Welcome to Greenfields Fire Company

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Welcome!
The Greenfields Fire Company is totally volunteer and protects Bern Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Bern Township is a 42 square mile suburban/rural township bordering the northwest side of the City of Reading. Our population served is 6900. Our Fire Station is located on Route 183 at the southwest side of the Reading Regional Airport. The Station has 4 bays and houses 2 Engines, a Brush Truck and a Car. We have approximately 20 active firefighters, 5 Line Officers and 3 Fire Police Line Officers.

Greenfields Photo Of The Day for

Deputy Chief Fisher, FF's Keppley and Auker manning a line at a 3-alarm fire in Bernville 5/2/2010

We average between 250 and 275 Emergency Calls a year, mostly Automatic Fire Alarms and Vehicle Accidents. Our primary response area includes residential properties, businesses such as Arrow International, Direct Link Technologies, Classic Harley Davidson and many others. We also protect the Reading Regional Airport, Berks County Prison, the County Nursing Home and the Bern Township portions of Blue Marsh Lake. The Saint Joseph Medical Center, which opened in November of 2006 now presents our volunteers with additional challenges. Two major highways run through our area; Pa Route 183 and US Route 222. We receive and provide Mutual Aid assitance to Mount Pleasant, West Reading, Leesport, Lower Heidelberg, the Township of Spring, Goodwill of Hyde Park and Temple Fire Companies on a regular basis. We also respond as part of the Zone 2 Tanker Task Force where we perform tanker fill site duties. Occasionally, we are dispatched into the City of Reading to assist on multi-alarm fires.

We contend with the same challenges as many other volunteer fire companies in our area - volunteer retention and recruitment problems as well as insufficient funding. We are trying to address some of these challenges by investigating the formation of a partnership with the Mount Pleasant Fire Company in Penn Township.

Trash Fire at Direct Link Lot

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 12:17

The load inside a Waste Management truck hauling recyclable cardboard and paper caught fire as the driver was at the Direct Link Building.

The driver immediately moved his truck away from the building and began to dump the load on to the parking lot.

Almost all the load was emptied and burning when firefighters from Greenfields and Mount Pleasant arrived. Some of the remaining load also was still burning inside the truck, so firefighters attacked that fire first.

The fire in the trash pile was knocked down using Class A foam. The fire was fully extinguished after V&M Towing arrived with a Bobcat front end loader to pull the pile apart so firefighters could soak the remaining hot spots.

Western Berks, Wyomissing, Bernville and West Reading Fire Companies also assisted on this labor intensive operation during another hot summer day.

Firefighters dousing the trash pile at
the Direct Link Lot 8-31-2010

The Waste Management Truck

Company 55 Assists at House Fire in Penn Township

Monday, August 30, 2010 04:16

Greenfields Firefighters were dispatched to assist the Mount Pleasant Fire Company with a working house fire on Meadowhill Drive in Penn Township.

Multiple calls were received at the Berks County Communications Center reporting a working fire.

Greenfields Deputy Chief Steve Keppley arrived and found the rear of a two-story residence well involved in fire on the first and second floors.

The occupants, who were sleeping inside the residence at the time of the fire, were awoken by the barking of their dogs and were able to escape the flames.

Firefighters attacked the fire from the front of the house and worked for several hours extingusihing fires inside the walls and ceiling of the residence.

Tankers shuttled water from a nearby pond on Grange Road since there were no fire hydrants in the area.

In addition to Mount Peasant and Greenfields; Bernville, Western Berks, Leesport, Temple, Shoemakersville and Central Berks Fire Companies also responded. Spring Township and Womelsdorf Fire Companies provided rapid intervention services and Schuylkill Valley EMS set up a firefighter rehab area.

An investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is being handled by the PA State Police Fire Marshal.

Click on the link to read the Reading Eagle article on the incident

Reading Eagle Penn Twp Fire Article

Aftermath of the fire - Meadowhill Dr,
Penn Twp

Rear of dwelling after the fire,
Meadowhill Dr, Penn Twp

A Dangerous Afternoon on Route 183

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 17:00

The afternoon of Tuesday August 17th proved to be dangerous for motorists on Route 183 in Bern Township.

At 16:55 hours Greenfields and Mount Pleasant Fire Companies were dispatched to a non-injury crash at Route 183 and West Leesport Road. Two vehicles collided at the intersection resulting in fluids and debris being scattered over the roadway. Firefighters applied oil dry to absorb the spilled fluids and swept the debris from the road.

At 17:43 Greenfields and Mount Pleasant were dispatched to a more serious crash at the intersection of Route 183 and Palisades Drive. Two vehicles collided there resulting in minor injuries to one driver who was briefly trapped in her vehicle.

Rescue personnel popped the driver's side door so Schuylkill Valley EMS crews could access and treat the patient.

Traffic was tied up around both incidents for approximately one and a half hours.

These two intersections are the scenes of the majority of injury causing vehicle accidents in Bern Township.

Company 55 at the 2010 Reading Fair

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 19:00

A big THANKS to all Greenfields personnel who donated their time for our stand by details at the 2010 Reading Fair. The Fire Company was on scene all week from 7PM to 9:30PM providing fire protection for the dry fairgrounds.

Thankfully no fire emergencies occurred throughout the entire week of the fair.

Mount Pleasant Fire Crews also provided rescue protection services for the motorsports events held during the week.

Pictures include scenes from the monster truck show where several junk vehicles were set on fire and then demolished, and the fireworks display from the final night of the fair.

Also thanks to the Western Berks and Goodwill Fire Departments for your assistance during the fair.

Monster Truck Show - Reading Fair 2010

Junk vehicle set on fire - Monster Truck
Show - Rdg Fair 2010

Vehicle Rollover at Routes 222 & 183

Monday, August 9, 2010 06:46

A sport utility vehicle and van collided at the intersection of Route 183 and the Route 222 northbound on-ramp. The force of the impact caused the van to roll on its side.

The driver of the van was reported to be trapped, but firefighters arrived and found that he was able to escape the vehicle.

One patient was treated and transported to the hospital by Western Berks EMS crews.

Traffic was slowed around the incident for approximately 45 minutes until the vehicles were towed.

Mount Pleasant Fire Company was also dispatched.

Vehicle accident - Route 222 & 183
8-9-10

Vehicle accident - Route 183 & 222
8-9-10

Black Smoke from County Boiler House

Sunday, August 8, 2010 11:15

Firefighters from Greenfields, Mount Pleasant, Western Berks and Spring Township were dispatched to the rear of the Berks County Youth Center for a possible structure fire. A passer-by reported heavy black smoke coming from a building in the rear of the facility.

Fire crews arrived and found heavy black smoke emitting form the chimney of the boiler house which provides steam heat to the county facilities.

Deputy Chiefs Brian Fisher and Steve Keppley orgainized a crew which fored entry to the building and shut off the boiler. Crews from Mount Pleasant's Quint 30 laddered the roof to confirm that no fire or excessive heat was present aboove the malfunctioning boiler. No extension was found.

County maintenance personnel arrived and stated that they had been servicing the boiler prior to the call. The boiler was shut down until the proper repairs were completed.

E55 on location at the Youth Center

Dep Chief's Fisher & Keppley organizing
the interior crews

Burnt Food Causes Smoke Condition at Southgate Apartments

The burnt food item - used to be a
potato

Sunday, August 1, 2010 18:15

Burnt food in a microwave oven caused a smoke condition and fire alarm activation at the Southgate Apartments on West Leesport Road.

Greenfields, Mount Pleasant, Western Berks, West Reading, Leesport and Spring Township Fire Companies were all dispatched to the apartment building which houses numerous elderly residents.

Firefighters removed the burnt food from the first floor apartment and ventilated the smoke from the building. There were no injuries and no significant damage as a result of the incident.

AFA at the Direct Link Building

Company 55 FF's exit the building after
investigating a false alarm activation

Thursday, July 29, 2010 17:57

Firefighters could hear the alarm sounding in the background of the dispatch as Greenfields, Mount Pleasant and West Reading were sent to the Direct Link Building on Bernville Road for a fire alarm activation.

The building currently houses the Berks County Communications Center, Emergency Management and several other commercial tennants.

Firefighters arrived to a report of a false alarm and investigated the building to confirm that there was no fire.

All units were cleared of the scene within a few minutes of their arrival.

Another Decon Drill at St Joe's

Monday, July 26, 2010 19:30

Greenfields firefighters participated in another Decon Drill at the St Joseph Medical Center this past Monday to practice with the evening shift staff.

Both Engines 55 & 55-1 were again utilized for the water spray station as simulated patients were brought through for the decon process.

Thanks to all Company 55 personnel who attended.

E55 & E55-1 set up for the Decon Station

SJMC Emergency Coordinator Mike Whalen
briefing FF's prior to the drill

Minor Injuries After a Motorcycle Crashes on Fairview Drive

FF's prepare to assist EMS with patient
packaging - Fairivew Drive

Saturday, July 24, 2010 23:54

A motorcyclist travelling on Fairview Drive apparently lost control while rounding a curve near Seifrit Lane and crashed on the side of the road.

Greenfields, Leesport and Mount Pleasant Fire Compnaies were dispatched to assist Schuylkill Valley EMS at the scene.

Injuries to the cyclist were reported to be minor. Greenfields personnel assisted EMS crews with patient care. Leesport and Mount Pleasant units were recalled.

Greenfields and Temple Crews Practice Vehicle Rescue at V&M Towing

Monday, July 19, 2010 19:00

Crews from Greenfields and Temple Fire Companies reviewed and practiced their vehicle rescue skills at the V&M Towing lot in Ontelaunee Township.

With Greenfields Fire Company being dispatched to 29 incidents related to vehicle accidents already this year, the training session was very appropriate.

Several scenarios were used to review rescue operations such as vehicle stabilization and the use of hydraulic tools for cutting, rolling and prying.

Important safety procedures were also stressed during the training session. With the new types of vehicles on the road today, from hybrids to electrics; vehicle rescue has become increasingly dangerous for emergency personnel.

Greenfields personnel also got an up-close view of the impressive new Rescue 11.

Thanks to V&M Towing for the use of your vehicles.

A Big "Thanks" to the Company 11 Crew for your assistance during the training session.

The Scenario as set up by V&M Towing

Rescue 11 in the background as FF's
prepare to begin

Co 55 Crews Participate in Decon Drill at St Joseph Hospital

Saturday, July 17, 2010 08:30

Crews from Greenfields Fire Company along with Saint Joseph Medical Center personnel conducted and emergency preparedness exercise outside the facility's Emergency Department.

The drill simulated an annhydrous ammonia leak at a nearby factory that caused employees to become contaminated. The drill tested the abilities of fire and hospital personnel to decontaminate and triage the incoming patients before allowing them to enter the emergency room.

Greenfields Firefighters set up a gross decon station using our two engines and numerous hose and master stream nozzles. Each patient had to travel through the water spray to begin their decontamination process.

The patients were then moved to a tent where hospital personnel continued the decontamination and triage process.

Hospital management declared the drill a success and were very grateful to the volunteers from Greenfields who spent their Saturday morning providing their expertise and equipment.

2010 SJMC Decon Drill - Spray station
set up

2010 SJMC Drill - E55 & E55-1 Spray
station in service

Two Crashes on Route 183 Tie Up Traffic

Thursday, July 8, 2010 14:00

Greenfields and Mount Pleasant Fire Companies were dispatched to two separate vehicle crashes on Route 183 on Thursday July 8th.

The first crash occurred at Route 183 and Boeing Avenue. This crash was a rear-end collision which resulted in minor injuries to one driver. Fire Police diverted traffic around the scene until the vehicles were towed.

The second crash occured around 17:00 hours at Route 183 and Plum Creek Road in northern Bern Township. This crash invloved a car and a school bus and resulted in no injuries even though the driver of the car had to be freed by rescue personnel from Mount Pleasant Fire Company.

Southbound traffic was briefly detuoured on to Palisades Drive and County Welfare Road while crews cleared the scene. Bernville Fire Police assisted at this incident.

Crash - Route 183 & Boeing Ave 7/8/10

Crash - Rte 183 & Boeing Ave - 7/8/10

Open Burning Temporarily Banned in Bern Township

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Due to the recent dry conditions, the Bern Township Supervisors have voted to ban all open burning in Bern Township until further notice.

The ban on open burning takes effect at 8:00AM Wednesday July 7th, 2010 and will be reconsidered for extension or cancellation at the August Bern Township Meeting.

The ban includes all open fires in residential, business and agricultural areas regardless of size or whether the fire is in a pit or barrel.

Numerous brush fires caused by open burning and other careless actions have occurred in other municipalites in our area.

Thank you for your copperation.

Company 55 Sprinkler Drill at Training Site

Monday, June 21, 2010 19:00

Greenfields Firefighters participated in a sprinkler review drill at the county training site.

Firefighters reviewed operations such as connecting a supply line to the fire department connection, pump pressure for multi-floored buildings, using wedges to close a flowing sprinkler head and general safety practices.

Getting soaked in the hot weather didn't hurt either.

Thanks to all who participated.

The Company 55 Crew signing in prior to
starting the drill

Practicing the hook-up to the FDC

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