The Prospect Park Fire Company is pleased to announce the birth of Chief Signora's baby girl. Talia Marie Signora was born at 06:10 this morning weighing in at 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 20 3/4" inches long. Michelle and Talia are both doing well.

Congratulations to Mike, Michelle, Eden, and Chaz on the new addition to your family.

At just before 14:00hrs this afternoon, Extremely Heavy rains over an hour period, caused major flash flooding across the entire Borough. During the event, the Company handled 20 calls within a three an a half hour period. The crew initially responded to a Fire Alarm in Tinicum but were held in Station. As the water continued to rise in front of the station, a vehicle became stuck in the flood water and began to float, with the driver still inside. The members sprang into action, removing the driver of the vehicle as it came to rest at 9th and Lincoln(a half block away). Several other water rescue calls ended up with the occupants already out of their vehicles. In the same area out front of the station, a large Tri-axle dump truck became lodged in a sinkhole that arose from a collapsed sewer line. The Crew at the station also removed the driver after some coaxing. At the time, the area was under 4ft of water and the extent of the damage was unknown. As the rain subsided and the flood waters began to recede, the Crew split into two groups and began handling the multitude of Service calls(basement pump-outs) that had arisen from the heavy rains. The Station also had a staffed Engine on standby and was put in service in the 600 block of 10th for smoke coming from the roof. Luckily it was the homeowner attempting to reactivate his heater. Excellent job by all!

The fire prevention talk was for a day camp at St. Francis Xavier School summer camp in Philadelphia at 24Th and Green by the Art Museum. The kids ages range from pre-k to fifth grade. All the important information was covered such as get out and stay out, stop drop and roll, and making sure only adults handle things such as lighters and matches. The kids got to see one of their teachers dressed up in fire gear as each part of it was explained to them. They had a chance to try on some of the gear and also had the chance to see Utility 8 and some of the tools that fire fighters use such as axes and hoses. The day ended with a showing of Sparky's ABC's of Fire Safety and each camper received a bag of handouts for their parents about smoke detectors, carbon monoxide and general fire safety, as well as a coloring book, bracelet, pencil, sticker for them and of course everyone received their very own fire helmet.

Blackthorn put on a great show for the residents of Prospect Park on Thursday evening in Park Square. The Station 8 crew, along with our mutual aid, was there staffing the event for any type of emergency. Special thanks to Ridley Park, Tinicum, Norwood, Leedom Fire Co's and Taylor Medics for their support and staff. Thankfully no services where needed other than two walk ups that were treated and released, and all got to enjoy the show! Being that this was a drill night, crews practiced with our Department accountability system and honed our skills with I.C.S. and got a chance to work on our Boro’s emergency plan!!
 

This morning the crews from Prospect, Ridley Park and Leedom conducted our bi-weekly Apprentice drill. The crew gathered behind Leedom school for some Engine operation training with ladders and an SCBA confidence course thrown in for good measure. The crew was broken down into smaller groups and  the teams worked on the aforementioned disciplines and then rotated. The Engine crew worked on dumpster fires while the ladder crew worked on the 24' carries, ladder throws and raises. The SCBA course was going on simultaneously and the crews worked for 2 1/2 hours. Once drill was completed the men gathered down at Station 70 for a BBQ!

At just after 3am this morning, the crews of Engine 8 and 07-1 responded to a dumpster fire at 934 Chester Pike. 08-9(Signora) went on location with a dumpster well involved. Engine 8 arrived followed by 07-1 and went in service with the 1 3/4 bumper line and made short work of it. The crews were available at the half hour mark.

Engine 8 went down to Ridley lake @ 19:30 for the fire watch assignment.  In our down time we repacked the 3"leader line and 2.5 Blitz Fire for ease of deployment.  After it got dark we geared up for the fireworks.  We had 2 PW's, an Ansul, a Co2 and the TIC on standby.  After the show,and we got the all clear, we canvassed the area looking for fires. The crew used there boots to stomp out a couple hot ones and with the area clear we broke down the launch  tubes with 07. It was a great show and a safe one, a good time was truly had by all and we are already looking forward to next year!

This evening, the crew from Engine 8 was asked to assist with fire protection duties at Norwood borough's annual Fourth of July fireworks display at the lower park. Engine 8 staffed with six, stood by until just prior to launch time, when the Company was dispatched to 1114 Haverford Rd, in Crumlynne, for the RIT duty on the Natural Gas leak inside. 62 Command(Vauclain) was reporting no odor at this time prior to arrival. Upon arrival, the crew went in "Light" with hand tools and meters. The crew was released upon conference with Command. 02-9(Norwood) advised we were no longer needed back at the fireworks standby and the crew returned to quarters.

This morning at 0200, companies 8 and 7 were dispatched to a dumpster fire on the 900blk of Chester pk. While enroute Engine 8 was advised of an exposure problem and arrived moments later to find a dumpster well involved up against the rear of the building. Engine 8's crew stretched 1 3/4 to attack the fire and placed a ladder to check the roof of the exposure. 07-1, Snozzle and Rescue 8 arrived and also placed a ladder to the front of the building and assisted Engine 8's crew. The fire was knocked quickly and there was no extention to the building, crews cleaned up and returned.

Tonight, Prospect, Ridley Park and Leedom Fire Co's conducted an Engine co. operations drill. The crews from all three companies were broken down and mixed up, placed on an Engine and sent out around town to conduct lays hook ups and hoseline advancment evolutions. The team took in a wires call in Ridley Park's local and with that, wrapped up and called it a night after 2 1/2 hours of hard training.

Tonight ,Prospect's bravest hosted a Forcible entry class for the Boothwyn Fire Co. Station 40. 40's crew received the conventional forcible entry class with our Multi-force door prop. The team worked for 2 1/2 hours and a good time was had by all.

Companies 8 and 7 were dispatched to an MVA with injuries @ Summit and Chester Pike. Rescue 8 arrived on scene to find a 6 car accident with EMS (Norwood, Tinicum and Taylor Medics) on location tending to two minor injuries. Crew from Rescue 8 set up ansul fire protection and swept debris from area, while the Crew from Ridley Park spread out a small amount of oil dry while the tow truck removed vehicles from the road way. Prospect Park Police and local surrounding Police secured roadway for the fire and EMS crews.

Tonight the crew from Goshen Fire Co. (Chester County) ventured down to our house for some forcible entry training. The crew utilized our Multi-Force door prop for 2 1/2 hours of solid hands on training. The team focused on conventional forcible entry techniques and endured the sweltering heat.

Tonight, after weathering the big storm and running some calls, Prospect, Ridley Park and Leedom drilled on Engine Co. operations. The three companies worked on Laying supply lines, pulling, stretching and advancing attack hand lines, and as always, added a splash of Ladders for good measure.

 Just after 0800, Company 8 was dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in the area of 420 and Chester Pike. Engine 8 arrived to find a pick up truck with the passenger compartment well involved and a possible exposure problem to nearby houses. PD advised that the vehicle contained a nitrous oxide tank. 08 Command upgraded to the building fire assignment as a precaution however Engine 8's crew got a fast knock on the fire, protected the exposure and the assignment was ultimately held in station. Crews cautiously extinguished the blaze with the help of 48-1.