2020 Incidents
November 11, 2020
At approximately 1200 hours on Wednesday the Eleventh, crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of North Franklin. Engine 51 and Hook & Ladder 52 were just cleaning up from a ladder pipe drill in 51's area. Brick Borough Rescue 3 was also dispatched as the fire was located in one of the dual dispatch zones. Engine 51 and H&L 52 arrived first reporting smoke from the second floor of a two-story taxpayer. Engine 51 lead out off of tank water and requested Rescue 3 supply them from the hydrant at the corner. Hook & Ladder 52 arrived and commenced a search, along with putting the aerial to the roof. Rescue 3 stretched a second line as the fire was extending out of the kitchen. Engine 53 was assigned RIT by the Fifth Battalion. Platform 54 performed salvage on the first floor in the business. Both truck drivers performed vertical ventilation. The truck crews also assisted with overhaul on the fire floor. Crews made a quick stop and kept the fire to the kitchen and the room adjacent. We were also able to save much of the merchandise on the first floor from any damage. Crews worked the scene for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes before returning to service. Jackson Engine 4 and Truck 9 provided station coverage while companies operated.
October 29, 2020
At approximately 0430 hours, a possible structure fire was dispatched in the 1300 block of South Elm. While crews were responding, dispatch advised Battalion 5 that they had received a couple of calls on it. Engine 51 arrived, with Brush 5 in tow (they had just cleared a fire along the railroad in their district), with a 1.5 story home totally involved. Engine 51 dumped their monitor on the fire, and was able to secure their own water. The house was the fire from 6 days ago. The house had been boarded up, however, the window on the D-side had the boards removed. Hook & Ladder 52 arrived and assisted with opening up the structure, and set-up for defensive operations. Engine 53 arrived and supplied 52, their crew also stretched a 2.5" line from Engine 51. Platform 54 arrived and stretched a 3rd and 4th line. The fire did burn through the roof, and Battalion 5 ordered 52 to open their ladder pipe on the fire. Crews were on scene for several hours chasing hotspots. Oncoming crews and Brick Borough, along with Westbrick provided station coverage.
October 24, 2020
Engine 51 and Brush 5 responded in to Lego Falls for a brush fire with exposures in the 700 block of County Line Road. Upon arrival, the crew was assigned to attack the alpha side and contain the fire. The crew worked through two tanks of water in order to bring the fire under control, complete overhaul and fully extinguish the area assigned. They operated for a little over an hour to complete the task as assigned.
October 23, 2020
Late in the afternoon, at approximately 1630 hours, crews were dispatched to a possible house fire in the 1300 block of South Elm. Upon arrival of Hook and Ladder 52, they declared a Working Fire. The crew had a 1.5 story dwelling with heavy smoke from the B and D sides, with a glow on the interior, however, the front windows had held. Engine 53 arrived, with a hydrant across the street, they were able to secure a water supply and stretch a preconnect. The front door was forced by 52s. With the door open, crews were met by heavy fire. Engine 51 stretched a 2.5" off of 53, while 52's crew put the aerial to the roof and attempted ventilation. With the 2.5," the fire was knocked back pretty quick. Platform's crew assisted with horizontal vent. After knocking the bulk of the fire, 53's crew went interior. Fifty-one's crew attached 100' of 1.75" to the 2.5" and assisted with overhaul. Engine 56 and Medic 56 responded as the RIT. Medic 55 responded as the EMS standby medic.
October 18, 2020
Platform 54 assisted Jackson Fire with a fire in a high rise at 300 Water. Fifty-four's crew was initially dispatched for change of quarters, however, the alarm was upgraded, and they responded to the scene. The crew assisted with searches and overhaul. After clearing the scene, they covered Jackson from Station 10 until they had some crews available.
October 17, 2020
Crews were occupied on runs all across the city when a structure fire was dispatched on the 800 block of South Cornelia. There was a slight delay in the response as the first-in engine was responding from a distance. St. Sprinklesburg and Fairfield Heights also responded to the scene on the initial dispatch. Engine 52 arrived with heavy fire showing on a single family dwelling. Crews initially attempted a transitional attack, however, the fire was too advanced and crews went defensive. The house to the south was slightly damaged by the fire. Crews remained on the scene for several hours to overhaul.
August 1, 2020
At approximately 2045 hours Engine 51 and Medic 52 were dispatched to a vehicle fire in the 1200 block of North First Avenue. Engine 51 was on the road already having just cleared an EMS run with Medic 51. Medic 52 was returning from the hospital. Engine 51 arrived and announced a fully involved car fire with no exposures. They would be in the offensive mode. The officer and engineer started the attack while Medic 52 arrived and geared up. The engine and medic crew extinguished the fire with the booster line. After the fire was out, the crew discovered some weapons and what appeared to be an incendiary device. Engine 51 requested a response from Battalion 5 and an investigator. Riverwoods PD was also on scene at this time. Engine 51 reported their findings to the battalion, investigator and PD, then returned to service.
July 25, 2020
At approximately 2100 hours, Riverwoods companies responded to a Still Alarm for the reported house fire in the 900 block of East River-Brick Road. Engine 54, Hook and Ladder 52, Medic 52, Tower 53 and Battalion 5 responded along with an automatic aid engine from Brick Borough. While responding, crews were informed there were multiple calls and the original caller was from the homeowner who said they heard a pop in the basement, followed by smoke and flames.
Engine 54 arrived on the scene with heavy smoke showing. Battalion 5 arrived and requested the Full Still, and took command. The Full Still brought Engine 51 and Medic 55 to the scene, along with Chief 500 and Deputy 50. Engine 54 stretched the initial line. Brick Borough Engine 3-1 made the hydrant for 54 and had the second line. Primary was performed by Tower 53, while Hook & Ladder 52 had the roof. Medic 52 was initially EMS, then tookover the second line when Engine 3-1 went to rehab.
While on the roof, Hook & Ladder 52 spotted smoke off in the distance, just as Battalion 5 called dispatch to notify them of a possible second fire, dispatch dropped the tones for a fire in the 800 block of East State. Quint 56, Engine 55 and mutual aid from Lego Falls, and Brick Borough took in the fire. That fire eventually went to a second alarm, bringing in crews from Jackson, Indian Lake, Pine River, and Seymour fire departments. Deputy 50 left River-Brick Rd and joined Lego Falls Battalion 1 at the second fire.
Engine 54 arrived on the scene with heavy smoke showing. Battalion 5 arrived and requested the Full Still, and took command. The Full Still brought Engine 51 and Medic 55 to the scene, along with Chief 500 and Deputy 50. Engine 54 stretched the initial line. Brick Borough Engine 3-1 made the hydrant for 54 and had the second line. Primary was performed by Tower 53, while Hook & Ladder 52 had the roof. Medic 52 was initially EMS, then tookover the second line when Engine 3-1 went to rehab.
While on the roof, Hook & Ladder 52 spotted smoke off in the distance, just as Battalion 5 called dispatch to notify them of a possible second fire, dispatch dropped the tones for a fire in the 800 block of East State. Quint 56, Engine 55 and mutual aid from Lego Falls, and Brick Borough took in the fire. That fire eventually went to a second alarm, bringing in crews from Jackson, Indian Lake, Pine River, and Seymour fire departments. Deputy 50 left River-Brick Rd and joined Lego Falls Battalion 1 at the second fire.
The second fire was in a two-story taxpayer in the 800 block of East State, all told, it went to a second alarm and was largely fought defensively. Brick Borough's crew was kind enough to share their pictures from the fire to us. Here is a small glimpse of what those crews were faced with.
In the midst of the two fires, a rare general alarm callback was issued to bring off-duty personnel in to staff the limited reserve apparatus. However, before they could arrive, Medic 5 from Westbrick and Engine 23 from Legocreek were change of quarters. While they were standing by, a male was critically wounded in a shooting in Engine 51's district. Engine 23 had to provide manpower to the medic to get the patient to the hospital with the best care. After picking up their firefighter, they were released as crews were clearing the first fire and there were callback personnel. While returning to quarters in Legocreek, they were involved in an accident. Engine 51, Hook & Ladder 52, along with Medics 51, 52, 54 were dispatched for a pin-in accident. A total of three were injured, including the engineer from Engine 23. Chief 500 responded to this run from the first fire.
Just another Saturday night in the the 'woods.
Just another Saturday night in the the 'woods.
April 1, 2020
At approximately 1000 in the morning, companies were dispatched to a possible structure fire in the 1200 block of James. Truck 56 was the first on the scene and reported smoke showing from a 1.5 story home. Chief officers were notified of the working fire and Truck 57 was moved to Engine 53's house. Truck 56 would be offensive and complete the 360. Truck 56 was able to secure their own water supply and lead out a preconnect to the front door. Engine 53 and Hook & Ladder 54 arrived next, and were directed to a primary search and ventilation respectively. At this time, Battalion 5 arrived on the scene and assumed command in Division A.
Battalion 5 declared Engine 52 as RIT, as the fourth arriving company. Chief 500 and Deputy 501 arrived on the scene and Chief 500 assumed command. Battalion 5 then went to Division C. Crews were getting good handle on the fire at this time, with the roof being opening and the primary completed (clear). Squad 50 was assigned to pull a second line around to the rear to assist in washing down and overhaul. The fire was largely contained to the kitchen and dining room area of the house.
Battalion 5 declared Engine 52 as RIT, as the fourth arriving company. Chief 500 and Deputy 501 arrived on the scene and Chief 500 assumed command. Battalion 5 then went to Division C. Crews were getting good handle on the fire at this time, with the roof being opening and the primary completed (clear). Squad 50 was assigned to pull a second line around to the rear to assist in washing down and overhaul. The fire was largely contained to the kitchen and dining room area of the house.