At 15:30hrs Ladder 65 was dispatched to cover Station 63 Green Ridge. Company 63 was operating at a stubborn house fire in the Crozer Mills section of the township. Ladder/Utility 65 responded with a staffing of 14 under the direction of Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke Sr  The Company was in service for approximately 4 ½  hours.

 

Just after 5am Ladder 65 and Tele-Squrt 01 (Folcroft) were dispatched to the 800 block of Main St. in Darby Boro to assist the Darby Fire Company (Sta. 04) on a building fire. Units from surrounding departments operated yesterday on a 3 alarm fire that destroyed the business. Multi units from around the county were used to provide support during the overnight hours for rekindles and hot spots. Ladder 65 and Utility responded to a staffing of 14 under the direction of Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9). Ladder 65 was placed on the “D” side of the building and went into ladder pipe operations.  Company operated on scene until 10:30.

Engine 65 along with Ladder 43 (Holmes) and Medic 103-7C (CKHS North) were dispatched shortly after 8a for the cover assignment. Units from Collingdale (Sta. 06) and surrounding companies were operating on 3 alarm building fire in Darby Boro. Engine 65-2 under direction of Captain Rick Bailey responded with a staffing of 8. While in cover the units responded to a gas leak and motor vehicle accident. Company was in service until 16:30 hrs.

Each year teens eagerly anticipate prom season by preparing for the dance and late night celebrations with their friends. Many teens also drive to and from prom events, which can be an open invitation to a car crash due in part to their lack of experience.
 
This year with new studies from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the help of State Farm Insurance “Operation Prom Night 2013” was brought to the Wallingford Swarthmore School District.
 
The program consisted of a simulation mock crash of two vehicles driven by high school students. The incident was set up in the front parking lot of Strath Haven High School. The crash gave students a realistic look at what can happen while driving under the influence and identified a few common “critical errors” that are often one of the last in a chain of events leading up to a crash. The mock crash also demonstrated the amount of local resources it takes to handle a motor vehicle collision and how the incident will affect your family, friends and your future.
 
Participates of the incident included the Nether Providence Police Department, South Media & Garden City Fire Company’s, EMS units from Media (Sta. 23), Swarthmore (Sta.14) and Riddle Hospital (Medic 104).
 

At 20:45 hrs the Building response of Garden City (Sta.65), South Media (Sta.51), Media RIT team (Sta.23) and Medic 23 were dispatched to the 700 block of Dover Court for a building fire. Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) arrived on scene and reported a fire in the crawl space area and a heavy smoke condition throughout the structure. Engine 65-1 arrived and quickly placed in service a 1 ¾ hand line to the crawl space area. Deputy Chief Pat O’Rourke Sr. (65-9A) and Lieutenant Bill Chism (65-13) entered the structure and found fire in the kitchen floor, extending up the interior of the walls to the attic area. Crews from Squad 51 handled the exposure and assisted with overhaul in the fire building. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Nether Providence Township Fire Marshal. Units operated on scene for 2 ½ hours. Engine 13, Engine 68 and Ladder 07 provided coverage to the township during the incident.

At 18:30 hrs the building response of Garden City (Sta.65), South Media (Sta.51), Media RIT team (Sta.23) and Medic 23 were dispatched to the 400 block of Wilder Rd for a building fire. Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) quickly arrived on scene and reported a fence, shed and playground equipment on fire. Engine 65-1 arrived and went in service with a 1 ½ line containing the fire to the fence and playground areas. Chief Lombardo held the assignment to Engine/Ladder 65 and Engine 51 for overhaul. Unit operated on scene for 45 mins. 

Shortly after 13:00 hrs the assignment of Garden City (Sta.65), South Media (Sta.51) and Woodlyn (Sta.67) fire companies were dispatched to I-476 SB in the area of the Septa overpass for a vehicle fire, reported to be a (RV) recreation vehicle. Enroute all units were advised by county fireboard that they were receiving numerous call. Chief Ed Kline (51-9) arrived on scene and reported a camper fully involved with a large brush fire. Chief Kline requested an additional Engine from Springfield (Sta. 44) to handle the brush fire. Engine 65-2 and Squrt 67 went in service with (2) - 1 ¾ hand lines, while Squad 51 and Engine 65-1 handled water supply. The roadway was closed for several hours until debris was cleaned up. 

 

Tonight firefighters from Garden City (Sta. 65) completed the annual air pack management drill under the direction of Assistant Chief Brent Hopkins (65-9B). This is one of the required training sessions firefighters must complete to be an active firefighter. The drill consists of many different tasks; the purpose is help firefighters to learn to manage his/her air supply.  The task consist of donning SCBA in 60 seconds or less, climb ladders, advance hose line, carry hose and so salvage operations while wearing SCBA. Each firefighter is timed with the goal to maximize their air supply.  Thanks to everyone who showed up early to drill to set up all the stations and all the fighters the completed the course. Great job was done by all.

Just after 17:00 hrs The Garden City & South Media Fire Companies were dispatched to the 600 block of S. Providence Rd for a gas leak. Chief Joe Lombardo (65-9) arrived on scene to find that a construction crew doing demolition work on the building ruptured a large under ground gas line. Chief Lombardo secured the scene and requested assistance from The Brookhaven (Sta. 52), Swarthmore (Sta.14) and Greenridge (Sta.63) to check the area due to multiple calls for gas in the area. Units remained on scene for 1 hr 30 mins until PECO secured the main.

Tonight the Officers and Members of the Garden City Fire Company completed there annual 8 hrs Hazardous Operations Refresher course. The two part class consists of a review of the updated and current policies and procedures in classroom form, followed by an evening of hands on exercises. Instructor Bob Jones of the ESTC conducted both sessions.