We Remember.

September 11, 2009

The Members of the Cranston Heights Fire Company would like to remember the brave men and women; Firefighters, Police, EMS workers and citizens who gave their lives on 9-11-01 at the World Trade Center Complex, the Pentagon, and Flight 93. We Will Never Forget.

AMBULANCE ASSIST STATION 23 ON VEHICLE INTO STRUCTURE

June 23, 2009

On June 23, 2009 Station 23 along with B-30 and USAR 13 were dispatched to the 7-11 in Newport for an MVC with entrapment. Prior to Station 23 responding DSP went on scene and found the driver out of the vehicle and seriously injured. An additional ambulance was requested by 23-8. B-14 made the response, 23-8 placed under control and turned scene over to DSP. All units returned to quarters.

CHFC Provides Coverage for Dover Race Weekend May 28

May 31, 2009

Members of CHFC provided EMS coverage for the 100,000 fans of Nascar at Dover International Raceway on race weekend. B-14 with EMS Captain Randy Duncan, EMS Lt. Fran Jones and EMT Adam Delucia provided coverage on the track at turn two. After the races B-14 and its crew provided coverage for the entire Dover Raceway Property and responded to a few calls. EMT Brian Martin was part of a EMS crew on Odessa ambulance B-4 providing coverage for the stands and casino. They responded to two calls and transported one to Kent General. EMT Steve Kohn was part of a foot patrol EMS crew in the stands. This is one of the many events that members of CHFC participate in throughout the year outside of our local district.

Engine 14-5 Serving a New Community

To make room for Engine 14-2 and Engine 14-3 CHFC sold Engine 14-5 to Concord Virginia at the end of November. The 1998 E-One Pumper has a new paint job and a new number. Engine 13-2 is proudly serving the citizens of Concord. Best of luck to CVFD and the old 14-5.

Engine 13-2 Engine 13-2

Another Working House Fire in 17's Local

May 13, 2009

On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 7:20 AM, Five Points Fire Company responded to a row house fire at 604 Homestead Rd. in Alban Park. Units arriving five minutes later found heavy smoke and fire on the second floor of a two story row house. This report upgraded the response to a working alarm which brought in assistance from Elsmere, Minquas, Belvedere, Cranston Heights & Wilmington fire departments. Engine 14-3 responded within a few minutes. While responding 17's crews advanced lines into the second floor and extinguished the fire. There was heavy damage to the second floor with smoke and water damage to the adjoining units. The fire was under control at 7:51 AM. Damage is estimated at about $50,000.

A-14 Responds to MCI in 12's Local

May 9, 2009

At 21:14 hours, Christiana, Port Penn and Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder Fire Companies and New Castle County Paramedics were dispatched to a structural collapse at the 100 block of Fantasia Drive. First arriving units discovered a deck attached to the rear second story of the residence had collapsed. There were approximately 20 people on the deck when it collapsed. Deputy Chief of EMS Hank Smith and Captain Billy Anderson, Jr. assumed incident command. Incident command upgraded the response upon arrival due to the number of victims involved. Ambulances from Townsend, Minquas, Cranston Heights and Wilmington Manor Fire Companies, as well as additional New Castle County Paramedics were dispatched. All were involved in transporting patients to local hospitals. Delaware City Fire Company provided standby EMS coverage during the event. A total of 14 patients were transported, 11 BLS and 3 ALS. Command placed the situation under control at 22:08 hours and the last units cleared at 22:42 hours. The scene was turned over to New Castle County building inspectors.

Units responding: B-3, New Castle County Medic Units 5 & 6, ALS-29, ALS-16, EMS-12, EMS-1, A-29, B-6, 12-6, A-8, B-26, A-23, A-14, A-9, A-28, B-15

Rescue 14 Responds As RIT Team For Working Fire In 17 Local

Sunday, May 3, 2009

At 10:45 PM on Sunday, Station 17 Five Points, Engine and Rescue 23 Minquas, Ladder 16 Elsmere & Station 30 Belvedere for an Engine were dispatched for a structure fire at 6 Westmoreland Ave. in Bellemoor. Upon arrival of the first unit heavy smoke was pouring from the rear of the house. At this time command upgraded the alarm sending Rescue 14 for the RIT team. Rescue 14 responded within minutes. It was determined that the garage had been converted to two apartments, one on the first floor and one on the second. Crews were directed by the occupant of the bottom floor to the second floor where they located a fire in the bathroom which had extended to the living area. The apartment was vacant at the time of the fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and under control in twenty minutes. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. The Delaware State Fire Marshal was on scene and investigating the cause. All units cleared the scene in approximately two hours. The fire caused heavy damage to the second floor and water damage to the first. Rescue 14 cleared and returned to quarters with nothing to follow.

Units on scene were: 178, 175, L17, R17, 232, R23, R16, L16, S30, 305, R14, B14, M7, FM14.

MVC with Entrapment of Three Subjects

On April 21, 2009 at 1020 hours Station 14 along with Medics and Trooper 4 were dispatched to Hillside road for a MVC with entrapment. Rescue 14 responded with a crew of 7 within minutes along with A-14. While en route ALS confirmed 3 subjects entrapped. Upon arrival of Rescue 14 command was given to 16-8B Mike Wiktorowicz. Rescue 14 found a total of 3 patients, one was already extricated by ALS. Command requested two additional BLS and one ALS unit sending A-16 and A-19 to the scene along with Medic 8. The front seat passenger was entrapped along with the back seat passenger. A-14 crew started treatment of the back seat patient while ALS was treating the front seat patient. On arrival of A-16 the driver was taken to CER with medics onboard. Firefighter/EMT S. Martin and Firefighter T. O' Connor completed a door pop using the Hurst 32B's in less than 2 minutes. They then began assisting ALS with patient care of the front seat passenger. 14-3 went responding with a crew of 4 and was assigned to set up a landing zone for Trooper 4. The rear passenger was extricated out the side window of the SUV. Care was then taken over by crew from A-19 and patient was transported down the road and flown to CER. The crew from 14-3 then assisted with extrication of the front seat passenger. Patient was taken out the passenger door and taken to A-14 where he was transported to CER. Extrication took about 40 minutes for all 3 patients. All three patients were taken to CER in serious condition. Police stated the driver intentionally raced the vehicle to over 70 mph.

Units Responding: A-14 R-14 14-3 A-16 A-19 ALS Supervisor Medic 7 and Medic 8 Trooper 4 and Fire police.



After clearing the MVC with entrapment 14-3 was dispatched from on the road to assist Station 16 (Elsmere) on a CO- Alarm on Olga road. Engine 14-3 responded but prior to arrival deputy 16 placed under control. Engine 14-3 returned to quarters with nothing to follow around 1130.

 



April 19th 2009 Teen Cyclist Struck Twice While Crossing Busy Road

A teenage cyclist was seriously injured Saturday night when he was hit by two vehicles while trying to cross Kirkwood Highway, near Prices Corner. State police said the hospitalized 16-year-old was to blame for the pair of collisions, reported about 9:50 p.m. The unidentified teen failed to use a marked crosswalk and "is expected to be cited for the crash," said Cpl. Angela Garnsey, police spokeswoman. The juvenile was taken to Christiana Hospital for treatment of injuries that Garnsey described as serious, but not life-threatening. The incident occurred in the highway's eastbound lanes, west of Newport-Gap Pike (Del. 41) and closed the road for nearly an hour as police investigated. Investigators determined the teen was trying to cross the highway from the north side, when the bicycle was hit by a sport utility vehicle driven by Paul Meikle, 32, of New Castle, heading east in the left lane, Garnsey said. The cyclist was thrown by the impact to the center lane, then struck a second time by a car driven by Nicole Simms, 26, of Claymont, she said. Neither driver was injured or cited, Garnsey said.



Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company Chief 601 Charles Clough Jr LODD

April 17, 2009 - On behalf of the members and officers of CHFC we send our condolences and prayers to brothers and sisters and family of Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company Fire Chief Charles Clough Jr . Chief Clough was killed while responding to a fire call on April 15th.



February 24, 2009 A Busy Day for CHFC

Today was a busy day for CHFC, with a total of 4 calls. At 11:30 today Station 3-6-12, Engine Ladder 28-32, Engine 7-8-9-10, Engine 2-21, Engine 23, Ladder 17, and Engine 14 were dispatched to 200 block of N. Brownleaf Road for a working structure fire. Engine 14-3 made the response within two minutes with a crew of 6. Ladder 12 went on scene with heavy fire showing from the C&D sides of the structure. With a quick knock down from the crews, the fire was contained to the back side of the house. The crew from 14-3 assisted with overhauling of the structure. Deputy 12 placed it under control with units working. Damages were estimated at $75,000. 14-3 cleared the scene and was advised by Fireboard to cover up Station 23 (Minquas). 14-3 spent about 30 minutes at Station 23 before being cleared.

Later in the afternoon Station 14 was dispatched for a fire alarm. Engine 14-2 responded and placed it under control when they found workers testing the alarm. At 21:00 Station 2 & 21( Mill Creek), Engine and Rescue 14, and Engine 30 (Belvedere) were dispatched to the 1000 block of Highland Ave. for a chimney fire. Both Engine and Rescue 14 responded with a combined total of 14 personnel. Upon arrival Rescue 14 crew assisted Squirt 21 crew inside the structure. Engine 14-3 staged at the hydrant. Deputy 21 placed it under control and both 14 Units returned.

 

February 24, 2009 - Hitting the Books to Serve the Community.

On Tuesday February 24, members of the Cranston Heights Fire Company began the process of obtaining their NFPA Firefighter 1 certification. This class will certify them as nationally registered firefighters. The classes will be held every Tuesday for the next few months. Good luck to all the members participating.
Essentials of firefighting

 

February 1, 2009 Freezing for a Reason

This year 20 members of CHFC took off their bunker gear and put on their bathing suits in support of the Delaware Special Olympics. The sunny beautiful day with the temperature at 53 degrees and the ocean temperature 40 degrees made it tied for the warmest in the plunge's history. This year Delaware Special Olympics raised $490,000 with 2,923 bears taking the plunge. The money raised is used to support events throughout the year. This has been CHFC's 6th year participating in this great event. More Information on the Plunge


polarbearplunge2009

 

January 31, 2009 House Fire in Faulkland Heights

On Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 1320 hours, Station 14( Cranston Heights), Ladder and Engine 2&21(Mill Creek), and Engine 16(Elsmere), were dispatched to a residential fire at 2516 Alister Dr. in Faulkland Heights. Engine 16-5 arrived at 1326 hours and reported heavy smoke showing from the two-story single family dwelling. 16-5 established a water supply from a hydrant at Elder Dr. and Alister Drive. 16-8(Chief Godek) arrived on the scene at the same time as 16-5 and established "Cranston Heights Command". 16-5's crew advanced a 2" hand line into the structure in search of the fire. 21-7 arrived next and the crew was assigned to search and ventilate the second floor. 14-2 arrived and the crew deployed a second 2" hand line into the structure. 14-Captain-1(Lt. Jon Sokira) was assigned to Division 1 and Deputy 21(Joe Stewart) was assigned to Division 2. The crews from 16-5 and 14-2 located the fire on the first floor. The fire involved the kitchen, dining and living areas which included an addition on the "C" side of the structure as well as the original structure. The fire also extended into the renovated garage which had been used as a storage room. The fire was knocked down; however there was extension into the walls and ceiling above the first floor. Extensive overhaul was performed with assistance from Ladder 17, 21-6, Rescue 14, Rescue 16, and 23-5. 16-8 placed the incident under control after 55 minutes and units remained in service for 3 hours. The residents were not at home when the fire started. The FMO is investigating the cause of the fire which caused extensive fire damage to the first floor and smoke and heat damage to the second floor. Thank you to Elsmere Fire Company for their help while 20 members of CHFC were in Rehoboth attending the Polar Bear Plunge, a fund raiser for Special Olympics of Delaware. Stations Responding: 14 (Cranston Heights), 16 (Elsmere), 17 (Five Points), 21 (Mill Creek), 23 (Minquas), FMO.


housefire01312009

 

Climbing the Ladder
Lynn Truitt becomes the first woman to lead firefighters in New Castle County. She’s already used to the hot seat.
Link to Article in Delaware Today Online

 

2009 CHFC Officers

 During the December monthly company meeting, the 2009 officers were elected
and sworn in. The Cranston Heights Fire Co. will be lead by
President Jim Hedrick and Fire Chief George Lamborn III.


Click here for the full list of the 2009 CHFC Officers.