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Pump Operations I Training |
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Sunday, 24 August 2008 |
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There will be a Pump Operations I course held at Station 20 in Harrison Valley on Oct. 4th & 5th 2008. This course provides the fire fighter with an introduction to basic pump construction and theory as well as operating techniques. Emphasis is placed on getting water to the pump, getting water from the pump to the fire scene, and prevention of common mistakes in pump operations. Anyone interested in participating can contact the Potter County EMA office @ 274-8900. 
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Sunday, 03 August 2008 |
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The recruiting message this week asks the question "If not you, then who?". What would happen if you called 9-1-1 and nobody showed up? As scary as it may sound it does happen some places. The membership in many departments is aging and the number of new recruits is not keeping up with the loss of the seasoned veterans. It is up to us to bring in new members to allow the organization to continue to function. So talk to your neighbors today and ask them, “If not you, the who?”. And thanks to Cassie Whitney for coming up with the message for the week. |
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New (to us) Ambulance Almost Ready |
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Sunday, 03 August 2008 |
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The new 47-7 is almost ready for service. There are only a few more things that need to be done including the DOH inspection. This rig was actually purchased off of eBay from a car dealer in Scranton, PA. The vehicle originally saw service on a US Air Force base in Delaware. It is a 1999 and currently only has about 13 thousand miles on it. The cost of the unit was about a third the cost of a new rig. You'll notice a few things differnt about this vehicle from the previous rigs. The first thing that you'll likely notice is that it is orange and white rather than the blue. The orange stripe is also reflective for safety. This one has a full width box which makes for more room in the back as well as more storage space. There are several compartments on the outside of the body as well as more storage inside. The emergency lighting is all stobes and there is no lightbar. But the most evident is the reflective cevron striping on the rear of the unit. This is now a requirement on all ambulances in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It provides for greater safety when the unit is parked on the roadway. |
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Thursday, 24 July 2008 |
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Firefighter recruiting and retention has become one of the biggest challenges for our nation's fire departments. This is particularly true of rural department that have a limited population base to look towards for potential volunteers. Over the years changes in the socio-economic make up of our communities combined with increased requirements for training, fund raising and increasing numbers of incidents have all added to the mix. In the 1970s Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had more than 300,000 firefighters. Today that number is well under 70,000. This puts an added strain on the remaining volunteers, this is evident on a daily basis. One only has to listen to a scanner to hear the numerous departments that must be toned out in order to find an ambulance crew to come to the aid of someone in distress. Not only are there fewer people to answer the public's call for help but there are also fewer for fund raising events as well. In an effort to combat this ever increasing issue the Tri-Town Fire Co. is beginning a recruiting drive in an attempt to increase its roll of active firefighters. Currently the average age of the department is 55. Although there are a few members in their mid to late 30s and a couple in their 20s the vast majority of the department's members are over the age of 40. While having a large number of retired individuals helps supplement the departments ability to respond during daylight hours while others are at work out of the area, many of them are limited in what activities they can do because of their age. Most are no longer able to perform interior firefighting. The sign shown in the photo above is located in front of the Tri-Town Fire Hall in Ulysses and is the first step in its effort to recruit more active firefighters. In the coming weeks and months it hopes to conduct more activities including activities at the local school, press releases to educate the public and possibly an open house. The department recently rejuvenated its Junior Firefighter program and has taken in several individuals between the ages of 14-18. While this will help the department to grow over time it is still very much in need of men and women between the ages of 20 and 35 to help bolster its daily response capabilities. Information regarding applying for membership in the department can be found in the Public Menu area of the department's newly re-designed web site that went online the first of July. |
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Sunday, 13 July 2008 |
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The Tri-Town Junior Firefighters held a very successful hot dog sale on Main St. over the weekend. The event was a sell out and helped to raise funds to allow the Juniors to purchase uniform shirts and badges to match those of the senior members of the department. Thanks to Dennis Ellsworth and Cassie Whitney, two of the Junior's advisors, for thier assistance in making this event a success. photos by Mike Healy |
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