed like an apartment they found a unbelievable amount of bicycles stored in every room. The search continued but there just seemed to be no head way, every room was congested with bikes.  Returning to the stairwell, we continued up to the third floor hoping to find a connection to the main apartment.

Again as we searched we realized this floor was under some type of construction with more bikes stored in each room. After quite sometime with the initial search showing no results, FF Ralston got trapped in a room full of bikes and couldn't get untangled. Lt. Gray was the first to him and was able to get the bikes off him.

With his air alarm going off on his airpack Capt. Williams and Lt. Gray started to try to guide him out of the apartment. With all members becoming somewhat disoriented and FF Ralston's air now out, we crawled toward what seemed to be light from outside. The smoke was banked down to the floor and now Capt. Williams's air also ran out They proceeded to start to drag FF Ralston to the light When finally there, Capt. Williams punched out the window and yelled for help.
 

When a ladder was raised all three firefighters were able to escape from the structure. All three credit the class they had recently taken in Williamsport with the FairFax County Maze as a reason for not panicking. It wasn't until a second search was done when the bodies of a young boy and his mom were found in his bedroom. The door was so congested it was hardly recognizable.  The awards were given by Assistant Fire Chief Cardamone in December of 1991 to Capt. Williams, Lt. Gray, and FF Ralston, the first recipients of this award. This call will live in the memories of many firefighters who gave their all that cold night.

At 8:30 a.m. on a very cold March morning the Old Forge Fire Department was dispatched to a missing woman from her apartment on Apollo Drive in Old Forge. As a command post was set up the companies set out with a description of the missing woman.

After approximately 35 minutes of searching FF Randy White found elder lady laying in a wooded area unconscious. With his quick actions of the covering her with his coat and radioing for help she was transported to a area hospital for evaluation and treatment.

This award was given by Asst. Chief Cardamone in December of 1992 to FF White for his quick actions.

Kennedy Street Fire April 1993

On a warm spring night the Old Forge Fire Department was dispatched to a fully involved structure fire on Kennedy Street Old Forge. Before the first unit arrived Asst. Chief Jim Cardamone arrived on scene and evacuated two elderly people from the home next door. 

With very intense heat from the fire melting the siding of the homes around the structure Asst. Chief Cardamone helped both people out of the home away from the area. One of the people were handicapped and needed to be carried out. 

This award was presented in December of 1993 by Capt. Williams to Assistant Chief Cardamone for his quick actions taken that night.

When the first Engine arrived there was a unbelievable amount of fire showing on exposure I of the building. The Ladder Company started to do their initial search and ventilation. Engine 93's first attack line was by FF Gary McIntrye and FF Bill Bennie. 

They proceeded to go through the front door and immediately found themselves in a great amount of fire. They proceeded to extinguish the fire and also look for the victim. Within seconds the majority of fire was knocked down and they were able, with the Ladder Company to locate the body of a elderly man in the front bedroom. 

This award was presented in December of 1995 to FF Mclntrye and FF Bennie by Capt. Williams for extreme bravery in extreme conditions.

Butler Street Incident November 1996

On a cold election day the most surprising call we could remember was when we were dispatched to a car into a pool with the victim still trapped inside. The first arriving unit was Squad 93 acting Ladder 93. 

The initial size up by Capt. Larry Semenza was for the car to be tied off as quick as possible as it was slowing starting to pull the cover in. When the other two companies arrived on scene rope equipment for rigging was set up and also the Squad was driven around the yard of the home to use as a anchor point. FF Tom Farrell was the first in the water to reach the  victim who was in shock to say the least. 

Upon taking out the back window FF Bob Zoltewicz tried to slip a backboard under the patient. Capt. Semenza then proceeded to get the front door open on the car. With water know covering the victim by 80 percent Capt. Jim Williams also jumped in and helped get the victim on the backboard and out of the pool. 

During this incident over 15 firefighters held on to safety lines tied to all the rescuer's. This call was a complete joint effort with everyone working together. 

In December of 1996 the council president and the Fire Chief presented the following with the Patrick Comer Valor Award, Capt. Semenza, Captain Williams, FF Farrell, and FF Zoltewicz for bravery on that election day call. But without a doubt it wouldn't have been possible without the whole team effort from the three fire companies.

In the early hours of the morning, the Old  Forge Fire Department was sent to a working structure fire. Upon arrival the Ladder Company found a two story apartment building on fire with smoke and fire pushing from side 1-2-3. When the building was searched FF Tony Wastella found a man still a sleep in one of the apartments. 

He quickly evacuated the man and brought him out to the command area. If it wasn't for the quick searching efforts of FF Wastella this man probably wouldn't have survived. 

This award was presented to FF Wastella in December of 1999 by Chief Auliso for his act of bravery.

After responding to over 40 calls after major flooding hit the greater Old Forge area, the 93 Engine Swiftwater Rescue Team was sent to Sibley Avenue for two people trapped in a house surrounded by rising flood water on November 16, 2006.

Upon arrival, after assessing the scene, Lt. Jonathan Evans and firefighter Matt Evans donned their swiftwater suits and personal floatation devices. They proceeded to walk across about four feet of water taking the personal floatation devices (PFD)  for those trapped by the water.

Once at the residence, they assisted an elderly woman, outfitting her with the PFD, then helping her across the rising water to her family awaiting her on the other side.

The rescuers returned to the structure to a remove as second person, the son of the woman, and a family pet.

Lt. Evans and Firefighter Evans were recognized for their rescue efforts on November 22 when they were awarded the department's coveted Patrick Comer Award.

The award was presented to them by Chief Robert Aulisio, the operations commander on that day and the Incident Commander, Captain James Williams.
 

In photo, left to right:  Captain Jim Williams, Firefighter Matt Evans, Lt. Jonathan Evans and Fire Chief Robert Aulisio.