Around lunchtime the RTFD went out to a report of an auto on fire on the Route 56 Bypass in the eastbound lane.  The Duty Chief (Shaffer) arrived on the scene to confirm a working auto fire with Engine 1 and Engine 2 arriving on the scene at the same time.  Engine 2 was placed in service to go to work on the fire by pulling the front 1-3/4″ bumper line, while the crew from Engine assisted with opening up the hood to put a quick knock on the fire.  All RTFD units where placed in service  just after 30 minutes into the incident.  3 Chief had the command with staffing of 14 for the incident.

Today @ 1212 hours the RTFD went out to a report of multiple vehicles involved in an auto accident with multiple injuries @ Scalp Avenue at Luther Road.  Units went out to the report and arrived on the scene with seven vehicles involved by a chain reaction.  Crews secured all vehicles and handled tremendous amount of absorbent for fluids throughout the accident scene as well as handled a large amount of debris on the roadway and handled traffic.  During the operation the RTFD also assisted East Hills EMS with patient extrication as EMS transported four patients from the accident scene.  All 3 units went in service just over 40 minutes of the incident.  The Duty Chief (Ober) handled the Scalp Avenue Command  with staffing of 14 for the incident report.

September 19, 2009 at 1730 hours the RTFD went out for a building fire with entrapment located at 122 Carywn Drive in our first due response.  A full house response went out for the incident with Truck 3-1 arriving right after 3 Assistant.  The Assistant Chief (Ober) established the “Rosewood” command as the crew from the Truck placed an 1-3/4″ 200 ft line as well as a 150′ rack to finish the lay to the fire room.  Crews found a room off with heavy smoke conditions on the second and third floor of the facility.  As the crews from the Truck worked to put a knock on the fire as well as ventilation to the fire room, Engine 2 established the water supply operations by laying out to the Truck.  The Tower crew assisted the Truck crew with work on the fire and the Rescue Squad handled primary and secondary searches throughout the establishment while working with EMS as they handled evacuation of the residents.  The fire was under control within 10 minutes of the incident and all residents where accounted for and transported to a local church just under 30 minutes of the incident.  Windber Fire was requested for the RIT assignment and Johnstown Fire for their vent truck as well was County EMA for the large incident along with East Hills EMS and numerous EMS units assisted Richland Fire on this incident.  All units where finally placed in service just under four hours of the incident.  3 Assist (Ober) handled the “Rosewood” Command, while 3 Deputy (Meyers) had the forward command with staffing of 26 total for the incident.  Good Job to everyone who was involved.

September 17, 2009 in the late evening the RTFD went on the air for a report of one trapped with multiple rollover on Frankstown Road.  The Rescue Sqaud and Engine 2 along with the duty chiefs arrived on the scene confirming the report giving by communications.  Engine 2 pulled a line and placed this in service for safety as the crew from the Rescue Squad went to work on taken the driver side door and the roof off.  As this operation was completed, the crews assisted EMS with patient removal.  Crews finished off with handling debris and fluids after a 20-minute extrication and all 3 units where placed into service.  3 Chief (Shaffer) had the “Frankstown Road” Command with staffing of 17 total for the incident.

More pictures will be posted soon..stay tuned

On September 14, 2009 @ 1826 hours  the RTFD “twins”  (Engine 3-1 and Engine 3-3) where delivered to the Richland Township Fire Department.  The long awaited engines arrived safely with a huge turnout to see the Twin Engines.  The Richland Township Fire Department received two 2009 Sutphen Pumpers with one being housed at the Scalp Avenue firehouse and it’s brother being housed at the Lamberd Avenue’s firehouse (Geistown).  Within the next few weeks, equipment and hose will be placed on the engines to be placed in service as soon as possible.  With these two new additions, this leaves the RTFD with a fleet of the following:  1 Tower, 2 Trucks, 3 Engines, 1 Rescue Squad, 1 Tanker, 2 Squads, 1 Brush and 3 Chief Buggy’s…Who has that!   With the new Engines going in service, one of the pieces of equipment that will be placed in service on both Engines will be a Hurst combo tool.  This will now leave the RTFD with a total of  5 combo tools, 1 Spreader, 2 O-cutters and numerous sizes of rams…who has that!

Here in the next month the RTFD will also have arrive a new Squad to replace the Lamberd Avenue (Geistown)  squad and a 24′ enclosed trailer to handle all the RTFD misc. equipment.

With all these new additions and equipment being placed in service comes all the hard work and long days working fundraisers and the pride and commitment  from all members of the RTFD.  If it was not for the members of this department, the RTFD will not be who it is today.  Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to this department.

“Pride is our Strength”

September 13, 2009 the RTFD held the yearly Fall Gun Bash which was located at the Mt. Airy firehouse outside on the grounds.   With attendance well over 1,500 people  who came out on the beautiful Sunday afternoon to support the Richland Township Fire Department with one of our largest fundraisers we have annually.   This year the RTFD gave well over $30,000 worth of prizes to the winners.  We look forward to seeing everyone at next years event.  Thank you for your support.

September 12, 2009  in the mid afternoon, the RTFD went out to a report to an auto on fire located on Berwick Road.  Engine 3-1 was first due for the report and arrived on the scene to confirm they have a fully involved auto on fire.  Rescue 3-1, Engine 3-2 and 3-3 went to assist on the incident.  As Engine 3-1 started to go to work on the knock, it was deemed that this vehicle was actually involved with a multiple rollover auto accident.  As the fire was under control, crews placed the TIC in service to handle a search of the incident area to look for occupants of the vehicle.  No occupants where found and the incident was turned over to the Richland PD to finish the investigation.  All RTFD where placed back into service without any further action being taken.  3 Sgt (Delusa) had the “Berwick Road” Command with a total 17 staffing for the incident.