This morning, a full crew for Engine 4-10-2 loaded up and headed to Burle Industrial Park for the 23rd annual Make-A-Wish Foundation’s benefit convoy. The crew spent the previous evening washing and preparing the engine for the parade, and had a good time at the convoy meeting with friends, neighbors, and Make-A-Wish Families and had fun waving to all the spectators along the parade route. Thanks to everyone who came out and those who stopped by and said hello! Pictures to follow as soon as we can get the camera to cooperate!

This morning, units from Witmer, Lafayette (6-3), LEMSA (6-12), East Lampeter Township Police, and STATMedEvac conducted a drill for students of Conestoga Valley High School, who is holding their prom this weekend.

Units treated the mock crash as a real DUI incident from the moment of dispatch, and used live actors from the SADD Club and their parents as patients and involved parties. Crews from Engine 4-10-1 and 6-3-1 arrived and extricated patients from 2 vehicles, while awaiting EMS members from 6-12 conducted patient care. Engine 4-10-2 arrived and set up a landing zone for STATMedEvac, who, along with 6-12, “transported” patients to trauma centers. The driver who was “intoxicated” was then placed through a field sobriety test, which he failed, and was placed under arrest by police units. Parents of those students killed in the crash were notified and arrived on scene, who had to positively identify their child as would be needed in a real incident, all under the eyes of the high school students.

 
After the mock crash portion, the mother of Kelly Bouman, who was a freshman at Conestoga Valley when she was killed by a driver under the influence in 1998, gave a powerful presentation on the effects of DUI Incidents on the friends and families of those involved and the community.
 
We at Witmer would like to thank all those involved, especially the CV SADD Club for organizing and hosting the event, as well as Mrs. Bouman for her powerful presentation. We would also like to remind everyone to make smart, safe, responsible decisions not only this prom weekend, but every time you are faced with choices or decisions that may have a negative impact on you, your friends, people who love you, and/or other strangers out on the road.

This evening at 20:10 hours Station 4-10 was dispatched to Elmwood Road at Yarnell Security for a reported dumpster fire.Engine 4-10-2 with OIC Captain Troyer arrived to find a working fire.Engine 2's crew advanced one hand line off the front bumper to extinguish the fire.

The members of the Witmer Fire Protective Association would like to congratulate FF/EMT Sherman for recently completing her Essentials of Firefighting class and respective modules. As part of the Essentials of Firefighting training, FF/EMT Sherman completed 188+ hours of classroom and hands-on training, including live-fire evolutions. Congratulations to FF/EMT Sherman on a job well done on this rigorous, time-consuming training!

This morning at 10AM, Lancaster County Commissioners lifted the County-Wide burn ban that was in effect.

Although the County-Wide burn ban has been lifted, community members are reminded that many times, burning is prohibited in East Lampeter and Upper Leacock Townships. If you have a question about the Burning Ordinance, please stop by your respective Township office building to recieve your free copy of the Burning Ordinance or to direct any questions to the appropriate people.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Spring Ox Roast at the Witmer Fire Protective Association on Saturday, April 28th.  The event was very successful, with over 2,953 dinners served.  Once again, our take-out service exceeded the 2,000 mark.

A special thanks goes out to all of the community residents who volunteer at these dinners.  There is no way that we would be able to hold these important events without your dedication and willingness to work hard.  We appreciate each and every one of you.

We will see everyone at the Fall Ox Roast on Saturday, October 20, 2012!

This morning Station 4-10 was dispatched along with EMS from 6-12(LEMSA) to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Horseshoe Road and Hartman Station Road.Shortly after dispatch LCWC upgraded the call to entrapment which added Truck 204(EDEN) for the rescue and additional EMS units from 6-12,3-8(LEOLA) and Medic 3.Engine 4-10-1 with Deputy Chief Latschar arrived to find a two vehicle crash with confirmed entrapment in one vehicle.Engine 4-10-1's crew stabilized the vehicle,pulled a hand line and assisted Truck 204's crew with the extrication.EMS transported several patients from the scene.

This evening, members from the Witmer Fire Company participated in the Community Safety Night at CV High School, along with members from 6-3 (Lafayette), 4-1 (Bird In Hand), and 3-1 (Bareville).

The crew from Engine 4-10-2 set up a landing zone for the STAT MedEvac chopper and the crew from Engine 4-10-1 assisted Engine 6-3-1's crew with a vehicle rescue demonstration.                                   

This evening, several officers and firefighters participated in a training class on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations. Witmer works with Lancaster Emergency Medical Services Association (LEMSA) regularly on fire calls and vehicle accident and other rescue calls. Your volunteers are also called to assist LEMSA on cardiac arrest calls and person-struck calls in our first-due are. The class was led by Zac Hartman, who is a Paramedic with LEMSA. The training consisted of a tour of a LEMSA ambulance, a review of the equipment carried and a discussion on what firefighters can do to assist EMS personnel. We also spent time practicing the correct ways to prepare an injured person for transport to the hospital.
 
Witmer’s volunteers are trained in CPR and basic first aid. We also have a few members who are certified Emergency Medical Technicians. Both Engine 4-10-2 and Engine 4-10-1, along with Squad 4-10; carry an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Your Volunteer Firefighters do not just fight fires; we are here to serve our community in any way we can.    

Shortly before 5pm Sunday, the call went out for an Outbuilding Fire in Upper Leacock Township at Ironstone Mills, dispatching Tankers 4-10, 3-13 (West Earl) Engines 3-11-1(Upper Leacock), 3-11-2, 204 (Eden), Truck 6-3 (Lafayette), and Ambulance 3-8-1 to the scene. Neighbors noticed smoke coming from the area and were concerned of possible fire at the facility. Asst. Chief 3-11 arrived on scene and updated to a sawdust fire in a storage silo. Tanker 4-10 was on the street right away and was first to arrive. The tanker was held to a stage on the street while waiting for an Engine with attack capabilities to arrive. Engine 3-11-1 was the first arriving Engine, and Tanker 4-10 staged behind them and made connections to supply them with water. Tanker 3-13 followed closely behind Engine 3-11-1 and staged behind Tanker 4-10 and made connections to supply the tanker with their water if need be. Truck 6-3, Engines 204 and 3-11-2, and various fire police arrived on scene and assisted with fire suppression, overhall, and traffic control for the remainder of the incident. Units were on scene for over 2 hours. Pictures to come at a later date.

Silo Fires have the potential to be a very dangerous situation both during and after the fire, and/or costly if not handled properly. Luckily, this silo had very little product inside and fighting the fire was no major issue. However, due to the many variables, safety concerns, and amount of damage that can be done when fighting Silo Fires, Penn State University has developed a Silo Fire Class as part of their Penn State Ag Rescue and Emergencies program. For more information on how to handle silo fires, how and when you can take the Silo Fire class, and to check out the "Silo Fire Decision Tree", visit them online at farmemergencies.psu.edu.

On Monday evening, Witmer’s line officers headed over to McNeil Pharmaceuticals in the Greenfield Industrial Park for a facility tour. This facility is a major manufacturer of common over-the-counter medications such as Mylanta and Pepcid. The tour consisted of reviewing the hazardous materials stored on site, review of the extensive on-site fire protection systems and an overall discussion of the plant’s various safety procedures. Witmer makes an attempt to tour this facility at least on a bi-annual basis as this is a complex building with many potential hazards.
 
Witmer has enjoyed excellent cooperation with the employees of this facility over the years during previous tours and also several emergency calls. We hope to continue this relationship into the future.

Shortly after 5pm on Sunday, tones were struck for an Apartment Building Fire in the area of Orange street in Lancaster Township, bringing units from 6-3 (Layfayette), 6-6 (Lancaster Township), 5-4 (Lampeter), 5-12 (Willow Street)and Engine 4-10-2 (Witmer). Chief 6-3-2 (Keens) went enroute immediately and reported smoke 1 mile out and requested the working fire dispatch. Crews worked for half an hour to bring the fire under control. Witmer crews assisted in supression, scene safety, acountability, and overhall. Units operated for over 5 hours with mop-up and overhall.

The winter season has been a busy time for members of the station, even with a lack of significant snow. Members have been busy completing station tasks, along with individuals completing training classes pertaining to their individual interest. Recently, FF/EMT Sherman completed her EMT-B certification through the PA Department of Health. This proves a great accomplishment for both the individual and the company, as their are many rigorous requirements before one obtains their EMT. Students must sit through over 100 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction, and must take a state-given written and practical test. We would like to congratulate FF/EMT Sherman on this accomplishment. Her hard work and dedication will only provide a benefit to the community and fire company, as she has already demonstrated on numerous calls.

FF Morton also recently completed a Basic Ropes and Riggings class. This class introduces students to basic haul systems and knots associated with rope rescue. This brings a new asset to the fire station, due to the fact that these types of incidents are seldom seen by our crews. Never less, that's not to say it will never happen, and preparedness in education is the first step to any quality rescue incident. The class consisted of 2 days of classroom and hands-on instruction, and is the first step in completing higher level courses such as technical rope rescue and confined space rescue.

There is also an upcoming class members will be taking through Penn State. Penn State offers various classes throughout the year in Agricultural Rescue and Emergencies. Students will be attending the Feed Mill and Elevator Fire Awareness course. One again, although we do not see these types of calls in our area very often (thankfully), that does not mean they will not happen. The first step to any good rescue or fire incident is proper education.

We thank these individuals along with all the other members who have completed countless hours of in-house and classroom training to provide better fire and rescue services for the community in which we serve.

We know that it has taken awhile, but we have now put photos and information about our 2009 Pierce Arrow XT on the Apparatus Page of our website.  Please check out the information about this really functional piece of apparatus!

The dates for the 2012 Ox Roasts are as follows:

25th Annual Winter Ox Roast - February 11, 2012

36th Annual Spring Ox Roast - April 28, 2012

64th Annual Fall Ox Roast - October 20, 2012

We hope you are able to attend this year!  Thank you for your support!