July 2, 2008
Fire Specialists Educating Our Educators!

Today at 1000 Hours teachers, maintenance, and administrative staff of the Columbia Borough School District made a trip out to the Hambones to be educated on fire extinguishers. Our Fire Safety Specialists started the program out with a video on how fire reacts and its growth cycles. Then a short power point coving the topic of: classification of fire, types of fire extinguishers, P.A.S.S. (pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep) to extinguish a fire along with maintenance of extinguishers. After the 45 minute classroom session, all safety committee members went outside for some live fire extinguishment. Each member had to successfully extinguish a fire. Each member had a safety specialist with them for any questions and a safety crew standing by with a charged handline. At the completion of the live fire, the safety committee members finished the day with a written test. Congratulations to the entire CHS safety committee for completing the entire process and passing with flying colors. Any citizen, committee or group wishing to be educated on fire extinguishers or any fire safety topics, please feel free to contact us. We have been educating the citizens of Columbia and surrounding Communities for more then 35 years.
July 2, 2008
Kitchen Fire For Day Crew!

As crews were preparing for a fire extinguisher program, the house siren started to sound. The 84 Engine and the Rescue were being dispatched for a Apartment Building on Locust Street in Columbia Borough. The 84 Engine enroute with 5 and arrived on the scene first. Firefighter M. Fritz on location reporting smoke on the second floor with a fire on the stove. The 84 Engine crew pulled two PWC (pressurized water cans) and a TIC to extinguish the fire. The 84 Rescue went enroute with 6, but the crew from the Engine had the assignment downgraded. The Truck arrived on location as the Engine crew started to open up the windows. Truck crew set up PPV and smoke was removed from the 2nd and 3rd floors. No extension found, fire confined to the stove top, and the box was placed available in 25 minutes.
June 30, 2008
Fire Prevention & Safety Grant!

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency today announced the 11th round of FY 2007 Fire Prevention and Safety grants, awarding 13 grants totaling $5.5 million to fire departments and fire prevention organizations throughou t the United States.The grants are awarded to fire departments and other eligible organizations to reduce losses from fire and fire-related hazards. Grant projects focus on preventing fire-related injuries to children, seniors, firefighters and other high-risk groups. The grant program also supports innovative fire prevention solutions and research on improving firefighter health and safety.
The grant program awards support projects in two categories:
  • Fire prevention and safety, such as public education, arson prevention/awareness, code enforcement/awareness, wildfire prevention/education, juvenile fire setter intervention, burn prevention, media/PR campaigns, sprinkler awareness, or smoke alarm distribution.
  • Firefighter safety research and development, such as data collection and analysis projects; sociological projects and problem-focused technology studies that address firefighter safety, wellness, fitness or health.

The Fire Prevention and Safety grants are part of AFG, a competitive program administered by the DHS Office of Grants and Training that awards one-year grants directly to fire departments nationwide in an effort to give every department the basic tools needed to respond to all hazards.
Susquehanna Fire and Rescue Company #4 was awarded $35,963.00 on 6/27/08!
June 28, 2008
Structure, Fireworks Show & A Bridge Burning!

At 2000 Hours the 84 Engine and Rescue 2 headed North to Marietta Borough for their annual fire works show. As crews were preparing for the show the 84 Engine and Resuce were due for a dwelling fire in the 84 local. The 84 Rescue was at Breezyview Park with a crew to watch the fire works show when the dwelling came in. The 84 Rescue went responding and arrived on the scene first. Crew investigated along with the crew from Company 87 (Consolidated) and found the refrigerated units went bad causing the odor of burning wires. The 84 Engine arrived with a crew of 7 on this scene and took the hydrant in front of the structure with no need to lay out the supply line. The 84 Engine returned to Marietta for the fire works which were spectular. Also tonight was the 84 Boat and Squad headed out to the Susquehanna River for the 145th burning of the Columbia/Wrightsville Bridge. 25 wood-fueled fires were atop the stone piers that remain today from the origial bridge. For a short video of the burning of the bridge click HERE. Bottom photo credit to Lancasteronline.com.

June 26, 2008
Structure With 715!

At 1530 Hours the pagers rang to life for the 84 Engine to transfer to Company 715 (Mountville). Crews from 67 (Rohrerstown), 76 (West Hempfeild) and 715 were working a strucutre fire in Mountville Borough. Shortly after the Engine was dispatched the 84 Rescue was dispatched for RIT. The 84 Rescue went enroute first with a crew of 5 and arrived on the scene and set up the RIT sector. The 84 Engine was getting ready to transfer to Station 715 but was held in quarters by LCWC due to Company 78 (Washington Boro) responding to the transfer. The 84 Rescue worked the scene for 50 minutes and then was placed available. Fire started on the exterior and spread into the interior of the dwelling.
June 23, 2008
Four Runs For Monday!

The Day Crew started Monday out with a MVA at 0919 Hours. Engine 87 on the scene handling the incident put the Rescue available quickly. Then at 1021 Hours, the 84 Boat was dispatched for a Water Rescue assisting Company 76 (West Hempfield). The 84 Boat and Rescue 842 enroute quickly, LCWC advised of a jumper off of the Route 462 bridge. Rescue 2 and the Boat arrived and confirmed a civilian boat witnessed the jump and removed the victim out of the water and the jumper was on shore when we arrived putting the assignment available quickly. Then at 1830 Hours, the 84 Rescue was dispatched to the Route 30 bridge for an MVA involving a tractor-trailer assisting Company 76. Crews arrived and found tractor-trailer up on the guard rail with the fuel tanks ruptured. Patients were already being treated by EMS on the scene. Crews on the scene started to control the hazards quickly with oil dry and absorbent material but the diesel fuel already was leaking into the Susquehanna River. The 84 Boat was dispatched, along with boats 78, 710, 81 to try and control the fluids in the river. The 84 Boat was launched and due to low water in the area and the diesel fluid already flowing down the river it was not able to be contained. Boat 84 went available at 2044 Hours, but the 84 Rescue remained on the scene to assist with clean up until 2225 Hours. The final incident was dispatched at 2330 Hours for an MVA. The 84 Rescue arrived and found patients still in the vehicle. Crew from the 84 Rescue stabilized the vehicle and assisted with patient removal from the vehicle. Crews from Company 87 (Consolidated) and the Rescue cleaned up hazards and the 84 Rescue went available in 18 minutes.
June 21, 2008
Juneteenth Celebration & 2 Calls

Today a crew gathered at the station around 1130 hours to take the Engine to the Juneteenth Celebration hosted by the Ashley Tabernacle Church. Our members were asked to help with the Lancaster County Fireman’s Association Smoke House Fire Safety Trailer. While there, members educated over 100 citizens on fire safety education and also enjoyed some of the great food that was being served. Not to long after arriving at Juneteenth, the 84 Engine and Rescue were due for a reported fire at the Adorers of the Spiritual Blood of Christ Center assisting Company 715 (Mountville). The Engine arrived on scene and stood by at the hydrant for water supply if need. The 84 Rescue was given interior operations to investigate with crews from 715 and 76 (West Hempfield). After some investigation, they found that the odor was coming from a belt in the air conditioning unit. All units were then placed available. Then at 1529 hours, the 84 Engine and Rescue were due for an Automatic Alarm. Chief 8 arrived on scene and found no need for fire service. All units were then placed available and returned to station.

June 20, 2008
Apartment Building In WHT!

Today the pagers rang to life for an apartment building fire at Oak Hollow Apartments. The 84 Engine was first on scene with smoke and fire showing. A bush on the outside of the apartment complex had caught on fire and had extended to the exposed building. Crews established a water supply 500’ of 5”. Crew then began the fire extinguishment with a crosslay handline. Second arriving unit was Truck 6-7 with their crew setting up the tower ladder to gain access to the roof. Truck 67’s crew ensured no extension into the void space at the roof level. Local residents of the apartments tried to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher, but that was not enough to control the fire. Crews worked the scene for about an hour, and also checked for fire extensions using the thermal imaging camera.
June 15, 2008
Engine Crew Handles Room & Contents!

At 0430 Hours, the 84 Engine and Rescue were dispatched for a Structure Fire in the Borough. The 84 Engine enroute with 5. Chief 8 and Police Department on the scene reporting smoke and fire showing. The 84 Engine arrived first and established a water supply from the hydrant. Chief 84 was given the interior operation with Lieutenant Keyser and Firefighter K. Fritz advancing a 200' 2" crosslay into the structure. Crews found a working fire in the upstairs bedroom and extinguished it quickly. Truck 81's crew on the scene ventilated two windows. The 84 Rescue arrived third with a crew of 5 and pulled and advanced a second line to the fire area. Both 84 crews hooked the bedroom and found some extension above the ceiling which was quickly extinguished. The 84 Units worked the scene for 3 hours 20 minutes and assisted the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal with investigation.
June 14, 2008
Cruisin' Columbia Car Show!

Today the 1948 LaFrance and Sparky the Fire Dog loaded up and went Cruisin' Columbia! Cruisin' Columbia Car Show started 4 years ago as a 1 mile drive over the Route 462 bridge. Now in its 4th year it now shuts down Locust Street and a few side streets with over 300 classic cars, motorcycles, and fire trucks coming from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Trophy's were handed out to the best in show with our 1948 LaFrance bringing one home. Sparky the Fire Dog made his rounds throughout the show giving the kids some entertainment. Along with Sparky, there were the Hershey Characters including the Hershey Kiss. Attendance at this years show was well over 10,000 visitors coming to into Columbia for the Show. Our 1948 LaFrance caretaker, Charles Reese, prepares the 1948 Engine for all its parades, shows and mustards. Congratulations Charles on another trophy and a great showing from the Hambones!
June 7, 2008
Hambones Brings Trophy Home!

The Lancaster County Fireman's Association parade was held today in Strasburg, PA. A few Fire Safety Specialists from the Hambones loaded up the trailer with the fire education equipment and headed to Strasburg to attend the parade. The Hambones showed off our puppet show theater featuring Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch. The trailer was decorated with fire prevention material and a few children watching the Sesame Street puppet's fire safety show. Following the trailer in his personal vehicle was Sparky the Fire Dog! Sparky is a huge hit with adults and children alike. During the parade all equipment was judged. At the conclusion of the parade, the Hambones were awarded the Judges Choice Award for our Fire Prevention Unit. Congratulations to the members that prepared and attended the parade. Your hard work showed at the 88th Fireman's Convention!Credit for top photo to Lancaster Sunday news.


June 6, 2008
Squad 84 Receives Facelift!

For the past 3 weeks, Squad 84 has been receiving a much needed face lift. The Squad which was donated by Duke Energy about 3 years ago was completely white. A local body repairman donated his time to "fixing" up the Squad. He put a fresh coat of red paint on the Squad making it match the remainder of our fleet. At this point we are working on reflective striping and getting the vehicle lettered.
June 6, 2008
Elevator Rescue In The Borough!

Tonight at 1724 Borough Units were dispatched for a Public Service. The 84 Rescue enroute with 5 and LCWC reported a person trapped in the elevator at the local 10 story highrise. County also reported there was a medical condition effecting the patient in the elevator. The report of the medical condition upgraded the response to emergency with the 84 Rescue arriving on the scene shortly after Truck 87 (Consolidated). The 84 Engine went responding with 4 and arrived on the scene. Crews from the 84 Engine and Rescue went interior and found an elevator that missed the landing. Crews accessed the elevator using the elevator keys and extricated the victim. After the victim was removed the patient was given to EMS that was on the scene to treat her medical condition. Units that were dispatched and on the scene were then placed available and returned to service. Another showing to the citizens of Columbia why we live up to our Motto: "We Strive To Save"!
June 5, 2008
3 More Proboard Certifications!

Thursday's mail brought some great news! Lieutenants Jared Barninger and Chris Drewen along with Firefighter Jonathan Risley received their confirmation that all 3 have passed the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NBFSPQ) for Firefighter One. The three members went to Lancaster County's Fire School and showed proficiencies in numerous skills including: SCBA operational checks, SCBA donning, Search and Utility Control, Hoseline Advancement and Water Supply. Also for the testing, each member took a written test of 100 questions. All skills tests and the written test were administered by a 3rd party. Congratulations to each of you!
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