Statistics
Drexel Hill Top 10 Firefighters Through January 2010
118 Total Emergencies
John Pucino 75
Kevin Morgan        63
Adam Barret
60
Hubert Gantz
53
Justin Koopman
53
Dave Saylor
51
Troy Brown
41
Kyle Brown
39
Brad Penn 
39
Steve Castallano Jr. & Vince Procopio
37
Nick Lechette
Tom Manley
34
33
Drexel Hill Top 3 Fire Officers
Asst. Chief Bill Tully
74
Lieut. Dave Stevenson Jr.  74
Capt. Steve Castellano Sr.
69
 
 
 
 
 
Welcome to Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Company

Upper Darby Fire Live Audio Feed

 

 

1987 SEAGRAVE PUMPER FOR SALE
   
1987 Seagrave Pumper

6 man enclosed cab

GVW: 40,000lbs.

1250 gpm Waterous single stage Pump (615hrs.)
New 500-gallon polypropylene tank
350 Hp Detroit Diesel 6V92TA motor (37,400 miles) (5000hrs.)
Allison 4 speed automatic transmission

(2) 1¾ cross lays
(4) 2½ discharges


(2) 3½  discharges

(6) Intakes

(2) Top mounted booster reels
 
(1) Mounted Deck Gun w/ portable base

Federal Q Siren and Electric Siren
(2) Hard Sleeve Suction Hose

(1) 6” Front Suction Soft Sleeve Hose
(1) 14' roof ladder, 24' extension ladder, 10' attic ladder

(2) Pike Pole(s) 6' & 10'
(1) Electric Smoke Ejector
New Driver Seat 
(2) 12volt Night Fighter Flood Lights
(4) New Tires
New Brakes & Drums
Recent Certified Pump Test

Engine and pump are in great condition. Engine Sold As Is. Call for details and pricing. Contact Lt. Dave Stevenson Jr. @ (610) 476-2391 or email inquiries to dstevenson@oliversprinkler.com.


 
FIRE AT THE MCDONALDS
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 
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At about 1pm today, the township companies were dispatched to 801 Lansdowne Ave, the McDonalds, for a building fire. Delco Paramedic 103 was passing by and noticed smoke coming from the roof area, and called the report in. First arriving units went on location with heavy smoke and fire showing from the roof and went in service with a 2-1/2" attack line, on the inside, as other crews went to the roof to start opening it up. Ladder 20 was requested right away by command to make the response. Under the command of Deputy Chief Mike Morgan (20-9A), the crew from Ladder 20 assisted crews already on scene with extinguishment, ventilation, and overhaul. The fire was believed to originate in the 'Friolator' and grew too fast for the kitchen hood extinguishing system to control. The fire eventually spread up the ventilation duct work and into the roof area. Crews worked for about a half hour to get the fire under control, opening numerous holes in the roof to find the fire. Ladder 20 was made available shortly after and was back in station just before 2pm.


 
   
   
BUSY END OF WEEKEND
Sunday, August 15, 2010
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Just before 10am, Company 20 was dispatched on a second alarm assignment to 159 East Plumstead Ave, in Lansdowne. Firefighters from companies 19 (Lansdowne), 24 (East Lansdowne), & 16 (Yeadon) were already on scene battling the house fire. Ladder 20 and Engines 20-1 & 20-2 made the response and assisted crews on scene with fire extinguishment, secondary searches, ventilation, and overhaul. The fire was believed to originate in the basement where heavy fire and smoke conditions were encountered by initial crews. Crews found minor extension to the 1st floor. The fire was placed under control around 10:45am and Company 20 was back in station just after 11am.

The rest of the day was quiet up until 1am when Ladder 20 was dispatched on a building fire to 6840 Market Street. Multiple calls were received reporting smoke coming from the building next door. Crews investigated and found the source to be fire crackers, and all apparatus were recalled. At about 2am, RIT 20 was alerted to respond to assist the Springfield Fire Company on a working house fire at 676 Beatty Road. Rescue 20 made the response, under the command of Assistant Chief Bill Tully (20-9B), and stood by on the fire ground as the 2nd Rapid Intervention Team. The crew from Rescue 20 was eventually relieved by RIT 14 (Swarthmore) to assist with fire extinguishment operations, due to the large dwelling being fully involved with fire. Crews worked for just under 2 hours to get the fire under control utilizing all defensive firefighting tactics including master stream operations from Tower 44 (Springfield). Rescue 20 was released from the scene and was back in station by 4am.

 
676 Beatty Road
   676 Beatty Road
676 Beatty Road
   676 Beatty Road
R.I.T. IN CLIFTON
Friday, August 6, 2010 00:03
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Just after midnight, the Drexel Hill Volunteers were alerted to respond as the Rapid Intervention Team, on a building fire with possible entrapment at 35 West Wyncliffe Ave, in the Borough of Clifton Heights. As units were responding, Fireboard advised that police were on location with heavy smoke showing and everyone was out of the building. Chief 03-9 (Kneass) arrived first and reported he had fire in a detached garage. Engine 74-2 (Primos-Secane) laid a 3-1/2” supply line from the hydrant and went in service with an 1-3/4” hand line to start extinguishing the fire. Quint 03 (Clifton Heights) laid a 5” supply line from another hydrant and started ventilation. The bulk of the fire was knocked within the first 10 minute mark as crews performed extensive overhaul. Rescue 20 stood by as the RIT for about 30 minutes, under the command of Lieutenant 20-13 (Stevenson Jr.). The fire was placed under control and units started to return to their stations.

Units on scene: Rescue 20, Quint 03 (Clifton Heights), 03-1, 03-2, Utility 03, 03-7, 74-2 (Primos-Secane), 74-1, Truck 19 (Lansdowne), 103-7B (Delco Paramedics)

 
HOUSE FIRE WITH HEAVY FIRE SHOWING
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 13:23
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The Drexel Hill Volunteers were at it again, this time in the local. Companies were dispatched to 244 Bridge Street for a report of a structure fire. As units went responding, Fireboard advised that multiple calls for being received for smoke coming from the dwelling. Engine 20-1, under the command of Deputy Chief Mike Morgan, arrived first reporting heavy fire showing from the rear and went in service with an 1-3/4" handline. Engine 20-2 & Chief 20-9 (Hoban) arrived next as water supply was established and 20-9 assumed Command. Ladder 20 handled a primary search & ventilation from the front, as Ladder 26 vented from the rear. The bulk of the fire was knocked within the first 10 minute mark and the fire was placed under control shortly after. Units remained on scene checking for extension and ventilating before returning to service just after 2PM.

Units on scene: 20-1, 20-2, Ladder 20, Rescue 20, Ladder 26 (Highland Park), 36-2 (Cardington-Stonehurst), Quint 37 (Upper Darby), RIT 74 (Primos-Secane), 103-7 (Delco Medics), & 03-7 (Clifton Heights)


 
   
   
3 ALARM CONDO FIRE
Sunday, July 25, 2010 15:49
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The bells struck just after 3:30, Sunday afternoon, for a report of a possible building fire at 80 West Baltimore Pike, the Wildman Arms Apartments, in Lansdowne. On the assignment were Companies 19 (Lansdowne), 20, 03 (Clifton Heights), RIT 09 (Sharon Hill), & Medic 105 (Fitz Medics). As units were responding, Fireboard advised that numerous calls were being received of a fire on the 3rd floor. First arriving crews reported smoke showing from the 3rd & 4th floors, with numerous people trapped inside the 7 story condominium building. 19-9A assumed command and immediately requested the second alarm to assist initial crews with evacuation as well as fire suppression. The companies on scene assisted residents in evacuating the building as well as making several rescues from windows via aerial devices. Interior crews were encountered with heavy fire & smoke conditions on the 3rd floor where two condo units were fully involved. The building’s two standpipes were utilized for extinguishment. After the fire was extinguished and all residents were evacuated, crews began extensive overhaul and ventilation. The fire was placed under control just after 5PM and companies began to go available. Pictures courtesy of Brian Feeney.

 
Companies on Scene: Companies 19, 20, 03, RIT 09, 04 (Darby #1), 24 (East Lansdowne), 16 (Yeadon), 22 (Milbourne), Rescue 42 (Collingdale #2), RIT 44 (Springfield)

 
   
   
POLICE STANDOFF TURNS INTO WORKING HOUSE FIRE... JUST A TYPICAL DAY IN DREXEL HILL
Monday, July 12, 2010 
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On Monday night, around 8:45 pm, Upper Darby police responded to a reported “man with a knife” at State Rd and Ormond Ave. Upon their arrival, the male fled several blocks to his home at 3304 State Rd. Police units surrounded the house and officers observed the subject, who barricaded himself inside, screaming out the windows at them while stabbing the walls and furniture in his home. Members of Company 20 were glued to the police radio listening to the action, but were interrupted when the tones dropped for a fire alarm activation at the Riverview Church, 337 Riverview Ave, bringing in Companies 20 and 36 (Cardington-Stonehurst), as well as Engine 26 (Highland Park). D/C 20-9A (M. Morgan) arrived first and began investigating, followed by Engine 20-1. As crews were investigating, a half-mile away on State Rd police observed smoke beginning to fill the home. Officers then advised that the subject set a fire inside a rear bedroom and they needed the fire department dispatched and staged a block away. 20-9A advised fireboard that 20-1 and Ladder 36 could complete the investigation and other units could respond to the house fire. The balance of Company 20, Company 26, Quint 37 (Upper Darby), RIT-74 (Primos-Secane), and Medic units from Station 103 (DCMH) were then dispatched to 3304 State Rd for the working building fire. Engine 26-1 arrived first and made contact with police, who advised they could stretch a line to the exterior rear of the 1 and 2 story split-level home, as heavy fire was now blowing out several rear windows. 26-1’s crew then stretched an 1 ¾” line to the rear and began extinguishing the fire from the exterior while being covered by police units. 26-1 established their own water supply as Engine 20-2 arrived and began assisting them. Ladder 20 arrived next and the crew was sent to the roof via ground ladders to begin ventilation. Other arriving units began staging as police continued developing a plan to get to the armed subject. As the smoke conditions lightened up inside the home, police began entering and searching for the subject. After concluding the search, police found the house to be clear. At that time, police spotted the subject hiding in bushes out front of the home, after apparently slipping out a basement window. The subject again attempted to flee police, while still armed with the knife, and jumped into an Upper Darby police car and locked the doors. Unfortunately for the subject, there were no keys in the vehicle. Police officers broke open a window and were able to subdue the subject with less-lethal means. The subject was then taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for treatment of several injuries, including self-inflicted stab wounds. With the house finally safe, fire crews were able to enter the dwelling and finish extinguishing hot spots, as well as conduct salvage and overhaul. Police and Fire personnel worked very well together on this extremely dangerous incident and were able to control the situation as quickly as possible. Luckily, nobody was injured except for the bad guy. All fire units cleared the scene around 11:30 pm and coverage for Station 20 was provided by Engine 09 (Sharon Hill) and Tower 05 (Glenolden).

 
Units on Scene: Engines 20-1, 20-2, & 20-3, Ladder 20, Rescue 20, Engine 26-1, Ladder 26, Quint 37, RIT/Engine 74-2, Rehab Unit 34 (Llanerch), Medic 103, 103-7A, & 103-7B, 7th & 8th District Fire Police, Upper Darby Police, and Septa Police.

 
FOUR CALL FLURRY INCLUDES TECHNICAL RESCUE IN SPRINGFIELD
Sunday, July 11, 2010 
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Company 20 handled six emergencies on Sunday, four of which coming in a 34 minute rush. After an early morning house fire, which was determined to be a skunk odor, the company was out the door for a string of calls that all came in between 11:35 am and 12:09 pm. The first was for the usual faulty fire alarm at Pizza Odyssey, 3901 State Rd. Just three minutes after calling off radio, wheels were turning again for the residential fire alarm at 2801 Garrett Rd, also determined to be a faulty system. As Engine 20-1 was returning, Fireboard advised A/C 20-9B (B. Tully), that the Ladder and Rescue were being requested to assist Company 44 (Springfield) on a rescue assignment. Company 44 and EMS units were on the scene at 338 Orchard Rd. with a construction crew digging a trench in the rear yard, which was approximately 40' x 40' and 15' deep. A worker in the trench became injured when a partial wall collapse occurred and the extent of his injuries were unknown. Ladder and Rescue 20 made the response, under the command of 20-9B, and upon arrival assisted crews with packaging the patient in a stokes basket and safely removing him from the trench to ground level via ropes and numerous ground ladders. Crews were able to remove the worker in about ten minutes to awaiting EMS personnell, who determined his injuries to be minor. The patient was then transported to Springfield Hospital and all units began picking up. Tower 14 (Swarthmore) also assisted at the scene. Just after the Ladder and Rescue arrived in Springfield, the tones dropped for another fire alarm, this time at the Creek Road Apartments, 3947 Dennison Ave. Since there were plenty of volunteers still remaining in the station, Engine 20-1 was on the street moments later, under the command of Capt. 20-12 (Castellano, Sr). This alarm system was also determined to be faulty and the company recalled. All of Company 20 was off radio for a well deserved rest by 12:45 pm. Crews would handle one more fire alarm around 1:30 pm, before finally calling it a day.


 
   
   
2ND ANNUAL DELCO HERO SCHOLARSHIP SOFTBALL GAME A SUCCESS, DESPITE A TOUGH LOSS
Saturday, June 26, 2010 
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On Saturday, June 26th, the Drexel Hill Volunteers hosted the 2nd Annual Hero Scholarship Fund Softball Game, this time at the Glen Mills School in Thornbury Township, Delaware County. Last year's event was able to raise $1,500 for the fund, which provides scholarship money to the family members of fallen Delaware Counrty police, fire, and EMS personell. The volunteers suffered a 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia NBC10 News team last year at Campbells Field in Camden, NJ. This year the vollies were out for revenge, but more importantly, the goal was to increase the amount of money raised, as well as awareness of the cause. This year's event was bigger than the last and featured fun and games for all in attendance, including between inning mini-games and raffles. Despite a valiant effort once again, the NBC10 Fightin' Peacocks slipped away with a 12th inning victory, defeating our boys and girls 12-11. All involved are still very proud of the outcome, as this year's event was able to raise an impressive $2,000 for the fund. We look forward to continuing this tradition and hope to raise even more money next year. We would also like to thank the following people/organizations who made this year's event possible: Mellon Certified Restoration (event sponsor), McDonald's, Holiday Inn Express, Fast Signs, The Philadelphia Eagles, The Philadelphia 76ers, The Drexel Hill Fire Company Ladies' Auxiliary, The Spina Family, and The Picozzie Family. Additionally, we would like to thank all of those who came out to show support, those who could not come out but made a donation, and also to all the members who worked hard to make this event a success.

Be sure to check out the link to NBC10 reporter Lu Ann Cahn's video.


 
DHFC vs. NBC10 News
   
   
SEVERE STORMS POUND AREA, KEEP VOLUNTEERS BUSY
Thursday, June 24, 2010 
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On Thursday, around 3:30 pm, a line of severe thunderstorms blew through the area, leaving mass destruction in its wake. The storms packed plenty of lightning, torrential rains, golfball-sized hail, and straight-line winds of 76 mph in Drexel Hill. It didn't take long after the storm's arrival for the volunteers to hit the street, but it would be several hours before crews were reunited at the station. Just a few minutes after the storm arrived, the tones dropped for an accident with entrapment on the Bishop Ave Bridge in Company 74's (Primos-Secane) local. However, as Rescue 20 was enroute, they were diverted to a more serious accident in Company 19's (Lansdowne) local, where 3 additional Rescue companies were requested at Ardmore and Greenwood Aves, as a large tree fell on an occupied vehicle, taking down power lines with it. Two occupants were trapped in the vehicle for about an hour as rescue crews used every tool imaginable to try and free them. Amazingly, they were removed with only minor injuries. As the storm clean-up began, Companies were dispatched to 10 W. Baltimore Ave, also in Lansdowne, for the report of a tree into a building with wires down, the roof collapsed, the building on fire, and subjects trapped inside. Companies arrived to find an apartment building with most of the roof ripped away, as well as trees and power lines down. Luckily, there was no fire or subjects injured in this incident. This trend would continue well into the weekend, as between the start of the storm on Thursday afternoon until Saturday evening, the Company would respond to nearly 40 emergencies. During the storm and the four hour period following it, the Company responded to 26 calls. These calls all ranged from trees and wires down to building fires, water rescues, and accidents with entrapment. In addition to Station 20 losing power for a time, approximately 330,000 area residents lost power during the storms, some not getting it back for days, as the heat and humidity continued to grip the region featuring temperatures near 100 degrees. Things finally began calming down for Station 20 on Saturday night.  


 
   
   
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