Blazing Arrow Hook and Ladder

11:00 Hrs.  -- Parade season is in full swing now and Truck 33 and a crew of 5 made their way to Osceola Mills for their annual 4th of July Celebration & Parade.   Truck 33 brought back 1st place for the Aerial division and many other Northern Blair apparatus brought home trophies as well. Neptune Fire Co #1 (Station 34) brought home a 1st place trophy for Engine 3413 in its class along with Brush 3471 bringing home a 1st place trophy in the Brush class. Rescue/Engine 2231 from Excelsior #1 (Station 22) brought home a 2nd place trophy in the Rescue class and Bald Eagle Fire Co. (Station 36) also brought home a 1st place trophy with Engine 3612 in its class. A fun time was had by all in attendance. The weather also worked in everyone's favor this year too, with the rain holding off until after the parade.

On the evening of the 4th of July, Engine 33 along with several other stations, were invited to stand-by for Station 21 (Tipton) as they were commited to providing protection for the Summer Thunder 2007 fireworks display at DelGrosso's Amusement Park. Engine 33 with Lt. 3309 (C.Dillon) on board and a crew of 6 headed out to the area of the Tipton crossing to take up a staging position. Each of the covering stations had a certain sector in which they were responsible for. Along with the crew, several family members took up position with the Engine to get a good spot for watching the fireworks show. While there, the crew and their families had their own cookout. Due the weather not cooperating, the crew improvised and built a canopy from a salvage tarp and a few pike poles. The weather decided to cooperate an hour before the scheduled start as the clouds subsided and there was a little clearing. The show went off without a beat at 22:30 and ended shortly before 23:00. The crew of Engine 33 stood by until around 00:00hrs until Station 21 cleared from the fireworks . A fun evening was had by all even though the weather was hit or miss all evening. A special thanks to Chief 2101 (D.Peterson) and Station 21 for inviting us to stand-by and getting a great view of the show.

Several Northern Blair county stations converged on the village of Warriors Mark for their annual Firemans' Festival parade. Members of Station 33 went enroute with Truck 3351 and Rescue 3338 to the parade. Units were judged prior to the parade. There were a few periods of the rain during the parade but the crews still had fun. Several northern Blair apparatus brought home trophies from the parade. Truck 33 returned with a first place trophy in the Special Services division. Brush 3471 (Neptunes-Tyrone) brought home a first place trophy in the Brush division along with Engine 3413 (Neptunes-Tyrone) bringing home a second place trophy in Engine catagory 1999 & newer. Tanker 2221 (Excelsior No 1.-Bellwood) brought home a first place trophy in the Engine catagory 1999 & older. Crews posed with their apparatus after the parade.

16:27 Hrs. -- Stations 33 and 34 were alerted for an outside investigation of a possible fluid spill into the Little Juniata River. An employee of Burley's Restaurant witnessed an oil like substance flowing down the river. Chief 3301 (B.Lynn) responded direct. Rescue 3338 responded with a crew of 4. Engine 3414 also responded on the call. Chief 33 arrived in the area of Burley's. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the substance, diesel fuel, was coming from a storm drain emptying into the river. It was then traced back to a drain at the corner of 10th St. and Logan Ave. near Choice Cigarettes store. Engine 3413 was assigned clean-up on the street near the storm drain throwing absorbants and mats, along with dikeing the drain. Rescue 3338 was assigned to the outlet pipe that emptied into the river. The rescue crew threw booms and floating mats. Chief 3301 assumed command . Chief 3401 (T.Weston) also responded to the scene and was assigned operations. DEP was notified by Blair 911. Once the spill was cleaned up, the  Operations officer placed the box available at 17:55 hrs. The actual cause of the spill was never located, but it was suspected to be a truck with saddle tanks.

Units responding: Rescue 3338, Engine 3413, Chief 3301 (with command), Chief 3401, Deputy Chief 3302, Tyrone Fire Police

18:35 Hrs.--  Station 33 was dispatched for Rescue 3338 to assist with a stand-by assignment for Centre Co. Station 15 (Port Matilda). Rescue 33 came up on the air standing-by in station with a crew of 5. Shortly thereafter,  the assignment was upgraded to a transfer assignment. Rescue 33 transferred to Centre 15 along with Engine 1110 from Centre county station 11 (Hope-Philipsburg). The transfer assignments were due to Centre county stations 15 and 9 being on a fatal glider accident in the Julianne area. Both the Rescue and Engine crews stood-by until they were released by Port Matilda Chief 1500 (B.Rudy) at 22:50 hrs. Chief Rudy is also a member of Station 33. Rescue 33 returned home without taking in any calls while on the transfer.

Units responding: Rescue 3338, Engine 1110 (Centre Co.)

A few members of Station 33 went enroute to Philipsburg for their annual Heritage Days parade. Crews went enroute with Truck 3351 and Brush 3372. Both pieces of apparatus were judged prior to the parade at the Philipsburg-Osceola High School along with many other apparatus. The crews returned home in the early evening, bringing with them the first place award for Aerial division. Both crews had a fun afternoon.

For anyone of any age, interested in fire engines, a trip to the Pennsylvania Pump Primers Muster along the East Shore bank of the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg is a must!  This is held annually on the second Saturday of July, so mark your calendars for next years show.  Many antique engines were on display and actively pumping alongside the banks of the river.  It was a unique sight to see even though a few engines had difficulties since many sections of the river were currently very shallow due to the lack of rain.  There were a lot of activities going on that made it a family affair.  Also while you are in Harrisburg, you should make a point to stop over at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum.  They have a very nice facility to house many items of nostalgia from all realms of firefighting.  You'll even see a piece of Hookies history on display in the museum - a set of Administrative Officers chairs from the meeting room of the old station.

19:00 Hrs. -- Neighboring mutual aid Station 15 (Port Matilda) held their annual Fireman's Carnival July 19th-21st, with a parade capping off the festivities Saturday evening.  Station 33 attended the parade with full crews manning 3 apparatus.  Station 33 returned home with each piece winning an award.  Truck 33 won "Best Appearing Aerial", Rescue 33 won "Best Appearing Rescue" and Brush 33 won "Best Appearing Antique Apparatus".

04:30 Hrs. -- Station 33 was alerted for Truck 3351 to transfer to Clearfield Co. Station 22 (Osceola Mills) for a stand-by while Clearfield Co. Truck 22 was working a structure fire in Chester Hill. Truck 33 with Chief 3301 (B.Lynn) on board, responded with a crew of 5. Truck 33 arrived at Station 22 and stood-by until 09:40 hrs. and then returned home after being released by Chief 22. Truck 33 ran no calls while on stand-by duty at Osceola Mills.  

Units responding: Truck 3351 w/ Chief 3301

01:35 Hrs. -- Stations 33, 34, and Medic Unit 401 were alerted for a structure fire in one of the apartments in the Sylvan Circle Complex in box area 31-1. Deputy Chief 3402 responded direct. Tyrone PD arrived on scene with a heavy smoke condition in the apartment with the fire possibly being extinguished. Deputy Chief 3402 arrived on scene reporting the same. Engine 3413 with Chief 3401 (T.Weston) on board responded. Truck 3351 with Chief 3301(B.Lynn) on board responded with a crew of 5. Engine 3413 arrived on scene with Chief 3401 assuming command. The engine crew investigated and found the fire to be extinguished. The fire appeared to be a grease fire from cooking. Truck 3351 arrived on scene with instructions from command to bring in the thermal imaging camera to check for extension. Engine 3317 with Asst. Chief 3303 (J.Watson) on board responded with a crew of 5. Engine 33 arrived on scene and was placed into staging. Ventilation was set up by both the engine and truck crews. Upon clearing the apartment of smoke and with finding negative extension, command placed the box available at 02:35 hrs. Boro Fire Marshal (J.Watson) found the cause to be a grease fire from cooking.

Units responding: Truck 3351, Engine 3413, 3317, Deputy Chief 3402, Chief 3401 (with command), Tyrone Fire Police Unit 3144, Medic Unit 401, TPD

18:58 Hrs. -- Stations 33, 34 and Medic Unit 401 were alerted to an MVA with unknown injuries at the intersection of 10th Street and Logan Avenue in Box Area 31-1. A TPD bike patrol unit arrived in the area to find 2 vehicles on the roadway with no injuries. Rescue 3338 with Captain 3304 (J.Gault) on board responded with a crew of 7. Rescue 33 arrived on scene with Capt. 3304 assuming command. The rescue crew took care of hazards. Engine 3413 responded and arrived on scene. With the accident being minor, command placed the engine back in service. All occupants of the vehicles refused any contact with EMS. Upon getting the vehicles cleared, command placed the box in service at 19:30 hrs.

Units responding: Rescue 3338, Engine 3413, Capt. 3304 (with command), Medic Unit 401, Tyrone Fire Police Unit 3144, TPD Bike Unit

22:18 Hrs. --  Late in the evening, Station 33 was dispatched for an engine transfer to Huntingdon Co. Station 4 (Petersburg). Engine 3317 responded on the transfer with a crew of 6. The engine transferred to Petersburg due to their apparatus being on a working structure fire with several other Huntingdon county stations in Station 1's box area. Engine 33 arrived in Petersburg and stood by until approximately 01:35 hrs. The engine crew returned home running no calls after being released by the OIC of Station 4.

Units responding: Engine 3317

In the early morning hours, Stations 33, 34, 36 and Medic Unit 401 were alerted to a truck fire on I-99. It was first reported to be in the area of the Tyrone exit of I-99. Engine 3317 with Chief 3301 on board, along with a crew of 5 reponded. While responding it was discovered that the fire was not at the Tyrone exit but on the northbound off ramp of the Bald Eagle exit of I-99. Engine 33 arrived on scene at about the same time as Engine 3612 with Chief 33 assuming command. Crews found a working tractor trailer fire involving the back wheels and front of the trailer. The trailer was carrying livestock. Crews made a quick attack on the fire to protect the cargo. Engine 3413 responded and arrived on scene with its crew stretching a supply line to Engine 33. Chief 33 requested additional tankers to assure a proper water supply could be established. Stations 22 (Bellwood) and 21 (Tipton) were dispatched for their tankers. Crews extinguished the fire and began overhaul. Upon initiating the overhaul operation, it was discovered that 3 cattle had perished in the fire. Command placed the tankers in service with Tanker 2221 covering Station 33 until units cleared from the scene. Units cleared the scene upon removal of the truck and trailer. Command placed the I-99 box available returning all units.

Units responding: Engines 3317, 3413, 3612, Tankers 2221, 2121, Rescue 3338, Chief 3301 (with command), Tyrone Fire Police, PSP

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15:06 Hrs. --  Stations 33, 34, and Medic Unit 402 were dispatched for a structure fire in Box Area 31-1, in the area of 400 block of W. 18th Street. In a matter of minutes after the initial dispatch, Truck 3351 with Chief 3301 on board responded with a crew of 6. Medic Unit 402 arrived on scene first with smoke coming from the eves of a duplex house at 406 W. 18th Street. Truck 33 arrived on scene shortly after the medic unit. Truck 33 dropped a 4" supply line at the hydrant located at the corner of 18th St. and Columbia Ave. and laid in. The truck laid approximately 200' of LDH. The crew of the truck split responsibilities with half of the crew assuming engine company ops and the other half assuming truck ops. Chief 33 assumed command requesting Stations 21 (Tipton) and 22 (Excelsior No1-Bellwood) for stand-by and RIT duties. The truck ops team forced entry into the first half of the house finding light smoke conditions. The truck team then forced entry into the second half of the house finding heavy smoke conditions with heat. The engine co team advanced a 1.75" line of the truck to the second half of the house finding the fire in the midle of the floor on the 1st division. Engine 3413 arrived on scene and recieved orders from command for their crew to back up the engine co crew with a second line off of Truck 33. Engine 33 also arrived on scene with a crew of 2 recieving orders to assist the pump operator of Truck 33. The crews working interior had a quick knock on the fire. With the fire being extinguished quickly the assisting apparatus that were responding were given orders to report to Station 33 to stand-by for the Tyrone crews. The crews began checking for exstension and began the overhaul operations. It appeared that the fire was suspicious in nature due to the fact that the duplex house was vacant and the fire was located in the middle of the floor in the front room of the 1st division. The boro fire marshal was summoned to the scene to perform a preliminary investigation. At 16:15 hrs the box was placed available returning all equipment.

Units responding: Truck 3351, Engines 3413, 3317, 2111, Rescue/Engine 2231, Chief 3301 (with command), Tyrone Fire Police Unit 3144, Medic Unit 402, TPD, Tyrone Boro Fire Marshal 

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Following the 18th St. structure fire, an obvious watermain break was discovered about a half  block away from the scene. Command investigated the area of the break and found that a basement of a residence right beside the break was being jeopordized with major water damage from the flow of water. Truck 33 and Engine 33 were held over from the fire to assist with diverting the water away from the basement window. The crews used pig socks and wood planks to divert water away from the basement. The Tyrone Boro Water Department was requested by command to respond. Upon arrival of the water department, the water main was shut down in the area of the break. Once water was shut off in the area, command released the truck and engine and placed all equipment available. The watermain was repaired in a few hours and water service was restored in the area.

Units responding: Truck 3351, Engine 3317, Chief 3301 (with command), Tyrone Fire Police, Tyrone Boro Water Department

16:00 Hrs.  --  Engine 33 made the trip to Gallitzin, PA (Cambria Co.) to participate in the Central District Fireman's Convention Parade.  It was judged among the class of engines in the 1980-89 range. The lengthy parade showcased a variety of fire apparatus units from all spectrums of the Central District area. This was Engine 33-17's first appearance for this parade season and Engine 33 proudly brought back a 2nd place trophy for this class.  Engine 33 is still looking strong!  Thanks to Gallitzin Fire Co. for sponsoring this year's convention!