Just before 6 pm Garden City (Sta. 65), South Media (Sta. 51), and Parkside (Sta. 45) for the ambulance where dispatched for the accident with injuries in front of 307 Moore Rd. Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) went on location with a vehicle versus pole with everyone out of the vehicle. 65-2 arrived next under the command of Captain Wayne Kueler (65-12A) and started traffic control. Because the pole was so severely damaged the car couldn’t be moved without the pole falling over. Peco was called to cut the power and the car was removed. Units were on location for about an hour.

At 8:30 am the 2 alarm was hit for 300 block of Reaney Street in the City of Chester. The 2nd alarm brings the Ladder out of Garden City (Sta. 65), RIT out of Parkside (Sta. 45) and Air Bank out of Brookhaven (Sta. 52). Ladder 65 responded under the Command of Fire Fighter Brent Hopkins. On arrival, Ladder 65 was ordered to the roof. The roof crew cut multiple holes including a trench cut on one side. Once the fire was under control the crew assisted with checking the exposure for extension. While returning to the station, ladder 65 was redirected to 500 block of  West Brookhaven road for the fire alarm. Crews from 65, 51, and 44 investigated and it was found to be a faulty detector. Thanks to Springfield (Sta. 44) for covering.

At 10:38 hours the second alarm was hit for 1300 Block of Crosby Street in the City of Chester. Second alarm brings Ladder and Engine out of Garden City (Sta. 65), RIT out of Parkside (Sta. 45) and Air Bank out of Brookhaven (Sta. 52).  Ladder 65-5 responded with a crew of 8 and Engine 65-2 responded with a crew of 6. On the arrival of ladder 65-5 the crew was set to the “A” side to start ventilation of the apartment complex. The crew from Engine 65-2 provided relief for the 1st roof crew. The roof crew under the command of Captain George Moore 3Rd (65-12B) and Lieutenant Bill Chism (65-13) cut a total of 6 holes.  Once the fire was under control crews assisted with the ventilation of exposure apartments.  The fire went a total of 3 alarms and a disabled woman was rescued by Chester firefighters from a ground floor apartment. Ladder 65-5 and Engine 65-2 were on scene for about 3.5 hours. Would like to thank our cover company’s Springfield (Sta. 44), Glenolden (Sta. 05). Pictures courtesy of Frank Wesnoski.

At 10:16 hours South Media (Sta. 51), Garden City (Sta. 65) along with the medic and ambulance from Media (Sta. 23) were dispatched to 100 Block of  W. Rose Valley Road for the reported accident vehicle vs. motorcycle. 65-2 arrived on location under the commanded of Captain Wayne Kuehler (65-12A). One victim was along the side of the road being administered to by the crew from 23-7A. The crew from 65-2 assisted the medic and crew from 23-7A with packaging the patient for transport. Once the patient was packaged and safely in the ambulance the crew from 65-2 assisted the state police with traffic control along W. Rose Valley until the scene could be secured by the state police. 65-2 cleared the scene at 11:22 hours.

Daniel Ogram who lives in the Garden City section of Nether Providence Township is a typical 11 year old boy. He plays soccer, belongs to the local Boy Scout troop, loves video games, the Philadelphia Eagles and attends SHMS. He is one of 5 children, and has an incredibly loving and supportive family. In December 2008, Daniel went to the doctor with a headache, and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Fortunately, the cancer was caught early and his prognosis is very encouraging. However, Daniel will need to complete a lengthy course of chemotherapy and radiation to assure that his recovery is complete. As Daniel's hospital visits and rehabilitation sessions grow numerous, so do the bills and financial obligations for Daniel's family. 

Daniel's community came together and organized the support for Daniel - let’s help a friend campaign and acknowledged him as “Wallingford’s Bravest Kid”.  

A support event took place today  starting off with a parade which ended up at Daniel house, followed by a Dinner and Silent Auction at the Old Mill in Rose Valley, PA. The goal was to raise $15,000.00 to help Daniel's family defray the cost of their mounting medical bills, and to show Daniel & his family that their community is pulling for them. On hand today to show our support was the officers and members of the Garden City and South Media Fire Companies. The Fire Companies assisted by donating a fire safety gift basket for the auction - filled with smoke & carbon monoxide detectors, a fire extinguisher and several t-shirts/mugs, participated in the parade and then presented the family with a grocery gift card to Giant food market.  To date Daniel donations have topped over $22,500. Our thoughts and prayer are with Daniel and his family and we hope for a speedy recovery. 

At approximately 7:13 am the Box alarm response for 800 Avondale Road Crum Creek Valley Condo was dispatched. This alarm brought Garden City (Sta. 65), South Media (Sta. 51), Swarthmore (Sta. 14), Green Ridge (Sta. 63), Parkside (Sta. 45), Brookhaven (Sta. 52), RIT and Ambulance out of Media (Sta. 23). Nether Providence PD were first on location and reported that water was flowing from the 3rd floor apartment into an apartment on the 2nd floor. The crew from 65-5 under the command of Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke (65-9A) went to the 3rd  to investigate. Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) established Avondale road Command, Chief Robert Jones (14-9) was assigned the lobby and sent crews from responding units to floor above and below the 3rd floor to check for any problems. Manpower pool was established in front of ladder 65-5 under the command of Chief William Craft (51-9) in support of Chief Jones. Crews forced entry into the apartment of question to find a failed hot water tank and a slight order of smoke but no fire. Crews from Garden City, South Media, Swarthmore and Media stayed on scene for to clean-up the remainder of the assignment was released.
 
 
Units on location Ladder 65-5, Engine 65-2, Engine 65-1, Utility 65, Command 65, Rescue 51, Engine 51-1, Squad 51, Tower 14, Engine 14-1, Command 14, Ladder 63, Rescue 63, TAC 45, Engine 45-1, Rescue 52, Engine 52-1,  Snorkel 23, Ambulance 23, Nether Providence Car 1, Swarthmore PD and Nether Providence PD.

Under the direction of Masonry Supervisor Jake “The Hammer” Hamilton, first year Williamson masonry student Tom “Banjo” Artingstall along with labors Alex “Moose” Fischer and Pat “The Landfill” O’Rourke Jr. cut the opening and installed a brick sill for the installation of a new window in the second floor storage area.

On behalf of the officers and members of the Garden City Fire Co. #1, we would like to congratulate and welcome Lt. Thomas Flannery of the Radnor Township Police Department on your recent appointment to Police Chief of Nether Providence Township. We at Garden City are certain that you will find success and enjoyment here in Nether Providence and look forward to working with you in the near future….

At 05:22 Nether Providence Township Fire Companies Garden City (Sta. 65) and South Media (Sta. 51) were dispatched to 109 Waterville Road for the auto accident with possible fire. Nether Providence Twp.  Police Officer B. Bonnes (99 car) along with Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) arrived on location reporting a single vehicle well off. 65-2’s crew commanded by Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke (65-9A) stretched the 1 ½” attack line and quickly extinguished the vehicle.

At approximately 23:50 hours the building response was hit out for the 700 block of Devon Lane. The alarm brought Garden City (Sta. 65), South Media (Sta.51) and Ambulance and RIT out of Media (Sta. 23). Nether Providence PD were first to arrive reporting heavy smoke 1st floor with all residents out of the building. Engine 65-1 and Command 65 arrived at the same time with Chief Lombardo (65-9) reporting heavy smoke from the 1st and 2nd floor and confirming all residents were out of the building.  Engine 65-1 under the command of Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke (65-9A). Went into service with two 1 ½ attack lines. Ladder 65-5 was next to arrive under the command of Assist Chief Rob Copple and was given the order to open up the roof. Engine 51-1 under the command of Captain Dan Craft (51-12) was given the order to lay-in from the hydrant at Morris Lane and Georgetown Road.  Water supply was establish for both Engine 65-1 and Engine 51-1 which allow for several hands to be put into service.  Crews were face with a great deal of heavy smoke conditions and high heat on the 1st floor as the bulk of the fire was in the basement on the “C” / “D” side of the building.  A second alarm was hit out bring Brookhaven (Sta. 52), Green Ridge (Sta. 63) and Parkside (Sta. 45), also special call was made for a second RIT Team bring the rescue out of Springfield (Sta. 44) under the command of  Captain Keith Thomas (44-9C).  Command was establish by Chief Lombardo, Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke (65-9A) interior, Assist Chief Rob Copple (65-9B)  roof, Chief Bill Craft (51-9) manpower,  Chief Joe Iacono (45-9) side “C”, Chief Bob Herre (63-9) side “D”, Deputy Chief John Gibson (23-9A) RIT, and EMT Mike Geyer (23-7) EMS. Interior crew experienced a particle floor collapse in the kitchen area which hampered conditions on the inside of the building. Fire was bought under control in about 1.5 hours, crews remained on scene for extensive overhaul.  Fire is under investigation by the Nether Providence Township Fire Marshall James Ortoleva.
 
Units on location Engine 65-1, Engine 65-2, Ladder 65-5, Utility 65-8, Command 65, Engine 51-1, Engine 51-2, Engine 52-1, Rescue 52, Engine 45-1, Rescue 45, Ambulance 45-7,  Ladder 63, Rescue 63, Snorkel 23, Ambulance 23-7, Canteen 47.  Cover-up companies for the township were Rutledge (Sta. 13), Marcus Hook-Trainer (Sta. 32), Ridley Park (Sta. 07) and Broomall (Sta. 53). 
 
Pictures courtesy of Marc Sapovits, Rob Ware,  Dan Brees and Brain Feeney as always thank you.