Department Calendar, May  2008:
 
  7: 17:00 Delivery of new Engine 3, Station
  7: 19:00 Regular Meeting, Memorial Hall
  8: 18:00 Operator Training, new Engine 3, Station  (Operators and Officers Only)
14: TBA-  Prom Promise, Chartiers Valley High School
14: 18:00 Class, Aircraft Crash Rescue and Firefighting, Session 1, Station 257
14: 19:00 Scheduled Drill, Station. Topic: SCBA use
14: 19:30 Meeting, South Hills Fire Association, Bethel Park (Brightwood Station)
16: (Day) Lancaster County Fire Expo, Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. 255 Engine 3
17: (Day) Lancaster County Fire Expo, Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. 255 Engine 3
17: TBA- Open House, Kirwan Heights VFD, Station 124/770
18: (Day) Lancaster County Fire Expo, Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. 255 Engine 3
21: 19:00 Scheduled Drill, Station. Topic: Communications policies and procedures
24: 19:05 Pirate Baseball Firefighters Day, PNC Park
26: 11:00 Parade, Scott Township Memorial Day, Line-up 10:30, Lindsay Road. All apparatus
28: 18:00 Class, Aircraft Crash Rescue and Firefighting, Session 2, Station 257
28: 19:00 Scheduled Drill, Station. Topic: Hose Evolutions, Part 3:Combined operations
30: 19:00 Parade, Richeyville, Washington County
31: 09:00 Class, Aircraft Crash Rescue and Firefighting, Session 3, Pittsburgh International Airport

Apparatus Notes

• The new relief valves have been installed on 255 Engine 1 and 255 Engine 2. These valves are on the operator's side main suction barrel. They are set to receive 3½" threaded supply line couplings used by Bower Hill 255 Engine 1 and Engine 2 or any Glendale apparatus, or with one breakdown, 4” threaded supply line couplings used by East Carnegie and the new Bower Hill 255 Engine 3. We will still need to order a few adapters and dead caps to complete all of the supply line options. Please take some time to review the addition to each engine and analyze the connection possibilities. The old AUX intake is still readily available, set up the same way as it always was, for those drivers who can't catch on right away. Both valves are set at maximum pressure relief (200 pounds). Remember to open the mounted relief valve first as the supply line begins its charge, then close the air relief, then open the main barrel valve on the pump panel.
  The control on 255 Engine 2's main barrel is labeled suction left and suction right. The control on 255 Engine 1 is labeled master intake (and is an electric valve).
• The new 255 Engine 3 was delivered on May 7th. Training for Line Officers and Operators with the Sutphen representative will be at the station on May 8th at 18:00. If you cannot make it, you will be trained by one of the officers and operators who did attend the training. All other firefighters need to attend upcoming drills to get oriented to the features of the new engine. The hose has been packed, the SCBA are installed, and most of the portable equipment is in plce. The water tank is full. However, radios are not yet installed, and some other work needs to be done. The unit will not be in service for response until the end of the month.
• The apparatus committee and Line Officers have authorized Sutphen to display the vehicle at the Lancaster County Fire Expo in Harrisburg from May 16th through May 18th. Sutphen will be covering the costs, including fuel, for the event. Any member who is available to do so is welcome to go to the Expo to support the display. The process of mounting the body on the chassis will be featured in an upcoming television program (probably, "How It's Made") on the Discovery Networks. They filmed the installation of the pump module and body on the chassis at the Sutphen plant on March 10th. Check back for the air date of the episode. It will probably be in the fall of 2008. 
• The Class A foam is in service on 255 Engine 2. The backup alarm and one backup light are out. Be careful around this engine when it may be in reverse. Watch the Auto-Eject when you start the vehicle. The plug does not always fully eject. You may have to pull it manually.

Equipment Notes

• All SCBA are back in service.
• The CO meter from 255 Squad is out for repair. We have a loan unit from MSA. It is an Orion model, slightly different from our usual Solaris models. The loaner is on Engine 2, while the Solaris from Engine 2 is on the Squad.
• The Cutter's Edge saw on Engine 1 is back in service. 

Training Opportunities
Operational Issues

• From Pat Mulligan at the Kane Scott Regional Center: Unit 2A is closed for renovation. There are no residents housed or activities taking place on this unit. For the most part, the entire unit is being gutted and remodeled.  The elevators serving this area are programmed not to stop on this unit if a call is placed in the elevator cars. The elevator will respond if a call is placed at the landing on 2A. The Fire Service Return and Independent Service feature is operational, and the keys to operate these functions are on the Fire Department key ring at Security. The 270 to 280 hallway is blocked off and there is no normal access to this area.  The 290 hallway on this unit is open and per Life Safety requirements is accessible as an emergency exit pathway for horizontal or vertical evacuation of residents from a different smoke zone on 2B.
• The fire hydrant in the Industrial Park at 98 Vanadium Road at the A-D corner of Building A is out of service. Use the hydrant on side C of Building A.
• The fire hydrant at 69 North Wren Drive is out of service.
• The fire hydrant on Kane Boulevard west of the upper entrance to the Scott Regional Center is out of service. Use the hydrants near the OLG church driveway and the one at Kane and Green Commons. Consider additional aid for responses to the JCC.
• 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.
• An updated driver list is now posted at the station. 
• On all responses to the Providence Point construction site, an employee will meet you at the main gate and lead you to the proper location on site. Stay on paved surfaces whenever possible. Access routes change daily. The workers have a fully operational accountability plan. For any trench rescue situations, call stations 284 and 198 for the trench rescue equipment immediately upon being made aware of the nature of the emergency. The designated air medical landing zone for the site is Our Lady of Grace, in the upper church parking lot, closest to the Kane lot.

Administrative Issues

• New committee assignments are posted on the bulletin board at the station. See the president if you have any questions.
• A new house rule is in effect. No member who is a high school student is permitted in the station or on the scene of any call or department activity (except those at or for the high school) between the hours of 06:30 and 15:00 on any day when school is in session. 

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