June 17, 2010    Regular (Casual)    Boothwyn (PA)    Choice Clean Gear
July 15, 2010    Exec Board    PA at Lehman's   
August 19, 2010    Regular Casual)    Philadelphia Airport Fire Sta. (PA)   
September 16, 2010    Exec Board     NJ at Rodie's   
October 21, 2010    Regular (Blazer)    Odessa (DE)   
November 18, 2010    Exec Board     DE at Michael's   
December 2, 2010    Regular (Blazer)    Elmer (NJ)    Nomination of Officers
January 20, 2011    Exec Board     PA at Trieste   
February 17, 2011    Regular (Blazer)    Mill Creek (DE)    Installation of Officers

After the Social Hour the Members of the DVFCA traveled up the street to E-78 for dinner. Dinner was very good we ate in the engine room and we were virtually on the run way it was very neat and a once in a lifetime experience for all I'm sure. The Philadelphia Fire Department's own Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers joined us for dinner and attended our meeting. While at E-78 members had full access to the fire department apparatus and crew quarters. We would like to thank every one at E-78, Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, the Second Alarmers and our very own Chip Lillie for working so hard to make our August DVFCA meeting a very memorable event!

The August Delaware Valley Fire Chiefs Association Meeting at the Philadelphia Airport E-78 was a hit. Our evening Social Hour started off with our members having the opportunity to tour the Philadelphia Fire Department training facility at the Philadelphia Airport and check to check out the crash trucks.  Beverages were served by the Second Alarmers and their hospitality was second to none. After everyone arrived they did a live fire demo simulating a wheel fire on an aircraft then an engine fire. For the grand finale we saw  the crash trucks spring into action and extinguish a simulated fire over the entire aircraft. The crash trucks boast 3000 gallons of water plus foam and other extinguishing agents. They can dump their water load in about 2 minutes. Our members were able to view the demonstration from the control room, the roof top and the ground. Many thanks to all the folks at the PFD for their hospitality it truly was a great time had by all.

Directions

6:00 pm Refreshments and ARFF live fire demo’s
at the PHL Airport Training facility

7:00 pm Picnic BBQ at E78 - Meeting to follow

Directions from Delaware County and the South to Training Facility (for Social Hour):

Take I-95 North to Rt. 420 exit 9A. Cross over Rt. 291 and continue straight on Wanamaker Ave. to the “T” - make a left on E. 2nd St. and continue straight for several blocks. Once you cross over the train tracks you will come upon Ft. Mifflin Rd. on the right that is gated but the gates will be open after 5:30pm. Once through the gates bear to the right onto Hog Island Rd. and continue until you come upon the PFD ARFF Training Facility on your left. There is parking on the left side of the road just north of the training center entrance.

Directions from Philadelphia and the North to Training Facility (for Social Hour):

Exit I-95 S at Exit 15 Enterprise Ave. (follow signs for UPS). Take the first left onto Ft. Mifflin Rd. (Hog Island Rd.) continue past the Control Tower and the UPS facility and you will find the PFD ARFF Training Facility on your right with parking just prior to the entrance.

Directions to PFD Engine 78’s Station (for BBQ & Meeting)

The Fire Station is approximately 2 miles north of the training facility (adjacent to the PHL Control Tower) at 13 Hog Island Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19153. There is some parking available at the fire station and also on Hog Island Rd., PLEASE do not attempt to park in the control tower parking lot/entrance.

Please Bring Photo ID (EX: Drivers License OR Fire Department Photo ID)

Any questions you may call Jason Heacock @ 610.637.3586. Or email questions to jheacock@choicemarketing.net.

Hancock MD, This week the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention is descending on Hancock MD, for their annual parade and convention. They have exciting events planned throughout the week with a parade on Saturday. For more information you can visit them on the web at www.cvvfa.org.

Executive Board Meeting Minutes for July 15, 2010

 

This past week firefighters from across the globe descended on Baltimore for the 2010 Fire House Expo. In the beginning of the week the Hot Training was hot... classes were stopped when temperatures exceeded 100 degrees then resumed a few hours later. This year Choice Clean Gear offered hot training attendees a show special gear cleaning offer that many took advantage of. They had there gear cleaned each day and back for the next instead of smelling up their hotel rooms and vehicles with smokey sweaty gear!

Attendance seemed down however it didn't seem to be the case by the firecompanies.com booth with crowds of folks trying to find out how to sign up for web design and getting those fire house dolls to sign their calendars. 

Our other friends that were in attendance were the responder safety folks at www.respondersafety.com, Ichiefs, and plenty of Cumberland Valley Firemen's Association members as well as our very own Delaware Valley Fire Chiefs Association members.

A good show was had by all and I hope everyone made it home safe!

Up and coming shows and Events...

August 7, 2010 Cumberland Valley Firemen's Assoc Parade and Convention

August 19, 2010 DVFCA Meeting @ Philadelphia Airport

September 13th - 18th 2010 Delaware State Firemen's Conference

September 17th & 18th NJ state firemen's Convention

SAFETY ALERT
On Wednesday December 14, 2010 the Collingswood Fire Department responded to several incidents due to flash flooding. We had assisted numerous stranded motorists that had been caught in the flooding. Our tactics were different depending on the situation.
During one of the assists we came across a female stranded in her vehicle in knee high water. We made verbal contact and determined the best way to remove her from the hazard was to manually push her vehicle approximately 20. in reverse to higher ground. We had her place the vehicle in neutral with the ignition off. Three firefighters took placement on the hood of the vehicle and I placed my hand on the driver.s side .B. post to push the car from that point. The vehicle was a 2009 Mitsubishi Galante. Due to the height of the vehicle this placed the left side of my head even with the opened window. We began to push the vehicle and almost immediately the driver.s steering wheel air bag had deployed. This created a loud noise and stunned me, which caused me to stumble back off of the vehicle. I immediately had ringing and hearing loss in my left ear. The driver of the vehicle was assessed and found to have no injuries by my crew. I was assessed at the ER and had a follow up with
a specialist the following day. It was determined that I only had temporary hearing loss from the ¡°explosion¡±, and it should return in a short period of time.
We, as emergency responders, go through countless hours of training on the new technology of vehicles for fires and extrication and the dangers present from unintentional airbag deployment. To date I have never heard of air bags deploying due to water damage and have not seen any information to the
COLLINGSWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Members of the DVFCA would like to extend our most sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Sheridan, Kelly families and the Holloway Terrace Fire Company of New Castle County, DE for their loss listed below are the funeral arrangements

New Castle County Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Associations 2nd Vice President Charles Sheridan daughter,Sandy Sheridan Kelley, a member of the Holloway Terrace Fire Company had passed away on Tuesday July 13, 2010.
Her viewing will be held on Friday July 16, 2010 at the Holloway Terrace Fire Company Station # 20,
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
Funeral Mass, Saturday July 17, 2010 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Church on New Castle Avenue South Bound Route # 13
 

Funeral Arrangements: Visitation will be Sunday, July 18, 2010, 1700hrs-2000hrs and Monday, July 19, 2010, from 0830hrs-0945hrs at the Milmont Park Fire Company.  At 1000hrs, there will be a procession from the fire house to St. Peter and Paul Cemetery where Engineer Hornberger will be laid to rest with full honors.  Engineer Hornberger was the Past Deputy Chief of the Milmont Park Fire Company and had spent many years as a member of numerous other departments

Apparently Charlies death is being ruled as a LODD due to a heart attack that he suffered at home shortly after returning from a fire call. To date, 43 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2010; 41 from incidents that occurred in 2010 and two from previous year incidents.  Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm

Name: Charles Hornberger
Rank: Engineer
Age: 60
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 30
Date of Incident: 06/30/10
Time of Incident: 1140hrs
Date of Death:  07/12/10

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Charles Hornberger. Charlie passed on Monday July 12, 2010 Charlie was a member of Milmont Fire Company and a DVFCA member. Over the past few years Charlie had health issues that slowed him down quite a bit. However he pressed on attending his last meeting with the DVFCA in June. Our thoughts and prayrs are with Charlie and his family as well as his Milmont Fire Company Family where I know that he and Chief Terry Burk were very close longtime friends. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

A Firefighter collapsed in cardiac arrest in Dewey Beach (DE) last night while on an area fireworks stand by detail. Dewey Beach and Seaford Firefighters had responded around 2305 Hours last night for a report of smoke coming from a dwelling. After arrival they discovered that fireworks had started a small brush fire.
While on the scene, a Firefighter collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest and fire and police personnel started CPR immediately. An AED was quickly utilized to shock him once while waiting for EMS to arrive.
The Seaford Firefighter, estimated to be around 60 years old, was with Firefighters from Seaford who were assisting with the Rehoboth area fireworks coverage.  He had no complaints before he collapsed.
Two Sussex County EMS bike medics who were assigned to the fireworks arrived quickly, determined he was in V-fib cardiac arrest and shocked him a second time and he regained a pulse.
Police arrested the man who has been accused of using the fireworks that started the fire, Patrick McCloskey, 27, of Baltimore has been charged with disorderly conduct and they intend to refer the case to the State Fire Marshal for possible further charges.

Our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery to this firefightere DVFCA

As most folks begin a weekend of the 4th we wanted to remind you to be safe and remind you through the information below that ACCIDENTS CAN HAPPEN EVEN TO YOU or YOUR DEPARTMENT. We can all Learn from the mistakes of others. Thanks to Firefighterclosecalls.com for keeping these incidents fresh in our minds in hopes of preventing it from happening to you or your department. At the bottom there is a great explanation of exactly why we celebrate Independence Day. Have a Safe and Happy Holiday.


PS As one of our Past Presidents likes to include in every email and proclaim on his voice mail


"For those who fought for it,
Freedom has a flavor,
The Protected will never know"

Hey,
A Redding (CA) Firefighter ended up in the hospital after some fireworks exploded in his hand during a demonstration. CalFire and the Redding FD were putting on the display to show how dangerous fireworks can be and how quickly a fire can start. The FF suffered burns yesterday when the roman candle exploded next to him. The FD's fire prevention specialist, he was transported with minor burns to his face and one of his eyes. He lit the roman candle, which launches exploding shells, as part of an annual media day about fireworks. It was the third firework he lit and it exploded in place rather than shooting one of its shells. Fortunately the FF was wearing FR clothing, a helmet and eye protection.


KID STRUCK BY FIRE APPARATUS ON FIREWORKS STAND BY DETAIL
A 6 year-old boy was run over by a fire apparatus south of Darwin (Australia) last night and is now in intensive care at the hospital. The 6 year old was run over about 2030 hours at as the fire apparatus was being parked in readiness for the possibility of fires sparked by fireworks during last night's Territory Day celebrations. We'll update as we hear more, but just another reminder of how kids will usually be found around fire apparatus-and the last thing any of us want to do is cause accidental harm.

4th of July-Happy Birthday USA (and a reminder for our younger TSL members)
On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain, and American Democracy was born. Every day thousands of people appropriately and legally come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream. Not much different than our parents, grandparents and relatives did, such as my Dad and his family did in the early part of the 20th century.
 
Independence Day commemorates the Continental Congress' adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The document, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, served as a formal announcement that the 13 American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire and would henceforth be free and independent states. Free and Independent. We love that. The basis for our Country.

The 4th of July remains a strong symbol of specifically and positive American qualities that are all based upon FREEDOM. Did you know that since 1916, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City was started as a way to settle a dispute among four immigrants as to who was the most patriotic. Proud to be Americans.
So on this 4th of July, put down that electronic toy for just a minute (hit pause) and take time to enjoy and appreciate your FREEDOM. Is the flag out? While is should be displayed at our homes every day, make sure it is definitely up this weekend. Look around and realize how blessed we are to enjoy our FREEDOM and most importantly and especially, please keep those who are preserving our FREEDOM, those serving in our armed forces, in your deepest prayers. We are a Country at war.

Have a great 4th of July and enjoy FREEDOM, even the freedom to stay at home and barbecue, carefully.
 
Please enjoy a few of these outstanding clips from the musical, "1776":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HD1x_kZRQQ (Congress, burning issues and decision making-not!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY3TubZdYqA  (Congress-a whole year-doing NOTHING!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OAWKTDelGU&feature=related (Jefferson, Franklin & Adams: The Eagle!)
 
A Happy and Safe 4th of July from our Families to you and yours.
BillyG, GordonG, BrianK, ForestR, RudyH, BarryF, ChrisS & IggyK,
The Secret List 7-2-10 / 0800 Hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
 

Thank you Fire Fighter Close Calls for the great Information l

In addition to the National Fallen Firefighters Golf Tornament there is also a gun raffle see the attached PDF for more information. See the story below for for the registration to the Golf Outing.

In 2004, the first Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament was held to raise awareness and to help sustain the programs of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Now in its seventh year, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf has grown to include 50 regional golf tournaments

You may download the registration forms here or visit; www.firehero.org

Registration needs to be in by July 2, 2010