At approximately 10:08 Rescue Box 49-67 was dispatched for a single vehicle accident on Rt 412 north of the Palisades High School.  Crews arrived on scene to find the driver conscious and alert but heavily entan gled in the dash of the vehicle.  Rescue 49, backed up by Ladder 49, went in service upon arrival removing the door and roof.  Additional room for patient removal was accomplished by pulling the steering column.  The driver was extricated within 20 minutes and transported for medical care by Medic 142.  Rescue 42 and Engine 42, both from Riegelsville, also assisted on the call.

Engine 94 is complete.  A few minor changes are needed, but the new engine is almost ready for service.  The truck comitee spent today going over the new Pierce Arrow XT.  The final details should be sorted out by tomorrow...

Good progress on the new engine to be finished by April 9th!!!

  Poor weather in the area forced a late start for this years annual banquet, but the program went off without a hitch.  Congratulations to Tom Wood, firefighter of the year!

Ladder 49 covered Quakertown stations 17 and 18 today for the funeral of past chief Ray Stever.  After responding to an overturned call shortly after 8:00 this morning in the Ottsville local, Ladder 49 joined Rescue 29 from Warrington and Engine 19-1 from Doylestown at station 18 (West End Fire Company.)  Two calls were dispatched during the cover assignment.  A small plane crash at Quakertown airport and a fumes outside the dwelling in Richland township.  Crews were back in the local by approximately 3:00pm.

The new engine, a Pierce Arrow XT PUC pumper,  has begun to take shape at Pierce.  The cab is nearly done, with work on the body scheduled to begin within the next few days.  We're still on target for an April 9th completion date.

At approximately 06:46am Tactical Box 49-13 was dispatched to the 3600 block of Rt 113 for a reported chimney fire.  Crews arrived on scene to find an active fire contained inside the chimney.  The snow covered driveway made in impossible for the trucks to get in but crews were able to carry the necessary equipment to the scene.  After emptying the fire box and removing the blockage, no extension was found.  Companies were available by 08:00.  Plumsteadville and Dublin Fire Companies asssisted on the call.

Snow, strong winds, and drifting conditions continue to plague the area...

At approximately 18:10 on Wednesday February 24th, Rescue 49 was dispatched for a single vehicle accident on Rt 412 between Brennan and East Park.  The tractor trailer that was empty at the time of the incident attempted to make more room for an oncoming oversized load but was unable to negotiate the shoulder.  The trucks right side left the roadway following the adjacent ditch coming to rest when it struck the primary utility pole.  The pole sheared about midway but the power lines above remained suspended above until utility workers were able to install a new one.  Rescue 49 remained on scene with the Pennsylvania State Police for approximately 2 1/2 hours.  Station 49 Fire Police remained into the night keeping the stretch of 412 between 563 and East park closed to motorists.

At approximately 09:35am, Rescue 49 was dispatched along with Medic 142 for a vehicle accident in the 9000 block of Easton Rd in Ferndale, PA.  A black Dodge pickup left the roadway striking the porch of the residence, removing most of it's support structure.  The driver was able to self extricate but was transported by Medic 142 for treatment.  Rescue 49's crews secured the vehicle and porch.  The company was available by 11:00am.

At approximately 12:15pm on Thursday, Tactical Box 49-34 was dispatched for a dwelling fire with entrapment in the 2000 block of Berger Rd in Nockamixon Township, Bucks County.  911 Dispatchers received multiple calls at the time of dispatch for a well involved two story single family structure.  Initial reports indicated that resident(s) may have been trapped inside the residence but proved to be negative.  Crews arrived on scene to find a well involved structure with heavy fire through the roof.  The house was destroyed but firefighters were able to save a vintage mustang from the attached garage.  It took crews just over one hour to bring the blaze under control.  Springtown, Riegelsville, Haycock, Upper Black Eddy, Richlandtown, Upper Black Eddy, Dublin, Erwinna, Point Pleasant, Quakertown, Doylestown, and Plumsteadville fire companies assisted on the call.

At about 15:42, Rescue 49 was dispatched along with Medic 142 for a single vehicle accident on 611 in front of the Palisades Community Bible Church.  Chief 49 arrived on scene to find the vehicle resting against the telephone it had struck when leaving the roadway.  The pole, which had sheared off, came to rest next to the vehicle, but off the roadway.  Medic 142 transported the patient while E49 and R49 remained on scene for cleanup.  Companies were available by 16:45.

At approximately 16:30, Tactical Box 49-16 was dispatched for a house fire in the 600 block of Headquarters Road.  Initial reports from Bucks County Dispatchers indicated a working kitchen fire.  Engine 49 arrived on scene to find a very large 3 story stone house with heavy smoke pushing from the roof.  Crews made entry to the residence through the rear working their way to the kitchen.  The engine company made a quick knock on the first floor fire, then procedded to the second and third floor to check for extension.  Ladder 49 arrived on scene quickly behind Engine 49, going in service with ventilation and overhaul.  Delaware Valley (Erwinna), Plumsteadville, Doylestown, Point Pleasant, and Dublin Fire Companies also assisted on the call.

At approximately 10:40 am, Tactical Box 49-82 was dispatched for a chimney fire across from Station 49.  Chief 49 arrived to find an active chimney fire in an apartment building.  Crews removed the contents of the wood stove and burning debris from the chimney itself.  After a thorough investigation, no extension was found.  Companies were available by 11:45.  Plumsteadville Fire Company assisted on the call.

  While responding to a working house fire, the crew of Engine 49 escaped injury when their apparatus slid off of an icy back road.  The 1989 Pierce Arrow sustained minor damage despite shearing a telephone pole off at the base.  Although the crew was trapped for some time due to the poles wires falling directly onto the cab, there were no injuries.  Thank you to Riegelsville Fire Company for responding to the call, and all the community support during and after the incident.  It's events like these that reinforce safety as being our number one priority for our equipment and operations.  Pictures courtesy of Kerri Myers.