Co 55 Evening at the County Training Site - Drill Tower Monday, September 29, 2008 - The crew from Company 55 spent their weekly drill night at the Berks County Training Site this past Monday to review standpipe and hydraulic ventilation practices in the drill tower. As always, Captain Brian Fisher had an activity packed session planned where crews connected an attack line to the fire department standpipe inside the drill tower stairwell. The line was then advanced up to the fire floor and into the fire room. Crews sprayed water to extinguish a simulated fire and then positioned the hose out the window to ventilate the room. Several evolutions were practiced before the crews returned to station and followed with a "debriefing" session at Malibooz.         Getting ready before the drill     Captain Fisher explaining the stand pipe system

Vehicle Crash with Fuel Spill - Route 183 near Palisades Drive Sunday, September 28, 2008 - Two vehicles collided on a rain-soaked Route 183, in front of the Bern Church, near Palisades Drive. No one was injured in the collision which required the closure of Route 183 for over two hours.  One of the vehicles involved was a pick-up truck hauling a trailer with four ATV's and several gasoline containers. The impact caused the trailer to fail, launching the ATV's and the gas cans in different directions. Most of the gasoline containers landed on the road and spilled their contents. Firefighters from Greenfields and Mount Pleasant used absorbent to contain the spilled gasoline and absorbent pads to protect a storm drain.  PennDOT was requested to the scene to spread sand over the highway to aid in traction. Fire Police from Greenfields, Bernville and Lower Heidelberg kept Route 183 closed until PennDOT arrived.          MVA - Route 183 near Bern Church     MVA - Route 183 near Bern Church

Fire Companies, EMS and Police Participate in Reading Airport Emergency Exercise Saturday, September 20, 2008 - Greenfields and several other mutual aid Fire Departments participated in the tri-annual Reading Airport Emergency Preparedness Exercise held Saturday morning. Bern Police, Western Berks EMS, Muhlenberg and several other EMS squads participated as well. There were two scenarios involving emergency workers at the drill. The first exercise was a simulated breech of the security area while passenger were boarding an airliner. Bern Township Police were called in to take an individual into custody who threatened passengers and also stated that he planted an explosive device somewhere in the terminal building. The Police, with the assistance of a bomb sniffing dog from the Berks Lehigh Police Department, performed a room by room search of the building to find the device. Once the device was found, the area was secured until the device was neutralized. The second scenario was unrelated to the first, but involved a small fire in the galley of the aircraft which created a smoke condition on the aircraft. the 29 passengers on board the aircraft at the time needed to be evacuated from the aircraft and placed into triage depending on the severity of their injuries. Firefighters and Reading Airport ARFF personnel  evacuated all passengers from the aircraft in short order. EMS personnel attended to and transported the injured passengers to Reading Hospital. All in all, the drill went very well and all who participated were reminded of the potential we face at Reading for serious incidents. We appreciate the willingness of the Mount Pleasant, West Reading, Spring Township, Leesport and the City of Reading Fire Departments to assist us with this drill. We are glad to know we can count on your help.       The Triage Area - RRA Emergency Drill     Removing an uncocnscious patient from the aircraft

Dryer Fire at Riveredge Saturday, September 13, 2008 - Greenfields, Mount Pleasant and West Reading Firefighters were dispatched to an automatic fire alarm activation in the basement of the Riveredge on Bernville Road early Saturday evening. Upon their response, Captain Brian Fisher was notified of a report of smoke in the building. Captain Fisher immediately upgraded the alarm to a Structure Response, adding Goodwill of Hyde Park and Spring Township Fire Department for their Rapid Intervention Team. Company 55 personnel arrived and found a medium smoke condition in the basement resulting from a fire inside a dryer used to dry cleaning towels for the establishment. The burning contents of the dryer were removed and set outside where Engine 55-1 extinguished the smoldering towels. Deputy Chief Phil Haupt assumed Incident Command and ordered a ventilation operation set up as well as a search for fire extension.  The search found no signs of fire extension. The dryer was placed out of service and emergency crews were released once the smoke had vented. Thanks to all our mutual aid Fire Companies for your quick response and assistance.       Damaged dryer at Riveredge - 9/13/08     Rear of damaged dryer - Riveredge 9/13/08

Two Vehicles in Rear-End Collision - Route 222 & Route 183 Interchange Friday, September 12, 2008 - Two vehicles were involved in a rear-end collision on the Route 222 southbound entrance ramp from Route 183 in Bern Township. Greenfields and Mount Pleasant Firefighters had to pry open the rear hatch of a mini-van to extricate an injured patient from the vehicle. The patient was transported to an area hospital. No condition was known. Immediately after this incident, Greenfields personnel were requested to assist the Bern Township Police at a large sink hole which opened off Route 183 in the area of Macarthur Road. The hole, which may have been caused by a water main break, was approximately 5 feet round and 10 feet deep. Firefighters and Fire Police barricaded the area until utility personnel arrived to mitigate the problem.       Firefighters prying the rear hatch; Route 222 Onramp 9/12/08     Stabilization of the van - Route 222 Onramp 9/12/08

Car Rolls Over on Route 222 - One Person Injured Thursday, September 11, 2008 - Greenfields Fire Company was dispatched to a crash where the driver of a car apparently lost control of the vehicle while traveling north on Route 222 near the Tulpehocken Creek Bridge. The car rolled up an embankment and eventually flipped on to its roof. The female driver was seriously injured and had to be removed from the vehicle by rescue personnel from the Spring Township Fire Department.   Fire Police closed the northbound lanes of Route 222 between Spring Ridge Drive and Route 183 for about one hour until the scene was cleared. The incident was originally dispatched as being in Spring Township, however Police arrived and found it to be in Bern Township. Responding units from Spring Township were requested to continue to the scene to assist with the extrication of the patient. Mount Pleasant and Wyomissing Fire Companies also assisted with Fire Police.       Route 222 MVA     Route 222 MVA

Car Strikes Utility Pole - Wires Down & Power Out Sunday, August 31, 2008 - The driver of a car traveling west on County Welfare Road apparently did not see the end of the road at Palisades Drive and careened across Palisades Drive into a field, striking a utility pole. The driver , who was not injured, escaped the vehicle prior to the arrival of emergency personnel. Wires were down around the vehicle and power was out in the area. Greenfields and Mount Pleasant Fire Companies responded and contacted Met-Ed to confirm power was shut off  to the area. At the same time, the two Fire Companies were also dispatched to a transformer fire in the 1500 of Hilltop Road, which was found to be related to this incident. The power outage also shut off all the traffic lights on Route 183  between Van Reed Road and West Leesport Road. Fire Police set up temporary stop signs to control traffic at those intersections. Power was restored after about two hours.          MVA County Welfare Road & Palisades Drive     Met-Ed and PD working around the downed lines

Vehicle Fire on Grange Road - Companies 55 & 37 Respond Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - A 1970 Triumph TR6 Roadster caught fire while the owner was driving the vehicle on Grange Road. The owner reported that the car began to sputter and lose power and then smoke began to pour from the engine compartment. Leesport Engine 37-1 was the first apparatus to arrive on scene and found the car well involved. Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames and extinguished the fire. Unfortunately,  the car sustained heavy damage from the fire. The owner was in the process of restoring the car and has vowed to restore it again. Fire and police units were on the scene for approximately one hour until the vehicle was towed.          Vehicle Fire - Grange Road     Vehicle Fire - 1970 Triumph TR6

Vehicle Accident at Route 183 & West Leesport Road Monday, August 25, 2008 - Two vehicles collided at the intersection of Route 183 & West Leesport Road injuring one driver. The driver's injuries were not reported to be serious. Firefighters from Greenfields and Mount Pleasant Fire Companies assisted EMS with patient care and packaging as well as controlling fluids leaking from both vehicles. Traffic was slowed around the intersection for about 45 minutes until the scene was cleared.        Crash - Route 183 & West Leesport     Crash - Route 183 & West Leesport

Aircraft and Tractor Collide at Reading Airport Sunday, August 3, 2008 - A Cessna Citation 550 was landing on Runway 31 at Reading Airport when it struck a tractor mowing grass along the side of the runway. The impact sheared the right wing off the jet and resulted in a spill of Jet A fuel along the runway. Thankfully neither the pilot or co-pilot in the jet, nor the Reading Aiport employee operating the tractor mower were injured.  The Control Tower immediately called 911 and Greenfields and Mount Pleasant Fire Departments were dispatched. Firefighters arrived and found the jet sitting on the runway, leaking fuel out of its damaged wing and also the center of the aircraft. Greenfields Engine 55 immediately set up foam line to protect firefighters. Oil dry was then applied to contain the fuel spill. Goodwill Fire Department arrived with their Haz-Mat trailer and applied absorbent pads and drain covers to the storm sewer grates near the impact scene. West Reading and Spring Township Fire Departments were also dispatched to provide extra personnel to assist with the spill control operation. Once the spill was mitigated, the aircraft was towed from the scene back to a hangar at Tower Aviation. Goodwill's "Foam 10" escorted the aircraft back to the hagar as a pre-caution. Fire units were on the scene for about 90 minutes until the incident was stabilized. Fire Police were utilized to control acces to the airport operations area at Gate 3. A clean-up then crew arrived from Elk Environmental to begin the removal and disposal of the hazardous debris from the incident. The Reading Airport remained open throughout the incident utilizing Runway 36 as the primary runway. The Cessna aircraft is owned by Drug Plastics and Glass Company of Boyertown, Pa. The aircraft  had reportedly just landed at Reading after a short flight from Pottstown Airport. Of the 150 gallons of fuel on board the aircraft at the time of the impact, approximately 35 gallons leaked on to the runway.  Crews from Reading Jet Center had witnessed the impact and arrived on scene immediately afterward to render assistance and begin to control the fuel spill. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. A Big THANK YOU to all the crews from Mount Pleasant, Goodwill, West Reading and Spring Township Fire Departments for your assistance.       Cessna Citation Jet surrounded by fire apparatus on Runway 31     Overview of the scene

Captain Fisher's 2nd Annual Company 55 Picnic Monday, July 28, 2008 - The volunteer Emergency Services members of Greenfields Fire Company held our 2nd Annual Company 55 Picnic on Monday evening July 28th. Plenty of food and activities were enjoyed, including a pick-up touch football game. The purpose of the event was to express our gratitude for all the work our volunteers perform at calls and especially training details every Monday night. Also a thanks to the crew from Mount Pleasant Fire Company who also attended our event.         2008 Company 55 Picnic     2008 Company 55 Picnic

Alert 2 Aircraft Emergency at Reading Airport Saturday, July 19, 2008 - A twin engine Beechcraft King Air (similar to the one pictured) was inbound to the Reading Airport today when the pilot received an indicator alarm signalling an engine fire.  The pilot immediately declared an emergency to the control tower and Airport ARFF units and Company 55 were dispatched. Chief 55 also requested the response of Western Berks EMS and Bern Township Police. The aircraft was five miles out upon the report of the emergency and had already landed safely once fire units were dispatched and reported that they were standing by.  Upon further investigation, no damage from fire was found in the engine of the aicraft. The engine indicator apparently malfunctioned. There were three people on board the aircraft, none of which were injured.       A Beechcraft King Air similar to this one landed safely after declaring an in-flight emergency

JIM DEVINE'S HISTORY OF GREENFIELDS FIRE COMPANY Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - Check out our Links page for the story on how the Greenfields Fire Company was formed and organized. Jim Devine describes in detail his efforts and those of the neighbors to form the volunteer fire company we still rely on today. Thanks to Jim for letting us include this history on our web site.

ENGINE 55 WORKS TANKER FILL SITE AT PERRY TWP STRUCTURE FIRE Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - Engine 55 was dispatched as part of the Zone 2 Tanker Task Force to assist the Shoemakersville Fire Company with water supply operations at a multi-alarm structure fire at Keystone Auto along Pottsville Pike in Perry Township. Engine 55 was sent to a pond n Zweizig Road where Virginville Engine 33 was already set up for drafting. Engine 55 also drafted and set up one of three fill stations for tankers. Approximately 25 fill jobs were completed at this fill site with crews from Greenfields, Virginville and Central Berks Fire Companies all working together. Thanks to the auxiliary members who supplied us with the cold drinks and food. The fire, which destroyed the building, was apparently started when a spark from a dropped fuel tank ignited gasoline vapors inside the building. The fire is under investigation.       E55 & E33 Drafting from the Pond - 7-1-08     Two of three fill stations at work filling Tanker 37 and Tanker 29

CAPTAIN FISHER'S TANKER DRILL 2008 Monday, June 23, 2008 - Captain Brian Fisher (our Training Officer) set up his annual tanker drill, this year at Station 55. Fill site operations were reviews with the crews as well as familiarizaton on saftey and other tanker operations. Big Thanks to Mount Pleasant and Leesport Fire Companies for assisting us in this drill.       Settting up the hose lines     FF Reif pulling the tanker fill line