At approximately 09:35am, Rescue 49 was dispatched along with Medic 142 for a vehicle accident in the 9000 block of Easton Rd in Ferndale, PA.  A black Dodge pickup left the roadway striking the porch of the residence, removing most of it's support structure.  The driver was able to self extricate but was transported by Medic 142 for treatment.  Rescue 49's crews secured the vehicle and porch.  The company was available by 11:00am.

At approximately 12:15pm on Thursday, Tactical Box 49-34 was dispatched for a dwelling fire with entrapment in the 2000 block of Berger Rd in Nockamixon Township, Bucks County.  911 Dispatchers received multiple calls at the time of dispatch for a well involved two story single family structure.  Initial reports indicated that resident(s) may have been trapped inside the residence but proved to be negative.  Crews arrived on scene to find a well involved structure with heavy fire through the roof.  The house was destroyed but firefighters were able to save a vintage mustang from the attached garage.  It took crews just over one hour to bring the blaze under control.  Springtown, Riegelsville, Haycock, Upper Black Eddy, Richlandtown, Upper Black Eddy, Dublin, Erwinna, Point Pleasant, Quakertown, Doylestown, and Plumsteadville fire companies assisted on the call.

At about 15:42, Rescue 49 was dispatched along with Medic 142 for a single vehicle accident on 611 in front of the Palisades Community Bible Church.  Chief 49 arrived on scene to find the vehicle resting against the telephone it had struck when leaving the roadway.  The pole, which had sheared off, came to rest next to the vehicle, but off the roadway.  Medic 142 transported the patient while E49 and R49 remained on scene for cleanup.  Companies were available by 16:45.

At approximately 16:30, Tactical Box 49-16 was dispatched for a house fire in the 600 block of Headquarters Road.  Initial reports from Bucks County Dispatchers indicated a working kitchen fire.  Engine 49 arrived on scene to find a very large 3 story stone house with heavy smoke pushing from the roof.  Crews made entry to the residence through the rear working their way to the kitchen.  The engine company made a quick knock on the first floor fire, then procedded to the second and third floor to check for extension.  Ladder 49 arrived on scene quickly behind Engine 49, going in service with ventilation and overhaul.  Delaware Valley (Erwinna), Plumsteadville, Doylestown, Point Pleasant, and Dublin Fire Companies also assisted on the call.

At approximately 10:40 am, Tactical Box 49-82 was dispatched for a chimney fire across from Station 49.  Chief 49 arrived to find an active chimney fire in an apartment building.  Crews removed the contents of the wood stove and burning debris from the chimney itself.  After a thorough investigation, no extension was found.  Companies were available by 11:45.  Plumsteadville Fire Company assisted on the call.

  While responding to a working house fire, the crew of Engine 49 escaped injury when their apparatus slid off of an icy back road.  The 1989 Pierce Arrow sustained minor damage despite shearing a telephone pole off at the base.  Although the crew was trapped for some time due to the poles wires falling directly onto the cab, there were no injuries.  Thank you to Riegelsville Fire Company for responding to the call, and all the community support during and after the incident.  It's events like these that reinforce safety as being our number one priority for our equipment and operations.  Pictures courtesy of Kerri Myers.

Today has proven to be a challenging day for motorists.  Station 49 has run on four seperate accident calls by 15:00.  The fourth, invloved a Jeep Liberty losing control, sheared a telephone pole at the base.

On Sunday, members of the company improved the Dry Hydrant located on Deer Run Rd in Bedminster Township.  Engine 42 which had sunk in the muddy shoulder the previous week wasn't the first truck to have problems so an improvement was necessary.  Crews excavated several loads of mud from approximately a 5' x 50' x 1' deep area to allow for a solid layer of stone.

ATV "Gator" Fire.

Single Vehicle MVA - Pickup vs. tree.

Congratulations to the Wood family on their new baby girl.  Emma Lynn Wood was delivered earlier today.  Wishing you and your family the best Tom!

  At approximately 06:58 am Saturday morning, Tactical Box 49-22 was dispatched for a reported house fire in the 1000 block of Rolling Hills Rd, Bedminster Township.  The fire was not reported immediately due to a cell phone problem.  Apparently, the disabled resident was unable to operate his phone to dial 911.  He was able to contact his daughter who gathered the information and dialed 911.  Unfortunately, she was connected to Montgomery County 911 due to her location.   They, in turn, relayed information to Bucks County.  This delayed the initial dispatched the better part of 20 minutes.  Within minutes of dispatch, Rescue 49 was en route reporting heavy smoke on the horizon.  Chief 49 arrived seconds before the Rescue crew to find a well involved 2 1/2 story stone farmhouse.  Crews attempted to make entry through the front door but were pushed back by heavy fire and a collapsing first floor ceiling.   It took firefighters nearly 3 hours to contain the blaze and until nearly 5pm before the investigation and cleanup were complete.   The cause was determined by the Fire Marshal to be an overloaded electrical circuit on the first floor.  Companies assisting included Dublin, Silverdale, Plumsteadville, Erwinna, Point Pleasant, Richlandtown, Doylestown, Quakertown, Riegelsville, Springtown, Upper Black Eddy, Haycock, Chalfont, Midway, Sellersville, and several from Hunterdon County New Jersey.

The Members of the Ottsville Fire Co. would like to extend a huge thanks to the California Car Duster Company for their generous donation of their great products to help keep our trucks clean.  We would like to encourage everyone to check out their website and try out the great products they make!

California Car Duster Company

Ottsvile Fire Co hosted a large water movement drill at Lake Nockamixon today.  Companies set up to move upwards of 2000 gallons per minute of water between the Tohickon and Haycock boat ramps.   Engine companies filled tankers at Tohickon, which transported the water to a simulated "dump site" at Haycock.  Engine 19 (Doylestown) drafted from the portable ponds during the first evolution, supplying Rescue 49.   Companies participating were Ottsville, Doylestown, Chalfont, Dublin, Delaware Valley (Erwinna), Upper Black Eddy, Riegelsville, Springtown, Quakertown, and Milford NJ,.

Rescue 49 was dispatched to assist Medic 142 for an unresponsive hunter still in his tree stand.  Crews needed to hike nearly one mile in the rain through muddy fields and woods to access the patient who was found unconscious, about 20 feet up in his portable tree stand.  Crews had to carry in rescue equipment and a ladder to reach the patient.  The patient regained consciousness just as crews were able to reach him.  He was able to descend out of the tree under his own power and treated by Medic 142.