Tractor Trailer Crash on I-78

This morning, Tanker 1721 was called to help Station 8 (Fogelsville) and Berks County Station 44 (Kutztown) with a tractor-trailer fire on I-78 between New Smithville and Krumsville. The Morning Call reports it here.
While the Tanker was preparing to fill the pumpers on scene, the Incident Commander asked for any personnel who were trained and able to wear airpacks to volunteer to go fight the fire. All of the New Tripoli personnel on scene volunteered and were involved in the firefight to extinguish the trucks.
In these photos, New Tripoli personnel can be seen on the hose line on the nearside carriageway.

Audit

New Tripoli Firefighters' Relief in compliance, says auditor general

Barn Fire

This morning at 5:45am, we were called to a barn fire. The irony of the call is that due to the time, I turned my pager down low when the tones sounded, so as not to wake my kids, but turned it too far and turned off the pager, losing the memory. So not knowing what the call was, I headed for the station. I was second to arrive after Toby Snyder and immediately asked him what type of call it was (Fire, MVA, rescue etc.). He told me it was a barn fire, about 200 yards from my house!!

Anyway, 1712, 1721, 1752 & 1711 responded along with Station 14 from Lynnport. Luckily, the fire had started in a lean-to extension of the main barn, so we simply sprayed the worst of the flames and then proceeded to tear the lean-to boards off the structure to save the main barn (saving a barn once it's lit is a very rare occurence).

We responded within 6 minutes from the dispatch (i.e. the trucks were rolling out of the garage) and 11 minutes later, the fire was out!!

Brett Snyder Appeal

We Really Need Your Help!!

We have, in our communty, a young man by the name of Brett Snyder. Brett graduated from Lehigh University in 2000, where he was a running back for their football team.

Recently, Brett has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Brett's family are trying to cope with the financial demands for Brett's treatment and other expenses, but this is proving to be far too much.

The fire company has taken on an action to provide a fundraiser for Brett.

On June 4th, we will be holding a car wash, bake sale and raffle to directly raise money for the Brett Snyder Medical Fund. You can support this effort by calling 610-298-8174 and leaving a message - we will get back to you ASAP.

Alternatively, you can donate via your credit or debit card by clicking the button located here.

Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

Automatic Alarm

At 03:14 this morning, 1712, 1721 & 1752 responded to an automatic fire alarm in Weisenberg Township.
The alarm turned out to be a false activation due to a low battery in one of the detectors.

In Memory

Ronald H. Hahn
1949 - 2005
Assistant Chief, Station 25, Trexlertown, PA

Tonight, the team attended the viewing of one of our bretheren, Asst. Chief Ronald Hahn from Station 25 in Trexlertown. Ron did not die in the line of duty, but from Cancer. He was 55.


Whenever a firefighter dies, especially one so important as Ron, it is a sad day and the folks of Station 17 pass on our condolences and prayers to his family at this difficult time.


Ron was one of the bravest of the brave and for that we salute him. Thank you Ron.



Here is a poem Ron worte in 1983. I hope his family will not mind me publishing it here:

The Firemen of Station 25

AH, yes, firemen we are
with red or blue lights upon our car.
When times are right, we have some fun
with fellow firemen from stations 30, 15, 8 & 1.

See us wasting gas, some people say
But when that siren sounds,
they all hope we are on our way.
Ay any time, day or night,
when weather makes the windows rattle,
we firemen are always ready to fight the battle.

Through all types of smoke and heat,
we fight the fire to a quick retreat.
The work is hot, dirty & gritty,
as fire or escue emergencies are never pretty.

To save a life is what it's about,
speed and efficiency to get them out.
And when the doctor says - "Good Job! They're alive"
you see men smile and can feel their pride
because it's the men you see
that make fire station 25 for me.

Ladder 49

If you haven't seen it yet, go and rent "Ladder 49" starring John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix.
It is amazing.
It's an awesome story, but the best thing is that it's so real. The camera work really does portray the confusion and emotions that you feel inside a burning building.
I can't begin to describe them, but this movie captures them perfectly...

I won't tell you the story line here, but it's very well told and is done in an interesting way. It holds you from begining to end.

New Content Added

New content added to the History Page, the Call Gallery and the Apparatus Page