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A Platoon Runs to Building Fire, Finds Outside Deck Well Off

June 17, 2008 - E337 was dispatched around 0400 as part of a box assignment in the area of Simpson Ferry Road and St. John's Church Road for a reported building fire. The original information made county dispatch the incident as a Hampden Township (Company 30) box. Updated information from PD on scene put the fire in Lower Allen Township (Company 12). Chief 1-12 arrived on scene and reported a wooden deck outside of Fox's Pizzeria was on fire with undetermined extension into the building. E-337 arrived and pulled a 200ft preconnect to quickly knock down all visible fire. Crews from Company 37 and 12 checked to ensure no extension into the building and cut away portions of the deck to completely extinguish the fire. Firefighter Kipp "Helmets Are For The Weak" Dombrowski got to experience what its like getting out of a fire truck to fight a fire instead of sitting in a crash truck and fighting fire! Welcome to Mechanicsburg Kipp.

Remembering Our Brothers

June 18, 2008 - One year ago today, our nation lost the most firefighters in a single day since the 9/11 tragedy. On June 18, 2007, nine firefighters in the city of Charleston, South Carolina answered their final call to duty fighting a warehouse fire at a furniture store with people trapped. For information on the fire and the nine brothers who gave their life, visit Firehouse and watch this video done by ESPN on Charleston Fire Captain Louis Mulkey. Keep the Charleston family in your thoughts and prayers during the one year anniversary.

Union Dues Automatically Deducted via MyPay?

June 15, 2008 - If you are interested in paying your dues for MPFF Local F-307 bi-weekly via your paycheck, FF Keith Leonhard has come up with the solution. Once the treasurer gets the required information, if you are a current federal employee getting paid direct deposit through DFAS MyPay's system, we will be able to assist you in setting up an allotment that will deposit the bi-weekly amount of $7.50 into the Local's bank account automatically. There are two catches: If we assist you in setting up the allotment and you decide to terminate the allotment, you will be dropped from the IAFF Local membership and not allowed to re-apply. Also, once the allotment begins, one last check in the amount of your past dues will need to be collected to be up to date. Email John Fogg for more information.

A Platoon Takes In Reported Building Fire, Finds Porch Well Off

June 15, 2008 - This morning, two hours prior to shift change, Company 37 along with Companies 12 and 22 were dispatched for a reported building fire on Simpson Ferry Road in Lower Allen Township. Police and a Company 12 officer arrived and gave an updated report of a fire outside of the pizzeria building with unknown extension. Engine 337 was arrived to find a wooden deck used for outside service of the pizzeria on fire with no obvious extension into the building. E-337 crew deployed a 200ft crosslay to knock down the bulk of the fire. Crews from Company 12 and 37 then used saws to removed the decking and check for further extension. Another handline from Engine 112 was pulled for overhaul. Crews cleared in less than an hour. Pictures yet to come!

B Platoon Helps Hampden Township with AFA, MVA

June 13, 2008 - B Platoon took advantage of the nice weather to take some of the drivers in training out on mutual aid familiarization. While out touring the townships around the base in the "Mean Green Machine" (Engine 237), Hampden Township Company 30 was dispatched for an Automatic Fire Alarm at Country Meadows Nursing Home on Trindle Road. On Second dispatch, Chief 330 had an Engine from 37 added to the box. Since E-237 was already off base, they took in the call, but were quickly placed in service for the false alarm. Minutes later, Hampden Township was again dispatched for an MVA on the Carlisle Pike reported as a tractor trailer and a minivan. Chief 330 quickly added Company 37 to the accident. Rescue 30 and Engine 237 arrived simultaneously to find a rear end collision with one injury and substantial damage to the minivan.

Mechanicsburg works on going to 48/72 schedule

June 5, 2008 - Firefighters are one step closer going to a new work schedule after a video-teleconference with management. Since January, personnel have been gathering information and attempting to answer all questions related to the new 48/72 schedule. On Thursday, the AFGE Union and Management sat down to try and answer all questions on both sides of the issue. Personnel feel confident that the trial period for the 48/72 schedule can still happen on schedule in January 2009!

Mechanicsburg Almost Back To Full Staffing!

June 2, 2008 - We would like to welcome Firefighter Kipp Dombrowski to the Mechanicsburg Federal Fire Department. Kipp has transferred to us from Brunswick Maine. With all the recent transfers into Mechanicsburg, the department is only one position away from being at full staffing for the first time in over a year.

Fire Inspectors In The News

May 27, 2008 - For the most part, we never see or here about what our two fire inspectors do unless it's a Wednesday or Thursday evening and they're riding the Engine with us. After a recent fire on base in housing involving a juvenile playing with fire, our inspectors took it upon themselves to get involved in a program called the South Central Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program. As part of this program, the inspectors routinely volunteer to go along as part of a panel that interviews juveniles who have been reported to the program as needing help. The firesetter program was recently the topic of a front page article in the Patriot News and the entire article can be found by clicking here.

Union Shirt Order

May 20, 2008 - Orders are being taken for IAFF Local F-307 union shirts. Shirts are available in blue and black, however blue color shirts will only be able to be purchased by union members, as it is the official shirt of the Local. Anyone may purchase the black shirts. Shirts are available in short and long sleeve, and also as a sweatshirt. Shirt prices vary but are reasonable. The shirt design will be posted on here soon. Any questions or to place an order, please E-Mail Greg Hood. Quick reminder to all members: These shirts may not be worn on duty, as we are part of the Navy Region and are not allowed to have our own identity.

Recent Personnel Changes and Promotions

May 8, 2008 - Within the past year, Mechanicsburg has seen its share of firefighters come and go... Prior to the base becoming regionalized, this was unheard of, but now, sadly, it is a fact of life. We would just like to take a minute to catch everyone up on the personnel changes:

Lt. Jr. Grade Bender - Also known as firefighter Bender, has chosen to leave the guys who love him for a girl that loves him more. Bender transferred back to Maxwell AFB in Alabama in April 2008. Good luck Eric!

Captain Gardner - Decided to retire in March 2008 after spending a whole career at the Mechanicsburg Navy Base. Keith will now be working harder than he ever did for Mrs. Gardner on projects around the house. Congratulations to Captain Gardner as he looks forward to a long relaxing retirement.

Firefighter Deemer - Had taken a promotion to Captain at Willow Grove in 2007 and transferred back to Mechanicsburg as Captain Deemer on the B Platoon in April 2008. Congratulations and good luck in the new position.

Captain O'Donnell - Was selected to fill the vacancy left by B/C Boltz upon his retirement as the B Platoon Chief. Congratulations to B/C O'Donnell and good luck in the new position.

Lieutenant Fahringer - Was selected in April 2008 to fill the vacancy as A Platoon Captain after the retirement of Captain Gardner. Congratulations and good luck to Captain Fahringer in the new position.

Firefighter Hood - Made a decision to switch from B Platoon to A Platoon permanently after he was temporarily reassigned due to manpower shortages on A Platoon. Welcome FF Hood to the A Platoon.

Firefighter Shoop - Transferred in to Mechanicsburg from the Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland. FF Shoop is assigned to the A Platoon. Welcome to Mechanicsburg.

Firefighter Leonhard - Transferred in to Mechanicsburg from Lakehurst Naval Base in New Jersey. FF Leonhard to also assigned to the A Platoon. Welcome to Mechanicsburg.

Driver/Operator Training on E-337 - "A" Platoon

May 7, 2008 - Tonight after dinner was served, "A" Platoon took both engine companies out for a drill to give personnel some time training on E-337. Acting B/C Wurster simulated going on scene of a large working woodpile fire and advised E-237 to stop short of the pile and use the deck gun. E-337 was instructed to lay 5" from E-237 to the hydrant, establish a supply, and put the aerial in service while supplying E-237. Due to a recent large personnel turnover rate, driver training has become a part of daily operations.

"B" Platoon Drills with Hampden Twp. Volunteers

May 6, 2008 - The Navy Base is an excellent training ground offering some unique features that aren't normally seen by Hampden Township Volunteer Fire Company. Last month, the volunteers used a large warehouse on base to practice stretching leader lines and high-rise hose packs. This month, the volunteers took advantage of the unrestricted hydrant system and large open area to practice portable and aerial master stream operations. Training with Hampden Township has allowed both departments to become more familiar with each others apparatus.

2 Alarm Structure Fire - Oxford Circle Lower Allen Twp.

May 3, 2008 - Engine 337 with B Platoon personnel responded as part of the box to a structure fire in the area of 5337 Oxford Circle with several calls advising a working structure fire. Engine 337 was the first arriving piece and grabbed a plug less than 100 feet away. Fire was showing from multiple floors of two apartments in the middle of a garden style apartment building. Capt 37 had his crew establish a water supply and pull the portable master stream for a quick blitz attack. An additional 2 1/2" and 2 1 3/4" pre-connected lines were pulled and supplied from Engine 337. The fire went to a 2nd alarm and Engine 337 operated on scene for about 4 hours before being released. E-337's crew was consisted of Captain Rebok, Driver Corl, and Firefighters Reddinger and Martin. Thank you to Jason Coleman-Cobb and Capital City Fire Photos for the pictures. Additional pictures are available at Doug Bell Photo.

Website under management... Slowly getting an upgrade

May 1, 2008 - Due to several personnel changes at the Mechanicsburg Federal Fire Department, the website has been going along without being updated for several months... Slowly but surely, the webpage will be coming up with some updated information. Check back soon!

"B" Platoon Assists With The Special Olympics

April 26, 2008 - After a couple scary weather reports throughout the week, the weather turned out to be nice for the Mechanicsburg Naval Supply Annual Special Olympics. Fire Department personnel always support and assist with the Special Olympics by setting up a medical tent, splitting crews to several different event locations, inviting Smokey the bear out for the day, and allowing the Olympians to crawl through our apparatus. This year, Smokey and the apparatus were a big hit as always. The event was a big success with no major injuries.

"A" Platoon Has Forklift Fire On The Installation

April 25, 2008 - Just after breaking out of the morning shift meeting, a mechanic from the neighboring building to the fire station, Building 305, walked in the station asking for a firefighter. At the same instant, bells started ringing for Building 305. Before being able to piece all the information together, E-337 pulled out of the station and is directed by evacuating personnel from Building 305 to the north end. E-237 grabbed a hydrant while E-337 crew found a forklift with an engine compartment fire on a lift. Mechanics tried to extinguish the fire with two dry chemical extinguishers prior to someone pulling a pull station and evacuating the building. Company 37 made quick work of the fire, ventilated the building, and returned to service within an hour.

"B" Platoon Hosts Bring Your Kid to Work Day & Has a Fire

April 24, 2008 - Company 37 spent all week cleaning under the direction of B/C O'Donnell to prepare for Mechanicsburg's "Bring Your Kid to Work Day" where employees are allowed to bring their kids onto the installation and see what happens in a day. The Fire Department always enjoys visitors and set up several events for the kids to get the feel of being a firefighter for the day. During "Bring Your Kid to Work Day", Company 37 also got a chance to be firefighters when a small electrical fire broke out in Building 308. Company 37 made quick work of the electrical fire and returned to hosting the events at the station for the kids.

"A" Platoon Responds to Automatic Alarm, Finds Light Ballast Fire

April 21, 2008 - While performing Monday morning sprinkler system checks, Station 37 received alarm bells for building 108. Company 37 broke off from their morning detail to respond and found a light ballast on fire impinging on the interior roof. E-337 threw and ladder and used a dry chemical extinguisher to knock down the fire. A preconnected hand line was deployed as a precaution while E-237 stood by a hydrant if needed. The fire was knocked down prior to any extension into the roof area and units were placed in service.