MAY 2006
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CREWS STAY BUSY FOR THE LAST WEEKEND IN APRIL
 
The weekend started off with Chief Rankin and Captain Fiorito traveling to Rutgers University
 in New Jersey for a Firefighter Rescue in Private Dwellings and Forcible Entry for Firefighter
Rescue class sponsored by the Burlington County Professional Firefighters Union. While at the
 class members stayed busy at the station by a little spring cleaning and a run in the morning to
120 Saint Charles St. in 20’s local for the Alarm System. Tower 74 arrived under the command
of FF Condo and was placed available by 20 command shortly thereafter. After returning the
crews continued cleaning and straightening up and in the afternoon the company was dispatched
 to the rear of 925 Providence for an investigation. E74-1 and 2 arrived under the command of
 Lt. Bera to find a 5 gallon container of non corrosive commercial cleaning chemical with a small leak.
The Engine Company secured the leak made the proper notifications and was back in the station
within 30 minutes. The crews at the station remained busy throughout the evening and just when
everything calmed down the companies were dispatched just after midnight to the 200 block of
Westpark Ln. in our local for a smoke detector activation. E74-1 with Captain Fiorito and L20 with
 A/C Morgan arrived to find a 2 story middle of the row dwelling with an audible alarm sounding.
 A/C Jernegan 749A held the assignment to company 74. The crew of the Engine threw a ground
ladder to a open 2nd floor in the rear and entered to find a malfunctioning detector in a trash bag.
On Sunday the day started again with Chief Rankin and FF Brian Norris of Station 36 traveling north
 to New Jersey for the New Jersey Metro Photographers Association Annual Bus Trip. This trip is an
annual tradition started by Chief Rankin who is a long time New York Cit Fire Buff. On previous bus
trips some of our members were able to see the FDNY in action and this year proved to be no different.
While the bus was going from station to station a column of smoke was seen in the distance. Just as the
 column of smoke could be seen Box Alarm 426 was struck for the address of fire being
 Tillery and Gold Streets in Brooklyn at the quarters of E207 / L110, BN31 and Div. 11.
Upon arrival of the tour bus heavy fire and smoke conditions were visible from the roof
 of the fire station / police station. Chief Rankin and FF Norris were able to snap some
 pictures and witness two explosions of propane cylinders from the roof. The fire went to 2 Alarms.
 While the Chief was out of town the company made the response to 03’s local in the 100 block
of E. Baltimore Ave. for a CO Detector Activation. The call was found to be a malfunctioning detector,
and Command 039B A/C Watts placed the units available shortly after arrival. The crews at the station
 also passed some time by doing some much needed cleaning of Tower 74’s compartments. Sunday
night FF Vella and FF Lynch traveled to Station 36 for a Rowhome / Townhouse Firefighting Seminar.
All in all the last weekend in April 2006 turned out to be a busy one.