The officers and members of the Hamburg Fire Co wish the BEST OF LUCK to Firefighter EMT Fritz who will be starting the Reading Police Academy on Monday July 24, 2010. Firefighter Fritz will be working towards his law enforcement certification. Good Luck !!!!!

Co 61 was placed into service to assist with multiple tree down calls across our first due. Crews assisted Port Clinton Fire Co with a tree down on Port Clinton Ave near the "Rock". E61-3 was then re directed to assist Deputy Chief Hartman with a tree that had ripped of a service wire to a residence in the 100 Block of South 3rd Street in the Borough. Deputy Chief Miller then redirected after the Company was called for reports of Multiple trees down on Windsor Castle Road  and also Schappell Rd In Windsor Twsp. Later Crews were also called to Pine Road Windsor Twsp for reports of another tree down.  All trees were cut up using a chain saw and the road ways were then reopened. Fire police assisted with traffic control.

Co 61 is pleased to announce that they received  a 1st place  Award  for the departments new Rescue Engine. The truck placed 1st in the category of Best Appearing Apparatus 2000 or Newer at the Shartlesville Lights and Sirens Parade.                                                    

This Parade was the first public viewing of our new truck. Great Job to everyone who put in a lot of hard work over the last few years to get to this point. Chief Engineer Hartman is pictured with the trophy that was awarded to the department..

Today started out wrth several members who gathered to help install the new LED light bar on E61-3. Thank you to everyone who came out to help.

While crews were finishing up the final touches on the light bar upgrade, Co 61 and 77 were dispatched to the McDonald's  in Tilden Twp for a AFA . Captain 61 Emes and E61-1 responded along with E77. Crews found the alarm was due to steam, no fire services were needed all units secured and returned

While crews were preparing to leave for the day CO 61 along with Co 62( Hamburg Center, Windsor Twp) were dispatched for a AFA, Chief 61 Hatt along with E61-3 responded and found the alarm was due to a burned out Microwave. Ladder 61 was then added to assist with providing ventilation before all units Cleared the call.

Later that night crews were once again alerted for a unknown type fire in the area of Pine Road in Tilden Township, no fire services were needed after officers and Engine 61-3 investigated.

Thanks to Triangle Communications Ladder 61 was upgraded with its new set of Mobile Radios to communicate with  the Berks County Communications Center and also with the Schuylkill County Communications Center. This upgrade will improve our departments operation and communication capabilities. The same radio set up is also in Rescue Engine 61.

Thank You Triangle Communications for all your help.

Co 61 gathered this afternoon to first place Steamer 61 Back in the display room. During this time Hamburg fire was called by PSP and Hamburg PD to assist with capturing a  lost and running goat that ended up being caught by fire personnel in Windsor Township.

When everyone returned to station many of the members were given a history lesson on how to keep water in the 1876 Silsby Steamer by Retired Chief Ray Hartman. During this time he went over some of the basic steps on how this piece worked during its career. Water is kept inside the steamer to prevent it from rusting out as the chief had said during the afternoon history lesson.

This evening the co was dispatched to assist Fleetwood EMS with a Medical assist. Car 61 and a crew responded and assisted EMS before returning to station.

Co 61 started off the day with an early afternoon MVA dispatched as with entrapment. Chief 61 was on location with a 2 car MVA just prior to 29 A on the West Bound side. No entrapment was found and the assignment was held to 61. Fire police were needed for traffic control. Units cleared the call within the hour.

Second call was a medical assist with Hamburg EMS in the Borough. DC Bechtel was needed to assist with driving the Medical Unit before the company cleared the call.

Hamburg PD also assisted Co 61 medical personal during the incident.

This morning Co 61, 77 and 41 were dispatched to the ramp below the Interstate 78 to Rt 61 Exit for a MVA with Entrapment. Companies arrived and assisted Hamburg EMS with a door removal and patient extrication from the vehicle. PSP, Fire Police, and Kramer's towing were all on scene. Units cleared the scene a short time after patients where transferred to EMS.

In the Early afternoon Co 61 was dispatched to assist Co 40 for oil on the Road way in Perry Township while they were operating at the fire scene in Leesport. Units assisted and returned to station.

Co 61 and 77 were dispatched to assist PSP with a Search detail at the Hamburg Reservoir. As Chief 61 went on the air as responding he was notified that the individual was located and the assignment was recalled placing the company available.

Co 61 was dispatched to assist Port Clinton Fire Co 77@ 0235 Hrs with trees and power lines down in the borough. Engine 61-3 was on scene and assisted with scene control and provided scene lighting with the Port Clinton Fire Dept until PPL arrived. 0530 Captain 61 was notified for a Tree down on Schappell Road in Windsor Twsp. Engine 61-3  crew was released and removed a large tree which was down on the roadway. Crews cleared both calls before returning to quarters.

Co 61 was placed into service along with several other Northern Berks Departments for 2 separate Working Structure Fires during the 4th of July Holiday. The first fire was an assist to Central Berks Fire Department for a fire in the 1500 Block of Centerport Road. A short time later after crews began to clear the fire scene the department was dispatched to a Medical Assist in Windsor Township. Crews where given a reprieve to enjoy the holiday when they where dispatched to a second working fire, this time in Upper Bern Twp located on Valley Road. Members from the 61 House assisted with over haul and man power at both structure assignments.

Thank you to the Port Clinton and Virginville Fire Departments for being on stand by during the day.

Crews where dispatched for an MVA with possible entrapment on West Bound I78. Crews arrived on location to find 1 vehicle on its side with occupants confined. Crews immediately began stabilization,removing the occupants, and transferring them to the care of EMS. Kramer's Towing removed the vehicle and quickly reopened the road way.

Car 61 has passed the certification processes by the Department of Health and the Eastern Pa EMS Council as a licensed QRS Vehicle.
At this time Car 61 will be responding first on all medical assist calls. We are doing this to take some of the daily wear and tear off of the Rescue Truck. A big thank you to Capt.61 and FF/EMT J. Heckman for all their hard work to make this happen!

Companies 61,40 and 77 were dispatched to Route 61 and Schappell Road for an MVA reported with entrapment. Deputy 61-2 arrived on location and reported a two vehicle accident with no entrapment, fluids down, and one patient for an evaluation by EMS. Deputy 61-2 assumed Windsor Township Command and recalled Companies 40 and 77 with the exception of Fire Police for traffic control due to having one lane in each direction closed and to have R-61 continue to the scene. The crew from R-61 applied oil dry to the fluids that were down and de-enrgized the car. After the towing service removed the vehicle Command put all units available and Route 61 was reopened.

Companies 33, 61 and 545 were dispatched to I-78 eastbound for a reported vehicle fire also involving a brush fire. Deputy 61-1 arrived on location and reported a working vehicle and brush fire. Chief 33 arrived on location and assumed Interstate Command. E-61-1 arrived and pulled two 1 1/2 preconnects and started to attack both fires. E-61-3 and E-33 arrived and provided lighting. Command had T-33 continue in to the scene and all other units to stage at the on ramp to I-78. As the fire was being extinguished there was a magnesium fire that required the use of an ABC extinguisher to extinguish . After the fire was extinguished and overhaul was complete, Command released Company 61. Company 33 remained on scene until the towing service arrived and removed the vehicle. Command placed all remaining units available and I-78 was completely reopened.

Companies 77 and 61 were dispatched to an MVA with injuries on Blue Mountain Road West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County approx. 1/4 mile off of Route 61. E-77 arrived on location and reported one vehicle with fluids down. EMS was already attending to the patient. Crews from E-77 and R-61 applied oil dry to the fluids and denergized the battery and stood by until the towing service removed the vehicle. E-61-1 was staged at the church on Port Clinton Ave. While on location Berks dispatched Companies 62, 40 and 33 covering for Companies 61 and 77 to the Hamburg Center for an AFA. Chief 61 had E-61-1 with Lt. 61 respond. E-61-1 arrived on location and reported nothing showing. Deputy 61 arrived on location and was informed by LT.61 that the TIC was not showing any readings. Company 62 gained access to the building and the alarm was a steam leak. All Companies were then recalled.