Export VFD News Archive

September 11th

September 11th 2009 - The Export VFD joined with Murrysville, White Valley and Sardis VFC's for the annual September 11th Memorial Parade and Memorial Service in the communities in which our departments serve.  The parade ended at Sloan School on Sardis road where a memorial service took place in remembrance on the events of 9-11-01.  Also local Emergency Personnel, and Military Personnel were honored at this event.  Great job done by all who planned this event. 

Morning Trailer Fire

August 29th 2009 - At approximately 6 A.M., Murrysville VFC structure alarm was activated for a trailer fire on Holiday Hills Lane.  Upon arrival of first units on scene, the trailer was well involved with no occupants.  Engine 22-1 and Salvage 22 responded from the 22 house.  While on scene, crews from 22 assisted with crews from 20,64,78, and 236 with overhaul and checking for fire extension.  Upon extinguishment and completion of overhaul, 22 units assisted with clean up and all units with the exception of 20 returned in service.

Reported House Fire in Murrysville

August 26th 2009 - Around 8:30 P.M., just as crews from 22 were debriefing the night's company training, the 22 house was activated as part of Murrysville's structure alarm to General Forbes Lane for a reported house fire.  Original report stated trees beside the house were on fire and extending to the house.   Engine 22-1 and Salvage 22 responded with a total of 11 firefighters immediately.   Chief 64 arrived on scene and stated fire appeared to be out, and was investigating.  Engine 22-1 and Engine 87 were first apparatus on scene, and Engine 22's crew pulled an attack line to the front of the structure and began investigating for fire extension.  Crews from 87, 22, 20, and 78 investigate for extension and found the fire to be out.  Crews were on scene for approximately an hour before all units were released by command 20.  

  MVC in The Borough

August 19th 2009 - Station 22 was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident on Washington Avenue in the borough at 17:22 hours.  Rescue 64 and Rescue 20 were also activated on the alarm.  Engine 22-1 quickly arrived on scene to find 2 vehicles involved in a t-bone type collision on Washington Avenue in front of Expert Nails.  All patients were outside of the vehicle and there were no injuries upon arrival.  Asst 22 assumed command and cancelled all units except for station 22 units. Vehicles were secured immediately. Salvage 22 arrived on scene and crews prevented fluids from leaking from the vehicles into a nearby storm drain.  Patient's were checked by Murrysville Medic One for injuries, and all refused transport. Engine and Salvage crews remained on scene until vehicles were towed away from the scene and Kiski PSP concluded investigation.

Command:  Asst 22-1 (D.E. Silvis)   Ops: Capt 22 - (D.D. Silvis)

Castalina Court House Fire

Wednesday August 12th - 3:20 A.M. - Murrysville (Station 20) VFC and structure alarm was dispatched for a reported house fire on Castalina Court in the municipality.  Asst 20-2 reported enroute with a large glow in the sky, and arrived on scene within minutes advising dispatch of a fully involved house fire.  Truck 20 arrived on scene and began the defensive fire attack, as rescue 20 arrived next and took the plug.  Crews from 78, 64, and 22 assisted with setting up heavy lines and deluge guns for the defensive fire attack.  Station 9 covered in station 20 for the duration of the incident.   Crews remained on scene for several hours.    Download and listen to the dispatch of this fire by clicking here.     Pictures coming very soon!

Natural Gas In Structure in the Borough

Friday August 7th - The structure alarm was dispatched for a smell of natural gas in a residence on Madison Avenue in Export borough.  Engine 22-1 arrived on scene within 3 minutes with a full crew and found a high amount of natural gas in a 2 story single family dwelling.  Assistant 22-1 assumed Madison avenue command. Attack and Rescue 64 staged in the Borough parking lot and stoodby at a hydrant on Washington Avenue.  All other units were to proceed non-emergency, and then cancelled.  Interior crew found the source to be a gas line in the basement which was disconnected and was missing a shutoff valve.  Crews quickly shut off the gas to the structure and performed ventilation.  Dominion Peoples was notified and Engine 22-1 remained on scene until a representative arrived on scene at which point all units returned in service.  

Crews respond from Multi-Company Drill 

MVA injures 4, flies 2 out of Murrysville 

Wednesday July 29th - Crews from Stations 20, 78, and 22 were at the new “Circuits” Company building on Norbitrol drive in Murrysville for a walk-thru tour of the building.  “Circuits” is a relatively new company to the area and uses chemicals and various types of machinery in their daily work.  Crews learned about the machinery, chemicals involved in the production process, and locations of hazards, gas and electrical shutoff’s in the event of an emergency response.  During the tour, Station 20 was dispatched for a MVA with unknown injuries at Old William Penn Hwy & Branthoover Drive.  Chief and Rescue 20 responded.  Chief 20 arrived on scene advising multiple patients, and minor entrapment.  Chief 20 requested Special Operations 78 & Truck 20 (from the Circuits Building Drill) to respond to the scene, and Engine 22-1 to standby for a possible landing zone. Additional medic units from Murrysville Medic One & Penn Twp. EMS were also requested.  Chief 20 then requested Engine 22-1 & Engine 78 to the field at Station 20 to setup landing zones for 2 inbound helicopters.  Crews from Engine 78 & Engine 22-1 setup cones on the field to designate the landing areas, and Engine 78 provided Fire Protection while crew from Engine 22-1 assisted Murrysville Medic One and Stat Medevac crews with transferring the patients from medic units to the helicopters.    A great job and great teamwork paid off with all companies involved.   Check back here at the website for a video of both helicopters landing at Station 20’s field soon!

Huge Thanks to the Claridge VFD

Friday July 17th - Engine 22-1 was taken O.O.S. for transmission problems, and is in the shop for repairs, which left us without an Engine in the borough.  Upon Chief 22 calling neighboring company Chiefs explaining the situation, Chief 63 and his officers offered Engine 63-1 to the 22 house until Engine 22-1 returns in 3 to 4 days.  Engine 63-1 will serve as our engine to protect the borough.  We'd like to give a huge THANK YOU to the officers and members of Claridge VFD (Station 63) for this very generous offer.  We greatly appreciate the help and support.

 Pictures added to Pictures Page as well.

New FOAM Pro-Pak in service on Engine 22-1!

July 15th - The personnel of the Export VFD had our usual bi-weekly company training, and focused on the new Foam Pro-Pak purchased with part of our State Grant.  After all personnel were trained, the unit was placed in service on Engine 22-1 and will be a huge asset!

Thanks for the support!

July 10 & 11th - Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Export VFD at our annual Goodtime Picnic this weekend.  Also a Big Thanks to the Fire Departments who participated in our parade, and to those who came out to work and everyone involved with the planning processes of this event.  Thanks to everyones help, and each person who attended this event, it was a successful fundraising event for the fire department and a lot of fun for those who attended!  Check back soon for pictures and videos from the events of the weekend!  

Forklift hits Gas Line in Salem Township Industrial Park

Tuesday July 7th - Engine 22-1 and Salvage 22 responded to a industrial structure on Industrial Lane in Salem Township for a report of a natural gas line struck by a forklift in the structure causing a leak.  Chief 64 arrived on scene confirming gas line was struck and that the gas was in the process of being shutoff.  Lt. 59 arrived on scene and assumed command.  Engine 22-1 was first reporting engine on scene with a full engine crew and staged at the rear of the structure and sent 4 maskmen into the structure with gas meters and tools to investigate with command.  High readings of natural gas were initially found.   Crews from numerous companies setup PPV fans and began ventilation.  Natural Gas readings fell quickly due to the ventilation and all units except for 59 and 90 were returned in service by cmd 59.  

Responding Units: 90,59,22,64,78,102,20

Command:  LT 59  (Balick)  - Slickville VFD

Major Flooding in the Borough and Westmoreland County

Thursday June 18th - Salvage 22 was requested to assist Station 87 with residential flooding on Johntown court in Harrison City.   After clearing the call in Harrison City, Salvage 22 responded to several calls and details in Export and also assisted residents with the cleaning out and removal of damaged and destroyed items from their residences and businesses.  Also flood assessments and damage assessments were performed.  Sandbags were filled by volunteers from the Salvation Army and Pastor Dan and crew in preparation for future events.  Thank You to all of those who have provided help during these events and to those who support the Export VFD.  

Wednesday June 17th - Heavy rain and storms moved into the borough of Export and surrounding areas causing major flooding and hazardous conditions.  Turtle Creek which runs through Export flooded and expanded blocking access to and from the borough and flooding many residences and businesses.  Over 15 volunteers from the Export VFD crewed Salvage 22 and Engine 22-1 and worked for over 7 hours.  Saltsburg and Blairsville Water Rescue teams & Boats responded to the borough to assist with 2 water rescues in which people were trapped in a residence and business.  Special thanks to Saltsburg VFD, Slickville VFD,  The Salvation Army, Washington Twp. VFD and Blairsville VFD who also staffed a full Engine crew with their Engine in our station during the incident.  Also a special thanks to the members of the water rescue teams, the Pennsylvania State Police, and anyone we may of not listed here for the assistance.  It's greatly appreciated. 

Not Your Normal Automatic Fire Alarm

Friday June 12th, Station 22 was dispatched to assist station 20 (Murrysville VFD) for an automatic fire alarm on Waters Edge CT in the Municipality.   Engine 22-1 was first on scene with Chief 64 and staged at Side A of the structure.  Interior crews from 22 and 20 immediately found the CO meter in the residence activated, and upon entering the structure, had readings of 30-40 PPM on CO meters.  Interior crews immediately went on air and investigated the structure for the cause.  Upon opening the interior garage door from the kitchen area of the residence, CO meters immediately alarmed to 550+ PPM.  It was found that a car was left running inside the garage.  The garage door was opened, and residence was ventilated by exhaust fans and natural ventilation.   The 2 homeowners were checked by Murrysville Medic One and crews cleared the scene after the CO was successfully vented from the structure.  

Units: 20,22,78,64,30 - CMD: FF Synan (Truck 20)  OPS: Chief 64

BYE BYE BIRDIE!  On Friday, May 29th, 2009, the former Engine 22-2 was picked up and was placed on a trailer to be hauled off to it's new home at Dunlap Fire Department in Dunlap Kansas!  

May 23rd 2009 - The Export Volunteer Fire Department mourns the loss of Firefighter and Life Member Ludwig (Bud) Panzer.  At approximately 4:30a.m. this morning, the department responded to an ambulance assist at the Panzer residence never realizing this would be the last time Bud would be with us.  Bud died in Forbes Regional Hospital Emergency Department shortly upon arrival there.   Bud was somebody that would do anything to help out anybody and was well known for all of his help with the fire department throughout his many years of service. Bud was 73 years old and the brother of Export VFD Life Member Fred Panzer and a brother to all of us as well. The Export Volunteer Fire Department will deeply miss Bud and the many good times we had with him.  Viewing will be at the Wolfe-Von-Geis Funeral Home in Export on Sunday (May 24th) from 7p-9p, and funeral services will begin at 1pm on Monday (May 25th).  Bud will be given his final ride on top of the hose bed of the retired Engine 22-2, which will also be Engine 22-2's last ride before it is shipped to it's new home in Dunlap, Kansas.  

May 20th 2009 - Asst Chief Dave Silvis and crew arrived at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church in Murrysville for a fire prevention detail in Engine 22-1.  The students from the Preschool learned about Fire Safety, Fire Prevention, and saw a live demonstration of fire hoses and fire equipment in use.  The students also had a tour of Engine 22-1.  Pictures are on the pictures page from the event.   Thanks to the Newslonsburg Presbyterian Preschool for being great hosts, as we had an enjoyable time.  

May 16th 2009 - Engine 22-2 (1985 GMC/E-One Pumper) has been retired. This truck has brought us 24 years of reliable service, but with changing times and due to only being capable of transporting 2 firefighters to a scene, along with other reasons, the truck has been put out of service.  The truck is pending sale to an out of state fire department which will replace an older Fire Engine with this truck, and we wish them many more years of good service from the truck, and we're glad to know the former Engine 22-2 will continue to fight fire and be utilized by another fire department.  

May 13th-14th 2009 - A few minutes after 2300 hours on May 13th, Station 22 was activated to assist Murrysville VFC (Station 20) for a reported house fire with explosions and entrapment on West Windover Court in the Municipality.  Murrysville Police arrived on scene and requested fire units expedite and that an elderly female was on the 2nd floor of the structure.  Truck 20 arrived on scene and crews pulled the victim from the structure and awaiting EMS crews from 610 transported patient to a landing zone where the patient was transported by air to a Pittsburgh hospital.   Engine 22-1 was 4th unit on scene and assisted with laddering the structure and interior operations.  Crews from Salvage 22 secured the structure with boarding of windows and access doors.  Fire was knocked down within 20 minutes.  Overhaul by all companies on scene was performed and Engine 22-1 & Salvage 22 were released from the scene at approximately 1:30 a.m.  Station 20 remained on scene with the Fire Marshall and to complete overhaul.    

On May 14th, at approximately 8:37 A.M.  Crews were dispatched back to the scene at West Windover Court for a re-kindle.   Director 610 arrived on scene first and reported a working fire in the walls.  Engine 22-1 was first unit on scene followed by Truck 20.  Crews investigated structure with Thermal Imaging Cameras and found hot spots in a wall in the kitchen area of side D of the structure.  Crews used water and foam extinguishers to cool the hot spots in the wall and crews re-secured the structure.  All units returned in service by 11a.m.  

May 10th 2009 - The Export VFD participated in the "Friends to Friends" Fishing Derby.  We would like to give a special thanks to George O`Donnell and everyone involved with the Friends to Friends organization for letting the fire department support and be part of this event!

May 9th 2009 - Thanks to everyone who attended our Night at The Races event.  We had a lot of fun and hope everybody else did as well!  Thanks to all of the Politicians who attended and all of those who helped us out with the event.  We appreciate everyone's support Remember our Pig Roast is coming up on June 6th at the Community Park/Pavilion as well.  Hope to see you there!

April 11th 2009 - New virtual tours of Engine 22-1 and Salvage 22 up!  Many pictures have been uploaded as well!  Check out the apparatus and pictures pages!  

April 11th 2009 - At 13:43, the rescue alarm for the 22 house was dispatched today for a Vehicle Accident at Kennedy Avenue & Italy Road.  Asst 22 arrived on scene within a minute from dispatch and found a vehicle into the Export creek with an unresponsive patient.  Engine 22-1 & Salvage 22 responded. Rescue 64 assisted as well.  Crews stabilized the vehicle and patient immediately, and quickly extricated the patient with the EMS crew from Murrysville Medic One.  Attack 64 responded and setup an LZ at the nearby Export Playground and patient was transported to LZ and flown to a trauma center.  Crews waited for the tow and cleared the scene.  For more pictures, view the picture page. 

Responding Units,  E22-1, Salvage 22, Rescue 64, Attack 64, 610 EMS, Life Flight 6, Kiski PSP