Firehouse News
January 22, 2003
New Vehicle Safety Ratings
Are you thinking about purchasing/leasing/renting a new car, SUV, or truck for 2003? Most often, people searching for a vehicle have it narrowed down to a few models or choices. Before you make your final decision about which vehicle to buy/lease/rent, check the safety rating for the vehicle that you have in mind. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released information about crash tests. Find out if the vehicle you want will give you the protection that you would expect in the event of an accident by visiting Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Crash Test Ratings page.
Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3
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Pic 1: Victoria and Mom with Fire Plug
Pic 2: Emily and Fire Plug
Pic 3: Rear: (L to R) Stephanie, Fire Plug, Neil, Ron, Patient; Front: Tim, Anthony, Brandon
More pics coming soon
November 4, 2002
Fire Plug Visits Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Fire Plug and firefighters from the Phillies Fire Company visited Children's Hospital today. Fire Plug presented a $1000 check from the proceeds of The Phillies Annual Golf Tournament to Children's Hospital. To make a child's experience less agonizing while receiving chemotherapy drugs, children were able to play video games, use computers, watch television, and listen to music all because of donations from outside sources like ours. Fire Plug made the rounds in the oncology ward and shook hands with many of the children in the out and in-patient areas. Fire Plug passed out coloring books, trading cards, and temporary tattoo's for the children too. Fire Plug brought smiles where smiles are sometimes hard to come by. This was all possible because of all the Golfers that showed up to play golf at our annual tournament.
You can make a donation to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia right now by go their web site by clicking here > Children's Hospital Ways of Giving
October 28, 2002
NIOSH Releases Their Findings in Houston Firefighter's Death
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released their findings in the death of Jay Jahnke, a Houston Fire Department Captain. Jahnke lost his life while battling a high-rise fire on August 13, 2001. Houston firefighters blamed the City for Jahnke's death because of insufficient manpower. The City denied the allegations stating that Jahnke was to blame for the accident. However, NIOSH, uncoverd the real reasons. Read the whole story at Firehouse.com
October 21, 2002
What do you do after a fire?
Lets face it, a fire is a very tragic event that leaves most homeowners in a state of confusion. Find out what you should do after the fire by reading an article at This Old House On-Line.
October 6th, 2002
Fire Prevention Week: The History
Fire Prevention Week marks the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. During this time period, Chicago lacked an adequate water supply, lacked fire prevention codes, and lacked adequate building codes. The Great Chicago Fire broke out on the evening of October 8th, 1871. There were aggravating circumstances that lead to this conflagration. For example, the entire town was made of wood including sidewalks, fences, roof shingles, and even the streets were lined with wooden blocks to support heavy wagon traffic. Also, the streets were full of trash, litter, and debris. The fire eventually burned itself out on the rainy morning of October 10th, 1871 and is one of America's most notorious fires and blunders. After the smoke cleared, a one mile wide by four mile long swath was burned through the city. Approximately 18,000 buildings, one third of the buildings in Chicago, fell victim to the intense heat and flames. Over 100,000 Chicago residents lost their homes and an estimated 300 lost their lives. The legend says that Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the fire by knocking over a kerosene lamp in their barn, but the real cause of the fire was never determined. It took Chicago years to rebuild from the ashes. Following this conflagration, Chicago improved its water supply, adopted fire prevention codes, and building codes to prevent this fire from happening again.
Check these links for more information about Fire Prevention Week and also see the our Links page.
NFPA Fire Prevention DisasterRelief.org
September 15, 2002
New Concept Fire Truck Hits the Streets
Peugot is debuting its concept fire truck/car, known as the H2O, at the Paris Auto Show. The H2O is a compact vehicle for access into the small city streets of old European cities . For years, France has utilized the concept of compact "quick attack" firefighting vehicles to access the narrow and challenging city streets of Europe. You have to realize that, unlike America, cities like Paris were built hundreds of years ago for horse and carriage traffic. The birth of the large, modern-day, fuel-driven fire trucks posed unique challenges to the old cities of Europe. The "quick attack" vehicle was created to quickly access a fire before it reached beyond the incipient stages of a fire. The H2O is a more efficient and environmentally friendly form of the "quick attack" concept.
The H2O utilizes the cutting edge technology of fuel cells to power itself. The vehicle is compact, efficient, and environmentally friendly. However, fuel cell technology involves the use of a hydrogen gas and it may pose a serious threat to firefighters in the event of a vehicle fire.
Get more information at CarPages.com
September 11, 2002
One Year Later
Today is a day or remembering, a day of mourning, and yet a day of American pride . Only a year ago today, we were forced to watch in shear horror the cowardly suicide attacks on New York and Washington. We were forever changed by what we witnessed. It's time to remember all of the people that lost their lives that day. And it's a day to proud of the true American spirit that rose from the wreckage of those buildings and united the people of this country. The American spirit was obvious after all the people that volunteered their time, donated whatever they could, or displayed Old Glory on anything they could.
Here are a few websites with tributes to September 11, 2001.
Can't Cry Hard Enough Legacy.com CNN PoliticsandProtest.com
September 4, 2002
Operation Red, White, and Blue
To remember all those that fell on America's darkest day, we are asking you to show us your colors on September 11, 2002. Please wear anything you have that has our great nations colors in it. Hoist your flag up your flagpole. Attach that portable flag back on your car or truck. Light a candle in remembrance and place it in a safe place in your front yard or window (protect it from moving curtains that can cause a fire).
August 28, 2002
Hurricane season is now at the peak. August and September is the peak activity period for hurricanes. It's time to check your disaster recovery kit. Non-perishable food, containers for water, fresh batteries for a radio, and a stocked first aid kit are just a few of the items you should always have on hand in case of emergency. After all, you never know when or where a disaster could strike. Get a complete list of the supplies you should have to make your own Disaster Supply Kit.
For more information about what to do after a hurricane check the U. S. Fire Administrations Fact Sheet on hurricane fire safety.
August 22, 2002
ALERT Drought Emergencies and Warnings Declared in Pennsylvania
Drought emergencies are still in effect in Berks and Chester counties. Montgomery county was upgraded to a drought warning status. Get the latest information on the your county's drought status at the Pennsylvania's Emergency Management's Drought Emergency Page. Get all of your questions answered about the drought and what you can do to conserve water at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Drought Information Page.
August 17, 2002
The State of New York Bans Cell Phones While Driving
The State of New York has banned the use of cell phones while driving a car. Other State Legislatures are also considering this ban after crash statistics show an increase in motor vehicle accidents attributed to distractions created by phone use while driving. Get the whole story at Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's web page.
August 4, 2002
Golf Tournament Update
Please check the events section of this web site for new information on the golf tournament tee-time change from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.
July 21, 2002
GAMA Says That All Flood Damaged Appliances Should Be Replaced
ARLINGTON, VA - All flood-damaged plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical appliances and related systems should be replaced, rather than repaired, warns the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA). The organization representing all major producers of natural and LP gas equipment also strongly recommends that all work on flooded equipment be performed by a qualified, licensed contractor, not by homeowners. Get the rest of the story at GAMA Press Releases.
Found: 1934 American LaFrance Pumper
This pumper was purchased in 1934 by the members of this company. The pumper was recently found in a restoration shop in the Houston Texas area. It is undergoing a full restoration. This discovery would have never been made without this web page. As you can see below, most of the original equipment is still with the vehicle after all these years. More information to follow as it becomes available.
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01/22/2006