During the early hours of July 23rd the Phillipsburg Fire Department (Hope Fire Co. #11 and Reliance Fire Co. #12) along with departments from Clearfield County battled a blaze at a pool supplies warehouse in Chester Hill Borough. The fire contained a significant amount pool supplies containing Chlorine and consequently most of the crews operating were exposed to Chlorine Gas. Many SCBAs and sets ofturnout gear were also ruined due to chlorine exposure.
This week Tanker 519 received some TLC from members of the Alpha Fire Company. One of 519's wheel covers had fallen into a state of disrepair recently and it was felt by the membership and administration that painting the wheels was a good option versus
finding an obscure replacement cover. 519 received a thorough cleaning inside and out along with a coat of wax to go with her new painted rims. The 1991 KME International served as Alpha's only tanker until it was complimented with the arrival of 520 in early 2005.
At approximately 0500 hours in the Borough of Clearfield on Ray Street a loaded tractor trailer lost control and crashed through 3
houses. The vehicle passed through the first house and came to rest inside the second and partially into the 3rd. The 2nd house collapsed entrapping the driver inside the cab of the semi. The Clearfield Fire
Department began calling upon many of the region's fire companies for mutual aid and at 0730 the Rescue Companies of Alpha Fire Company and
the Bellefonte Fire Department (Logan Fire Rescue Engine 114) were summoned to assist in the specialized rescue.
Shortly after 0900 Company 5 was dispatched to 222 W Beaver Ave for a Building Fire with reports of heavy smoke coming from the roof. Captain Kuchmay (595) and Engine 510 responded shortly afterward and arrived on scene with blackened windows and smoke coming from the vents of a single story restaurant.
Tonight the Alphas went through the second night of a Firefighter Survival & Mayday Training Drill taught by members of the Nittany Valley Fraternal Order Of Leatherheads Society (FOOLS). The drill consisted of a firefighter navigating and passing through several obstacles meant to simulate real life situations where a firefighter may become trapped. The Alphas wish to thank all the members of the Nittany Valley FOOLS for constructing this obstacle course.