Our members had the opportunity the week of February 18th to conduct some training over the past few days on some structures that were scheduled for demolition.  We were grateful that the landowner gave us permission to use these structures to simulate “real life” scenarios.  The structures were used to practice basic firefighting skills such as hose line deployment and ventilation.  Members also practiced self rescue and firefighter rescue skills that can be used in a Mayday event.  This opportunity was shared with our mutual aid fire departments as well.

A Christmas Gathering was held on Saturday December 29^th at the Station. Great evening of fun and socializing. Everybody had a great time. A special thanks to June Kreider and the Support Group for making this event a success.

The Company to sponsor a Public Safety Day on Saturday October 20th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Fairview Park located at 4380 Fairview Road.

Come join us for a day of fun and fire safety education.

See Fire Truck displays, obtain Fire Prevention learning materials, Fire Truck rides and a Candy drop from a fire ladder truck.

A free lunch and prizes for various games will be provided.

A Ropes and Rigging Class was held on September 25,27,29 at Chickies Rock in the Township. The class was a hands on type training conducted by PA State Instructors Richard Garber, Todd Kirkpatrick and Matt Grant.

The Chickies Rock area is a constant source of response to various rescue type situations this class enforced our skills in meeting high angle and environmental type rescues.

Completing the class was Fire Chief Barry Carter, Kirk Ament, Mark Kniesly, Randy Wissler, Duane Kline, Steve LeFever, Chris LeFever, Nate Charles, Andy Wright and Carol Wright.

Several of our members participated on Sunday September 16th  for the “Never Forget 9/11″Stair Climb at Clipper Magazine Stadium Lancaster City. The “Never Forget – Spirit of America” to commemorate the years of sacrifice for the terror attack on the World Trade Center  in New York City with the loss of life of 343 firefighters.

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in which volunteers from Lancaster County Departments climbed 110 flights of stairs wearing full protective clothing at the stadium.

We commend out members for their participation in this memorial event.

On August 18-19 several of our members attended Pennsylvania Weekend at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg Maryland.

Barry Carter and Steve Lefever completed  Leadership II.

Nate Charles completed National Incident Management System (NIMS) for Catastrophic Incidents

Duane Kline completed Operations for Small Departments.

West Hempfield Fire & Rescue to host a Rabies Clinic on Saturday October 20 from 8 AM till 4 PM at our Fire station located on Marietta Avenue, Silver Springs

Open RABIES CLINIC for further information

This summer has been an extremely high storm season and has kept us very busy responding to activated alarms, lighting strikes and power line transformer fires. Unfortunately on August 10 a Thunderstorm caused a power surge that affected our fire station. The Key Card entry system to enter the station was knocked out of service. The only ones able to enter the station were members with keys which are few. Problem was solved with one door operational for the present time. In addition the station alert system is inoperative along with our internet,  cable TV service, copier, microwave, remote control overhead door by Rescue. We are in the dark ages. Oh well things will get fixed.

On July 4th at 12;53 PM dispatched to reported Hikers in distress at Chickies Rock in the Township. Upon arrival found that 2 hikers had fallen approximately 20 feet. Hikers were attempting to climb the rock when they encountered a Wasp nest. The first hiker up the rock was being stung and when he batted at the Wasps he lost his footing and during the fall took the second hiker with him. Both hikers  appeared to be not seriously hurt. However one hiker complained of injury to his hip. He was packaged and our all terrain vehicle removed him from the area to awaiting Susquehanna Valley EMS. One hiker transported to the hospital and the other hiker was treated at the scene. Assisting us were units from Columbia, Marietta and Maytown. Incident terminated at 1:42 PM.

On Friday June 8 at 7:08 AM dispatched by County Communications to a reported vehicle accident with entrapment at Marietta Avenue and Kinderhook Road. Upon arrival found a dump truck on top of a Pick up with the driver trapped. The operator of the dump truck appeared to be unhurt. Extrication commenced and the driver was removed and turn over to EMS. This intersection has been the site of numerous accidents even with all the warning and stop signs on Kinderhook Road. The saddle trucks on the dump truck spilled diesel fuel on the roadway and requested assistance from the County Hazardous Materials Team to assist with the cleanup.

Assisting at the scene was Susquehanna, Columbia, Marietta, and Haz-Mat 2-9. Fire Police from Columbia and Marietta and Susquehanna Emergency Medical Services.

Accident under investigation by West Hempfield Township Police.

Units remained on scene till approximately 9:00 AM.

On Friday evening June 1st at 5:43 PM dispatched to 3101 Marietta Avenue in the Township for a reported fire in an apartment building. County dispatch reported numerous calls and a West Hempfield Police Officer on scene reported heavy smoke from the second floor. This working fire couldn’t have come at a worst  time in that we were in the middle of a severe thunderstorm. First arriving crews were being hammered by heavy rain and winds. One thing in our favor was a fire hydrant right in front of the building and was safe to use. Initial assessment was an older style, 2 story framed dwelling with several apartments. Initial search indicated that all residents of the 1st and 2nd floor had successfully evacuated the building. The only casualties were some pets. The fire was contained to room of origin which was the kitchen on the 2nd floor with heavy smoke damage throughout the second floor. Crews threw salvage covers on the 1st floor to protect occupants belongings.

We were assisted at the scene by numerous mutual aid Fire Companies, Fire Police, and EMS.

A State Police Fire Marshal was called to the scene for the investigation and the fire was determined to be accidental.

The American Red Cross is assisting with the displaced residents.

Units remained on scene to approximately 8 PM.

The annual Fire Company Banquet was held on Saturday April  14 at the Four Seasons Complex.

The following received awards:

President and Chief Award – West Hempfield Township Supervisors.

Business of the Year – Phoenix Fire

Fire Police of the Year – Donald Kreider

Support Group member of the Year – June Kreider

Firefighter of the Year – Jason Sauder

Member of the Year – Joe Ney

Quick Response Service (QRS) member of the Year – Carol Wright

A Burn Ban goes into effect Friday, April 13, 2012 at 10:00 am. The Lancaster County Commissioners by Resolution No. 31 of 2012 and pursuant to the provisions of Act 1995-52 and Section 7501 of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code establish a temporary 30 day countywide burn ban on all open outdoor burning. Any person who violates this Resolution commits a summary offense and shall upon conviction , be sentenced to a fine of not more than $100 for the 1st Offense and $300 for any subsequent offenses.

We constantly train for high angle type rescue mostly because of Chickies Rock located in our district. Chickies Rock is an area that overlooks the Susquehanna River and into York County. The lookout is part of the Lancaster County Parks System and is under their control. This area has been the site of numerous rescues and hikers in distress. On Tuesday April 3 at 7:34 PM dispatched to Chickies Rock for an environmental rescue. Upon arrival found a person had fallen about 100 feet from the Park overlook and was found at the bottom of the rock. Due to vegetation the access to the victim was fairly easy but removing the victim was a challenge. The male individual was packaged in a stokes litter and was carried from the area. Numerous firefighters were required to lift the victim over down trees. Once removed from the area the individual was turned over to Susquehanna Valley EMS and transported to the hospital. Assisting us with the rescue was Marietta Fire, Columbia No. 1, Columbia Consolidated and Susquehanna Fire Companies. Incident terminated around 8:30 PM. Incident under investigation by West Hempfield and Lancaster County Park Police.

Please complete and submit to Captain Wright’s Mailbox.
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