This afternoon, a crew from Witmer once again attended the yearly Mothers Day Convoy that benefits the Susquehanna Valley Make-A-Wish Foundation, who grant wishes to terminally ill children. The Make-A-Wish convoy in previous years has been a World Record Setter and a large tradition in Lancaster County. The crew was once again able to help support a great cause with their participation. Thanks to everyone who came out and said hello.

Congratulations to Asst. Chief Kauffman and wife Emma on the birth of their son. Happy and healthy Christopher Allen was born on May 9th shortly before 1pm.

This afternoon at 13:54 hours Station 62 was dispatched to Rt.340 and Mt.Sidney Road for spill control.Assistant 62(Kauffman) arrived to find a two vehicle non injury crash at the entrance to the M&T Bank with fluids on the roadway.Engine 62-1's crew provided spill control and remained on the scene until both vehicles were removed.

This evening, shortly before 6pm, Station 44 (Intercourse) along with other local units were alerted to a Barn Fire on Old Philadelphia Pike (Route 340) just outside the village of Intercourse. Moments later, Engine 44-1 arrived on scene and upgraded the original box to the second and third alarms. Tanker 62 responded immediately, and Engine 62-2 followed close behind. Once on-scene, Tanker 62 dropped a load of water and continued as part of the shuttle, transporting 6000 gallons in all. Engine 62-2 dropped their load of water upon arrival and was then redirected to Stand-By at Station 44 after being refilled. Photo's will appear at a later date. Thanks to all and to Station 44 for their hospitality while standing by.

At 17:48 hours Station 62 was alerted along with Station 63 (Lafayette), Rescue 48 (Ronks), and Lancaster EMS, to a reported Aircraft Down at Smoketown Airport. Initial updates indicated multiple calls received and local police officers reporting smoke in the area. Assistant 62 (Kauffman) arrived to find an ultralight plane that had crashed into a temporary structure just after takeoff. The aircraft and structure were both involved in fire and the Pilot was determined to be deceased. Crews from Engine 62-2 and 63-2 made initial fire attack while crews from Rescue 48, Engine 62-1, and Tanker 62 assisted and also helped perform water supply, hazard control, crowd control, additional fire attack, overhaul and investigation. Crews remained on the scene for several hours while both police and FAA investigations were taking place. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the pilot's family and all involved with this accident and tragedy.

Lancaster Newspapers Story: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/832417_Plane-crashes-on-takeoff-at-Smoketown-Airport--pilot-killed.html

Saturday March 23rd was a busy day for the Station and crews who answered multiple calls for Stand-by Transfers and assists while on the Transfers. During the early evening, Lancaster City Units (64) transmitted a General Alarm Dwelling Fire on Chestnut Street in the City, bringing units from Station 63 (Lafayette) as well as other surrounding companies to the scene. Not long after Station's 63 assignment to the City, Witmer Volunteers were dispatched to cover an Alarm Bells call on East Orange Street in Lancaster Township (which is part of Lafayette's First-Due area) due to Lafayette's commitment to the City General Alarm. The call was investigated and units were released in a short amount of time. After clearing the Lancaster Township call, Engine 62-2 was redirected to Transfer for a Stand-By at Lancaster City Station 3 along with Truck 50 (Willow Street). After about 2 hours of Stand-By in the City, Engine 62-2 was released and relocated to Station 63. Prior arrangements had been made for Station 62 to Stand-By on March 23rd so the members of Lafayette could enjoy their annual Banquet. Once the festivities were over, crews made their way back to Station 62 after one very long day! While on the return trip, another call for Alarm Bells was dispatched in the area of Mahogany Drive in Company 63's First Due. Engine 62-2 diverted to the call along with units from 63, which was quickly handled. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported throughout the day and to all companies for their hospitality.

This evening at 18:28 hours Engine 62-2 and Tanker 62 were dispatched to assist Station 204 (Eden) of Company 20 (Manheim Township Fire Rescue) at a Dwelling Fire off of New Holland Ave. The structure, known as the Gammache Mansion, which was 114 years old, had been through numerous renovations, and sat a good distance off of the main road, was currently abandoned. The property has been slated for development and the future of the building had been unknown. The third floor was fully involved when Station 20 units arrived. Due to the unsafe conditions crews were not able to enter the building. 62 units assisted with water supply and were on the scene for approximately two hours.

Below are 2 articles about the fire, and one article about a number of recent local fires that includes the Gammache Mansion Fire: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/829378_Vacant-mansion-burns-in-Manheim-Township.html http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/833470_Why-the-historic-Gammache-Mansion-was-allowed-to-burn-down.html http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/833153_Fires-raise-suspicions-there-might-be-firebug-on-the-loose.html

 Engine 62-2  and Engine 62-1 responded to the 2000 block of New Holland Pike to assist truck 204 with a vehicle accident with entrapment. Truck 204 arrived on scene and reported that there is a minnivan on its side with one confined. Engine 62-2 arrived shortly after and assisted with stabilization and extrication while Engine 62-1 arrived a few minutes later but provided no services. Also on the scene was Lancaster EMS, Engine 63-1, Engine 41-1, Firepolice 62, and Firepolice 63.

Engine 62-1 and Squad 62-1 responded to Hartman Station rd for a class 1 vehicle accident, Engine 62-1 arrived on scene and advised county that there is one vehicle into a pole with wires down on the roadway and requested PPL to respond. Services where provided for approximately 45 minutes.

At 10:15 this morning, Engine 62-2 was dispatched to assist Company 63 (Lafayette) with a Trash Fire. Units from 63 had been dispatched to a large dumpster sized trash compactor in the Rosewood Terrace development earlier and had been working to gain access to the burning material inside the compactor to perform fire supression and overhaul. Engine 62-2 made the response with 5 personnel and assisted with oporations and provided additional water. While units operated at the scene of the fire, a crew was maintained at Station 62 to cover the areas of 62 and 63 while they operated for an extended period of time. Thanks to Andrew Duffy for pictures.

This morning at 01:22 hours Station 62 was alerted as part of the second alarm assignment to assist Station 29(West Earl) at a working building fire in the 3800 block of Oregon Pike.Tanker 62 joined the rest of the tankers in a tanker shuttle.Engine 62-2 dumped their water on arrival and then pumped at the dump site for the remainder of the incident.

This evening, a group of 4 Witmer members, along with 4 Bird-in-Hand members, started their journey to Mississippi for a 10 day stay at West Hancock Fire Rescue. The West Hancock Fire Rescue company and their members were greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina and currently answers over 1200 calls a year for service. This year, the group will be assisting WHFR with staffing during one of their busiest weeks of the year, with Mardi Gras celebrations in full swing just across Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, LA. We wish them all a safe trip down and back, steady hands, and clear minds while they assist our brothers in Mississippi!

Link to Fox43 News Story:

http://fox43.com/2013/02/15/lancaster-firefighters-heading-to-mississippi/#axzz2L1RdOLqc

To all of our Loyal Ox Roast Customers: We would like to first thank you for your continued support of our fire company. Without you, our ability to protect the community we serve would not be what it is today. Secondly, we would like to note a change for our future Ox Roasts. Due to rising food costs and rising costs for supplies, the decision has been made to slightly change Ox Roast pricing. The new Ox Roast prices are as follows: Eat-In Adults - $13.50 Children ages 3-11 - $6.50 Take-out $13.50 per meal We thank you for your continued support! Although our pricing has changed, the menu, the service, the camaraderie, and the experience has not! We look forward to seeing you at our next Ox Roast on February 9th, and our other 2013 Ox Roasts on April 27th and October 19th. Thank you for your patronage!

On the evening of January 26th, the company hosted the annual banquet and awards ceremony for members and their families. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by local caterer T. Burke and Co. and had a great time sharing each others company and camaraderie. After dinner, the awards for the year 2012 were given. We thank each member for their dedicated service and hope and look forward to another great year of 2013! Congratulations to our award winners: Harold Ruhl - Presidents Award, John Latschar - Chiefs Award, Greg Troyer - Response Award for 141 out of 170 calls for service, Greg Sherman - Response Award for 93 out of 170 calls for service, John Kreider Jr. - Response Award for 83 out of 170 calls for service, Melvin King - Training Award, Ted Gallagher - Firefighter of the Year.

Line Officers for the year 2013 are as follows:

Chief - Matthew T. Bono

Deputy Chief - John R. Latschar

Assistant Chief - Christian E. Kauffman

Captain 62-1 - Greg W. Sherman

Captain 62-2 - Gregory L. Troyer

Lieutenant 62-1 - Reuben S. Lapp

Lieutenant 62-2 - John E. Kreider Jr.

Lieutenant 62-3 - Melvin F. King

Other Fire Officers

Safety Officer - Russell E. Latschar

Chief Engineer - Lloyd N. Miller

Assistant Engineer 62-2 - James R. Burkholder

Fire Police Captain - Robert J. Billett

Administrative Officers:

President - Edward C. (Ted) Gallagher

Vice-President - John E. Kreider Jr.

Secretary - Melvin F. King

Financial Secretary - Thomas M. Burk

Treasurer - Harold M. Ruhl

Thank You for your continued support!