2 DAYS AWAY !!!!

The OFD is anticipating nice weather and excited for our 125th anniversary parade and celebration.  We cant wait for the neighboring fire departments to get here and give the Borough of Orwigsburg a great parade to show off some of Schuylkill County's fire apparatus.  We will also be celebrating the anniversary after the parade at our firehouse with food and refreshments.  After the parade commemorative mugs and t-shirts can be purchased for the occasion.  The festivities will be kicked off with the parade starting @ 1:00 pm, and the celebration afterwards.  See ya there!

Michael Sinitsky, OFD firefighter, promoted to the rank of E-5 Staff Sargeant in the United States Air Force.  Mike joined the Air Force in 2008 and serves as a Fire Protection Journeyman.  He will now become a Lead Firefighter Crew Chief, responsible for supervising other Airmen. He is stationed at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst in Burlington County, NJ.  Mike started his Fire Service career with Co. 47 Landingville and joined the OFD in 2005.  He continues to participate as an active firefighter with the OFD whenever he is home and also serves as a Company Trustee.  Congratulations Mike.

Orwigsburg Fire Department received an alarm from Schuylkill County Communications Center reporting a detector activation at Madeline’s Restaurant in Orwigsburg.  Landingville (District 47) and Deer Lake (District 42) filled out the 1st Alarm assignment.  Ambulance 932 (Orwigsburg) arrived on scene five minutes later and reported a working fire. SHFD Ladder 725 was added to the Box, as well as Pottsville Fire Department’s RIT team. First arriving OFD units encountered a rapidly advancing fire in the 1st and 2nd floors. Command requested a Tanker Task Force due to the lack of hydrants in this section of the Borough. Three attack lines from Engine 5610 and a fourth from Engine 4710 were used to control the fire, while Ladder 725 vented the building. One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was transported to a local hospital by EMS where he was treated and released. OFD units cleared the scene at 03:45 hours. The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

The Orwigsburg Fire Department was dispatched to Schuylkill Gun Works at 20 West Main Street, in Schuylkill Haven to a working commercial fire. Haven firefighters encountered a well involved fire in the rear of the building. A large Mutual Aid Assignment provided assistance to the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department. The crew of E-5610 assisted with the fire attack and overhaul operations. A Cressona firefighter stepped through a weak spot in a floor leading to a MayDay call. He was removed from the building by a RIT Team and transported to an area hospital by EMS. OFD cleared the scene at 20:45 hours.

Rescue 56 was dispatched to a report of a tractor trailer accident with entrapment on Fir Lane in East Brunswick Township. The rig, carrying an estimated 65,000 lbs. of trees from a lumbering operation had jackknifed on a hillside dirt road. The load had shifted, trapping the driver in the cab. First arriving firefighters from West Penn Fire Company (District 37) had requested a heavy wrecker from Soley’s Garage to assist in stabilizing the truck. New Ringgold (District 55) and Yorkville Rescue 63 (Pottsville City) were also dispatched to the scene. The victim was freed from the wreckage in about one hour and transported to an area hospital by EMS personnel.

Rescue 56 was requested by Berks County Radio to respond to a working commercial structure fire in Lenhartsville.  Rescue 56 joined numerous Berks, Lehigh, and Schuylkill County Fire/EMS and Haz-Mat Departments working at the fire.  The 2 1/2 story building, housing a service station and apartments, was completely destroyed by the blaze.  Rescue 56 remained on the scene until released around 12:30 hours.

The OFD was dispatched to Patton Drive in Orwigsburg for a report of a residential structure fire.  Firefighters arrived on scene to discover a small fire in an attached garage. The fire was quickly extinguished with only minimal damage.

With Rescue 56 committed to the fatal accident in McKeansburg, Engine 56-10 was dispatched to a 2ND accident on Hemlock Drive in North Manheim Township.  Rescuer’s on scene encountered a two vehicle accident with one driver trapped in the wreckage.  OFD firefighter’s were joined by Rescuers from Rainbow Hose Company, Schuylkill Haven and Yorkville Rescue (Station 60) of Pottsville.  Companies cleared the scene in just over an hour.

Rescue 56 was dispatched to McKeansburg to assist Fire District 55 (New Ringgold) at a vehicle accident.  Tragically, the two vehicle accident claimed the life of one of the victims and seriously injured another.  Firefighters would remain on scene until 20:00 hours while the Pennsylvania State Police completed their investigation.