This evening the firefighters of Garden City spent the evening back on Kershaw Road honing their ventilation skills. Under the direction of Assistant Chief Rob Copple (65-9B), Captains Joe McCauley (65-12) and Wayne Kuehler (65-12A) the firefighters broken into three groups working on different roof levels of the house. After that was completed Past Chief Louis DiDomenico (NP Car 1A) spent some time with the lines officers doing a 360 of the building talking tactics. Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) reviewed radio terminology with the firefighters and talked tactics. Pictures courtesy of Mike Bailey Sr and Paul Goodman.

This evening the crew from Garden City traveled to ESTC (emergency services training center) in Folcroft, to use Joe’s House. Under the direction of Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke (65-9A) and Assistant Chief Rob Copple (65-9B) the crew spent the night doing search and rescue operations and radio procedures. This evening drill was smoke free instead the face mask of each firefighter was blocked off from the inside, taking away their sense of sight forcing them to rely on all their others senses and training. Another great drill developed by Deputy Chief O’Rourke (65-9A). Picture courtesy of Mike Bailey Sr. and Paul Goodman.

This evening the crew from Garden City traveled to Kershaw Road, to use an acquired structure for roof ventilation, interior fire attack and vent / enter / search tactics. Under the direction of Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke (65-9A) and Assistant Chief Rob Copple (65-9B) the crew preformed an outstanding job. With the increase of new members this training was valuable to teach safe roof practices under a control environment, and the basic fire attack principles. Also during interior attack operations some radio procedures were reviewed and practiced. Picture courtesy of Mike Bailey Sr. and Paul Goodman.

Today the Garden City Fire Company Participated in the 6 annual opening day baseball ceremony and fun fair for the Nether Providence Athletic Association. Players and Coaches from both the girls and boys Baseball and Softball teams lined the streets at Burning Tree Dr & Georgetown Rd and paraded there way up to Heptford Park with the Fire and Police Departments leading the pack. At heptford field the teams were introduced and the first pitch was thrown to start the season. On hand activities included a Fire/Police equipment display, pitching and hitting clinic and plenty of food & snacks for everyone to enjoy. A great day was had by all. Pictures by Mike Bailey Sr.

At 17:49 hours, Garden City (Sta.65), South Media (Sta.51) and Media Fire & EMS (Sta. 23) were dispatched to the 300 Blk of Say brook Lane for a building fire. Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) arrived on scene and reported a 2 ½ multi–story dwelling with nothing visible from the exterior. The homeowner just returned from work and as she entered the apartment, reported an odor of something burning. Crews from both stations completed a lengthy investigation of the apartment and surrounding units, narrowing the search down to a faulty microwave oven element in the kitchen of the reporting unit.
Shortly after returning to the station at 18:45 hours the companies were alerted to copy and respond to the 600 Blk of W. Brookhaven Rd for a building fire. Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) arrived on scene, reported a 2 ½ store single family dwelling with heavy smoke on the second floor and all occupants reported out of the structure. Ladder 65 arrived under the direction of Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke (65-9A), reported the fire on the second floor front bedroom to be under control with a smoke condition throughout the house. Crews Engine 51 under the direction of Asst. Chief John KoKonos (51-9B) checked for extension, while the crews from Ladder/Engine 65 under the direction of Lieutenant George Moore III (65-13A) started positive pressure ventilation and salvage/overhaul operations. Media EMS treated (2) patients on scene with minor smoke inhalation. The fire was contained to the second floor bedroom with significant smoke damage to the upper floors. The fire is under investigation by the Nether Providence Fire Marshal and Police Departments.

This evening the firefighters spent their drill night doing air-pak management training. This is the 15th year Garden City has been doing air management. Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke has made some new adjustments to the drill this year by adding buddy breathing and firefighter safety to several of the stations. Basic skills are donning SCBA in 60 seconds, climbing a 16’ ground ladder with a tool, advancing a hose line up and down a set of stairs, and performing a salvage operations to name a few. There were 32 firefighters involved with air management with make-up nights being scheduled as required. This was part 3 of our annual certification requirements.

Just before 18:00 Hrs Garden City (Sta.65), South Media (Sta.51) and Media EMS (Sta.23) were dispatched to the 100 blk of Locust Ln for a building fire, reported to be an attached garage. Enroute county fireboard advised Chief Bob Clancy (51-9) that the homeowner was reporting multiple explosions and chemicals in the garage. Chief Clancy (51-9) arrived and reported a 2 ½ story single family dwelling with smoke showing. Engine 51-1 arrived under the direction of Deputy Chief Bill Craft (51-9A) and stretched a 1 ¾ line to the garage. Ladder 65-5 arrived next, under the direction of Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke (65-9A) and assisted Engine 51-1 with the hand line and started forcible entry. The fire was extinguished quickly with a significant smoke condition throughout the structure. Crews from 65-2, 65-8 assisted Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) with ventilation operations. The fire is under investigation by the Nether Providence Fire Marshal Department.

On this evening the firefighters from Garden City traveled to Glenolden to cover Station 05, as their members enjoy their evening at the Sharon Hill Fire Company banquet. Ladder 65 (65-5) on the command of Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) along with Springfield Engine 44 (44-1) under the command of Assistant Chief Dave Osciak (44-9A) provided cover for Sta. -05. The crews did one smoke in the building call, crews arrived with a pot of meat on the stove, smoke was removed from the building and crews were available in about 20 minutes. The Officers and members would like to thank Chief Joe Locke and his members for their hospitality and are looking forward to the cover-up on April 19.

This evening the firefighters spent their drill night getting their CPR re-certification. 34 firefighters got re-qualified on CPR and AED. At present Garden City has three AED’s on apparatus, one on engine 65-1 and 65-2 and one on Command 65. We would like to thank Nick Santella and his staff for a great class. This is part 2 of the certification requirements firefighter from Garden City must maintain. Part one was the truck formalization drill, part two was SCBA parts and emergency procedures.

With the resignation of Ken Keesey as Asst. Chief due to personnel reasons, a special election was held to fill the vacant position. The following are the results of the special election, Asst. Chief Rob Copple. As a result of Rob getting promoted to Asst. Chief his 1st captain’s position was now open, 1st Captain Joseph McCauley. As a result of Joe getting promoted to 1st captain his position as 2nd Captain was now open, 2nd Captain Wayne Kuehler. As a result of Wayne getting promoted to 2nd Captain his 2nd Lieutenant position was now open, 2nd Lieutenant George Moore III. Congratulation to all.