On the past three Monday evenings, 5-5 members have been busy attending a 16 hour NIMS For the Fire Service class at the station.  Those attending the class have one more evening to go, until this class is complete.  Plans for additional winter training include the annual CPR / AED update, and review of the NDFC Standard Operating Guidelines.  Thanks to our NIMS instructors Todd Kirkpatrick and Craig Elmer for sharing their knowledge.

After renting the facility out almost every weekend for 7 years, the carpeting and walls were showing some wear. During the past several weeks, members and contractors have been busy making some upgrades, including paint, new carpeting, and re-covering the serving counter. Several other upgrades will be completed before the faciity re-opens in early February.

Our hall is avaiable for rental for wedding receptions, parties, and other events, with available seating for up to 200 people. Click on the hall rental link on the left side of the page for more information.

The 5-5 engines and tanker assisted 5-3 (Conestoga) on a building fire on the 1100 bl. River Hill Road, in the "Duck Hill" area of southern Conestoga Township.  First arriving units from 5-3 and 5-8 (Rawlinsville) found a well involved large garage, with fire extension into an adjacent house. E 5-5-2 was assigned as RIT upon arrival, with members taking up a position on the alpha side of the structure and standing fast. Other 5-5 crews assisted with various tasks, including extensive overhaul. Fortunately the RIT team was not called into action during the incident. 5-5 units returned to quarters around 2300 hrs.

Thanks to Tom Amico for the photos.

RE 5-5-1 rolled on the "working fire dispatch", assisting 5-12 (Willow Street) on a building fire at Willow Valley Manor.  Engine 1, with a crew of 6, arrived and assisted with ventilation of the large assisted living facility, and returned in about one hour.

Earlier on Sunday (0631), 5-5 volunteers assisted Ambulance 5-3 (Conestoga EMS) on a medical local in the first due. Squad and the deputy chief handled the run in about 20 minutes.

The box alarm was struck for the dwelling fire on New Danville Pike on Sunday evening. Communications provided additional information to responding chiefs, stating only that the caller reported a fire in the kitchen.  5-5 units arrived to find that a fire on the stove had self extinguished, the remainder of the box was recalled with all units going available after confirming no extension.

Saturday afternoon and evening saw the 5-5 volunteers on the road for several incidents in the southern end of the county.  At 1413, the tanker was dispatched to assist 5-12 (Willow Street) on a large house fire on Lancaster Pike (Rt 272) in Providence Township. The tanker delivered several loads of water to support the firefighting effort.  5-8 (Rawlinsville) units were all assisting on the house fire, and at 1605, RE 5-5-1 was requested to transfer to their station. While covering the 5-8 first due, RE 5-5-1 responded to a medical assist in Providence Twp, and a vehicle accident in Martic Twp.  5-5 Fire Police were also committed to the house fire for several hours, diverting traffic from Rt. 272.  The tanker returned to New Danville around 1815, with the rescue engine remaining in Rawlinsville until after midnight.

The 5-5 volunteers ran two auto alarms at area churches.  The first call came in at 0025, to a church building in the 5-11 (West Willow) first due, on Millwood Rd.  Engine 2, Tanker, and Chief 5-5 made the response, no problem found, apparent alarm malfunction.  Engine 2 and the tanker were back on the road at 1203 for an alarm at the BIC church on Church Rd., in the 5-5 first due. Units arrived to find that a work crew had inadvertently activated the alarm, no services needed.

Dinner time was interrupted for the volunteers when the pagers sounded for a reported vehicle fire at the Turkey Hill store on the square in New Danville.  RE 5-5-1 arrived to find  a full size pickup with fire damage under the dashboard. Bystanders used several dry chemical extinguishers prior to our arrival, knocking the majority of the fire.  Crew extinguished a small remaining fire in and around the glove compartment and controlled hazards before clearing. 

Eariler in the day, (1221) Engine 2 and the tanker were dispatched on the 90 (Blue Rock) box assignment for the reported building fire at Letort Elementary School in Manor Township.  5-5 units returned after the assignment was held to units from 90 and 6-7 (Rohrerstown).

5-5 volunteers assisted on two incidents in Lancaster Township on Wednesday evening. Both calls were within 30 minutes of one another. At 1656, 5-5 Fire Police were requested to assist with the road closure of Millersville Rd (Rt 741) due to a vehicle accident.  Fire Police were in service about three hours, due to a utility pole along the roadway having been struck.  At 1720, RE 5-5-1 was dispatched as part of the apartment building box alarm, on Judie Lane in the Lancaster Green complex. First arriving 6-6 chiefs reporting smoke showing, requesting the working fire dispatch. RE 5-5-1 arrived and staged, and was then relocated to the 6-6 south station for standby until all units cleared the fire scene.

The township companies, along with SVEMS and SRPD, were dispatched to the crash with reported entrapment on the 100 block of Marticville Rd (Rt. 324) in the 5-5 first due.  Chief 5-5 arrived shortly after the dispatch to find a pickup truck overturned in a front yard.  The occupant of the pickup was assisted out of the vehicle by several neighbors prior to the arrival of emergency services. Volunteer crews from RE 5-5-1 and Engine 5-11-1 (West Willow) worked to control minor fluid runoff and assisted with cleanup, while 5-5 Fire Police diverted traffic around the scene. Units were back in service in about an hour.