The Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Department extends prayers and thoughts to all of the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services and their families as we remember a tragic day.  One year ago four firefighters became trapped in a building collapse in York City.  Two survived, two were lost.  Shrewsbury Volunteers were one of many departments involved in the rescue and aftermath of that tragic event.  Rescue Squad 61 was on location and participated in the rescue efforts.  We will never forget March 22, 2018 and all the brave people involved in the efforts to save those who  were trapped.  The funeral services that followed are forever in our minds and hearts.

Bless all or our Emergency Services partners throughout the world as we continue to respond to emergency incidents and put it all on the line.  Brother to Brother, Your’s in Life and Death.

 

 

At 4:05pm on February 20th Shrewsbury Volunteers were alerted for an engine to respond to a reported chimney fire in Baltimore County, Md.  Engine 61-1 responded to assist.  Enroute reports were given that fire was showing from the structure.  Rose Fire Co. Tower 58 was first arriving and declared a working fire and requested additional resources as heavy fire was visible.  They established command of the incident until arrival of BCoFD Battalion Chief Kemp.  Engine 61-1 was the first arriving engine behind them and dropped supply hose up a narrow driveway to the home on fire.  Engine 61-1’s crew deployed two attack lines and began fire attack.  As additional personnel arrived two more attack lines were pulled off our engine.  Rescue 61, dispatched on the working fire assignment, arrived and personnel were assigned to open the walls and ceilings on the second floor.  For the next hour crews from multiple Pennsylvania and Maryland departments operated and extinguished the fire.

Once the fire was out all personnel on the scene assisted in picking up all the attack and supply hoses.  Personnel assisted each other to get all tools and equipment back to their respective fire engines.  At 6:50pm Engine 61-1 and Rescue 61 cleared the scene and returned to station.  On our return the engine was “thawed out” as it was covered in ice.  Attack and supply hoses were replaced with dry ones and all hand tools and other firefighting equipment were washed, cleaned and returned to service.  By 9:30pm all members were able to go home and take a deserved hot shower.

Shrewsbury Volunteers wishes to thank all departments on location for the good teamwork in bringing this fire under control.  There were no injuries.

    

   Picture courtesy of Md Line Fire Co.

  Picture courtesy of Md Line Fire Co.

 

                  

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At 11:59 pm January 5th Shrewsbury Volunteers were dispatched for Rescue Squad 61 to respond into Baltimore County Maryland for a reported accident with heavy entrapment.  MD units were on location requesting additional assistance.  Rescue Squad 61 responded and enroute was advised by I83 Command to access the accident from Middletown Road.  Squad 61 was to travel southbound in the northbound lane and report as close to the scene as possible. The injury attorneys from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris LLP are the ones you should contact when it comes to accident or other injury cases.

Rescue Squad 61 arrived and our members met with rescue personnel already engaged in the extrication.  A plan was formulated to assist the operation in progress.  Crews from Shrewsbury, Hereford Fire, Baltimore County 60 and 17 and Lutherville Volunteers worked together and extricated the subject from the vehicle and placed him in EMS care.  Rescue personnel assisted picking up each others gear and equipment and at 12:50 am Rescue Squad 61 cleared the location.

Good job by all members on the scene including the attorneys who were helping by Going Here with us.  In 2018 Shrewsbury had 17 extrication incidents.  This is number one for 2019.

 

Shrewsbury Volunteers

“Professionally Staffed by Volunteers”

 

                             

Shrewsbury Volunteers are proud of one of it’s own tonight.  Firefighter/EMT Brandon Zick can now add another title to his name:  Officer Zick.  This evening Brandon graduated from the Baltimore County Police Academy and is being turned loose to fight crime and keep Towsonites safe.  Yep, he is being stationed in Towson Precinct and will keep the college kids in check.  Congratulations Officer Zick and may you have a long, safe career with Baltimore County Police.

 

        

The members of the Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company conducted election of officers for 2019.  The following was decided at the December regularly scheduled meeting.

President:            Nick Caruccio

Vice President:    Anna Englestad

Treasurer:            Fred Arbogast

Financial Sec.:     Sandy Neal

Recording Sec.:   Ron Rohrbaugh

Chaplin:               Matt Mitzel

 

Fire Chief:           Tony Myers

1^st  Asst Chief:     Paul Anthony

2^nd Asst Chief:     Brad Dauberman

Captain:               Jay Goldman

Lieutenant 61-1:  Austin Rae

Lieutenant 61-2:  Kodie Ambrose

EMS Lt.:              Brittany Lee

 

Fire Police Capt: C.J. Thompson

Fire Police Lt.:    Kevin Keeny

 

Chief Engineer:   Steve Benesch

Training Officer: Dave Byerly

 

Good Luck to all of the 2019 officers.

At 12:45pm Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Co. was dispatched for a reported accident with rollover involving a tractor trailer on Forrest Avenue at Interstate 83.  Rescue Squad 61, Engine 61-2 and Utility 61 responded.  On arrival personnel found a tractor trailer on it’s side blocking Rt 851.  Chief 61 (Myers) set up “Shrewsbury Command” and personnel began investigating and checking for hazards.  The driver was found out of the vehicle with complaints of leg pain.  He was evaluated by Rose EMS and then refused transport to a hospital.

Station 61 personnel immediately began containing fluids that were leaking from the truck, establishing a safe path for traffic to use around the accident and talking with police on how the situation will be handled. You can also find help from an experienced lawyer to deal with any kind of accident charges filed against you.  Traffic control was a major issue as this is a primary route of travel.  Traffic on interstate 83 and Rt 851 will be compromised by this incident.  Discussion was held with PennDot representatives as well as PA State Police on re-routing traffic.  Gordon’s Towing was contacted to bring their heavy wreckers and other equipment to the scene to get the overturned truck back on it’s wheels and remove it. Here is what you should do if involved in an accident during a cab ride and how you can get compensation legally.

The truck’s trailer had to be unloaded before it could be put back on it’s wheels.  The truck was carrying lead ingots.  To accomplish the off loading and then lift the truck Ry 851 and the NB off ramp of Interstate 83 had to be shut down.  Once this was done machinery was used to off load the truck.  Using two heavy wreckers the tractor trailer was put back on it’s wheels.  All debris and fluids were cleared from the roadway and the wrecked truck was towed out.

All roadways were re-opened just after 4:00 pm.  All fire department and police units cleared the scene.

 

A note to motorists:   We understand the frustration that occurs when roads are closed and your route of travel is changed.  The fire department, towing agencies and police do everything they can to keep traffic flowing and get you to where you want to go.  Sometimes roads must be completely blocked.  Keep in mind it is illegal to pass a roadblock and drive into a secured area.  Drivers who do this face charges by the police agency on location.  Shrewsbury Volunteers asks that you obey instructions from fire police or other agencies (PennDot) and use the detours set up.  Driving past emergency services vehicles because you don’t feel you have to be detoured places workers in danger.  Remember, it is also an offense you can be charged with.  Please obey all instructions by personnel directing traffic and know as soon as possible roadways will be opened for you to use.  Thank you for working with us to keep accident scenes safe for all workers on site.

 

                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

At 3:20pm Shrewsbury Volunteers were dispatched to assist Rose Fire Co. on a first alarm assignment  in New Freedom Borough for a reported structure fire.  Engine 61-2, Rescue Squad 61 responded.  Enroute police department on location advised a working fire in a basement.  Rose Fire Co. arrived and deployed personnel and hand lines to attack the fire.  Maryland Line FD arrived and pumped the hydrant with the supply line to the scene.  Engine 61-2 was advised to send manpower to the rear with a backup attack line.  Rescue 61 supplied manpower and electricity for lights and fans.  Shrewsbury Engine 61-1 was enroute on the working fire dispatch which sends additional equipment   The engine was sent back to stand by at Station 61.

Rose Fire Co. did a good job knocking the fire and contained it to the room of origin.  There was heavy smoke damage to the basement.  Crews worked and cleared the smoke and removed the burnt debris.  All crews continued with overhaul and eventually finished by picking up all hoses and tools.

 

 

      

 

Yesterday a report was released by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania discussing the status of Emergency Services in Pennsylvania.  It is a long awaited report.  Departments across the commonwealth are in trouble with manning and support by local governments.  Volunteerism has been on the decline for the past 15 years and is at alarming numbers.  Finally, people are looking to see what can be done.  Many people put the blame on the politicians.  Some people blame the emergency services departments.  The blame lies with both and we are at battle stations to try and save volunteer services in Pennsylvania.

Shrewsbury Volunteers realized years ago you cannot survive by fighting amongst yourselves in the department and you need the support of the public and your municipality.  Without this triad of of cooperation (Members, Public, Government) you are doomed.  Shrewsbury Volunteers prides themselves in keeping the public informed via multiple methods which include documents, social media, public interaction and obviously good service to the end user, you.  Technology is also a part of our interaction.  We have an electronic application for your Android and iPhone device to see what is going on in the region.  Go to your application store and search Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company and download the app.

Shrewsbury Volunteers are fortunate by having a good interaction with our municipalities:  Shrewsbury Borough and Shrewsbury Township.  A strong department starts with a strong base.  We work hand in hand with our government officials.  We continually discuss our operations, issues and plans with them and in turn they support us.  Our department is blessed to be supported by local fire taxes with both municipalities.  All parties have realized local fund drives and fundraisers just cannot support emergency services agencies in today’s world.  Volunteers who give their time and effort cannot be asked to spend more time fundraising than training or responding to incidents.  Our volunteers work one, two or even three jobs to keep their family’s afloat.  They give their extra time to help you, the public, during emergencies.  By initiating fire tax support the burden of hours and hours of fundraising is released.  Available time is now focused on training and responses to calls.  By no means have we lost contact with the public however.  We hold three events a year to keep involved with the public and try to raise money for capital projects such as a new fire station or apparatus.  In the spring we hold a golf tournament, the summer our annual Fireman’s Carnival and in the fall our very successful Fall Fest.  Throughout the year we are involved in public safety education and fire prevention events.  We are always available and ready to help.

Our local governments have realized there are other avenues to assist our department survive.  Shrewsbury Township and Shrewsbury Borough have initiated a Tax Credit Incentive program to all members who are active with local emergency services agencies.  The Commonwealth of PA offers a program to give volunteers tax breaks on either local earned income tax or local real estate taxes.  This is a “Recruitment and Retention” program to help keep the limited number of volunteers in many departments.  Shrewsbury Volunteers is very grateful to our local government for taking the lead and establishing this incentive program.  Other efforts between our department and local government are in place to keep our fire department stable but one thing still remains paramount:  we need volunteers.

Every volunteer fire company in the area is looking for help.  Are you willing, able and ready to do that?  We need help in multiple areas of the department.  They include emergency responses, non-emergency details, directing traffic (Fire Police), administrative assistance to keep us running as well as help in raising funds.  Do you have some extra time?  Can you help?  Contact us at application@shrewsburyfire.com or info@shrewsburyfire.com and let us know.

Thank you for following us on our webpage and social media.   You can find us on Facebook under Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Co.  You can also watch what is going on in the area by downloading our app on Android and iPhone.  Search Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Co. in your app store.

Thank You again to our local government officials and state representatives/senators for supporting us.  Thank YOU, the public for following us and supporting our efforts.  Without all of you we would not be here.

 

See the status of volunteerism in Pennsylvania by clicking on the link below.  Stay safe and in touch.

https://www.osfc.pa.gov/Documents/SR6_Report.pdf

 

 

 

Well,  it has to start sometime so let’s get it out of the way…….   that four letter word is back.   S N O W.  Shrewsbury Volunteers has begun Operation Snow Watch as a storm system is scheduled to drop frozen precipitation in our region for the first time this season.  Yes,  we know.  It’s still days away however reports are in that shelves are beginning to become limited of the normal storm necessities.

Everyone is asked to keep an eye on the sky and keep informed with local weather stations as they do their best to tell us how much we are getting and what it will be (snow, ice, sleet, custard, Italian Ice…..)  take your pick.  We do ask everyone to check the following:

-Take a quick look at your storm drains and clear them of fallen leaves is necessary.  When the frozen mixture falls and begins to melt water must be able to enter the storm drains.  If they are blocked by leaves or debris water will pool and roadways will have standing water which will freeze.

– Your outside water faucets should be turned off inside your homes and drained to prevent frozen water pipes.

– If you are using your chimney for the first time is it clear?  When was the last time you had your chimney cleaned and serviced by someone who knows what they are looking for?  Chimney fires cause hidden fires in walls and once noticed can move quickly in your home.

– Check your Carbon Monoxide detectors (and smoke detectors while you are there) for functionality.  If you have gas appliances in your home you should have CO Detectors in place on each floor.

-Check your furnace filters for cleanliness.  If they are clogged up and dirty the furnace efficiency drops and the chance of a failure are increased due to pressure building up in the system.

 

Keep in mind no matter what drive system you have on your vehicles (two wheel drive, four wheel drive, front or rear drive) all cars slide on ice.  Once a 1/4 inch of ice forms on the roads your stopping distances are dramatically increased.  Keep an eye on the roadways for snow and ice accumulations.  Nothing is worth excessive speeds especially in winter conditions.  Please drive carefully so we do not have to respond.  Please,  Let’s not meet by Accident!!

So, enjoy the week and enjoy that outside event your are planning.  What can go wrong, right?

Prepare for our first winter weather event, and remember help is just a call away.

Congratulations to the Susquehannock High School Marching Band for winning for the third time in a row the Cavalcade of Bands competition.  Marching bands from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia compete in the Cavalcade of Band Championships.  Once again, Susquehannock Marching Band has shown they are the best.  Shrewsbury Volunteers were once again contacted and asked if we could escort the team back to the high school campus.  We were proud to be able to assist.

Congratulations to all who were a part of this accomplishment.

 

            

At 00:38am Shrewsbury Volunteers were alerted to assist Rose Fire Co. on a reported structure fire.  Engine 61-2 responded with 5 members.  Enroute units from Rose Fire Co arrived with heavy fire to the rear of a dwelling.

Engine 61-2 arrived and covered the primary hydrant.  Members reported to Command 58 for assignments.  The fire was a fully involved truck fire in a driveway with some damage to a garage.  Personnel from Shrewsbury assisted with some overhaul and picking up the supply line.  We were then released.

Good job to Rose Fire Co. on holding the fire to the truck and minimal damage to the garage.

 

      

 

 

At 6:54 PM Shrewsbury Volunteers were alerted for a reported structure fire on Old York Rd in Baltimore County, Md.  Engine 61-2 and Rescue Squad 61 responded to assist.  Units arrived to find fire and smoke showing with personnel from Baltimore County working.  Shrewsbury crews assisted with fire attack.  Captain 61 ( Goldman) was assigned as Safety Officer.  Crews worked with other departments and brought the fire under control.  Station 61 members assisted with overhaul looking for hot spots.

At the time of this posting crews are still on the scene assisting.

The past 24 hours have been busy for Shrewsbury Volunteers.  Calls started at 00:36 am and continued until almost midnight.  13 calls for service were dispatched and handled.  Calls included 3 Water Rescues, 1 Building Collapse, 3 Fire Alarms, 1 vehicle accident with injuries and haz mat, 3 Medical Assists and 2 Fire Police requests.

Two incidents that stood out:

At 4:18 pm Rescue Squad 61 was dispatched to assist Loganville FD with a reported vehicle accident with injuries, several vehicles and possible hazardous materials release on Interstate 83 SB at Exit 8.  Loganville Chief 63 was unable to find any accident at Exit 8 and continued south.  The incident was located at Milemarker 6 in Shrewsbury Township.  Chief 63 established command and advised there is a lot of debris and a spill from a 55 gallon drum.   Rescue Squad 61 arrived and after information was relayed face to face Chief 61 assumed “Shrewsbury Command”.  Haz Mat personnel were dispatched due to chemicals from the damaged truck were spilled.  One patient was transported to York Hospital via Glen Rock EMS.  Fire personnel from Shrewsbury and Loganville contained the leak and after consulting with the Haz Mat Duty Officer applied water to the roadway to dilute the chemical that was leaked.  It did not pose a health hazard to the area and was handled by personnel on the scene.  Once all debris and the damaged vehicles were removed the interstate was cleared of emergency equipment.  One lane in both the north and southbound lanes were closed for about an hour. Look At This to know how to get legal help.

At 9:30pm Shrewsbury Volunteers, as part of the York County Advanced Technical Rescue Team, responded to reports of several buildings that have collapsed and heavy debris in the area.  The incident was in Hopewell Township on Rt 24 at Plank Road.  Rescue Squad 61 and Car 61 responded with building collapse certified members on board.  Enroute Chief 54 ( Walker, Eureka Fire Co.) advised Rescue Squad 61 they had heavy damage to multiple buildings with people still inside.  Electric transmission lines are down and there is a heavy smell of natural gas coming from one of the damaged buildings.  Rescue Squad 61 was to check a damaged apartment building and do what we could to contain the leak if possible.  Shrewsbury Volunteer personnel on arrival split up and did search and damage assessment of the buildings involved.  We worked with Eureka and Winterstown fire company members to confirm no one was trapped or unable to exit the damaged buildings.  Crews shut down the natural gas leak and secured electric to the damaged buildings.  Personnel assisted with removal of occupants from the damaged apartment building.  They were then taken to the Eureka Fire Department to meet with Red Cross personnel regarding displacement. The lawyers helping with compensation after auto accidents can also deal with all other kinds of cases that require one to get justice.

Once the scene was stabilized Shrewsbury personnel were cleared of the call to respond to water rescue incidents in York County due to the storms and downpour of rain that was occurring.  Rescue Squad 61 was cancelled on the water responses and then returned to quarters.

We are proud of our volunteers for the time spent on emergency responses today and every day.  Without the dedication they show, our department would not exist.  Thank you one and all.

 

Shrewsbury Volunteers

“Professionally Staffed by Volunteers”

 

Building Collapse in Hopewell Township

                             

Accident on Interstate 83 Southbound

         

It’s that time of the year again when we scratch our heads and eventually get a younger kid’s help.  Yep, time to reset the clocks.  Saturday night into Sunday morning at 2am we set the clocks back to 1am.  Although for the past two months the internet has said it’s time to change your clocks this time it’s for real.

 

So on November 4th “Fall Back” with your clocks.  You get to “Spring Forward” on March 10, 2019.

 

Welcome November…………..