Incident Archives

Company Handles Vehicle Fire

On Sunday August 2nd, while the guys were practicing their volleyball skills for the upcoming tournament, the company was dispatched to Hopewell Road in Robeson Township for a possible vehicle fire. Berks Communications advised there was a van possibly on fire, then advised it to be a working fire. Chief 24 and Utility 24 responded along with Engine 24 and Brush 24. A line was pulled from Brush 24 and made a quick attack knocking the fire down immediately. After overhauling the vehicle the company waited for the vehicle to be towed away before clearing the call.

 

Gibraltar Fire Company Lights and Sirens Parade

Click For More Pictures

On Saturday July 25th, after several weeks of cleaning and shining, Company 24 made a showing at the Gibraltar Fire Companies 1st Annual Lights and Sirens Parade throughout Robeson Township. All trucks with the exception of Brush 24-1 went through the parade route. All the trucks were judged at the Robeson Elementary School before lining up and proceeding through the parade route. Afterwards the company hung out for a while at the carnival at Gibraltar until the awards were handed out. We received three trophies. 1st Place for Best Appearing Tanker, 1st Place for Best Appearing Utility/Squad, and 2nd Place for Best Appearing Pumper/Tanker. We look forward to being there next year!

 

Vehicle into a Fence

Around 08:09 hours on Friday March 27th - the company along with Company 23 (Gibraltar) was dispatched to Route 82 (Hay Creek Road) Robeson Township, for an accident with injuries. Utlity 24 and Brush 24 made the response. The accident was actually located 1/4 mile north of Furnace Road - one vehicle had left the roadway and crashed into a fence. The company assisted EMS and the tow company and cleared the call once the vehicle was removed from the road.

 

Early Morning Rollover Accident

At 1:59hours - March 27th - Company 24 along with Company 23 (Gibraltar) were dispatched to Ridgeway Road cross street of Cacoosing Lane - Robeson Township, for a vehicle accident with injuries. Additional reports were a vehicle on its side with one male out of the vehicle injured. Assistant 23-2 was on location immediately and reported one male injured and he was checking further. Utility 24, Brush 24 and Engine 24 made the response along with Rescue and Utility 23.. Members assisted Southern Berks EMS and Robeson PD in packaging the patient who was loaded and taken to the hospital for evaluation. Once the vehicle was loaded and the debris was cleared, the companies cleared the call around 03:19.

Structure Fire Involving Brush

Around 17:19 hours, the company was dispatched along with Companies 23 (Gibraltar), 25 (Exeter Twp Fire Dept), 70 (Grille) and 7 (Birdsboro) to Green Hills Road (568) between Proudfoot Drive and White Bear Road for a reported trailer fire behind the former Old Mill Inn, spreading to the woods. Chief 7 reported smoke visible from Birdsboro Borough. Robeson Police were first on scene and reported the fire to be in the Hillside Junk Yard next door and reported a fully involved trailer and other items nearby. Engine 7 was first up the driveway followed by Engine 24. Crews went to work on two "box truck bodies" that were fully involved along with several piles of wood and other debris, also spreading into the trees and nearby brush. Units were advised it was possible there was still a person up there that was un-accounted for. Crews searched until it was known that the person was not on location when the fire started. After the fire was knocked down, CAFS (Compressed Air Foam) was used from Engine 24 to soak the entire area, put out any remaining fire and reduce the possibility of a flare-up.

 

Fast Moving Brush Fire Possibly Involving a Structure

On a windy day where many Berks County fire companies were working brush fires, the call finally came for the Geigertown Fire Company around 17:30 hours Monday (March 23) evening. The call was to Shed Road near Red Corner Road in Union Township - for a brush fire spready fast and possibly involving a stucture or structures. We were called to cover for Company 36 (Kulptown) who was busy assisting on a large brush fire in Amity Township. Company 7 (Birdsboro) and Chester County Company 64 (Norco) were also dispatched.Chief 24 arrived on location and reported a working brush fire, caused by a power line pulled down by a tree that was still live. Met-Ed was immediately requested to shut down the power so firefighters could work near that area. Making due until then, crews surrounded the area and kept the fire from spreading. Once power was turned off, the area was doused with water and the fire was totally extinguised. A small house sustained minor damage to the siding from the fire.

 

Working Chimney Fire

Around 23:10 hours Wednesday evening, Feb 25th, Company 24 along with Company 23 (Gibraltar) was dipatched to Zion Road cross street of Golf Course Road for the report of a chimney fire. No additional was given, just that the occupants were told to evacuate. Chief 24 arrived on location with Utility 24 and confirmed a working chimney fire, and requested Company 72 (Brecknock) be dispatched to assist. Engine 24, Engine/Tanker 24 and Tanker 24 made the response along with Rescue 23 and several trucks from Company 72. Crews immediately began work to determine how far the fire extended from the chimney. An interior crew removed the contents of the fire place and began to open the walls up around it. They found the fire had burnt through the header of the fire place and through several studs. An outside crew removed the siding and plywood around the chimney and hosed it down to put out any remaining fire. A crew from Company 72 proceeded to the roof to check the chimney and extinguish any fire they found. Another crew entered the attic to assist the outside crew and make sure the fire hadn't spread that far. Once the fire was determined to be out, crews cleaned everything up and cleared the call around 1:00am.

 

Company 24 Approved For QRS Service

Company 24 is proud to announce that the company was approved by the Eastern PA EMS Council and the PA Department of Health as a QRS service. QRS stands for Quick Response Service, which is a volunteer assistance to local ambulance providers by the fire company. We will be dispatched at the discretion of the ambulance that is making the initial response to the incident, for reasons such as they have an extended travel time, more supplies and personnel may be required, or simply that we may get to the scene quicker and can start treatment before the ambulance arrives. We will mainly respond to ALS (Advance Life Support) calls, such as heart attacks, stroke and other life threatening injuries requiring immediate assistance. Utility 24 is set up and will be the main QRS response vehicle. The Utility has all the equipment that an ambulance would carry with the exception of a stretcher and larger supplies. The QRS requires all members to have a minimum of First Responder certification, with EMT or Paramedic the preferred certification. We currently have five EMTs and four First Responders, with several members in training to reach either status. The Quick Response Service is a 501C (3) Non-Profit organization that does not bill for any emergency responses and solely relies on donations from the community in order to provide this service to the residents. Now that we have the certification, there are a few final details to be taken care of before we put the unit fully in service.

 

Ice Storm Slickens Roads, Company handles School Bus Crash

A fast moving storm that dumped ice and rain on the county causing roads to become slick, caused a school bus to slide off Westley Road and crash into two trees before coming to a stop. Company 24, 23 (Gibraltar) and 72 (Brecknock) were dispatched to assist the police department and EMS. Upon arrival crews began to assess the school bus that was full of elementary school children and determine who needed medical care. A total of ten students were transported to Reading Hospital by several ambulances.

Reading Eagle Article

 

Early Morning Basement Fire

Around 2:30am on Wednesday (Aug 27) morning, the department along with Company 23 (Gibraltar) and Chester County Company 69 (Twin Valley Fire Dept) were dispatched to the 600 block of Cold Run Road in Robeson Township for a reported structure fire. Additional given to Chief 24 was the resident went to his neighbors house and reported that his home was on fire. Chief 24 and Utility 24 arrived on location in a couple minutes and reported a working basement fire. Engine 24 was next on scene and deployed two 1 3/4" handlines to attack the fire. With the use of the CAFs (Compressed Air Foam) system, the fire was quickly knocked down and the damage to the house was minimized. Tanker 24 and Engine-Tanker 24 were the next pieces on scene, followed by Ladder 69 who took position in the driveway. Engines 69-5 and 69-2 arrived on scene and stoodby on Cold Run Road along with Rescue 23. Crews from 24 and 69 began ventilation and overhaul. Tanker 23-1 was requested to standby at Station 24 until crews returned. The company cleared the call around 04:30 hours.

 

Fiery Crash On I-176 Kills One, Injures Another

In the early morning hours of Sunday, March 18th, Company 24 was dispatched to assist Company 23 (Gibraltar) on Interstate 176 northbound, a half mile north of the Green Hills exit, with a truck fire after an accident. Company 2 (Reiffton) was also dispatched. Squad 24. Tanker 24, and Engine/Tanker 24 made the response. When 24 units arrived, Company 23 had the bulk of the fire knocked down. Tanker 24 supplied Rescue 23 with water. The driver of the pickup truck was going the wrong way, south in the northbound lanes at a high rate of speed when he collided head on with the tractor trailer. Upon impact both vehicles burst into flames. The driver of the tractor trailer was able to get out with minor injuries, however the driver of the pickup was killed on impact. After the police investigation, firefighters from Company 23 and 24 assisted the Berks County Coroners office with extrication of the pickup driver. After the vehicles were removed, firefighters washed down the roadway so it could be re-opened to traffic. The company cleared the call around 7:30am.

Reading Eagle Article

 

New Tanker Arrives From Texas

 

On Sunday Feb 24th 2008, the newest addition to the apparatus arrived from it's previous home with the Volente Volunteer Fire Department in Volente Texas. The new Tanker 24 is a 2004 Osco Tanker, which holds 3,200 gallons of water. The tank is on a refurbished 1999 Kenworth chassis. The Tanker replaces the 1979 GMC Brigadier that was sold to a fire department in North Carolina. Asst. Engineer Brian McGowan flew to Volente and began the 1,650 mile trip home. Once lettered and outfitted, new pictures of the truck will be posted.

 

New Engine 24 Now In Service!!

As of Monday night, the new Engine 24 was placed in service and ready to roll as the first out truck for most of our calls. It replaces the 1989 Ford FMC Engine which has been sold to a fire department in Montana. The truck is a 2004 Pierce Contender which seats six firefighters including the driver. It has a CAFs system (Compressed Air Foam) which allows us to fight fires with the use of foam, which drastically decreases the amount of water needed to extinguish a fire. The truck will carry a full set of rescue tools to assist in vehicle accidents. Anyone interested in seeing the truck or taking a closer look, feel free to stop down any Monday evening after 7pm for a full tour of the new truck and the firehouse.

 

Fairwell Tanker 24-1...

On Friday May 5th, Tanker 24-1 was loaded onto a truck to start its trip to Lake Waccamaw North Carolina to serve as the newest Tanker to the Lake Waccamaw Volunteer Fire Department. The truck was sold to help make room and pay for the new Engine. The company will soon be looking into replacing the Tanker with a newer one. The Tanker was purchased in the late 1990's from the Honey Brook fire company and served the Geigertown Fire Company until the day it left. We wish the Lake Waccmaw Fire Dept. the best of luck with the tanker.

 

Garage Fire - Cold Run Road

At 13:11 hours, Company 24 along with Company 69 (Twin Valley Fire Dept) and 23 (Gibraltar) were dispatched to Cold Run Rd in the township for a reported garage fire. Dispatch advised it was a detached garage, approximately 25 yards from the house with a fuel oil tank next to it. 24-10 went on location and reported heavy smoke, no visible fire. Upon arrival, Tanker 24 went into service with two handlines and entered via a side door. Ladder 69 went on location and began roof operations to help ventilate the heavy smoke. Crews cut an entrance into the garage and began an extensive overhaul, finding very little fire, it was apparant the fire had burnt itself out before crews arrived. The homeowner had been working on an car when he dropped a fuel filter onto a spotlight which ignited the vapors. After checking the building for any additional fire, the companies cleared the call and returned to station to put the trucks back together.

 

Explosions and Fire Turn Into Controlled Burn

At 11:48 hours on the 16th, Company 24 was dispatched along with Companies 2 (Reiffton), 72 (Brecknock), and 70 (Grill) to assist Company 23 (Gibraltar) with a reported explosion and visible fire somewhere in the area of Seton Rd and Route 10 in the township. During the dispatch, it was advised that it was now a structure fire at the Green Hills Lumber Center with heavy fire and smoke. A Company 72 Chief Officer went on location and reported a working structure fire. Chief 23 then requested the first alarm dispatch which brought companies 36 (Kulptown) for their tanker and Company 3 (Stonersville) for their CAFs engine. Upon arrival, Chief 23 advised that it was a very large controlled burn out of control burning power lines. A slow and hold was put out for the companies. Tanker and Engine 72 began the attack on the fire, after finishing off both trucks, they backed out and were replaced by Engine 24 being backed up by Tanker 24. Engine 24 went in service with the CAFs and began to blanket the remaining fire with foam. The 3 phase power lines were still live and burning, so crews had to attack the fire very carefully from a distance. The scene was turned over to Met-Ed to repair the wires and transformers damaged by the fire.

 

At 05:11 hours, Company 24 was dispatched to assist Company 23 (Gibraltar) on a reported flare up from a previous structure fire on Seyfert Drive, Robeson Township. The companies had originally been dispatched at 23:30 hours on 2/22 for a fire on the upstairs porch and exterior corner of the home.. Crews extinguished the fire but an apparant hot spot flared up from the high winds. Crews initially made an interior attack before being called out of the house due to roof and second floor collapses. An exterior attack was setup with multiple 3" and 1 3/4" handlines, while Tower 2 backed into the driveway and setup aerial operations. A water supply was setup at Seyfert Dr. and Route 724 where tankers from multiple companies formed a tanker shuttle from the hydrant near The Water Guy and a hydrant on Allison Dr in Exeter Township. A draft from the river was later set up on Old River Rd. After the bulk of the fire was knocked down, Engine 49 was dispatched for their CAFS system (Compressed Air Foam) to assist in extinguishing the remaining fire and for the extensive overhaul. Crews entered the house and began a intense cleanup process to ensure there was no more fire present. Company 24 cleared the call at 09:09 hours.

Click Here For More Pictures.

 

Kerns Hardware Fire and Busy Weekend

At 05:16 hours, 2/11/07, Company 24 was dispatched to relocate an Engine to Company 69 (Twin Valley Fire Dept) to go on standby for them and cover their area. The Twin Valley Fire Dept. had been previously dispatched to assist Chester Co 33 (Honey Brook) on a working structure fire at Kerns Hardware in the borough. Tanker 24 responded with a crew of 5. At 06:15 hours, Company 24 was re-dispatched to now respond into the fire scene. Tanker 24 responded from Station 69, and Tanker 24-1 made the response from the 24 station. Engine 24 then relocated to Station 69 to continue the standby. Company 72 (Brecknock) was then called to relocate an Engine to our station to cover for us. Tanker 24 and Tanker 24-1 arrived on scene and began to assist with water supply. Due to the complexity of the fire and the hazardous runoff from chemicals, a decision was made to let the fire burn most of the contents before adding more water to it and having a toxic runoff that could enter local water supplies and streams. Tanker 24 was released around 14:00 hours, however Tanker 24-1 remained on scene until approximately 21:30 hours. All in all over 30 fire companies from Berks, Chester and Lancaster Counties assisted on the blaze.

On 2/11 at 17:58 hours, Company 24 was dispatched for Tanker 24 to assist Company 36 (Kulptown) on a working brush fire on Red Corner Road in Union Township. Tanker 24 and Brush 24-1 responded. Initial arriving units found 40' flames coming from a block foundation of a deteriorating house. The fire was beginning to spread into the trees and nearby brush. After a large amount of water was added and the fire wasn't going down, Amity Fire Company was dispatched for their Engine with a CAFS unit (Compressed Air Foam). Upon foaming the fire, a large amount of overhaul was done and the company cleared the call around 19:00 hours.

On 2/10 at 16:14 hours, Tanker 24 was dispatched to assist the Twin Valley Fire Department on a working tire fire on Ridge Road in Warwick Township, Chester County. Tanker 24 responded and assisted with fire suppression. The company cleared the call around 1 hour later.

 

Multiple Company Training Event

 

On Saturday, November 11th, the Geigertown Fire Company hosted a water training event at the High Point Church. Companies attending were Gibraltar, Kulptown, Twin Valley and Birdsboro. The purpose of the event was to train to be more efficent in flowing and shuttling water to a fire scene. Tanker 24 and Tower 7 set up in the parking lot, while Engine 69 set up a fill site at the pond. Tankers from 24, 36, 23 and 69 shuttled water from Engine 69 to the parking lot and dumped into porta tanks. Tanker 24 drafted the water from the tanks and fed Tower 7 and a ground line. Upon sucessful setup of the event, we were able to have an uninterupted flow of water to both Tower 7 and the ground line. We found out our capabilites for flowing water with the companies there and now have a better idea of our resources if there was a fire. Not only was the event a total sucess but it gave neighboring companies a chance to work together and get to know each other, a great teamwork event!

 

 

Motor Vehicle Accident - Plow Road

 

Company 24 was dispatched to Plow Road for a reported motor vehicle accident, caller heard a crash and was going to check on it. Upon arrival, units found a vehicle on it's roof, with all occupants out attempting to roll the vehicle back over. All occupants refused treatment and the car was removed by the tow company.

 

Safety Day at Gibraltar Playground

On Saturday October 7th, the Geigertown Fire Company along with the Gibraltar Fire company hosted a safety day for township residents and all that wanted to stop by at the Gibraltar playground. We were also assisted by apparatus and crews from Company 7 (Birdsboro), Company 2 (Reiffton), Company 3 (Stonersville) and Company 6 (Monocacy). There were multiple firetrucks on display the entire day.

Around 1:30pm, crews from Company 23 and 24 did a vehicle extrication for the crowd, demonstration the tools and methods used when we encounter an accident requiring exctrication of a patient. Spark the Fire Dog made a few appearances, along with Smokey The Bear.

The biggest hit of the day was when PennStar 4 from the Reading Hospital dropped by and let kids and adults get in the helicopter and ask any questions about it they could think of.

 

Click Here To See PennStar 4 Taking Off

Click Here For All The Pictures From The Safety Day!!

 

 

Vehicle Accident with Entrapment

 

9/5/06 - At 12:07pm Company 24 and Rescue 9 were dispatched to the 100 block of Weaver Road for a possible accident, caller heard a loud crash. A second call reported possible entrapment. 24-20 arrived on location reporting a one vehicle accident confirming entrapment, also there was an EMT on location requesting MedEvac to be placed on standby. Brush 24 arrived on location, secured the vehicle and immediately went into service with the O-Cutters and Spreaders to begin extrication of the patient. Rescue 9 arrived on location to assist with extrication. Engine 24 reported to St. Benedicts picnic ground to set up a landing zone for MedEvac if requested to fly. Southern Berks EMS released the MedEvac from standby and upon extrication, the patient was transported via ground.

 

Tree Onto House and Numerous Weather Related Calls

Beginning around 2:50am on Saturday morning, Company 24 responded to over 12 weather related calls caused by the heavy rains and winds from Hurricane Ernesto as it passed along the east coast. The majority of calls were for fallen trees blocking the road or trees that had brought down power lines, but the company also responded to a call of a tree onto a house with a roof collapse and a motor vehicle accident with injuries. The company was dispatched around 10am to Plow Road for a third party report of a tree that fell onto a house. Squad 24, Brush 24 and Tanker 24 responded to find a large tree that had fallen onto the side of a house, collapsing the roof of an upstairs bedroom and weakening the structure of the roof. Crews removed portions of the tree from the roof and tarped the damage to prevent water from leaking in until a construction crew could come fix the damage.

Around 3pm the company was dispatched to Plow Rd and Zion Rd for a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries, two cars with air bag deployment. Squad 24, Brush 24 and Tanker 24 responded. Units found a two vehicle accident with an elderly patient still in the car complaining of arm and leg pain. EMTs reported a possible leg and arm fracture. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to Reading Hospital. The company responded to another tree down call before closing a very busy day!

 

Early Morning Bedroom Fire

 

On August 19th, 2006 at around 06:00 hours, Company 24, 23 and 9 were dispatched to Hay Creek Road for a reported structure fire. Berks Communications reported a 911 call reporting a bedroom fire and there was audible alarms in the background. 24-10 arrived on location and reported smoke showing. Tanker 24, followed by Engine 24 and Tanker 24-1 arrived on location. Before arrival 24-10 had knocked down the fire with an extinguisher. Crews surveyed the bedroom and used a TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera) to make sure the fire had not spread. Upon removing the burnt matter from the house, the company cleared itself from the call turning the house back over to the homeowners.