INCIDENTS
The Wexford VFC responded to 110 calls in October: 70 fire-based responses and 40 QRS responses. Crews responded to a large number of vehicle accidents and brush fires this month, as well as 1A assignments including 1 working residential fire in Cranberry, gas leaks, and the stereotypical cat stuck in a tree. Our average response time for emergency incidents was 7 minutes and 48 seconds, and a total of 26 members responded to incidents this month.
Here is our incident breakdown by major incident category for October:
Fire – 6
Rescue / QRS – 53
Hazardous Condition (no fire) – 3
Service Call – 4
Good Intent – 31
False Alarm / False Call - 12
Special Incident - 1
TOTAL – 110
NOTABLE INCIDENTS
Early in the month, Rescue Co. was dispatched to assist with a tractor trailer vs passenger vehicle with confirmed entrapment on I76 in Marshall. 228RQ1, staffed with 4, arrived first due and performed assessment of a critical patient, side wall removal, and successful extrication to transport EMS within 10 minutes. An LZ was established on the Turnpike, where LifeFlight transported the patient by air to a local trauma center. Good work to all agencies involved!
TRAINING
The end of the month featured the 1st Annual Chief's Tour. 14 members arrived at the firehouse at 0800 and spent the next 24 hours training, running calls, cooking meals together, and bonding as a team. Training evolutions included Truck, Engine, and Rescue Company operations scenarios that tested crews both as individuals and as teams. This time also allowed several of our members the opportunity to break in our brand-new design of MorningPride turnout gear. The weekend ended with individual awards and crew breakfast. We look forward to holding this event again in the near future!
FLEET
Captain Hudak, Lieutenant Nicklas, and Lieutenant Laine travelled to Clintonville, WI to complete the final inspection of our new Seagrave Marauder Rescue. This truck will replace our current 1992 International and will be outfitted for structural firefighting, technical rescue, water rescue, and structural collapse. Shortly after inspection, the Rescue travelled home to Pittsburgh where it began the process of tool mounting and lettering. We look forward to presenting the in-service unit very soon!
FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION
To celebrate October as Fire Prevention Month, duty crews led by Assistant Chief Ballard visited 15 schools to educate Pine's youngest residents about how to prevent & escape from fires, recognize & respond to fire alarms, create evacuation plans with their families, and what the role of the fire department plays within the community.
