DECEMBER 2006
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SANTA TOURS THE SECANE AND WESTBROOK PARK SECTIONS OF THE LOCAL
 Sunday, December 24, 2006
 
Before Santa Claus set out for his yearly trip, he stopped by the Fire House again for a tour
of both the Secane and Westbrook Park sections of our local. Santa first loaded up on Foam Engine
 74-2 and headed out for the Secane section. There, with the help of some of our members,
 he listened to some last minute Christmas list and even gave out some presents to local children.
 After that, Santa got on Engine 74-1 for a tour of the Westbrook Park section. Again, he listened
 to some last minute Christmas list. Unfortunately, Santa did not get to ride along with us for any calls.
Just after Santa Claus left the station, the company got hit out for the building assignment for
528 Timberlake Rd., in Cardington Stonehust’s local. Because companies 36 (Cardington- Stonehurst),
 37 (Upper Darby), and 26 (Highland Park) were operating at a small fire on Long Lane, companies
74, 20 (Garrettford- Drexel Hill), and Engine 36-2 were dispatched. Engine 36-2 arrived with
nothing evident from the exterior, and upon further investigation, it was determined to be a
faulty tripped alarm in an abandoned building and the assignment was held to Engine 36-2.
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5 CALL DAY
 Wednesday, December 20, 2006
 
Besides the 3 alarm fire this morning, the members handled a total of five emergencies today.
 As crews were restoring the Tower and the Engines after the fire, the Tower Ladder was sent
 into company 20 (Garrettford- Drexel Hill) for an outside gas leak. 20 command investigated and
 determined that there was no gas leak and returned all of the apparatus. While the Tower Ladder
was across town for training, and the Engine crew was catching up on their sleep, the company
was dispatched into Clifton Heights Boro, along with companies 03 (Clifton Heights), 44 (Springfield),
and 19 (Lansdowne), for a building fire. 74-9 arrived first with nothing evident, followed shortly
behind by Engine 74-1. The crew from 74-1 investigated and found food in a microwave in the
 basement as the cause. 74-9 then held the assignment to Engine 74-1, Engine 44, and Quint 03.
As the day was coming to an end, and the members were getting ready to watch a movie,
the Tower Ladder was sent cross town to the Delaware County Memorial Hospital for an AFA.
The alarm was determined to be tripped by workers, and command recalled the assignment.
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EARLY MORNING 3 ALARMER
 Wednesday, December 20, 2006
 
Just before 0330 Hrs. this morning the building assignment was hit out for 18 Berbro Ave.
 in 37’s local, bringing companies 37 (Upper Darby) and 26 (Highland Park). As the first units
 went responding, Fire Board advised them that they were receiving numerous calls. Engine 37-1
 arrived on location with heavy fire showing from the first floor of a middle of the row dwelling,
and immediately called for the second alarm, bringing in company 36 (Cardington- Stonehurst)
 and Tower Ladder 74. As crews were advancing an 1 3/4" waterline into the fire building to get a
knock on the fire, the fire started to spread to the adjoining homes, so command called for the third alarm,
bringing in the balance of 74 and company 20 (Garrettford- Drexel Hill). The crew from the
 Tower Ladder was sent to the roof to start opening up, and the crews from the two Engine companies
were sent into the original fire building and the exposures to check for extension and ventilation.
Crews from Sta. 74 operated at the scene for just under three hours. The officers and members
 would like to wish a speedy recovery to the two Fire Fighters that were injured during the fire.
Audio of the fire courtesy of firegroundaudio.com
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BUILDING FIRE AT MSGR. BONNER HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
 
At 1023 Hrs. today the box assignment was hit out for the Msgr. Bonner High School, bringing
in companies 20 (Garrettford- Drexel Hill), 26 (Highland Park), 37 (Upper Darby), Ladder 36
(Cardington- Stonehurst), and Tower Ladder 74. As units went responding, Fire Board advised
command that Medic 103 (DCMH Medics) was on location with smoke evident from a ventilation vent,
 and that the school had not been evacuated. UD-9 (Cubler) arrived moments later and reported
the same, except that the building was now evacuated; UD-9 also reported that he had an odor
of smoke in the building. As crews investigated they found a small fire in the ventilation duct from
 two bathrooms, and a smoke condition through out the building. Crews placed an 1 3/4" waterline
in service as well as numerous ventilation fans. The crews made a fast knock on the fire and held it to
only the ventilation duct. The Tower Ladder remained on scene for one hour for ventilation.
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SMALL FIRE ON THE ROOF OF THE COUNTY BUILDING
 Monday, December 18, 2006
 
At 1024 Hrs the assignment was hit out for an AFA at 20 S. 69th, the County Building, bringing in
 Companies 37 (Upper Darby), 36 (Cardington- Stnehurst), and Tower Ladder 74. Crews arrived
 on location with nothing evident, and started to investigate. As crews searched for a cause for
the fire alarm they found a small fire on the roof of the building. UD-9C (Shuster) then ordered the
Tower Ladder to set up and go to the roof. As the crew from the Tower was operating on the roof,
the other crews checked for extension inside the building, which they did not find. While the crews
were operating at that alarm, alarm # F06060448 came in for a CO alarm in Highland park’s local.
Because Sta. 26 (Highland Park) was at the 69th Terminal for a brush fire, Companies 74, 20
(Garretford- Drexel Hill), and 34 (Llanerch) were sent to this alarm. Crews investigated and
found the problem to be a faulty alarm and recalled the assignment.
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SANTA COMES TO THE PENN PINES SECTION
 Sunday, December 17, 2006
 
This evening the members took Santa Claus around the Penn Pines Section of our local in the
Tower Ladder. The members loaded up both the Engine and the Tower Ladder and let Santa ride
 in the bucket of the Tower so he could meet all of the children. Santa had a good time riding through
 the local, he even got to take in two runs. While the company was out with Santa, Companies 20
(Garrettford- Drexel Hill), 26 (Highland Park), and 74 were sent to 4611 Bond avenue, the Aronomik
Elementary School, for the AFA. The alarm was tripped by workers cleaning the school from the
fire the previous Friday, and the assignment was returned. Just before Santa’s ride came to an end,
the company was sent to 7250 Walnut St., the Stonehurst Court Apts., along with companies 37
 (Upper Darby), 36 (Cardington Stonehust), and 26 (Highland Park), for a gas leak inside the building.
Crews investigating found the problem to be a faulty stove, and command recalled the
Tower Ladder as it was responding. Santa had such a good time riding with the members, that
he said that he would ride again with us on Dec. 24th
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2006 CREW AWARDS
 Friday, December 15, 2006
 
This years annual Crew Party was held at Carolines in Secane. During the Companies annual
 Crew Christmas party, Board of Director Kevin Rankin presented the annual crew awards on behalf
of Chief John Rankin.
This years winners are as follows:
 Fire Fighter of the Year- Asst. Chief Mike Jernegan
 Junior Fire Fighter of the Year- FF Ryan Ward
Top Ten Responders (In no particular order)- Chief John Rankin,
Asst. Chief Mike Jernegan,
Capt. Mike Fiorito,
Lt. John Bera,
 Lt. Dan Falkenstein,
FF Anthony Vella,
FF Vince Berradocco,
 FF Nick Gerlacher,
 FF Brian Lynch,
 and FF Dave Graham
 Kevin Rankin also presented a special recognition award from the
crew to President Frank Russel, Chairman Tom Micozzie, and Treasurer Gary McAfee.
 This award was given to the three for their countless hours of work to both obtain our
 new Fire Station and keeping it looking like new. All of the members had a good night
 remembering the past year and reminiscing about old memories.
(pictures coming soon)
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ANOTHER BUSY DAY ENDS WITH ANOTHER BUILDING FIRE 
Friday, December 15, 2006
 
The Company again handled seven calls today, and again ended the day with a building fire.
The day started early today at 0600 Hrs. with an outside gas leak on the 200 blk of south Oak Ave.
 Crews detected gas in the area and PECO was notified. Then at 0825 Hrs, the Company was
again dispatched to the 200 blk of south Oak Ave for an outside gas leak. PECO was already on
 location and the Company went available. At 1300 Hrs the Company was dispatched to the Kindergarten
Center for the AFA, and while they were returning from that call, the Tower was redirected to
Clifton Heights Boro for a CO alarm. The Company then had a chance to relax until 2227 Hrs, when the
Company was dispatched to 4200 Garrett rd. for another CO alarm. As the crews were just
getting back to sleep, the Company was sent to 4611 Bond Ave., the Aronomink Elementary School,
 for the AFA. As a crew from Company 20 (Garrettford- Drexel Hill) was investigating, they found
a fire in the library of the school and put an 1 3/4" water line in service. Command then had the building
assignment hit out, again bringing in Companies 20 (Garrettford- Drexel Hill), 26 (Highland Park),
and 74. The crew from the Tower was sent into the Library for overhaul while the crew from the Engine
stood by. Crews were able to contain the fire to the library, but there was smoke damage to some
 parts of the school. The crews from 74 were released from the fire in about a half hour
 and were finally able to get some sleep.
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BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK CALLS END WITH A BUILDING FIRE AT THE HOSPITAL
 Thursday, December 14, 2006
 
The Company handled a total of seven calls today, including five back to back calls and
a building fire at the Hospital. The day started at 0801 Hrs with an AFA at the Burlington
Coat Factory in our local. The call was determined to be a Malfunctioning alarm, and the Companies
were returned. Then at 0950 Hrs. The Tower was dispatched to the east end of town for another
faulty AFA. The rest of the day was quiet until the members attempted to start the weekly drill. Just
as drill was starting the Tower was dispatched to the east end of town for a gas leak inside the
 structure. As crews were investigating that call the Tower was sent to two different trash fires.
While the Tower was handling the trash fires, and the crews were clearing up from the gas leak, the
building assignment was hit out for the Delaware County Memorial Hospital. Initial reports were that
 a person inside the Hospital called 911 and stated that there was heavy smoke inside the Hospital.
Further reports were that the DCMH Medics were on location with heavy smoke in the area. Crews
checked the whole Hospital but found no evidence of fire, and the staff knew nothing about
a "Code Red". After careful investigation, and numerous searches of the building, the call was
determined to be a malicious false call. While the companies were responding to the Hospital fire,
 the Tower and 74-9 (Rankin) were redirected to Marshall Rd. for an AFA. That call was
 determined to be another malfunctioning alarm.
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OFFICERS FOR 2007
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
 
During the monthly Company meeting the 2007 Officers for both the
Fire Crew and the Administration were announced.
 The Fire Crew Officers are as follows:
 District Chief (74-9)- Michael Jernegan
 Engine Capt. (74-12)- Mike Fiorito
Truck Capt. (74-12A)- Dan Falkenstein
Truck Lieut. (74-13) John Bera
Engine Lieut. (74-13A)- Nick Gerlacher
Engine Lieut. (74-13B)- Anthony Vella

The Administrative Officers are as follows:
 President- Frank R. Russell,
 Vice President- Jim Flanigan,
 Secretary- Katie Rankin,
Financial Secretary- Katie Coyle,
 Treasurer- Gary McAfee.

Congratulations and good luck to the Officers of 2007!
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CREW CHRISTMAS PARTY
 
The annual crew christmas party will be held on Friday December 15th at caroline’s
 resturant and bar in the Providence Rd. Shopping center. The party will start at 7:00 PM
 and end at 11:00 PM. All members that want to attend please contact Lt. Bera by Wensday December 13th.
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HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
 Saturday, December 9, 2006
 
During the day, a group of members took the time to put up lights and other decorations
 on the exterior of the station, as well as put up a Christmas tree in the engine bay.
The members and officers of the Primos-Secane-Westbrook Park Fire company would like
 to thank the Home Depot for donating a Christmas tree to the Fire House.
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CHILDREN TOUR THE FIRE STATION
 Saturday, December 9, 2006

The members working the day shift spent the morning hours cleaning the station and preparing
 for a tour of the station by local children. The children first gathered at the Primos branch of
the Upper Darby Library to hear a story read by Santa claus, and were then brought down to
the station by Santa Claus for a tour of the station. The members showed the children the trucks
and gave out fire helmets and fire prevention material. All of the children enjoyed themselves,
 and the members reminded the children to be good for Santa Claus.
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BUILDING FIRE ON THE EAST END
 Saturday, December 9, 2006
 
Just before 2000 hrs. the building assignment was hit out for 49 Richfield Rd. in 37’s local,
bringing companies 37 (Upper Darby) and 36 (Cardington-Stonehurst). M-8 (Lanni) quickly
arrived on scene and advised incoming units that he had fire visible from the third floor.
Command then asked for ladder 20 (Garrettford-Drexel Hill) for the FAST truck. While the companies
were in service, Tower 74 and Engine 74-2 started to move to the middle of town to cover the rest
 of the Township, when command had Ladder 20 go to the roof for ventilation and had the Tower
respond in as the new FAST truck. Command also had Engine 74-2 respond in as well, as it was
already on the street. When the crews from 74 arrived on scene they quickly started to set up
 for RIT duties but then were redirected to the third floor of the dwelling for overhaul and to hit
 hot spots. While the crews were operating at the fire, company 74 was hit out for a second
emergency for a CO call in Clifton Heights Boro. Engine 74-1 responded to that call, but was quickly
 recalled by Clifton Heights command, who held the call to Station 03 (Clifton Heights) apparatus.
All members returned back from both calls with no injuries.
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CONGRATULATIONS CAPT. FIORITO
 Sunday, December 3, 2006
 
The crew would like to congratulate Capt. Mike Fiorito (74-12) for assuming the role of
"CAPTAIN FIRE PREVENTION". Capt. Fiorito worked three straight shifts this weekend,
(Saturday day shift, Saturday night shift, and Sunday day shift) and never turned a wheel.
 The only eventful thing that happened during his 35 hour tour was going to the store to
buy groceries for lunch on Saturday. That makes it six straight shifts were Capt. Fiorito has struck out.
Way to go Capt., good job keeping the Township safe.