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At around 0525 hours this morning, Company 64 (West Reading) and R85 were dispatched to 422 West Shore Bypass for a MVA with confinement for one vehicle smashed up against the jersey barrier. R64 & R85 responded. R64 arrived on scene and began removing the roof of the vehicle. R85 pulled up and assisted in removing the last post, A-Post, of the vehicle. After the roof was removed, members from both companies assisted EMS with patient packaging and extrication.

This Evening at 2008 Companies 85 & 650 Station#1 & 2 were dispatched to Old Fritztown & Beacon Rd for a reported Motorcycle Accident with Injuries. Rescue/Engine 85-1 & EMS upon response were advised their were Two males down in the grass not moving and neither were wearing Helmets.  The Rescue/Engine arrived and assisted EMS with pt care and packaging.  No further Fire Department Services were required.   Fire Police remained on scene assisting with Traffic Control. 

Units on scene:  Rescue/Engine 85-1

Medic 650-5, 650-10 and Squad 650 (EMS Supervisor)

Station 85 was dispatched to a trench rescue shortly before 1000 hrs in the Rosemont development.  Workers were removing foundation forms when a large section of the excavation broke free and pinned a worker against the underground concrete wall.  Witness reports indicate that the man was buried over his shoulders in the sloughed portion of the trench wall.  Deputy Chief Gould arrived on the scene and reported that several co-workers were frantically digging to free the man.  Attempts to encourage them to get themselves to safety went unheeded.  As members were hooking up the collapse trailer for response, R-85 arrived on the scene to begin to trench rescue operations.  At this point, however, the co-workers had freed the man from the collapsed area.  He was swiftly boarded and removed by EMS and rescue personnel to a safe area where valiant, but unsuccessful revival efforts could be performed. 

This morning at 0011 began another busy day for the 85 House. At 0011 the Company was dispatched to the area of Iroquois and Wyoming Dr for a reported Dumpster Fire. Chief 85(Roth) arrived on scene and found a dumpster well involved with no exposures. E-85-2 arrived and extinguished the fire. Just as the Engine finished filling up their tank after the Dumpster fire, the Company along with Tower 79 were dispatched to the new Wilson School District Operations Center for a reported AFA.  Just after 0300 the Company was dispatched to assist Co#79 with a reported AFA at Country Meadows.  Again throughout the day the Company responded to two other AFA’s.  Wires Down and a Duck Rescue.  

Tuesday turned out to be a busy day for the 85 House. The first call for the day came in around 0630 as a Thunder Storm was passing through the area. The Company along with Tower 79 were dispatched to the West Lawn United Methodist Church for a reported AFA. Upon investigation crews found a large amount of water coming from the roof into the Sanctuary lobby and also into the actual Sanctuary. The crew from Engine 85-2 and Tower 79 began to set up Tarps to contain the water. Church Maintence found a blocked drain on the roof which caused the water to back up and get under the roof.   While this incident going on Tanker 85 was dispatched to Assist. Company 60(Fritztown) with a possible structure fire in South Heidelberg Twp. Through out the day the 85 House responded to four Automatic Fire Alarms and a reported odor of smoke in a residence on West Wyomissing Blvd, which was caused by the next door neighbor grilling on the back porch.

This morning RE851 stoodby on Penn Ave in front of Ronco's Pharmacy to pay respect to fallen Officer Michael H. Wise II. Today was the annual Ride for Wise Memorial where people donate money and ride their motorcycles from RACC to Cleona. Fire police assisted in shutting down traffic to Penn Ave in the Twp. while the motorcade passed through.
Today at around 1539 hours, companies 55, 64, and 85 were dispatched to the 1600 block of Bernville Road in front of the Berkshire Country Club for a motor vehicle accident reported with entrapment. Company 55 (Greenfields) and 30 (Mt. Pleasant) were busy on the WWII Weekend detail at the Reading Regional Airport so companies 64 (West Reading) and 85 were dispatched to handle the call. Engine 64 and a chief officer arrived on location and requested that Reading City Rescue 1 and Ladder 1 be added to the assignment. Rescue 1 arrived on the scene followed by Rescue 85. Crews found a heavy duty pickup truck (unit 1) had t-boned a small size coupe (unit 2) with two entrapped, and one self extricated in unit 2. Crews split into several groups with various tasks; one group focused on vehicle stabilization while a second crew worked on patient care, a third group began removing the roof and drivers door of unit 2, a fourth group worked on pushing unit 1 away from unit 2 for easier access to the patient. All crews worked very quickly to free the patients and they were taken by awaiting EMS. Patients were extricated within 20 minutes. Company 85 Fire Police remained on the scene to assist in traffic detours with the heavy volume of traffic there to see the WWII weekend special event.
While R85 and A85 were on the scene of the MVA in Bern Township, RE851 was dispatched to assist Spring Twp. PD with a hazmat incident on Chapel Hill Rd.  Chief 85(Roth) responded and was advised the Police Dept. would give all the particulars upon arrival. PD had items that were found possibly to be used in making methamphetamine which were removed from the building by PD. The Police Dept. requested the building be ventilated due to the odor inside. Chief 85 requested company 56 (Gouglersville) be dispatched to assist.  Rescue 56 arrived on scene and assisted with ventilation and checking another nearby property at the request of the PD.

This morning the C-Platoon along with the Fire Commissioner and Fire Chief toured the construction progress of the new Reading Hospital building at Papermill Rd and Van Reed Rd. Just after lunch the company was dispatched to a natural gas leak at a residence on Reedy Rd.   Chief 85 (Roth) and the crew from the Rescue/Engine investigated and found a small leak at the meter. The Rescue/Engine’s crew metered the basement and UGI arrived a few minutes later and repaired the problem.

Later in the afternoon, RE851 & 650 Station #1 was dispatched to Route 724 in the area of the Spring Township building for a reported MVA with injuries and a traffic light down. The crew from the Rescue/Engine assisted EMS with patient care and extrication, while Career FF Rhoads checked with a TAC Stick the traffic light to see if there was still power going to it. PP&L was contacted due to the lines still being live and TELCO to repair the downed traffic light.  Personnel de-energized the car and applied oil dry to the fluids down and waited for the arrival of the tow company. Fire Police remained on scene redirecting traffic until PP&L and TELCO made their repairs.

 TSVFD Live-In Program

Want to become a TSVFD college live-in? The TSVFD is proud to be one of the few departments in the area to offer college students the opportunity to become live-in firefighters while they attend school. In exchange for providing students with a cheap place to live, the Township of Spring residents gain enhanced staffing levels, which make for a quicker response time, and a better service provided to the community.
The station, located at 2301 Monroe Ave in West Lawn, is just a short commute to several local colleges: Reading Area Community College (5.30 miles), Penn State University Berks Campus (4.56 miles), Kutztown University (20.45 miles), Alvernia University (4.73 miles), and Albright College (6.96 miles). With room and board prices so high at schools the TSVFD only requires live-in’s to pay a $25.00 a month fee and a $250.00 room deposit that is refunded after moving out.
In exchange for living accommodations, the live-in member will be required to perform station duties, attend training and meetings, and respond to emergency calls. Of course college education and attendance is a priority and if it conflicts with station duties they will be taken into consideration.
The TSVFD facility provides the following amenities to their live-ins:

• Private bunk rooms
• Wireless internet access
• Wall Internet Connection
• Kitchen facilities
• Digital cable
• Air-Conditioned/Heated sleeping quarters
• Washer and dryer
• Full bathroom

There is currently one live-in member, and we are looking to fill two positions immediately.

The openings will be filled on an application and interview basis. Firefighter’s with previous experience and training will be given first consideration for the program, but we will accept interested individuals with no previous training or experience into the program.To be considered for acceptance into the Live-In Program, the live-in must be 18 years of age and it is preferred that they have completed the minimum of:

 Fire Fighting Essentials (or equivalent)

EMT or First Responder

HAZMAT Operations

CPR/AED 

 
If you are interested in becoming a live-in member, call the TSVFD at 610-898-1452 ext. 104 for Chief Mike Roth.

This morning at 0458 hrs, Co.85 & Co.650 Stations 1 & 2 were dispatched to the 2600 bl of Penn Ave for a reported MVA with Injuries, reported at least 2-people trapped and possibly 4-vehicles involved.  Rescue/Engine 85-1 responded followed by Chief 85. Units arrived on scene and found a 2-vehicle MVA driver of the first car was pulled from the car by civilians, driver of the 2nd car was found to be heavily entrapped and semi-conscious. The Rescue/Engine's crew went to work stabilizing the vehicle then began the extrication process by removing the roof and doors on the drivers side.  Rescue 85 arrived and assisted with the extrication.  Pt was extricated in 21 minutes. Units remained on scene to clean up debris and fluids after the PD finished their investigation. Fire Police assisted by closing down Penn Ave between Woodside and Cecil Ave's.

Command: Chief 85 (Roth)
Rescue Operations: Deputy 85-1 (Hostetter)
Units on scene: Rescue/Engine 85-1, Rescue 85
 
At 1850 hrs, Company 85 was dispatched with Tower 79 to 100 block of Coventry Lane in the Spring Ridge community of the Township for a reported oil burner fire in the basement.  Upon arrival of Deputy 85 (Schartel), the occupants had evacuated and a light haze was visible in the basement.
 
When E852's crew reported to the basement with TIC and water can, it was determined that the fire was actually a small cooking oil fire on a stove.  The fire had burned itself out but not before damaging the overhead vent fan and depositing soot on the walls.
 
The crews from E852 and T79 checked for extension and performed PPV to remove a light smoke condition and odor, while RE851 covered the hydrant at Coventry and Kathleen.  All units were returned to service shortly thereafter and Coventry Command was terminated.
 
Command: Deputy 85 (Schartel)
Units on Scene: E852, RE851, T79

Today was Sinking Spring’s Memorial Day parade. Engine 85-3, Air 85 and Car 85-1 represented the Township in the event. The parade began in the eastern end of the borough and made its way down Penn Ave toward Wynnewood Ave then down Ruth Street onto Columbia Ave where the parade stopped at the Sinking Spring VFW Post where they gathered for the memorial services. It was a beautiful day, with not a cloud in the sky. The event lasted about an two hours. Traffic 85 and fire police provided assistance in closing Penn Avenue for the parade.

R85 returned to station at around 0330 and still tired from their response to Exide, at 0444 hours this morning the A-Platoon responded to Wyomissing Borough for a possible structure fire. Company 85, 56 RIT and the remainder of company 79 were dispatched. Enroute, dispatch notified responding units that there was smoke in the banquet hall no fire visible. Lieutenant 79-2 arrived and reported smoke and flames visible on the roof of the structure, crews pulled back a section of the wall exposing a hollowed out section with fire running up the building. E79-1 arrived and stretched a 1 ¾” attack line to the B-Side of the structure attacking the fire.  E85-2 arrived next and laid a 5” supply line to E79-1. Crews from L64 and RE85-1 assisted in the ventilation of the structure. The cause of the fire is under investigation by FC-39 (Longenecker).

At 0832 hours, 85 RIT was toned out for a reported shed fire at Exide Technologies at Nolan Ave and Spring Valley Road in MuhlenbergTownship. Rescue 85 responded with a crew of five and found the shed to be warehouse. RIT crews set up a staging area on the A-Side of the fire building. Due to the amount of suppression activity and the size of the fire building, Lieutenant 85-7 (Sweitzer) requested a second due RIT team from Mount Penn Company 1. The 85 RIT team was placed into service to assist with removing a firefighter that was struck and knocked over by a deck gun. 85 RIT and 1 RIT were then relieved by 25 RIT and 79 RIT. 85 Crews had to be decontaminated by plant personnel before going to rehab where all team members had to give their name, age, medical history and have their vital signs taken before being released.

Today at 0752 hours, Rescue Engine 85-1 responded to a MVA with injuries on Route 724 at the Route 222 ramp. Dispatched reported two vehicles/head-on collision.

Today Fire Prevention Lieutenant Ron Stoudt and Fire Police Captain Ron Zdunowski participated in the Touch-A-Truck event at Penn State Berks Campus. Stoudt brought over Utility 85 with the Fire Prevention Trailer and taught families the importance of fire safety and how to practice fire safety. Zdunowski took kids through his Special Fire Police Traffic Unit and showed them all the equipment located on it. See the pictures.