The Chalfont fire company would like to congratulate FireFighter Will Fluck on his recent wedding to Emily Johnson we wish you two the best!!!

Shortly after 7 PM, Bucks County 911 dispatched Box 29-19 for a dwelling fire at 222 Valley Road in Warrington Twp. Multiple callers reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the building. Police arrived on-scene and advised fire officers of heavy fire. At 7:24 PM, Chief 29 (Bean) called for the 2nd alarm.  At 7:31 PM, Ladder 74 (Assistant Fluck) responded to cover Station 29. The third alarm was called for at 7:53 PM. At that time Ladder 74 proceeded to the staging area at 1700 Place. Ladder 74 was eventually called into the scene at 7:56 PM. Rescue 34 (Lt. Bair) responded to cover Station 29 at 7:59 PM.  At 12:22 AM, Rescue 34 responded to the scene to help shutdown operations. At 1:25 AM, Ladder 74 was released from the scene followed by Rescue 34 at 2:19 AM.

Throughout the call, firefighters dealt with challenges caused by several hazardous materials within the building. Bucks Count Hazardous Incidents Response Team was called to the scene to monitor the air and run-off. Additionally, all personnel at the scene were directed to wear their SCBA's at all times.

Firefighter from throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties responded to this fire. They were aided by multiple fire police units, canteen services from Stations 4 and 19, Bucks County's mobile command post (CP800), and fire investigators from municipal, county and state agencies.

Congratulations Firefighters Sue McGinnis and Al Dacanay on their recent wedding!

Zach Major: Zach joins the Chalfont Fire Company as a Junior Firefighter. Zach has already completed Firefighter I training through classes at vo-tech school.

Vinnie Malvoso: Vinnie has been a junior firefighter with the Chalfont Fire Company for nearly two years. Tonight, the membership voted Vinnie into membership as a Firefighter. During his time with the organization Vinnie has completed Firefighter I training at the Bucks County Fire School. Additionally, Vinnie is active with many different committees and can be seen lending a hand at all of our fundraising events.

Congratulations Vinnie and Zach!

If you are interested in becoming a firefighter, please visit our downloads section for an application or feel free to stop by the Firehouse on any Thursday evening.

 

 

At approximately 4 PM, Tactical Box 34-38 was dispatched for a lightning strike at 63 Falcon Rd. Deputy 34 (McGuire) responded and was advised by Bucks County Radio that the caller stated that their home had been struck by lightning and smelled like smoke.

Engine 34 (Lt. Marino), Rescue 34 (Lt. Scheid) and Ladder 74 (Asst. Fluck) responded. Engine 34 went into service with the thermal imaging camera to make sure that fire was not hidden within the walls. Extensive damage was observed to the chimney of the structure. No fire was detected and the scene was cleared shortly thereafter.

At 4:47 AM, Local Box 74-60 was dispatched for an alarm system at 508 Remington Court. Assistant 74 (Fluck), Ladder 74, Engine 34 (Lt. Marino) and Rescue 34 (Batt. Schea) responded. Assistant 74 narrowed the call down to a false alarm activated by a power outage in the area. All units were cleared.

Shortly before 10 PM, Tactical Box 34-38 was transmitted for fumes in a dwelling at 52 Eagle Road. Deputy 34 (McGuire) responded and was advised that the homeowners called 911 after their CO (Carbon Monoxide) alarm activated. Deputy 34 was also advised that everyone had been evacuated and EMS was not needed.

Engine 34 (Batt. Schea), Rescue 34 and Ladder 74 (Asst. Fluck) responded. Engine 34 arrived first and went into service with the gas detector. High levels of CO were detected at the top of the basement steps. Engine 34's crew monitored the air and opened up windows to help ventilate the dwelling. Ladder 74 set up a fan to assist in ventilation. The source of the CO was narrowed down to the hot water heater. All apparaus cleared the scene at approximately 11 PM.

Luckily the residents of this dwelling were alerted to the dangerous levels of CO by an alarm and all occupants were safe. The outcome may have been very different if there was not a CO detector in the house. Carbon Monoxide can be fatal with in minutes at high levels.

The Chalfont Fire Company encourages everyone to install at least one CO detector in their house. Additionally, keep an eye out for the following symptoms and evacuate immediately to fresh air if you suspect Carbon Monoxide Posioning.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning


Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and can have a long term health risk if left unattended. Some of the symptoms are the following.

• Shortness of breath
• Mild nausea
• Mild headaches

Moderate levels of CO exposure can cause death if the following symptoms persist for a long measure of time.

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Light-headedness

High levels of CO can be fatal causing death within minutes.

Chalfont's volunteer firefighters kept busy today participating in two public events. Ladder 74 went to Skyline Drive and 202 for a community day sponsored by the New Britain Township Business Alliance. At the same time, Engine 34 entertained the crowd at Pine Run Elementary School for their annual spring fair.

During these events, Squad 134 was dispatched for a motorcycle accident at Meadowbrook and Route 202. Ladder 74 (Lt. Marino) responded to assist the squad, and cleared from the scene shortly after their arrival.

At 1:48 PM, Local Box 74-54 was dispatched for an alarm system at Byers Choice on County Line Road. Engine 34 (Lt. Bair) responded immediately. Chief 34 (R. Teschner) arrived on location and held the assignment to Engine 34. Engine 34's crew walked the interior of the building, and narrowed the call down to a faulty smoke detector.

Upon exiting the building, a bridal party had arrived for a reception and had begun to take photos on Engine 34. The crew posed for some pictures with the bride and then cleared the scene to return back to Pine Run. Congratulations Bill and Erin!

At 2:24 PM, Chalfont Fire Company was dispatched on Rescue Box 74-55 at 4355 County Line Road in front of Byers Choice. Initial reports stated that an elderly woman appeared to be unconscious following an accident and was trapped in the vehicle. Rescue 34(Chief Teschner) responded and was notified that PennStar Medevac was being placed on standby. While en-route, Rescue 34 was notified that police on scene were confirming one fatality and one injured. Upon arrival, the crew from Rescue 34 assisted Medic 134 in removing a patient from the vehicle and spreading oil dry. Medic 134 (CBREMS) transported one patient to Abington Hospital.

Chief 34 notified Bucks County that the accident was on Montgomery Township's side of the road. Already en-route, Squad 18 (FDMT) arrived on scene shortly thereafter. Chief  34 turned the scene over to Chief 18 and Rescue 34 and Engine 34 returned.

Squad 18 and Station 34 Fire Police remained on scene while Montgomery Township Police and the Montgomery County Coroner investigated the accident. County Line Road was closed between Route 202 and Richardson Road during the investigation.

The members and officers of the Chalfont Fire Company would like to wish everyone a happy Memorial Day and a Thank You to all that have served and are serving in the armed forces.

Shortly after 11 PM, Chalfont firefighters were dispatched to 14 Curley Mill Rd. for a report of a dwelling fire. Battalion 74 (Schea) responded, and was advised that the homeowners had called 911 after observing smoke in the home. Engine 34 (Lt. Marino), Ladder 74 (Asst. 74 Fluck), Tanker 34, Rescue 34 (Lt. Scheid) responded to the assignment. Upon arrival, Engine 34's crew went into service with a fire extinguisher and thermal imaging camera. The crew of Engine 34 was assigned in ventilating the dwelling using positive pressure fans. No extension of fire was observed in the walls.

As the company was preparing to leave the scene of this call, Bucks County Radio advised Assistant 74 of a dwelling fire at 188 Church Road. While the crew of Engine 34 broke down ventilation; Tanker 34, Ladder 74, and Rescue 34 responded on the second call. Tanker 23 and Engine 23 also were dispatched. Ladder 74 arrived on location and went into service with a thermal imaging camera. All additional responding units were advised to respond at reduced speed and were cleared from the scene shortly after midnight.

Heavy thunderstorms in the area caused both fires. The Chalfont Fire Company would like to remind you that if you smell smoke to evacuate your house and to call 911.