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10/28/09-Ventilation Training-
The dedicated crew assembles for ventilation
training at the Cumberland County Training Center. Ideas
of using the roof simulator quickly faded when we
discovered County's new smoke machines. Chief 131 had a
surprise (really guys, is it still surprising???)
waiting for the crew on arrival. A very realistic smoke
filled tower provided zero visibility to challenge the
firefighters, who all performed incredibly! Good job
guys!
05/27/09-Vehicle Fire Training-
Finally we get to see a little fire in training!
Chief 1 secured us a night at the Cumberland County
Training Site, two vehicles and a pile of pallets.
Tactics were discussed and implemented, a good time was
had by all, and everyone returned home safely. No small
feat, given the various explosions coming from the
vehicles. Both struts in the rear hatch failed quite
dramatically, and clearly there was something made of
magnesium in the front. Several magnesium explosions
were seen that night, one of which was captured in a
photo below. You can clearly see the shower of white
sparks following the explosion. One attaboy to
Firefighter Kyle for being first off the rig packed up
and attacking Chief 1's little surprise for crews
arriving to the training grounds. Seems one of the
vehicles caught fire a little early.
05/13/09- Ladder Drills-
Crews conduct ladder drills at the station and everyone
gets a chance to climb the big boy! A good night of
training, and the only casualty was the Lieutenant's
pants.
03/11/09-HACC maze- The
crew shows up and takes command over the HACC fire maze.
The amount of enthusiasm and the incredible skills
displayed that night took me by surprise! Excellent work
by all. The entire class navigated the downstairs maze
with ease, and 9 gluttons for punishment made short work
of the harder, much more challenging upstairs maze.
Another very successful training!
03/10/09- More HACC- With
the spring training schedule in full swing, our
firefighters are making quite a showing at Harrisburg
Area Community College Public Safety Institute.
Firefighters Kurt and Ben inspect an SCBA during
Firefighter 1 review, FF Andy waves from Mod class,
while the other Andy gets his strut on from ITLS class.
Great job training guys, keep up the professionalism!
02/25/09-Tabletop Scenarios-
Many thanks to Hunter Gebhart, Toby Grove, Matchbox
and Tonka for allowing us to use their toys. I'm sure in
15 years Hunter and Toby will be using our toys.
Tabletop scenarios present firefighters with realistic
scenarios, and they must communicate only by radio,
position their apparatus and resolve a provided
incident. The group showed great enthusiasm and we
completed three large scale incidents. Good job guys!
02/24/09-HACC-See if you
can find the Silver Spring guys, in mods class at
Harrisburg Area Community College. Everyone has been
doing a great job at seeking out their required
trainings, and it is showing in the street.
02/11/09-Training-Downed
Firefighter Procedures- Little bit of classroom
training (in the middle of the bays), then on to packing
up and rescuing our own! Uhhhhh....Ben, is that the
ladies room, and what are you doing to that poor
cadet????
02/04/09- Another
well-attended training by the professional firefighters
of Silver Spring. This night begins a 3 part series on
firefighter safety and survival. Members reviewed mayday
radio procedures and then practiced a wall-breach
simulation. The wall simulator is designed for a
firefighter to gain the experience of exiting a room
when they can't find the door, by making their own door
wherever they are at. Thanks to everyone who eagerly
embraced this life-saving initiative. We'll see if they
are as eager in a few weeks at the HACC maze!
02/01/09-EVOC Training-
Several members try their hand at the Emergency Vehicle
Operations Course. Everyone passed, and Dan even took it
in the Engine he has never driven before! Excellent work
guys! Oh, and just kidding about the cones, Dan didn't
knock over a single one. We are sworn to secrecy on who
did knock a few cones over....
12/21/08- Santa Runs- Santa
and the firemen spread good will and cheer to two
families just before Christmas. Even though Santa didn't
really speak, or Ho Ho, or do much of anything, he was
there, and the kids appreciated that. They were very
excited to see us arrive with a bunch of presents and
tons of donated food! Many deep thanks to the families
that allowed us to participate in this program. It is
such a rewarding activity, I believe the firemen receive
more benefit than the families!
12/13/07- Lights On For Life-
Crews participate in the annual Lights On For Life, a
static parade to promote highway safety. Fire crews,
police, tow crews, fire police, ambulances, and the
Cumberland Valley SADD chapter try to capture the
attention of passing motorists to promote safety.
11/26/08-Training- The fire
company travels to a private residence to conduct
chimney fire training. Everyone learned, no one fell off
the roof, and the patron has a really clean chimney.
11/15/08- Freeport, Bahamas FD-
Chief 131 visits the Freeport Fire Department in the
Bahamas. They were incredibly friendly hosts. Their main
station was destroyed in a hurricane about 4 years ago,
and the rigs wait patiently outside for new quarters.
They cover a 50 mile stretch with this apparatus, one
SCBA (they call them PBA's) no LDH, a spreader and
cutter. Firefighter Wilson advised that they run alot of
entrapment calls, not much fire. He said Ole' Faithful
gets the job done at entrapments. I have an incredible
respect for guys doing the same job we are doing in
twice the area with a fourth of the budget and
equipment. Next time you want to cry about getting a new
rig, or the shiny new cool tool, take a look around the
station and be thankful for what you have. Hey 31 folks,
that Mack look familiar?
11/13/08-Training at HACC-
Chief 1 completes the second half of in-house
ventilation training at HACC with the help of some
enthusiastic students. Thanks to HACC for the use of
their facility, and thanks to the members who embraced
this fantastic training opportunity.
10/24/08-Live Fire Training-
Apple Dumping Gang receives their annual live-fire
extinguisher training. We had some big fires for the
daycare personnel, but everyone did a great job at
dousing the flames. Next year we're thinking about just
letting Miss Tracey teach the class.
10/20/08- Couple of random
pictures from around the station. The Chief dutifully
reporting to NFIRS. Seth and Levi with a face full of
fries. Ken with spaghetti on his head and who on earth
knows what those guys are doing with Damon!!
10/12/08-Grandparents Day at
Bridges at Bent Creek- Continuing on the success of
yesterday's festival (shown below) we attended a
function for all of the grandparents at Bridges. Again
the smokehouse was a big hit with the kids, and even the
ponies wanted to wear a Fireman's hat!
FALL FESTIVAL AT WILLOW MILL
10/11/08- The new and
improved Fall Festival at Willow Mill held by the
Township is an incredible success! The weather was more
spring-like than fall, the crowd was large and the
vendors were many. The fire company put almost 100
children through our "smokehouse", a training trailer
for kids designed to simulate a fire in your home. Chief
1 had the bright idea to climb the rock wall in turnout
gear, and did not do quite as well as his firemen and
their kids. Cheerleaders, karate teams, face and pumpkin
painting, crafts, bands, the list of fun on this day is
too long to put here. If you missed this event, you
should plan on catching this next year. The Parks and
Recreation Department has done a tremendous job of
making this event fun for everyone! I think I even spy
one of them smiling on a golf cart, as if she is having
a good time.....
10/09/08- Silver Spring
Elementary- The afternoon teachings are interrupted
by several calls, including the vehicle entrapment shown
on our incidents page. The morning, however, went very
well as Silver Spring and New Kingstown Fire work
together to educate the kids, and we even smoked up a
hallway for their fire drill. Students were very
attentive and the teachers were very cooperative. A very
fun day.
10/07/08- Green Ridge
Elementary- Kindergarten through 2nd grade receives
a fire safety education with ourselves and the New
Kingstown Fire Company touring the school. The day
culminates with a school-wide fire drill. The guys from
Silver Spring kill some time between classes, having a
"recess" of their own with a little B-ball.
09/27/08- Pa. State Fireman's
Convention- Tough year, with the crews working hard
but coming up empty handed. Everyone had a good time
though. Say, is that Nick the new guy (AKA Kyle, AKA
Levi) on the left of that group photo? And what on earth
is Ben doing with the camera??
09/24/08-Keystone Live Fire
Training- Elderly care facilities are mandated by
law to have live fire extinguisher training, and we are
only too happy to oblige. The ladies at this Keystone
facility were excellent students, even when they found
out there was a "test". Everyone did very well with
their extinguishment and their test, and some of the
girls even got to try out the "big boy hose". Thank you
for your enthusiasm ladies, and don't forget to "pass
the pin".
09/13/08-Cumberland County
Fireman's Convention-2nd place Tanker, 1st place
Rescue and 1st place Traffic unit honors were brought
home by this crew after Saturday's convention. It did
not appear to be a well attended event, which was pretty
unusual for Cumberland County. Our hosts put on a great
show and we enjoyed being there! Looks like we caught
Nate in mid-spit.
09/12/08-BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Chief 131 spied this incredibly
beautiful 9/11 Tribute motorcycle at Gettysburg Bike
Week. Unfortunately, no info was obtained, the owner was
not with the bike, so we can't give credit to him for
this stunning bike. Very nice to see though, an
incredible piece of art. Be sure to take note of the
license plate number....
The Fire Company received a
request to assist at a Special Forces reunion being held
in the Township. We provided fire police for parking for
the large crowd in attendance, as well as standby for
their flight operations. The military old timers watched
as the new breed brought in the latest in military
technology, including the HALO
(high-altitude-low-opening) parachute team. A Blackhawk
helicopter and a fully armed CH47 Chinook were on hand.
All the latest weapons and gadgetry were also on
display, such as scuba gear, remote cameras, and modern
battlefield medical kits (what is a "minor amputation"
anyway?). The most pleasurable part of the day by far
was the opportunity to speak to multiple generations who
have fought for our freedom. They are an incredibly
impressive group of individuals and we are thankful for
the time we had with them. OK, who gave Carol an
automatic weapon?
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