Department Calendar, February 2010:
 
  3: 19:00 Regular Meeting, Memorial Hall. 
10: 18:30 Scheduled Drill, Station. Pump Operations Class, Session 1
11: 19:00 Meeting, South Hills Firemen's Association, Heidelberg VFD
15: 19:00 Class, Water Rescue, Kirwan Heights
16: 18:00 Meeting, Scott Township EMS Board of Directors, Glendale
16: 19:00 Meeting, Scott Township Fire District, Glendale
17: 18:30 Scheduled Drill, Station. Pump Operations Class, Session 2
24: 18:30 Scheduled Drill, Station. Pump Operations Class, Session 3
27: 09:00 Pump Operations Class, Session 4

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.

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.

Training Opportunities
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. 

Administrative Issues

• In compliance with state law, effective September 11, 2008, smoking is absolutely prohibited anywhere in the station and hall at all times, and within 15 feet of any open door or garage door.
• New committee assignments are posted on the bulletin board at the station. See the president if you have any questions.
• New house rules are 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. No guests are permitted in the station between 23:00 and 07:00 except for official department functions or rentals.
• Remember that all department correspondence must go through the department secretary. There are no exceptions.
• 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.

Other Information

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