Company 17 members gathered this evening to recognized several members for their service over the past year. On behalf of the New Franklin Fire Dept., congratulations and keep up the hard work. Your community is very lucky to have you serve them day and night.

A special thanks goes out to Adams County Company 27 for staffing the Engine and Truck Company for the evening.

The following awards were received:

Firefighter of the Year – Dan Bowman
Jr. Firefighter of the Year – Austin Funk
Chief’s Award – Robert Seilhamer
Presidents Awards – Earl “Gus” Rice
Winifred V. Bowen Memorial Award – Lois Seilhamer
Top Responder – Earl “Chip” Rice
Runner-up Response Awards – Robert Seilhamer, Dan Bowman and Chris Bowman
Top EMS Responder Award – Austin Funk.

The day started early at 0216 hours, Truck 17 was alerted and sent on the 3rd alarm assignment to 124 South Prince Street, Shippensburg.  Crews from both Cumberland and Franklin Counties were battling a large three story house at the corner of South Prince and East Garfield Streets.  Truck 17 assisted with lighting up the scene and opening up both the inside and outside of the structure before clearing at 0432 hours.  Then, Company 17 personnel handled two unconscious patients before lunch time.  Truck 17 was back on the street at 1632 for the 8-04 Box at 1740 Warm Spring Road.  Station 4 arrived to find a large wood pile on fire next to a shed and outside wood burner.  Chief 8 held the assignment to Station 4 and Company 8. 

  

Truck 17 spent the afternoon at the Franklin County Public Saftey Training Center assisting with the Bucks County Exterior Firefighter class.  Participants worked on throwing ladders and utilizing the aerial device.

At 0650 hours, Truck Company 17 was alerted for the commercial automatic fire alarm at the Sear’s in the Chambersburg Mall.  Franklin quickly advised the alarm company was wishing to cancel, only to dispatch the AFA again a minute later.  Approximately a minute after units were on the street for the second dispatch, Franklin adivsed they were upgrading the Box to the full assignment.  This sent Engine 17-1 along with the Truck.  Crews arrived to find activated smoke detectors in the structure, but investigated and determined good intent.  Units cleared at 0734 hours. 

Congratulations to the 2012 Administrative and Line Officers!  Good Luck in the coming year.  Thank you to the Officers of 2011 for your services.  Check out the Officers link above for a list of the officers and updated contact information. 

Members spent the last company drill of the year reviewing MAYDAY operations and fire fighter survival techniques. Training Officer Thomas encouraged members to not become complacent when conducting basic fire fighter skills and challenged them when dealing with downed fire fighters.

At 1213 hours, Engine 17-2 was alerted and responded to 262 South Main Street for the house fire.  AFC 48 arrived to find a two story detached house with smoke showing.  Company 1 and Squad 41 arrived and placed a line in serivce through side A.  Engine 17-2 picked up Engine Co. 13′s secondary supply line to the Charlie side, while the crew assisted DFC 47 on the Division 2 with checking for extension.  Crews remained on the scene to assist with overhaul before clearing.

At 1725 hours, Franklin put out Box 17-7 for the working house fire at 3146 Spring View Drive.  Engine 17-2 arrived to find a single story, single family, wood-frame house with fire showing from the charlie side and put an 1 3/4″ handline in service on side Alpha.  Squad 41 arrived shortly after and split their crew per Command.  Team A assisted Engine 17-2 with fire attack, as Team B completed a primary search, which proved negative.  Engine 43 set up to supply 17-2, while their crew backed up the initial attack crew.  The Engine Companies from 7 were assigned the basement division, where they also encounter fire in the stairway to the first floor.  Ventilation was coordinated between Truck 17 and 42, while RIT was assigned to Engine-Tanker 8.  Ambulance Company 7 assessed one burn patient, while Ambulance 5-9 set up Rehab.  The fire was knocked down within several minutes.  Crews were assisted by Engine 1-2, Engine-Tanker 27 and 14, Tanker 5, Squad 3, and Air 10, before scaling the incident down.  After extensive overhaul operations, Command was terminated and units cleared the scene around 2200 hours.

At 2052 hours, the bells sounded for the house fire with entrapment at 1909 Ashley Drive, Box 1-01.  Crews from Co.1 and Station 4 arrived and put a handline in service while searching the structure.  One victim was found on the second floor in the fire compartment and brought outside where resusitation efforts were unsuccessful.  Engine 17-2 arrived and checked the Charlie side with Truck 42.  Truck 17 responded on the working fire dispatch, but was redirected to Company 1′s Station for the transfer.  One other victim was transported to the hospital.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Pictures from Dave Bowen and Sta4.com.

On October 14th, members loaded up Engine 171 and Truck 17 and headed out to visit the students and teachers at the New Franklin and the Falling Spring Elementary Schools.  Annual Fire Prevention week reminds us all of a few vital safety precautions we should review with our friends and families!

• Change the batteries in our smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors – AND Check to make sure they work properly

• Discuss what constitues an emergency and when/how to call 911

• Develop and practice evacuation routes for our homes and outside meeting places

• Practice STOP, DROP, and ROLL in case you catch on fire!

• …And remember Don’t Be Afraid of Firefighters! We are here to help you!

If you ever have saftey concerns around your house feel free to give us a call at the station.