Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department - 2010 Member Information Archives

Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department
Scott Township Fire District - Allegheny County Station 255

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Bower Hill VFD
161 Vanadium Road
Bridgeville PA 15017-3025

Emergency Dial 911

Business Phone 412-221-3497

Fax 412-221-3990

Hall Rentals 412-221-9073

e-Mail bhvfd255@yahoo.com

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July 24, 2010

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Member Information Archives - 2010

May 2010: Operational Issues

With the arrival of Spring, recreational use of the Scott Conservancy Kane Woods trails will increase. Please take the time to re-familiarize yourself with the layout of the trails, the closest hydrant locations to the trailheads, and the best extrication routes for each section of the trails. Maps are at the station and in each of the apparatus. As time permits we will load this data into the First Look Pro response mapping program. Access points for vehicles are controlled by locked gates. In the near future, the locks will be replaced with a dual-lock syatem that will allow the fire department to unlock the gates with a Knox Box key.

April 2010: Training Opportunities

The Scott Township fire departments are planning a Firefighter 1 Preparation class for 2010. Check the station for more information.
Bower Hill VFD will participate with Mt. Lebanon FD in an 8-hour live burn update class on May 16th at California University of Pennsylvania. Sign up at the station.
The Hazardous Materials Operations Class begins in late April. Dates are April 24, April 25, May 1 and May 8. Completion of this class will satisfy the Hazmat Ops requirement for Firefighter 1 certification. After competion of the class, a Pro Board awareness test will follow. Sign up at the station.
Now that the weather has improved, the practical portion of the EVOC class can be rescheduled. Check the station for updates.

April 2010: Equipment Notes

New SCBA are in service on Engine 1. They are of the same type as those on Engine 3. Older models remain on Engine 2 and the Squad.

April 2010: Other Information

Junior Firefighter Matt Berry is arranging a Prom Promise presentation at Chartiers Valley High School on May 19th as part of his Senior Project. Sign-up list is in the lounge at the station. There will be an organizational meeting on April 19th. See details at the station.
Information on the Scott Township Fire District trip to Mountaineer on May 15th is posted in the lounge at the station. Payment is needed by May 1st.
The April 20th meeting of the Scott Township Fire District is a general membership meeting. All members are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held at Bower Hill.
Mark your calendar now for the Scott Township Public Safety Awareness Day at Scott Park on Saturday, June 12th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Details to follow.

April 2010: Administrative Issues

All members need to verify that the information on the Blue Light Authorization List is correct and complete. The list is posted in the lounge at the station. If the information is correct, sign or initial in the space provided. If not, make any corrections on the form provided. The information must be updated or confirmed by April 30, 2010.
Parade season will be starting soon. The department will be allowed to attend parades with the Fire Chief's approval. The complete parade rules and the parade list will be posted soon.

January 2010: Administrative Issues

New committee assignments are posted on the bulletin board at the station. See the president if you have any questions.

January 2010: Apparatus Notes

Engine 1 is back in service. The generator has been rebuilt and is in service. The light tower has been repaired and is fully functional.
Engine 3 is back in service. If the coolant level light and alarm activates, note it, but continue to operate the vehicle. Sutphen is aware of the problem. There is no hazard.
The ladder rack on Engine 3 is back in service. Use Engine 3 as the first responding unit for all structure fires.
The generator on Engine 2 is back in service.
The Humat valve has been removed from Engine 2 pending replacement. If you need to hit a hydrant with Engine 2, you will need to use the 2-1/2 inch connection on the hydrant. A 2-1/2 inch gated wye is connected to the supply line.
The gate valve in the hydrant bag in Engine 1 now has a 3-1/2 inch to 4 inch adapter, just as on Engine 3. It is now possible to lay dual 4 inch supply lines from either engine.

January 2010: Equipment Notes

The Engineers Closet has been completely redone, and new tools are in place. Thanks to Bryan Pritchard for his work on this project. Please keep this room in its proper order.
All CO meters have been recalibrated. The expired sensors have been replaced.
The AED in 255 Squad has no pediatric electrodes. These are on order and will be replaced.
The Knox Box system is fully functional. To access the key safe on the engine, enter your access code followed by the # key, and turn the key to the release position. The Knox Box system is installed and ready for use at Providence Point.
An additional portable radio charger has been installed in Engine 1.
The chain saw has been removed from Engine 2. Repair parts have been ordered.
Command boards have been installed in Engine 1 and Engine 3. They can be found in the Officer's side rear compartment on Engine 1, and on the Operator's side rear compartment on Engine 3. Make it a habit to use these boards on simple calls, so you will be familiar with them when you need to use them on a complex incident.

January 2010: Training Opportunities

The Allegheny County Fire Academy is holding Incident Command classes IS-300 and IS-400. Every command officer needs to be certified in these. See information at the station for details.
Course descriptions and applications forSpring and Summer 2010 classes at local colleges and training centers are posted in the lounge at the station.
The Bridgeville, Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon Fire Departments are holding a series of rescue classes throught the winter and spring. The first is Basic Vehicle Rescue, starting January 28 at Bridgeville. Special Vehicle Rescue begins on March 11 at Upper St. Clair, and Rope Rescue begins April 1 at Mt. Lebanon. See information posted at the station for details.

January 2010: Operational Issues

The paving is complete on Green Commons Drive and Vanadium Road. Construction is continuing on the Laurelwood housing development that may cause temporary lane restrictions or clousures on Green Commons, Vanadium, or Kane Boulevard.
Use Engine 3 as the first responding unit for all structure fire responses in Scott Township regardless of first-due area, and be prepared to deploy an attack line with Class A foam. Continue to use Engine 1 for responses to assist Mt. Lebanon.
Use Engine 1 as the first responding unit for all Motor Vehicle Collision calls and all other mobile equipment calls, or any call that may involve Class B flammables.
On all structure fires where Engine 3 is providing an attack line, use the Class A foam in the initial interior attack.
Rememer to disable the Jacobs Engine Brake on all vehicles so equipped whenever traction is poor, such as when water, snow or ice is present on the roadway.
When snow depths greater than 4 inches are expected on the roadway, apply tire chains to Engine 2, and use it as the first responding unit to all calls during such road conditions. The On-Spot chains are only useful in snow depths of 4 inches or less.
For all responses to assist Mt. Lebanon, you will need to consult the response book at the station or in the engine to determine your assignment. Allegheny County dispatch will not tell you whether you are to respond to the scene, to Station 198, or to another location. The Mt. Lebanon fire chief requests that regardless of assignment, that you make no communications on their radio channels. Report in to Allegheny County dispatch on Southwest Fire Channel 1, then respond to the assigned location and report to the Mt. Lebanon command officer in person. Make no radio transmissions on the Mt. Lebanon fire channel.
All building areas at Providence Point are now occupied. Calls may be dispatched as 500 Providence Point Boulevard (the commons area) regardless of the actual location. If you do not get a better location at dispatch, ask.
On Providence Point calls in the Tower buildings, Commons area, Health Center, and Assisted Living units, it may be necessary to use a non-repeated fireground channel (Channel 5, 6, or 7) to maintain contact with the command post, particularly if a crew is operating in a below-grade portion of the building.
The siamese connections at Providence Point have been corrected to Pittsburgh thread.
Remember to hose down and dry all vehicles upon return from each call. If the vehicle is particularly dirty, wash it.
Only those operators who have completed both the driving and pump operations qualifications on Engine 3 may drive the unit. A list of qualified operators for all vehicles is posted at the station.
Use Engine 1 for all responses to CO Alarm activations. All firefighters must wear full PPE and be on air whenever investigating possible CO conditions.
Remember, seatbelt use is absolutely required for all occupants of any vehicle whenever the vehicle is in motion. No exceptions.
Be aware that demolition and construction is slated to begin soon on the Walgreen's project at the St. Clair Shops. According to the developer, fire sprinkler service will be maintained on the second floor of the existing building during construction, and second floor offices will remain open throughout the project. There will be no fire sprinkler service on the first floor or in the parking garage during active construction phases in those areas. As with any development project, expect non-compliance and use extra caution.
Remember to complete the mileage log book for every vehicle use, no matter how short or long.

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Member Information Archive - 2005
Member Information Archive - 2004