Member Information Archive - 2010
Member Information Archive - 2009
Member Information Archive - 2008

December 2007: Advanced ICS Training at Bower Hill VFD
The ICS-300 class scheduled for January will start on January 10, 2008 from 6:30 to 10:30 PM at the station. The course consists of six, four-hour sessions. They will be held on consecutive Thursdays in January and February. You must attend all six sessions for certification. Pre-requsites are ICS 100, 200, 700, 800. Contact Ceil if you have any questions. After this course is finished, we will be sponsoring an ICS-400 class. 

December 2007: New Hose Delivery
The new 4" hose will be delivered on January 8th between noon and 14:00. Anyone who can help, please report to the station at that time.

December 2007: Line Officers Meeting
The new line officers will meet at the station on January 2, 2008 at 6:00 pm before the regular monthly meeting.

November 2007: Meeting Notice: Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee will meet at the station on Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. The committee will finalize the slate of eligible candidates for line and executive officers. Committee members should have received the secretary's eligibility list by e-mail last week. If you haven't received yours yet, see Ceil.

November 2007: Drill Change, Novemeber 14th - 15th

• The drill regularly scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th has been moved to Thursday, November 15th. This will be a special drill at Chartiers Valley Intermediate Center, and will be on the interface between EMS, Fire, Police and Rescue at Motor Vehicle Collision scenes. We want to maintain and improve our working relationship among all emergency responders at these sometimes stressful scenes, and gain a better undersatnding of the roles each agency needs to perform. The drill will consist of a series of simulated MVC scenarios, where each agency will have a more or less significant role.

• The Wednesday night drill time will be replaced by the South Hills Firemen's Association meeting at Station 257. All members should try to attend both the Wednesday meeting and the Thursday drill.
  

November 2007: Apparatus Planning Committee Meeting, November 14th
The Apparatus Planning Committee will meet on Wednesday, Novemeber 14th at 18:00 at the station to discuss the purchase of small equipment for the new engine, and to recommend the sale of 255 Engine 3 as previously discussed. This date is tentative, depending on a timely response from the equipment vendors.

October 2007: Providence Point Tour
We will be scheduling a short lunchtime tour of the Providence Point construction site for the week of November 4th, weather permitting, with the OSHA Site safety coordinator. Unfortunately, it is going to be during a weekday. The reason for this is that it will be too dark outside to do it at a typical Wednesday evening drill. We should know by Sunday November 4th the date and exact time that the tour will take place. It will not be Thursday. It should only last 30 minutes or so. We will be contacting the Chiefs from Stations 256 and 257 as well as the township Code Enforcement Officer about this tour.

October 2007: NIMS Documentation Required
The Township Manager needs a listing of everyone's NIMS/ ICS Certifications by November 30th. Please forward all information for classes completed to the Assistant Chief ASAP, so he can compile a spread sheet that will have the names of our members with a mark located next to the classes completed.

October 2007: Administrative Information
All correspondence to which the department's name is attached must go out through the department secretary. No one else is authorized to send any correspondence in the name of the department.

October 2007: Operational Information - Radio Procedures
Do not acknowledge a call by radio until a full crew is either at the station or assured to be enroute to the station. Once you acknowledge the call, you take full responsibility for response to the call.
When we respond to calls to assist Mt Lebanon:

• Call In Service on Southwest Fire 1.
• Switch the radio to South Fire 7 (South Fire Operations). Listen for updates and instructions.
• Do not call out on scene or request orders on South Fire 7.
• Switch back to Southwest Fire 1 briefly to call on scene.
• Switch back to South Fire 7.
• Assemble your crew with all needed equipment and report to the Command Post on Side A for your orders.

October 2007: Training Opportunities

• Scott Township will be holding classes in ICS-300 and ICS-400 in the near future. See the EMA coordinator for details.
• All firefighters in the department need to complete training in NIMS and ICS-100 now, and anyone who may be in charge of an incident needs to complete training in ICS-200 (ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents). You can do it on-line at the NETC Virtual Campus. Complete the courses you want to take, and copy your certificates to the captain or secretary for inclusion in your training file. If you have completed these classes elsewhere, make sure that the department has a copy of your certificates.
• All firefighters need to avail themselves of the weekly training opportunities at the Wednesday drills. This training is critical to keeping your basic skills as sharp as our residents (and your safety) deserve. Please make every effort to attend.

October 2007: Apparatus Update

• Engine 1 is back in service.
• The foam tank has been drained and purged on Engine 2. The Class A foam has been delivered and will be loaded soon. Until it is, the bottom speed lay has been removed to prevent inadvertent use. The speed lay will be repacked when the foam is loaded. Operation of the proportioner will remain substantially the same, except that the proportion will be 1% instead of the 3% for the Class B foam. When everything's done, Engine 1 will carry Class B foam and Engine 2 will have Class A foam, consistent with the assignments of the vehicles. The generator on Engine 2 is back in service and functioning properly.

October 2007: Halloween Parade Detail
The annual St. Clair Heights Halloween Parade will be Saturday, October 27th at 14:30. Line up will be in the usual place on Raven Drive, proceeding to Thrush Park. We'd like to have all apparatus in this parade. Report to the station for a 14:00 departure.

October 2007: Fire Prevention Detail
We need personnel for a half-hour fire prevention Show and Tell at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on October 24th and 25th. There will be one session on the Wednesday, from 09:30 to 10:00, and two on the Thursday, from 09:30 to 10:00 and from 13:00 to 13:30. Following the Thursday afternoon session, we will do the same for Our Lady of Grace School. Sign up at the station.

October 2007: Hope Hollow Road Open
Hope Hollow Road has been reopened.

October 2007: Hydrant Out of Service
The fire hydrant in front of Our Lady of Grace School, across from 369 Kane Boulevard is temporarily out of service.

October 2007: Apparatus Update
Engine 1 is out for body work at Keystone. It should be back within a week.

September 2007: Operational Information - Radio Procedures
Do not transmit on any radio on the channel marked "Alert Channel" on the display. This is sending a distress alert to the communications center. We will have the radios reprogrammed as soon as the technicians can determine the necessary action.

September 2007: Administrative Information
All requests for inclusion in the 2008 budget need to given to Ceil Kitchen no later than October 13th. The committee will meet to draw up the preliminary budget after the Open House, on October 14th at 18:00.

September 2007: Line Officer Reorganization
Dave Martz has resigned as Battalion Chief because of personal time constraints. The Chief and Assistant Chief met to reorganize the Company Officers, and after all appointments and promotions, the line officer positions are as follows: Chief: Gary Sawicki. Assistant Chief: Pete Yohe. Battalion Chief: John Levi. Captain: Joe Seaman. First Lieutenant: Rob Losekamp. Second Lieutenant: John Vaccarello. Third Lieutenant: Brad Lynch. Chief Engineer: Ed Meyer.

August 2007: Cash Bash Ticket Sales
We need members to sell Cash Bash tickets at the station on Wednesday nights in August and September. If you're not participating in the regular drill (which still has priority, by the way), please stop down and help out. Turn in all outstanding tickets, sold and unsold, no later than September 10th, so the unsold tickets can be released for sale to the public.

August 2007: Apparatus Planning Committee Items

• The committee traveled to the Sutphen plant on August 10th to meet with the engineers to determine the final specification of the vehicle. We agreed to add a few items, and delete a few others to best suit the needs of the department. The overall cost will be within the budgeted amount approved by the department at January's meeting. The committee also visited the Summers Brothers Fabricating facility in Springfield, Ohio to arrange for mounting of the portable equipment.
• The committee will meet again on Thursday, August 16th at 19:00 to discuss the portable equipment that isn't a part of the apparatus bid, so we can better determine what we'll need to have mounted, and when to purchase the items, and to select appropriate vendors. We particularly need to decide on the SCBA mounting brackets.

August 2007: Equipment Update
All members who have department-issued radios need to bring them to the station for the scheduled drill on Wednesday, August 8th. Representatives from the county will be there to reprogram the radios to the current county communications specification.

August 2007: Training Opportunities

• Kirwan Heights and Heidelberg are hosting a Hazmat Operations Refresher class at Station 170 on August 28th. Information is available at the station.
• The schedule for the Allegheny County Fire Training Academy Fall 2007 semester is posted in the lounge at the station. Please sign up early, so you can be sure to get the courses you want.
• East Carnegie is hosting an interior structural firefighting class with a live burn on September 25th, 27th and 30th. Sign-up information is on the board at the station. Sign up as soon as possible, so we can get the correct number of instructors. Sign up only at the station. Do not call Station 256 directly (at their request).

July 2007: Apparatus Planning Committee Items

• Any committee members who haven't received a copy of the engineering drawings from Sutphen, please see Gary. Look these over and be ready to comment and make changes at the committee meeting scheduled for August 8th. We need to meet before the engineering meeting at Sutphen on August 10th. We are planning on leaving on the evening of August 9h for a morning or early afternoon meeting at the plant, at which time the final engineering will be decided upon, and the vehicle will be approved for construction.
• The committee met on July 22nd to see a used vehicle that is being considered as a possible replacement for Medic 743. Medic 743 now has well over 220,000 miles on it, and is reaching the point where extensive mechanical work is going to be needed. The findings of the committee and a recommendation on purchase will be presented at the August 1st meeting of the department.

July 2007:Training Opportunities

• Glendale Hose Co. No. 1 is sponsoring a RIT class at Station 257. The class is 16 hours long, and is divided into three sessions: August 5 from 18:00 - 22:00, August 15 from 18:00 - 22:00, and August 18 from 08:00 - 17:00. You need to attend all three sessions to qualify to participate on the RIT. Any member not currently on the RIT who wants to do so should attend, as well as any current RIT members who need to keep current with their skills. See the chief for further information.
• Kirwan Heights VFD has invited area departments to participate in drills on commercial structure operations at Great Southern Shopping Center on Monday nights while parts of the structure are awaiting demolition. This is a good opportunity to become familiar with the hazards associated with this type of construction. Opportunities to do this are rare, so thanks to Station 124 for inviting us to join in these drills. Demolition of the bay that was damaged by last year's fire will start in late July or early August, with demolition of the bays up to and including the old J.C. Penney store to be underway by mid August. Please take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts.

July 2007: Reminder from the Executive Board
Please keep the lounge and all station facilities clean. If you use it, you clean it up.

July 2007: SOGs - Apparatus training - fuel conservation - general training
The portion of the Standard Operational Guideline on qualifications for apparatus operators that requires a minimum number of at-the-wheel and pump operation hours has been changed because of current fuel costs. The new guideline is that operators will need 90 minutes of driving time and 60 minutes of pumping time per year per apparatus to remain qualified on that apparatus. We must also limit parade attendance for the same reason. We need to curtail fuel use as much as possible. In addition, 255 Squad may not be used for any non-department-related function or detail. SOG 2-5 (general training requirements) is suspended until further notice.
 
June 2007: New SOGs - Junior firefighters
New Standard Operational Guidelines on Junior Firefighters were presented and approved at the June regular meeting of the department. They are posted at the station. These guidelines take effect immediately upon posting.

June 2007: July monthly meeting rescheduled
The regular monthly meeting of the department has been rescheduled to July 11th at 19:00 to accommodate the July 4th holiday and township community day.

June 2007: June 27th drill rescheduled
The regular June 27th drill has been rescheduled to June 28th at 19:00. This will be the line officers and executive committee meeting, and equipment maintenance night.

June 2007:Training Opportunities
Course applications for the VFIS EVOC Instructor Course to be held at White Oak EMS on August 4th and 5th are available in the lounge. Please sign up only if you are sure you can attend: this course is costly.

June 2007: Parade season underway
The 2007 parade season is now underway. The rules for parade attendance will be the same as those in previous years. Parade uniform will be the short-sleeve shirt, dress pants and black shoes or boots. No ties need be worn, and hats will be optional at the discretion of the officer in charge of the apparatus. 255 Engine 3 will be the preferred vehicle for parades, when a qualified driver is available. If not, use 255 Squad. The other engines may go to the closest parades, where they can still respond to emergency calls if needed, and by permission from the Chief, to other parades. Parade notices will be posted on the calendar above, and at the station. 

May 2007: Junior Fire Brigade trip to Firehouse Expo
The Junior Fire Brigade will travel to the Firehouse Exposition in Baltimore. The group will leave on July 27th and return on August 1st. In addition to the Expo, visits are planned for some of our Reserve Members' stations in Maryland and Washington, DC. Confirmation and parental permission needs to be returned to Ceil no later than May 29th.

May 2007: Equipment Update
Map books for Mt. Lebanon mutual aid responses have been placed in all department vehicles. Providence Point contact information is now in the front of the Scott Township map books in all apparatus. One SCBA from 255 Engine 3 is out of service for repair. The four new SCBAs are in service on Engine 1. Please familiarize yourself with these new devices. 

May 2007: Department Clothing Orders
Clothing orders are in. See Pat Walther to pick up your order. 

April 2007: Hope Hollow Road Closed
Hope Hollow Road is closed between Greentree Road and Lindsay Road. Access to Charles Street is from the Lindsay Road end. Ask Glendale's command officer for access directions for individual addresses on Hope Hollow. The road will be closed for about six months.

April 2007: New SOGs - Drill attendance and apparatus training
New Standard Operational Guidelines on qualifications for apparatus operators and interior firefighters are posted at the station. These guidelines take effect April 1, 2007.

April 2007: Department Clothing Orders
Pat Walther is taking orders for department logo clothing. See him for details. He'll put the order in when he gets enough orders.

April 2007: Fire Prevention Detail
Members are needed for a Fire Prevention presentation at Chartiers Valley High School's preschool class on April 16th, from 9:30 AM to about 11:00 AM. See the board in the lounge at the station for more details and to sign up. 

March 2007: New SOG - mutual aid crew assignments posted
A new Standard Operational Guideline for crew assignments for mutual aid responses to Mt. Lebanon is posted at the station. These assignments will be observed at all times without exception. See Gary if you have any questions.

March 2007: Training Opportunities
Course schedules for the Spring 2007 terms at local fire training sites are posted in the lounge at the station. Sign up early to make sure you get the classes you want.

March 2007: Monthly Meeting Time Change
The April 4th monthly general meeting has been moved up to 6:00 PM to allow time for Fish Fry setup.

March 2007: Fire Expo Trip, May 18 - 20
Department members who wish to attend the Lancaster County Fire Expo in Harrisburg on May 18th through 20th should see the Fire Chief as soon as possible, but no later than March 15th, so we know how many tickets to purchase. Information and a sign-up list is posted on the board in the lounge at the station. See Gary for details. Visit the Lancaster County Fire Expo Site for details on the attractions at the Fire Expo.

February 2007: Truck Company Operations Class
East Carnegie VFD is sponsoring a Truck Company Operations class at Station 256 on Saturday, March 10th and Sunday, March 11th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m each day. Both 256 Truck and 257 Truck will be used. All members interested in Truck work should attend. Information is posted at the station.

February 2007: Apparatus Update
255 Engine 2 is out of service until Monday, February 12th for parking brake work. Use Engine 1 as the first-out piece for all responses.

February 2007: Hydrant Out of Service
The fire hydrant at Bower Hill Road and Vanadium Road is temporarily out of service.

January 2007: Special Drill, February 1, 2007
We have scheduled a special drill for Thursday, February 1st at the ststion. The topic is patient handling and stretcher operation at EMS assists. STEMS has changed the model of ambulace cot that we use. We now have the Stryker H-frame cot. It operates a little differently from the Ferno Model 93-ES that we used previously. Any member who responds to EMS assist calls should attend this drill.

January 2007: Apparatus Update
255 Squad is out for paint touch-up. It should be back by the end of the week. The garage door for Engine 1 is repaired. The Auto-Eject on Engine 1 is still out of service. Pull the plug manually.

January 2007: Equipment Update

• The multi-gas detector has been moved from 255 Squad to 255 Engine 2. The third detector is still out of service. Remember to take the detector from Engine 2 or Engine 1 when you use the Squad all CO alarm calls.
• Two spare SCBA bottles are out of service from Engine 3.
• The thermal imaging camera is back in service on Engine 2. It is stored in its charger, in the rear of the cab on the officer's side.
• One hand light is out of service on 255 Squad.

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