Garrettford-Drexel Hill Volunteer Fire Company Beef and Beverage Fundraiser: Saturday, April 5th, 2014 7pm-11pm At the Fire House Hall. Live Music & DJ. $30 Donation per person. Must be 21 years of age or older. See any Fire Company member for details

The officers and members of the Drexel Hill Fire Company would like to congratulate and extend our most sincere appreciation to member Hubert Gantz, in recognition of his retirement from president of the fire company. For the past 13 years, Hubert led the fire company both through his duties as president and as an extremely active and knowledgeable firefighter. During his tenure as president, the company celebrated it's 100th anniversary. There were numerous other successes under President Gantz's leadership as the company constantly maintained forward progress to where we are today. In an age where volunteer fire companies nationwide have been struggling to maintain or recruit new members, the Drexel Hill Fire Company has not only maintained our high level of well trained and dedicated volunteers, but increased it. This is an accomplishment we take great pride in and it is a direct result of Hubert's hard work in making the fire company an attractive and welcoming place for volunteers. There is no doubt he has carried on a long tradition of pride and dedication throughout his 54 years at Station 20, which has rubbed off on everyone who has had the pleasure of sharing the firehouse with him. Hubert first joined the fire company in 1960 and became crew secretary in 1980. In 1984, he joined the ranks as a line officer and led firefighters on the fireground for seven years, before switching over to the organizational side and accepting the vice president's position in 1991. He would maintain that position until being elected president in 2000. After 13 years of outstanding service and leadership, Hubert announced this past November that he would be resigning from the presidency at the conclusion of the year. He then presided over his final company meeting on December 12, 2013. He remains involved with the fire company still, as a member of the fire police unit. We would again like to thank Hubert for all he has done for this proud organization and congratulate him on his retirement after a long and successful tenure. We look forward to his future with the company in his new role.

At 11:21 pm Wednesday night, Company 20 and other township companies were dispatched to 327 Clearbrook Ave, in the first due, for a CO Alarm. As 20-1 (Capt. Stevenson) was loading up, the tones dropped again. This time, the Rescue was due on the RIT assignment to the Llanerch Country Club, 950 West Chester Pk in Havertown. Also on the box were Companies 56 (Manoa), 35 (Brookline), 58 (Bon Air), and Haverford EMS. As 20-1 headed to the CO Alarm, Rescue 20 rolled out the door behind them, headed to Havertown. Companies arrived to find smoke inside the country club and began searching for a source. Upon laddering the roof, crews discovered an air conditioning unit on fire on top of the building. Several handlines were stretched to knock the fire and keep it contained without extension into the building. Companies were on scene for about 45 minutes before going available. Engine 20-1 also made the response after investigating the CO Alarm and both units were back in Drexel Hill around 12:20 am.

Just after 8 pm Saturday night, Company 20 and Tower 14 (Swarthmore) were dispatched to assist Company 44 (Springfield) on a working house fire with confirmed entrapment at Leamy Ave and Evans Rd. Originally on the assignment were Companies 44 and 13 (Morton-Rutledge), along with RIT 43 (Holmes). Police arrived in moments reporting the house to be well involved and confirmed entrapment of one person on the first floor, which led to 44 command adding the special requests. Having just returned from a house fire call in the local, Engines 20-1 (D/C M. Morgan), 20-2, Ladder and Rescue 20, as well as 20-9 (Chief Hoban) were all in the street in seconds. Upon arrival, the crews from 20 encountered heavy fire showing from the 2 story single home and went right to work assisting with extinguishment, searches, and ventilation. Due to conditions, two members of Company 44 had to bail out of a second floor window, prompting command to add full Company 53 (Broomall) for an additional RIT and manpower. Crews also battled the ice and snow on the ground to bring the fire under control in about 45 minutes. Unfortunately, secondary searches discovered one elderly female perished on the first floor. Two Springfield firefighters were treated for minor injuries. The Drexel Hill Volunteers were on the scene for approximately 90 minutes before getting back to town around 9:45 pm. The fire is under investigation by Springfield PD, PA State Police, Delaware County CID, and the Springfield Twp. Fire Marshal.

At 8:48 am Saturday morning, Company 20 was dispatched to the 5100-blk of State Rd for an accident with wires down. Engines 20-2 (D/C M. Morgan) and 20-3 made the response and arrived to find a taxi cab into a telephone pole. There were several utility poles on the ground along with numerous power lines. The driver was the lone occupant of the vehicle and was evaluated on scene by Medic 103-7 (DCMH), but luckily had only minor injuries. Company 20 controlled hazard and stood-by until PECO's arrival. The Company was available in about 30 minutes and off radio around 9:30 am.

Around 4:30 am New Year's Eve morning, Company 19 (Lansdowne) and Quint 03 (Clifton Heights) were dispatched to 73 W. Stratford Ave. for a residential fire alarm. Moments later, Fireboard received a call from a resident inside the home stating there was a fire and she was trapped inside. Additional calls reported a neighbor was attempting the rescue and also became trapped inside. The assignment was then upgraded to the house fire with entrapment, adding the balance of Company 03, Company 20, RIT 56 (Manoa), and several medic units. Ambulance 19-7 arrived first and reported heavy fire showing from a 3 story single home, with confirmed entrapment on the 2nd and 3 rd floors. Prior to fire apparatus arrival, a total of 3 trapped victims jumped from the upper floors of the home and 19-7 immediately began treatment. Quint 03 arrived and established a water supply, then stretched an 1 3/4" attack line into the first floor. Ladder 20 (D/C M. Morgan) and Engine 20-1 arrived just behind and stretched an additional line, put the ladder to the roof, and went in service for fire attack, searches, and ventilation. Engine 20-2 (Capt. Donohue) then arrived and took the "D" side of the home, as heavy fire began blowing out the 2nd floor windows. 20-2 stretched a supply line from Quint 03 and the crew took another line into the dwelling to attack the fire on the 2nd floor. Several more handlines were stretched for heavy fire throughout the home, and command requested additional manpower from Companies 24 (East Lansdowne) and 16 (Yeadon), as well as an additional RIT from Company 43 (Holmes). The fire was placed under control in just under an hour and crews remained on scene for about 3 hours performing extensive overhaul. Company 20 was back in the township around 7:30 am. Two victims were transported to a local hospital in unknown conditions. The fire is being investigated by the 7th Dist. Fire Marshal.

The Drexel Hill Fire Company would like to wish you all a very happy, safe, and healthy New Year! Thank you to all of our residents for your continued support and we look forward to a successful 2014. Please drink responsibly, enjoy the evening and holiday, and remember, don't drink and drive!!

At 9:14 pm Christmas Eve, Companies 53 (Broomall), Ladder 41 (Newtown Square), Engine 56 (Manoa), and RIT 20 were dispatched to 9 Franklin Getz Dr, for a house fire. Police arrived in seconds reporting a working fire. Chief 53-9 arrived shortly after reporting heavy fire showing from the front of a 1 story single home. Quint 53 arrived and established a water supply, then stretched two handlines into the living room, which was fully involved. Ladder 41 arrived and took 1st due truck company duties. Other arriving units began assisting with extinguishment and opening up. Rescue 20 (D/C M. Morgan) set-up for RIT upon arrival and stood by. The fire was placed under control in about 30 minutes and Companies remained on scene for over an hour performing extensive overhaul. Rescue 20 was back in Drexel Hill, awaiting Santa's arrival, by 10:30 pm.

From our family to yours, the Drexel Hill Volunteers would like to wish everyone a very safe and Merry Christmas, as well as a healthy and Happy New Year!

At 8:18 pm Sunday night, Companies 03 (Clifton Heights), 74 (Primos-Secane), 19 (Lansdowne), RIT 20, and Medic 103-7 (DCMH) were dispatched to 379 E. Madison Ave. for a house fire, reported to be in the basement. Rescue 20 (D/C Morgan) was out the door moments later and arrived with Quint 03 to heavy smoke showing from a row home. The Rescue crew was immediately split to assist with manpower, as half helped advance the first-in attack lines and the other half set up for RIT. Other arriving companies began assisting with searches and ventilation. Chief 03-9 (Kneass) had command and requested an additional RIT from Company 20. Engine 20-2 then made the response and set up for RIT in the rear of the building. Crews made fast work of fire in the basement, preventing extension to the floors above. Companies were on scene for about one hour before returning. D/C Morgan had interior command and Capt. 20-12 (Stevenson, Jr.) had RIT command.