At approximately 1145 hrs Rescue 3-1 & Eng 3-3 responded to Luray Ave & Crestview Dr in Richland Township for an accident with people trapped. Car 3-1 (B/C Ellsworth) Arrived to fine one person confined. Rescue 3-1’s crew quickly stabilized the vehicles and extricated the patient to waiting EMS while Eng 3-3 provided fire protection and scene cleanup services.

With over 100 inches of snow that has fallen this season and more than 75 inches in the month of February alone it seems like our winter will never end. Structure collapses and roof leaks are becoming the every day norm in our region. The RTFD is no exception as we experienced leaking roofs in our stations this week. This week’s Tuesday training had crews working together to remove the snow from our station roofs. More than 20 members worked together for 2 hours Tuesday night to remove snow. And as most would expect before the night was over a good old fashioned snow ball battle was underway and Lt. Meyers earned a chore list from dad. Good Times.

2010 Fire Officers have been elected and appointed into their positions.  See the “Crew page” for those who are now the newly elected fire officials for the Richland Township Fire Department.  Congratulations to all officers

During this holiday season, we wish you and those close to you a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2010

The Richland Township Fire Department

December 19, 2009 just after midnight the RTFD went out to Shade Township for a report of a fully involved trailer on fire, located on Shaffer Mountain Road.  Engine 633-1 (Shade Twp.) was the first arriving with fire that engulfed the complete trailer.  The Duty Chief (Dep. Meyers), Engine 3-1 (FF  Shaffer), and Tanker 3-1 (Asst. Ober) headed out for the report.  As units from RTFD arrived they started to go to work opening up the place to put a good knock on the fire.  Crews remained on the scene for some time with extensive overhaul operations due to the amount of items located inside the trailer.  Engine 3-2 (SO Heffelfinger) with staffing of five stood by 1321 for a short period of time, while an additional crew being at 1321 Scalp Ave to handle an other incidents within our township if needed.  All units from Richland Township was placed back into service, except one additional crew to remain out at the fire scene for clean up and assisting PD and Somerset County Coroner with their investigation.  RTFD was placed back into service well over 4 hours into the incident by the Duty Chief.  22 volunteers from Richland Township as well as 10 volunteers from Shade Township worked this fire, as well as Stoystown Fire and Hoversville Fire assisting the two departments.  Good Job by everyone

December 16, 2009 in the mid afternoon the RTFD was alerted to an auto accident in which the vehicle went into the Giant Eagle grocery store, located at 1451 Scalp Ave.  The Duty Chief (Asst. Ober) was on the street directly after communications made the announcement with the Rescue Squad (Dep. Meyers) following behind.  The Duty Chief arrived and established the “Scalp Ave” command confirming the report that he had one vehicle that went into the lobby area of Giant Eagle creating significant structural damage.  As the Rescue arrived, their assignment was to secure the vehicle and started to stabilize the entrance way to the building.  Engine 3-2 and Engine 3-3 arrived as well assisting crews by cleaning up debris and removing the vehicle from the building.  The investigation was handed over to Richland PD and the owners of the establishment.  Command placed all units back into service just over 45 minutes into the incident with a total staffing of 22 volunteers.  While this incident was going on, the RTFD kept two additional crews ready for any other incidents to take place.

Today around 0030 hours the RTFD went out on the street for a report of an auto accident that had ejection located on the Route 219 on ramp from Galleria Drive in the southbound lane.  The Duty Chief (T. Shaffer), Rescue Squad (Batt. Ellsworth) and Engine 3-2 (Asst. Ober) went on the road within seconds of the call.  Engine 3-2 arrived first  on the scene as the Duty Chief followed  directly behind them while the DC  established the “Scalp Ave” Command.  The Rescue arrived and was giving the assignment for lighting up the scene.  One patient was ejected on this incident and East Hills EMS transported this patient to the local trauma center while remaining fire crews stayed on the scene to shut down traffic for the Richland PD to handle their investigation.  Engine 3-3 (FF Day) assisted with shutting down the roadway as all crews remained on the scene for numerous hours into the early morning.  Engine 3-1 (Dep. Meyers) handled bells ringing at the Comfort Inn Hotel located on Theatre Drive just before this incident was given and cleared thatincident and stood by at 1321 fully staffed for any remaining incidents, while the Rescue and Squad 3-1 remained on scene of the 219 incident.   All 3 units where placed into service just over 4 hours of the auto accident with a total of  18 members working both incidents.

December 3, 2009 in the early morning, the RTFD went out for a report of an auto accident located in the area of Robyn’s Quick Shop on Scalp Ave.  The Duty Chief (Asst Ober) went on the air with an update from communications that entrapment is reported on scene.  The Rescue Squad (Batt. Ellsworth) arrived on the scene along with the DC and the DC confirmed the report of entanglement.  As the crew from the Squad started to go to work with a complete full tool set up by taking  both doors on the driver side and the complete roof.   Engine 3-1 (Lt. Meyers) and Chief Shaffer went out along with Engine 3-3 (FF Day) to assist on the accident.  Once both Engines and the Chief arrived on the scene, the crews from both Engines assisted with extrication as the Chief handled the “Scalp Ave.” command.  Engine 3-2 (FF Banks) handled traffic by closing Scalp Ave for crews to work the incident.  The patient was removed within 15 minutes and was handed over to East Hills EMS and transported to the local trauma center.  Crews then handled debris and fluids to finish off the incident assignment.  All Richland units where placed in service just over 40 minutes into the incident with a total of 13 members working this entrapment.

Saturday the 21st of November in the middle of the afternoon the RTFD again went out to a report of a garage fire in Shade Township (Somerset County) on Shaffer Mountain Road.  The Duty Chief (Chief Shaffer) and Engine 3-1 (Capt Szugye) went out within seconds of the report.  Engine 633-1 went out and arrived first on the scene as Asst. 614 arrived and took the command.  As Engine 633-1 arrived the fire was knocked down by the homeowner with no extension within the garage.   The Duty Chief and Engine 3-1 arrived on the scene and placed everyone in service due to the amount of small clean up that needed to be done.  The Engine and Tanker where sent back to the township while remaining crews stayed on scene for the report.  Along with the Richland units including 633-1,  Engine 614-1 and Tanker 614 as well as a QRS unit from Central City was on scene to assist with the fire.  All 3 and 633 was placed in service just over 30 minutes with a total staffing of of 10 members on the fire, with additional two crews back at 1321 Scalp Ave to handle additional incidents throughout the Township of Richland and Geistown Borough.

This will be the RTFD’s third incident since handling the Shade Township community with fire protection.

On November18, 2009 the RTFD went to assist Franklin Fire for a report of a working building fire located on River Avenue at the EMF Development Recycling Corp.  The Duty Chief (DC Meyers) and Truck (Batt. Ellsworth) went on the road within seconds of the assignmentgiven.  Tanker 3-1 (Sgt. Delusa) as well went out for the assignment to handle the water supply.  The Duty Chief arrived and had the Truck’s crew stand by while Franklin crews worked to put the large rubbish fire out that involved shredded car interiors.  The Truck was placed back into service and headed back to the Township of Richland while the Tanker stood by for water if needed.  All 3 units went back into service just over 30 minutes into the incident.  While this incident was going on, the RTFD had two additional crews standing by at 1321 Scalp Ave (Headquarters) for any other incidents if they arise.  Total amount for staffing for this incident was 19 members.