Flourtown Fire Company

Volunteers Serving Springfield Township

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Crew Responds to a Building Fire

On Monday, November 24, 2014, crews from Flourtown Fire Company (6), Barren Hill Fire Company (29), Spring Mill Fire Company (45), Fort Washington Fire Company (88), Oreland Fire Company (700), and Wissahickon Fire Company (7) responded to a commercial building fire at the Washington Towers Apartments.

Fire Marshall (FM) 32 arrived on-scene at approximately 12:48pm, and reported a medium smoke condition in the lower level of the building.  Shortly, thereafter FM 32 assumed command, and a second alarm was struck after reporting a fire in a basement apartment of the four-story structure by 29 Command three minutes later.

The bulk of the fire was knocked-down within minutes, and the fire was placed under control at 1:02pm.

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Prevent Household Electrical Fires

Homes today are brimming with state-of-the art technology, entertainment and computer equipment. However, when too many lights and appliances are attached to the electrical system, it will overload and then overheat.

The heat causes the wire insulation to melt and ignite, resulting in an electrical fire.

Please take a moment to view the attached publication provided by the Fire Department, City of New York (FDNY) to learn how to prevent household electrical fires.

PDF Download Link: 10_electricity_home_safety_english

Inaugural Emergency Services Event

On Saturday, October 11th, Flourtown Fire Company organized the inaugural Springfield Township Emergency Services Event. The event was scheduled to promote fire safety week and fire prevention month, which annually is in October.

Members of Flourtown Fire Company, Oreland Fire Company, Wyndmoor Hose Company, Springfield Ambulance, and the Springfield Township Police participated in the event.

While the weather didn’t exactly cooperate, the turnout from the community was outstanding! Children were able to meet and talk to our first responders, and learn how to keep themselves and their family safe!

All who attended enjoyed live demonstrations, light refreshments food, a smoke house for kids to practice their escape plan, as well as various other hands on activities.

Thanks to all who braved the weather and came out to enjoy this event, and a special thanks to the Flourtown Fire Company’s Fire Prevention Committee Chairman, Jon Walker for organizing such a special event.

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FFCO Receives Provident Award for Recruitment and Retention

Flourtown Fire Company was recently recognized for our efforts in the recruitment and retention of new members by the Pennsylvania State Firemen’s Association.  The mentoring program was formally adopted by the fire company in 2008, as a result of the efforts of Captain Chris Manning, who has spent countless hours developing, refining, and leading the program to make it a success.

Below, are some highlights of the program that illustrate why it has been so successful in Flourtown Fire Company’s recruitment and retention of new members.

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Purpose of the Mentoring Program

The Flourtown Fire Company believes that through quality training, the availability of leading edge equipment and the guidance and support of a senior member, new members will be able to make great achievements in their career as a firefighter.  With this philosophy the mentoring program is designed to give new members every advantage and opportunity to become a successful member of the Flourtown Fire Company.

The program is administered by the Mentor Program Coordinator, Fire Chief and Training Officer with the assistance of a Mentoring Committee intended to assist in program review and development.


Mentoring Program Highlights

The Mentoring Program is designed to be as detailed as possible for the mentors and the new members so that a truly structured program can be presented with consistency for all involved.  Elements of the program include:

  • Program integrity
  • Fire ground related safety
  • SOG familiarization
  • Required training for new members
  • Performance reviews
  • Administrative Orientation
  • NFFF Everyone Goes Home Firefighter Life Safety Resource Kit
  • Apparatus Familiarization
  • Response Area Orientation
  • Fire Operations Orientation
  • Equipment Familiarization
  • County Emergency Operations Center and 911 Dispatch Familiarization Tour


Program Success by the Numbers

The Mentoring Program has had a total of 32 personnel that have either completed the program or that are currently enrolled.  Of the 32 personnel a total of 24 have been retained leaving five personnel that left due to commitments to education, military service or family.  Those five members are considered excused dismissals, while three personnel could not meet expectations of the program and were removed.

Nine firefighters started the program as junior firefighters and are now regular members.

Five of the members that were mentees in the program have moved on to become mentors.

One member that began as a mentee now holds an elected administrative position in the company.

The following information shows how the retention of mentees have been able to replace members lost due to attrition as well as bolstering membership by eight working force fire personnel since 2008:

  • In 2008 the working force roster had a total of 46 members listed which included Fire Officers (5), Driver/Operators (14), Fire Police (7) and Firefighters (20).
  • In 2014 after six years of maturing the mentoring program the working force roster currently has 54 members which includes Fire Officers (6), Driver/Operators (15), Fire Police (4) and Firefighters (29).