Flourtown Fire Company

Volunteers Serving Springfield Township

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Hurricane Irene Hits Area Hard – FFCo Responds

 

Torrential rains, a bit of wind, tornado warnings and more rain, Hurricane Irene which moved into the Delaware Valley on August 27 and 28, 2011 had it all. Flourtown Fire Company responded to several emergency calls including several water rescues of drivers from their vehicles, electrical fires in homes and downed wires. Our neighboring fire company, Barren Hill, in Whitemarsh Township had its hands full with rescues of residents from the western side of the Wissahickon Creek along Stenton Avenue. Meanwhile Flourtown’s water rescue team which was split amongst both Squad 6 and Engine 6 were requested to conduct several searches along the banks of the Wissahickon Creek for several missing residents. It was an unprecedented storm and several members even bedded down at the firehouse for the night on Saturday night, although no one slept very much. Over 6 inches of rain swelled area streams and creek beds and causing flooding throughout Springfield Township.

(Photo by Bob Wilmot, Jr.)

 

 

 

Barrel Push Hose Training 2011

Flourtown Fire Company annually holds a barrel push competition among the three fire companies of Springfield Township each summer. The object of the training is push a metal barrel along a cable with a stream of water from a hose line, while another team with the same type of hose line tries to push it toward your end of the cable. Great way to cool off on a hot night!

 

Future Firefighters Graduate from Wissahickon Firefighter Camp

Some future firefighters received hands-on training and experience as part of Wissahickon Fire Company’s annual Firefighter Camp. In the photo above, Chief George Wilmot is joined by Deputy Chief Mike Frye with three of the camp graduates, from left to right, Lexi Wilmot, Mitchell Seltzer and Jake Frye.

The popular Firefighter Camp is a supervised 4-evening camp designed to give participants a taste of firefighting. The 2011 Firefighter Camp was held July 5, 12, 19 and 26 – 6:30 to 9:30 pm. At camp, participants learned:

  • Protective gear
  • Basic fire behavior/tactics
  • Use of Extinguishers
  • SCBAs, supply lines & attack lines
  • Live fire (vehicle car prop) training
  • Search and rescue
  • How to use tools, ladders, ropes and knots

Under close supervision, participants will don protective gear and utilize fire apparatus/equipment to extinguish actual training fires. This experience will incorporate the same basic principles that the volunteer and career firefighters of Montgomery County follow every day as they protect our community. Flourtown Fire Company would like to thank Wissahickon Fire Company for hosting the camp and its sponsors Schneider Plumbing, Ambler Savings & Loan, Feast & Fancy catering, and B&Z Cabinets. The camp is hosted by the Wissahickon Fire Company, and assisted by the North Penn, Flourtown and Centre Square Fire Companies.

Auto into a House – Walnut and Lorraine – Oreland – 6/29/11

At approximately 3:30 PM, Squad 6 was requested at reduced speed to a vehicle accident by Chief 700. An auto came through the intersection of Walnut and Lorraine Avenues in Oreland and struck the corner support of the porch and front of the house on the corner. There were no injuries. Squad 6 responded and additional personnel responded in Utility 6 which also acted as Fire Police. Paratech shoring was used along with an air cylinder to shore up the porch. Station 700 assisted in the shoring operation and layed down oil dry. Lumber was brought in by Mike Thornton’s Carpentry Service to back up the temporary shoring and the porch was secure. There was extensive damage to the porch and front wall of the home. (Photos by Bob Wilmot)

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