Volunteers Serving Springfield Township
At 12:47 PM on Monday, February 14 a crew working on installing a new water main in Weiss hit a 3 inch gas main. Squad 6 and Engine 6 responded and Fire Police shut down access to the street from both Bethlehem Pike and W. Mill Road. PECO soon arrived on the scene and clamped off the ruptured pipe.
BALTIMORE COUNTY FIREFIGHTER DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY TRAPPED IN MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING FIRE
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
Flourtown Fire Company has a unique connection with the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company, as former Flourtown Firefighter Dave Wilmot runs with them, and was present at this fire and at the hospital where Firefighter Mark Falkenhan was taken. Dave is the son of former Flourtown Chief and Life Active Member Bob Wilmot, Jr. who is still quite active with our fire company and often supplies us with the photographs users see throughout this website. The members of Flourtown Fire Company join all our fellow firefighters in Balitmore County, the Wilmots and the Falkenhan family in our condolences at this most difficult time. The following is the announcement from The Secret List www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com
It is with deep regret that we advise you of the Line of Duty Death of Baltimore County FF Mark Falkenhan, 43. Mark was killed [the evening of 1/19/11] after becoming trapped and calling a mayday in a multi-family dwelling fire and suffering massive burns. FF Falkenhan had recently left as a career Baltimore County FF to take a position with the United States Secret Service. However, he was an active member of Baltimore County’s Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company (Station 30), a part of the Baltimore County FD. Mark was also an Instructor with MFRI, the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute. He leaves his wife and 2 children, ages 10 & 13 behind. More to follow.
As always, our most sincere condolences to all affected.
More on this tragedy.
Initial reports at 11:57 am of heavy smoke coming from the basement of 1250 Pinetown Road in Upper Dublin had Fort Washington Fire Company and units from Roslyn Fire Company, Oreland, and Flourtown Fire Company respond. Flourtown Fire Company’ Squad 6 was initially dispatched as a FAST unit and Engine 6 and Utility 6 were requested for additional resources and personnel. The fire advanced from the basement to all three floors of the large home and personnel were sent to the roof to open up particularly hot spots.
For more on the fire and other pictures (by Bob Wilmot, Jr.) see Philly Fire News
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An annual tradition continued in 2010 with the Santa Run through the Flourtown Gardens area of the Township. Held each Christmas Eve for over 50 years the community has embraced the trek of St. Nick through the neighborhoods and parties and family reunions are actually planned around it. Originally conceived by Rosemary Samtmann and Lou McGettigan in 1957 the Run has grown in popularity and children of all ages enjoy welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus on the rear of Ladder 6 each Dec. 24th. A similar run happens in Erdenheim on the Sunday prior to Christmas yet is much younger having started in 2000. Photos by Bob Wilmot, Jr.
Flourtown Fire Company gathered on Saturday November 20, 2010 to conclude its Century of Service events with its annual awards banquet. Normandy Farm and Coleman Restaurant was the location of the cocktail party and banquet. President Tim Ernst welcomed the firefighters, their guests and others from area fire companies, the township and friends of the fire company. He read a excerpt from Charlie Samtmann’s history of Flourtown Fire Company which would be presented to all those in attendance later in the evening. He introduced Thomas Timoney, Esq. a longtime friend of the fire company and honorary life member to address the crowd as our guest speaker.
Tom spoke of his earliest memories of the fire company – its annual Flourtown Fair – which ran from 1920 to 1951. And he also spoke of the dedication of those in the fire company and his long relationship with the company and its members.
President Ernst then introduced the Rev. Marcia Thompson and Treasurer Ron Valentine for the invocation and toast prior to every sitting down to a delicious meal. After dinner Chief George Wilmot, III and President Ernst introduced their guests and Banquet Chairman Rob Brzezinski presented the following awards:
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