Engine 3-1 arrived to take an additional plug to the scene while Tower 3-1 set up for master stream operations. While all departments were working the fire attack, the words that no one wants to hear sounded out over the fire operations channel. Captain Kevin Szugye sounded a mayday reporting that Captain Ethan Kabler fell thru the roof of the non fire building. Cambria County dispatcher working the fire instantly sounded the “warble” tones advising a mayday had been called. Crews from the RTFD RIT team and additional personnel dropped whatever they were doing to meet up in the general area to go to work to save one of our own. Firefighter Tim Shaffer was still on the roof and was able to communicate with the Captain reassuring him that the RTFD boys were coming and that he was not going to leave until crews reached him. Firefighter Shaffer placed himself in danger by dropping his own personal mask down the vent hole to the Captain so he could try to get back on air leaving him exposed.

Battalion Chief Paul Ellsworth worked the K-12 to take a garage door while the crew was standing by to make entry. Once the Chief got the door open the crews were met with more obstacles to include hundreds of tires that were placed against the door. Crews set up an assembly line to removing as many tires as possible. A crew of 4 from the RTFD advanced as fast as possible to start performing the search for the Captain. The search crew was faced with many obstacles to include the tires, black thick/dense smoke and the inability to move and branch out to cover all square footage. As the search crews were at work the additional firefighters continued to remove the tires at the garage door to ensure there was enough room to remove the Captain once the search crew found him. As the search crews made their way thru the garage, yelling and searching for the Captain and what seemed forever, the search crew noticed a dim light above them on a shelf of some sort. After further investigation and advancement to the light, the crew discovered that it was the Captain and communications were made. Firefighter Shaffer secured his position on the roof and met crews at the garage door to assist with the extrication of the Captain. The search crew all regrouped under where the Captain was located and determined he was conscious and semi-alert. At that point a ladder was requested inside and the Captain was removed from the shelf and escorted to the exterior of the building. As the Captain and the search crew were exiting the building, the group of RTFD firefighters and officers showed a sigh of relief knowing that we all were going to make it home that morning. It was an overwhelming feeling seeing all of the boys with so many tools and equipment standing there ready to go to work at a seconds notice in the event the search crew had any issues or problems. The Captain was handed over to East Hills EMS and transported to Memorial Medical Center. Once we all knew the Captain was in good hands and headed to get evaluated, RTFD crews made contact with one another and went to back to work, knowing how close of a call it was. At this point of the incident all fire operations were back to the tasks at hand. Additional Tankers were requested by the Command to assist with water operations and the pipes from the Tower and Truck 3-1 were placed in service and the incident was declared an exterior fire fight. All crews worked with all departments to control the fire and exposures on the Charlie side of the building.

NOTE: Captain Kabler and his crew were working on the part of the building that was not being affected by the fire load to ventilate to try to save the flower shop that was not involved at that point. They were not on the original fire building that Chief Ellsworth and Firefighter Blough were on.

Copy of the Tribune Democrat article: http://www.tribdem.com/archivesearch/local_story_025232355.html

Submitted by Fire Fighter Lester Blough

Here we go Steelers, Here we go. Here we go Steelers, Here we go. Here we go Steelers, Here we go. Pittsburgh’s going to the Super Bowl!

We wish our team the very best and good luck in the Super Bowl.

Over the weekend the Township was hit pretty heavy with a vast amount of snow fall, up to 6-8 inches. Not just the township was hit with heavy snow, but one of our own as well.

Water sprinkler……………..$12.00

Garden Hose…………………$24.00

Icing up Fire Fighter Bickos truck up to make him late for work………………….dock in pay $50.00

Pay Back to Fire Fighter Melius for doing such a thing………..PRICELESS!!

Yes, under the snow is one of our fire fighter’s vehicle….completely covered. Now that is payback at its best!!

This past Saturday the RTFD went to numerous incidents which included a first due house fire, numerous auto accidents, smoke in a building and bells ringing at a resident in Geistown. The busy weekend went into the morning of Sunday, assisting Comapny 13 (Cover Hill) with a smoke in a building along with misc incidents in the township.

On January 17, 2009 at 1310 hours in the afternoon Squad 3-1 just leaving the firehouse to run some errands, came upon an auto accident with two vehicles involved just directly in front of the firehouse. The accident happened at Route 219 @the 56 off ramp. 3 Chief, Car 3-1 and the Rescue (Staffing of 6) went out within seconds of the report by the Squad. Units arrived to find a four door sedan that rear ended a pickup truck, which put the pickup truck on top of the sedan. No injuries where reported on the incident and the Rescue and Squad remained on the scene to handle debris and traffic until removal of both of the vehicle’s

On January 17, 2009 at 1003 hours the box was dropped for a report of a house on fire in Geistown. Communications gave the report of a working fire dispatch located at 222 Nees Avenue. Car 3-1, 3 Chief and the Truck (staffing of 4) went on the street directly after the assignment was sent out. Car 3-1 arrived on the scene and confirmed the report of a working job and passed the command off to 3 Chief. Engine 8-1 (staffing of four) went on the air and with the location of the fire being seconds away from their firehouse, Engine 8-1 arrived as the first due Engine taking the water supply operations and laying in. Truck 3-1 was placed at the address just in front of Engine 8-1 and assisted the crew from Geistown inside working the fire. Engine 3-1 (Staffing of 6) was sent to the hydrant and splitting their crews up, with one to the roof and one inside. Rescue 3-1 (Staffing of 4) and Squad 3-1 (Staffing of 4) was given the assignment of RIT Operations. The fire was found in the attic area and was knocked down within minutes of arriving on the scene. Crews assisted with extensive overhaul and salvage operations until being placed in service by command. Crews worked the incident just over an hour from the initial dispatch. The toal staffing from Richland on this incident was 31 members. Good Job to everyone who worked this incident

On January 16, 2009 the Rescue Squad went on the air at 0958 hours to assist Somerset County Station 631 (Jerome) with an auto accident with entrapment. The accident was reported on Route 219 in the south bound lane just north of the Jerome exit. The Rescue went out the door just after communications gave the assignment as well as Car 3-1. Car 3-1 arrived on the scene while 631 started to work on the vehicle. As the Rescue arrived their assignment was to set up a full tool set up and was to take the roof. Once the crew completely removed the roof of the vehicle the Rescue’s assignment was complete and was placed in service by Car 3-1. The Rescue Squad returned back to the Township of Richland without any further action needed at the scene.

The Chief Officers announces the following officers for operations for the year 2009.

Fire Chief – Todd Shaffer

Deputy Chief – Wes Meyers

Assistant Chief – Jason Ober

Battalion Chief – Paul Ellsworth

Truck Captain – Ethan Kabler

Engine Captain – Kevin Szygue

Rescue Captain – Chris Guzio

Rescue Lieutenant – Jim Haberkorn

Lieutenant – Chris Meyers

Sergeant – Allen Delusa

Sergeant – Mike Suckenik

Sergeant – Phil Kapelewski

Safety Officer – Robert Heffelfinger

Asst. Safety Officer – Robin Ellsworth

Training Officer – Rich Davies

“Pride is our Strength”