There  is  always a  unique twist  to Rescue Calls but the  members  of the West Hazleton Fire  Company had their  turn  today. At  1105 hrs this date   the Company  was  dispatched for a public  assist in the area of 25  Park Street in the Borough  for  a reported Duck  Trapped In a  storm  drain.

Upon  Arrival  the  members were  met  with  residents of the area advising their  stuck in the  drain. Upon  further  examination  it  was  discovered  by  Firefighter/EMT Matt Wash and  Chief  Engineer Rick  Sparks on  Engine 2 that this  was not a  single  Duck  trapped  but instead 6  Ducklings  separated from the  Mother. The  mother  stayed hidden behind a  hedge row  between  25  and 29  Park Street   squawking away  at her  young  ones as  we  observed  she  was  accompanied by  two  other ducklings.

Assistant Chief  Shawn Evans and  Firefighter  Robert C. Ward  started  to  ascertain were  all the  Ducklings  were at  within a  100 Yard  area of  piping.Ptlm Dan  Sist  summoned  local business owner  Ed  Kulaga  to the scene with  one of his medium  duty  wreckers to  open   up the  storm drain  grate.

Constant Air Metering of the  Drain  system  showed non contaminated  air and  Firefighter/EMT  Walsh  entered the  drain. with  assistance of a   residents Pool skimmer  the  ducks  were  able to be  pulled to  the  drain  area  and  removed  one  and two  at a  time  buy  Firefighter /EMT Walsh until  all  6  ducklings  were  accounted  for.

Ptlm Sist with  Assistant  Chief  Evans entered  onto the property were the in ground  pool  was  and  released the  ducklings   immediately  the  went  right  for the mother  and  once the  mother counted that she  had  eight  she immediately  marched them  back  out of the  pool in the  direction  of the  Hazle  Park  Lake.

A  Happy  Ending for  all.

On behalf of the Officers and Members of the West Hazleton Fire Company # 1 we want to thank everyone that supported us with our Pasta Dinner Fundraiser to make it a great success !!

On  Saturday  April 14th 2012 6 members of the  West Hazleton  Fire  Company  joined  with  members of the Hazleton  City  Fire  Department  in   training on  response to  Chlorine  Leaks and  how  to utilize Chlorine   A & B Patch systems to secure the leaks. This was a  part  clasroom and  hands on  training program  that  was  sponsored by  Hazleton  City  Fire  Department .

Members that Attended the training : Chief Dennis Ganc, Chief Engineer Rick Sparks,  Firefighters  Anthony Colombo, JJ Kaschak,Brian Pliska Jr. , Kyle Kaschak

Crews responded today to a 2 car MVC in the area of Washinton and Rose Alley . Engine - 2 and the Rescue responded with Full Compliments along with Chief 3 having Command . Unit's arrived on location to find both cars into each other with Moderate Front end Damage , West Hazleton EMS along with Medic 11 also responded to the scene . Pt's were transported to Local Hospital with Minor Injuries . Crew's remained on the scene until cars were removed . All Unit's were released by Chief 3 with no incident .

Last Night Crew's were Requested for the RIT Assignment into Freeland Boro for the reported Electrical fire . Ladder , Rescue , and Command all responded with Full Compliment . Shortly after arriving on location Freeland Chief placed incident under Control all Unit's were released.

It is always best to prevent a fire than to have to deal with one. Remember to use a moderate cooking temperature, don't overfill the container, and if you must leave the kitchen, turn the burner off . Unattended cooking is the primary cause of kitchen fires.
Over half of these are grease fires.

• Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove. Curious children may reach up and grab the handle, pulling the hot contents down on themselves.
• Don't position handles over another burner, it may catch on fire or burn someone who touches it.
• Wear short sleeves or tight fitting long sleeves when cooking to reduce a clothing fire hazard.
• Shield yourself from scalding steam when lifting lids from hot pans.
• Make sure pot holders are not too close to the stove. They could catch fire!
• Keep ovens, broilers, stove tops, and exhaust ducts free from grease.
• If there is a fire in the oven - Turn off the oven and keep the oven door closed.
• Always, have a working smoke detector!

Over half the people attempting to extinguish a kitchen fire are injured. Often the best advice is to get everyone out of the house and call the fire department (911) from a neighbors house. Never try to move the pan, don't throw water on it, and don't put flour on it.

If you attempt to extinguish the fire, it is best to use a class ABC multipurpose fire extinguisher. Follow the manufacturers instructions - stay back 6 to 8 feet and be careful not to spray the grease out of the pan. Baking soda can also smother the fire. If the fire has not burned for more than fifteen seconds, it may still be possible to turn the burner off and use a tight fitting lid to smother the fire, but only if the fire is still small and has not spread beyond the pan.

Tonight West Hazleton Crew's and the Truck were Placed on Standby for RIT Assignment into Sugarloaf Twp for the Reported Structure Fire , Shortly after Dispatch all unit's were recalled by Sugarloaf Command.

Earlier This Morning Engine - 2 while on Standby for Hazleton City Fire , Responded to the area of 4th and Cleveland St For the Reported Structure Fire , Shortly after Dispatch E - 2 and McAdoo's Quint, also on standby were Recalled by Hazleton C - 1 . After Returning to Quarters Crews were Dispatched to a Second Call into the City , E - 2 was Dispatched to 646 Grant for the Carbon Monoxide Detection , E - 2 arrived on location along with McAdoo's Quint , Crew's found there to be a problem with Homeowners Coal Furnace . at which time Problems were Quickly corrected, Residents was Properly ventilated . Unit's were clear and returned to Quarters with no incident .

This Past Monday Night 1st Assistant Chief Shawn Evans and Lieutenant Brian Moore Successfully Completed the Incident Safety Officer's Class which was Held by Bucks County Community College and Hosted by Lehighton Fire Dept . Having the presence of a SO is a tremendous asset to Our Dept and Other Neighboring Dept's we assist as well.

West Hazleton Engine and Rescue Responded earlier today for the 3 car Motor Vehicle Crash involving Multiple Victims . Engine - 2 and the Rescue Responded with Full Compliments along with C - 1 who Had Command of the Incident . After arriving on location Crew's went to work Quickly assisting EMS with removing Pt's from their Vehicles . The crash shut down two blocks of the four-lane, heavily traveled Roadway from McKenna's Corners to South Fifth Street on Broad Street. Fire police from West Hazleton and Hazle Township assisted as accident reconstructionists from State Police Hazleton conducted an investigation,Unit's from APTS Ambulance , West Hazleton EMS also assisted .

Member's Tonight Continued their hands on training with basket Evacuation and Rescue from a Structure's second floor window .

Earlier this morning Crews were Dispatched on the 2nd Alarm Structure Box Assignment to assist Hazle Twp at ADM Coaco (Humbolt Industrial Park)for a Commercial Structure Fire . Responding Unit's Included Ladder , Engine - 2,and the Rescue was requested by Hazle Chief for Confined Space if needed . Shortly after responding fire was under Control as Per Hazle Chief , Crew's continued into the scene and assisted Hazle Twp with Overhaul and Cleanup.

Chimneys are one of the most common locations of residential structure fires in Pennsylvania during the Winter Months. The Chimney Safety Institute of America reports that creosote accumulation is the leading cause of chimney fires. A chimney that is dirty, blocked or is in disrepair can inhibit proper venting of smoke up the flue and can also cause a chimney fire. Nearly all residential fires originating in the chimney are preventable. An annual chimney inspection by a qualified chimney sweep can prevent fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. To keep your home safe from chimney fires follow these guidelines. Maintenance - Good maintenance is a very important step in preventing chimney fires! • Have your chimney checked every year by a qualified chimney professional. • Burn only well seasoned hardwoods. • Install a chimney cap. • Install a carbon monoxide detector. • Have your chimney sweep ensure that your chimney has an appropriate liner. • Following a violent storm, earthquake, flood or lightening strike, have your chimney inspected for damage - inside and out. Prevention - Remember prevention is your best defense against fire. If you have a wood or coal stove, be sure it is installed at least 36 inches away from the wall. Keep combustible materials well away from the stove and chimney connector. Place an approved stove board under the unit to protect the floor from heat and hot coals which might drop out. Be Prepared - Know what to do in case of fire. If you suspect a chimney fire, evacuate your home and call 9-1-1

Tonight Member's attended Incident Safety Officer's Class , the first of 3 Classes Scheduled this Month at Lehighton Fire Dept . Topics discussed tonight included Risk Management, Firefighter Injuries and Fatalities , Describing the Key Elements of the Incident Command System.

Crews responded earlier Tonight with a full response into Hazle Twp for a Reported Working Structure Fire. after arriving on location crews went to work Quickly assisting Hazle Twp and other responding unit's . Once Fire was extinguished and overhaul was finished , Crews were released by Hazle Command .