Station 65 was dispatched to assist Stations 35/36 for a building fire at 203 Washington Street in Conshohocken.  Conshy 5 arrived with light smoke showing from a 3 story building that was under construction.  Withing 10 minutes multiple buildings under construction were fully involved.  The alarms quickly escalated thru the 5th and the Eastern and Western County LDH Task Forces were called.  That brought E65 along with numerous other engines from Montco and Berks Counties.  The fire quickly engulfed 2 occupied 5 story condo buildings.  With the water supply being drained, the LDH engines laid multiple 5" lines to the scene to feed multiple ladder pipes.  Crews are still on scene at this time and some companies will be there on a rotating basis for much of the week while the investigation by FM42 and PSP Fire Marshal's continue.

Box 87-55T was dispatched @ 1237hrs for a reported dwelling fire at 1082 Rosemont Terrace in Upper Hanover Township.  Units due on the box were E65, SD65, L65, TR65, PL38, SD71, T71 and Bucks T75.  Chief 65 arrived to find smoke from the roof and transmitted a working fire and assumed command.  This brought Bucks R58 as RIT.  He also requested 2 additional engines due to the building construction.  This development is a townhome cluster with truss roofs and floors.  E65 laid a supply line and advanced a 200' 1-3/4" smooth bore line to the second floor.  Interior reported a working fire in the attic area.  Crews pulled the bedroom ceiling and extinguished the fire.  A PPV fan was used to remove the smoke and check for extension.  Crews remained on the scene assisting FM87.   

Station 65 was dispatched for a vehicle accident with injuries on Rt 663 and Macoby St. in the borough.  Squad 65 and LT65 (Sink) arrived and found a 2 vehicle accident with one patient sitting on the sidewalk and 2 patients still in a vehicle.  Medic 369 arrived and decided the doors needed to go to remove them.  The call was upgraded to a rescue and crews used the combi tool and cutter to remove both drivers side doors.  Crews assisted with patient removal and hazard control.  Fire police closed Rt 663 for about an hour while crews worked.  All units cleared within 60 minutes. Other units on the call were Fire Police from Station 71 and Berks Bally 505 BLS and BLS 328.

Station 65 was dispatched around 1430hrs for an accident with injuries at 5th and Macoby Streets in the borough.  Deputy 65 (Diehl) arrived and found a 2 vehicle accident with one entrapped.  The call was upgraded which brought R38 on the assignment.  Crews from Squad 65 and R38 worked to pop a door to remove the trapped patient.  Crews helped EMS with packaging and all units cleared within an hour.

Just before midnight crews from Station 65 were alerted to assist Berks Station 58 on a dwelling fire on Gravel Pike in Hereford Township Berks County.  Ladder and Chief 65 responded on the call as did Traffic 65.  Chief 58 arrived and found a kitchen fire that had been partially extinguished by the homeowner.  L65 arrived and was given the assignment to assist interior crews with checking for extension and ventilation.  Crews split up and set up a PPV fan on side A and worked in the kitchen checking the walls and area around the stove.  The homeowner was concerned for the well being of her 4 cats so FF Menendez was assisgned to cat patrol.  With all the smoke cleared, all the cats safe and the home checked out top to bottom, 65 crews packed up and went home just before 0100hrs.  Fire Police had Rt 29 closed for the duration to protect the crews.  Other units on the box were Berks E58, E58-1, T58, Berks E39, Berks Medic 505, Montco E38, PL38 and R38.

Monday proved to be a "Manic Monday".  Around 1230hrs reports came in that there was a suspicious device in the storm drain at 5th and Penn Street in the Borough, across from Station 65.  Police responded and found a similar situation as the previous Thursday night.  Home made pipe bombs were located in the storm drain again.  Police requested Station 65 to stand by and to have Fire Police secure the quadrant around the intersection.  As a precaution the blocks in each direction were evacuated and moved to the Civic Building at Borough Hall.  EM83 (Merolla) coordinated temporary shelters for the evacuated.  Chief 65(Seip) establish command and secured the scene. Station 65 was utilized as a command post for various local and Federal agencies.  

While still operating along with 83 PD, ATF and the FBI, Station 65 was dispatched for a motorcycle accident in Brooke Run on Grace Lane in the Township.  Chief 65, Deputy 65 and Squad 65 arrived to find a male subject lying on the road with a compound fracture of the leg, open and closed head trauma, and numerous other injuries.  A helicopter was placed on stand by and crews from the Squad performed various EMS functions until Medic 369 arrived.  Engine and Captain 65 (Young) responded and performed LZ duties for the injured subject.  Crews cleared and returned to the previous incident.  Crews worked most of the afternoon assisting the PD and all residents were returned to their home before evening.  The Bomb Squad detonated the devices on scene.  The investigation is ongoing therefore no pictures of the incident can be published at this time.

Squad 65 was dispatched @1215hrs to assist Station 42 for a vehicle accident with injuries near Marlborough Elementary School on Gravel Pike.  Also on the initial was Squad 71.  BLS 328 arrived and found a two vehicle accident with heavy entrapment at McLeans Station Road and Gravel Pike (Rt. 29).  Squad 71, Squad 65 and Rescue 42 arrived and went to work to free multiple patients in both vehicles.  Additional ALS units were requested as well as a MedEvac helicopter.  2 patients were extricated and transported to Lehigh via ambulance.  A male patient was extricated by crews from 65 and 71 and was transported by helicopter to Lehigh where he later passed away. Fire Police directed traffic around scene whiles crews worked and police conducted their investigation. Crews cleared in around 2 hours.

 It was later known that the gentlemen who passed away was a former Fire Chief for Lansdale Fire Department.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Members of Station 65 took the trip north to visit the new Squad 65 at Sutphen East Plant in Monticello, NY. The meeting was to discuss compartment layout and needed options that are going on the new Squad. We are still looking for a September 2008 delivery and to be in service soon after. Here are some update pictures.

Happy Fourth of July to everyone. The festivities started off at 1000hrs with the Annual Water Battle at New Goshenhoppen Park. The teams from East Greenville, Hereford, Seisoltzville, Red Hill (defending Champs), Green Lane and Pennsburg, the competition would be tough. Pennsburg made it through the winner’s bracket and faced off against Hereford, who fought their way back to the final round. Pennsburg took home the trophy with a hard fought battle by both teams. Later in the evening, Station 65 with E65, L65 and F65 stood by at the park while the annual fireworks were set off. Due to the slow drizzle, there were no spot fires from flying embers. Crews cleared around 2200hrs.

Station 65 was dispatched to assist Bucks Station 56 (Richland Township Fire)on a fatal vehicle accident involving a motorcycle on Route 309 in Springfield Township Bucks County shortly after noon. Squad 65 was sent to cover 56's local and Traffic 65 was sent to the scene to assist numerous other traffic units in directing traffic on the congested Route 309 around the accident scene. While during the clean up stage of the incident, Chief 56 called for Squad 65 to come into the scene and assist in the recovery of the victim who was pinned underneath the van. Crews worked for awhile and fire police stayed while PD conducted the investigation.

Station 65 was dispatched for a vehicle accident with injuries at RT.663 and Penn Street. Chief 65 arrived to find a 2 vehicle accident involving a commercial vehicle. SD65 arrived and assisted Medic 369 with patient care and packaging. Field 65 arrived and helped the Squad's crew with hazard control. Fire Police directed traffic around the scene and all units cleared in about an hour.

Ladder 65 and Squad 65 were dispatched @0031hrs to cover up Station 74 while they and many other companies were battling a Church fire on Wile Avenue in Souderton Borough. While on stand by the pre alert went out for Pennsburg Borough 500 Block of Main Street for a dwelling fire with entrapment. With bot the Ladder and Squad on cover duties Chief 65 notified county to add another Ladder and Fire/Rescue unit to the box. Battalion 65(Latshaw) arrived and reported a working fire with people trapped on the 2nd floor roof. Asst.65(Gibbs) arrived and established Miller Command. Crews from PL38 arrived on Side A and pulled a crosslay to the third floor. The occupants self extricated themselves before units arrived to remove them. Ladder 38 set up on Side A and E65 set up on Side C and pulled a crosslay to the rear entry. Crews opened up the roof and held the fire to the room of origin. Overhaul was completed and the fire is being investigated by FM83(Sink).

E65 and SD65 were dispatched as automatic aid for Bucks Station 57 on a dwelling fire on Old Plains Road in Milford Township Bucks County. Units arrived to find heavy smoke from side C of the dwelling. A crew from Bucks 58 entered side A with a line but couldn't reach the rear. A crew from E65 entered side C to help. Numerous units were on the Box and multiple tankers were added. The fire was contained to the rear and first floor areas. E65, even though a so called "Parade Piece" was set up in the yard on side D. T71 supplied E65. With temperatures reaching the high 90's, crews were rotated a lot to rehydrate. Thanks to Bucks Medic 108 for the cold water and wet towels. Crews cleared in about 3 hours and Bucks County FM Office is investigating.

Congratulations to the officers and members from Station 65 on the trophies and prizes they won Saturday at Kutztown's 100th Anniversary Parade and Housing. Crews worked hard cleaning the trucks for the parade for the past 2 months but Saturday morning while on the way up to the parade, the skies opened up and rain poured down. Once at the staging area and parade, crews again worked hard to restore the hard work they have done. The day was a big success for the crew. When the awards were announced, Pennsburg came out on top winning the following: Overall Best Appearing Fire Company Best Appearing Fire Company Out of Berks County Most Functional and Best Appearing Engine 2001-present 1st Place Most Functional Ladder Truck 1st Place Most Functional Field Truck 2nd Place (lost 1st place due to a stubborn rotator) Best appearing Pierce (Ladder 65) Congratulations again to all the members who worked long hours getting the trucks ready. It was a great day for Station 65.

The officers and members of Station 65 would like to welcome new probationary firefighters Paul Stefano, Jess Whiteside and Christopher Lord. Paul comes to us from Milford Fire Department in Bucks County where he served most recently as Battalion Chief. Jess also comes from Milford Fire Department where she has served as Safety Officer. She also is an EMT with the Upper Perk Ambulance. Christopher is new to firefighting. We would like to wish them all the best.