The Housing Committee is proud to announce that a Housing Ceremony will take place May 19, 2012, beginning at 2:00pm until 5:00pm at Station 36-1, 7624 Jonestown Rd. Harrisburg, Pa 17112.  The members of the West Hanover Twp. Fire Co. No.1 are very proud of our new station and are happy to share in a day of celebration.  Due to Gaming grants and the support of our Township Supervisors, we have a new place to call home.   There will be tours of the station and light refreshments.

Tonight 30 members from West Hanover and an Engine crew from Grantville trained at HACC conducting company level live fire training.  Coordinated Engine and Rescue company initial assignments at residential structure fires were used during run-in scenarios.  In addition to fundamental suppression skills, Command / Control and Accountablity tactics were employed.  Our Company level officers supervised the crews participating in the evolution.  Special thanks to Fire Training Specialist Ron Givler for his assistance in making this training possible. 

At 1226 hours this date Dauphin County Dispatch alerted units to a working commercial structure fire at the intersection of Rt. 743 and Interstate 81. Engine 1 responded rapidly with four firefighters followed by Rescue 1 with eight firefighters. Engine 1 arrived on scene within minutes and met Engine 39 that just began laying a supply line into the structure. Engine 1 followed and took up a position on the north side of the structure where two portable master streams and a 1 ¾” hand line were deployed.  Company 36 worked on the scene for approximately two hours. 

While we were out of the township working this fire our Brothers from the Halifax Fire Company transferred their Engine 29-1 to cover station 36-1. We thank them for all of their help in getting our equipment and apparatus back into service upon our return to quarters.

Tonight fifteen Company 36 Brothers enjoyed a steak dinner and fellowship at Station 1. The menu consisted of New York strip steaks, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. Next crew night dinner is going to be pork ribs and grilled potatoes.   

This week Classic Conversations of Harrisburg visited the fire house for a fire prevention presentation. They took a tour of the new firehouse, were given a tour of the Engine and the Rescue truck. Lt. Keller and FF Poole presented a fire prevention program for the children. Our thanks to Classic Conversations for taking their time to visit the firehouse.

Congratulations to FF Tim Shatto Jr. and his family. Today he graduated from USMC Boot Camp in Parris Island South Carolina. Company 36 is proud of your accomplishments. Thanks very much for your service to our country.

This afternoon several members participated in a field fire training evolution in Fishing Creek Valley.  Both Brush units were utilized in suppression of field fires.  Strategy and Tactics were reviewed as well as fire behavior and firefighter safety concerns addressed. 

This afternoon our Forestry Crew was dispatched to a mountain fire in Middle Paxton Twp.  Approximately two acres were burning along the western end of the second mountain.  Twelve certified wildland firefighters responded with Brush 1, the Deuce and a Half and Special Unit.  FF’s Wolfgang, Poole, Calderelli, Zimmerman, Colm, Keller, Dymond, Schmolitz and Pennypacker went to work constructing a fire line around the fire while FF’s Kerstetter and Shatto cleared trees to make a path for the Deuce.  After about an hour FF Carl was able to get the Deuce to the fire and place and several hose lines  into service.  Our Crew returned to station and was back in service by midnight.  (Photo’s courtesy of CentralPaBravest.com)

Units were dispatched to a mountain/natural cover fire on Fishing Creek Valley Road at the base of the mountain.Upon arrival units confirmed 1/4 acre on fire. The fire was extinguished and units returned to service.
 

 Units on Scene: E-36-1, E36-3, B36,B36-1, SU36, FM36


 Command: Chief 36-3 Kerstetter

Lt. Wolfgang and Probationary Fire Fighter Shillingford took advantage of the mild weather this week to review hydrant operations.

The West Hanover Township Fire Company is pleased to announce that a new Live-In program has been established. We are seeking Student Live-in Members and Transitional Live-in Members. Our brand new state of the art fire house has male and female bunkrooms, kitchen facilities, study areas and day room with a large screen television. Our main apparatus bay houses Rescue 36-1, Engine 36-1, Brush 36-1, Special Unit 36 and Traffic Unit 36. Intrested applicants are asked to contact Lieutenant Michael Keller Live-In Committee Chairman via e-mail mwk572000@gmailcom. Additional information will be posted shortly.
 

Around 22:00 hours Company 36 and mutual aid units were dispatched to Greenhill Road for a possible chimney fire in the Southern end of the Township.  Engines 36-1, 36-2, 36-3 and Rescue 36-1 were on the street within minutes.  Engine 36-2 arrived on scene to find a working chimney fire with a house full of smoke and assumed the interior assignment.  Engine 36-1 arrived and took the roof assignment with the rest of the units working as needed.  Crews extinguished the fire in the flue and vented the smoke from the house.  The box was held to Company 36 and Truck 34.  Crews were on scene for approx. 1.5 hours. 

 Command: Chief 2 Senft     Interior:  FF Mader       Roof:  LT Wolfgang

Today we traveled to Middle Paxton Twp. to train with Company 38.  We conducted practical evolutions including search and rescue, ventilation and firefighter rescue.  The six inches of snow provided some additional challenges that face firefighters in the northeast. 

This evening during training, crews received a call for an MVA on Piketown Road. Engines 36-1, 36-2, Rescue 36-1 and Company 36 Fire Police responded. Upon arrival, units found a single vehicle, overturned in the roadway.

A special thanks to the West Hanover Township 225th Anniversary Celebration Committee, for their generous donation of $1055.00, to the West Hanover Township Fire Company. Your support is greatly appreciated. This evening, West Hanover Township Supervisor Zimmerman, presented West Hanover Township Fire Company President Miller, with the check at this evenings township meeting.