Help us help you!!  If you have a fire hydrant on or near your property, please take a minute to clear the snow away from it.  We try to do this task, but it may take a while to get to all of the hydrants.  It could save us valuable time in case of an emergency. 

Although it is important at all times, especially in these times of reduced visibility, please make sure your address/house number is clearly visible from the street that you live on.  If we cannot find your house, valuable time may be wasted should you need fire, rescue or EMS assistance. 

In preparation for the impending snow storm, if any members would like to stay at the firehouse, feel free to do so.  During your time there, if you need anything, contact Asst. Chief Scott Duhamell. 

The Galena Volunteer Fire Company will be hosting an EMS Drill night on Monday February 15th at 1800 hours. Dubbed "Dinner and a Splint" - we plan to have dinner at 1800 hours followed closely by a review of both the Hare Traction and Sager Traction splints.

Please RSVP so we can be sure to have enough food for all. This can be easily accomplished in one of three ways - sign up on the dry erase board in the ambulance bay, call the station, or email EMS Chief Koch or EMS Deputy Chief Bartholomew. We look forward to seeing you there!

Galena was alerted for a three alarm fire involving multiple dwellings at the intersection of Fourth and Main Streets in Crumpton (Queen Anne's County). Alerted at 0530 hours as part of the second alarm and tanker task force, we responded with Engine 3 (with staffing of 5) and Tanker 3 (with staffing of 2) within five minutes.

When we arrived on location, three buildings were either fully or partially involved with fire. While the engine handled drafting duties and water supply at the boat ramp on Front Street, the crew provided supression and exposure protection/containment at the rear of the northern structure. Tanker 3 provided water for the numerous pieces of supression equipment on location.

Utility 3 also responded to the scene with four additional personnel about 0803 hours. Units operated for about three hours and Deputy Chief Jack Duhamell was the Officer in Charge of Galena Units.

We'd like to pass along our sincere thanks to Chesapeake City (Cecil County) for the stand-by while we were out at the fire.

Photos by Nevin Steffy

The Galena Fire Co. beanies are in. See the bulletin boards or email sduhamell@verizon.net  for details. 

The members of the Galena Volunteer Fire Company got a busy start to the new year with a flurry of both fire and EMS calls, totaling five, within a twenty-four hour period .

Beginning Saturday morning, Galena was alerted for three EMS calls including an afternoon motor vehicle collision in Kennedyville's district. Ambulance 3, staffed ALS with three personnel, responded and was canceled prior to arrival on the MVC call.

At 0227 hours on Sunday morning, Galena was alerted for an outside fire in Millington's  20-9 box.  Millington units arrived first and found several burning bales of hay alongside MD299 just north of Massey. We responded with Engine 3 and Tanker 3 - with a total staffing of 6. Upon arrival, we were directed to stage behind Engine 2 and were released shortly thereafter.

At approximately 0330 hours we were alerted for a barn fire on Caldwell Corner Road near Townsend, DE and  again responded with Engine 3 and Tanker 3. When we arrived on location of the fully involved barn, we were directed to assist with water supply. Galena units shuttled a total of 9 loads of water and the crews provided needed support for the exterior suppression operation. Galena units worked for a little more than three hours and were released by Command 26, returning home around 0700 hours.

Many thanks to Cecil County Sta. 9 (Hacks Point) for the tanker fill in while we were in Townsend.

Photos from vhc27.com

The members of the Galena Volunteer Fire Company would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. 

At approximately 1300 hours, Kent County dispatched Stations 3, 2, and 4 for an MVC with rollover and HAZMAT on rt 299 near rt 290.  MSP and Kent Sheriff were on location with an overturned dumptruck with an active fuel leak.  Command 3 arrived to find approximately 30 gallons of fuel in the ditch with a controlled leak.  The sand being hauled in the dumptruck was utilized to stop the flow of fuel in the ditch.  MDE was notified and Station 3 units remained on location awaiting their arrival.  Units worked for about 2 hours.  Units on Scene: Command 3, Rescue Pumper 3, Ambulance 3, Ambulance 2, Rescue 2, Brush 4, HazMat 4.  Chief Rodney had RT 299 Command.  Thanks to Nevin Steffy for the photos. 

At 0546 hours, Kent County dispatched Engine 3 to assist New Castle County Station 26, Townsend, on a working house fire in the development of Townsend Village 2.  Originally dispatched for the RIT assignment, the crew threw ground ladders and maintained a ready status.  Eventually, the crew was utilized to assist with overhaul.  The Engine operated for over 2 hours. 

Just after 1900 hours, Kent County dispatched Engine 3 and Tanker 3 to assist Cecil County Station 1 Cecilton on a structure fire.  Cecil Chief 1 arrived with a working shed fire, approximately 10X12.  E-3 ,with 5, was the first unit in and dropped a supply line from the nearby intersection, and made a quick knock on the fire.  Units worked for less than 2 hours.  Captain M. Shaw was OIC of Galena units. 

Just after midnight on 11-15-09, we were dispatched for the Engine and Tanker to assist QA County Station 7 (Crumpton) on a working house fire on Broad St. Engine 3 (with 4) and Tanker 3 (with 2) made the response. Engine 3’s crew was initially assigned RIT as the third in Engine, but was re-assigned to assist on the second floor with extinguishment and overhaul. The tanker staged and was not utilized. Units operated for about 2 hours. Due to all of the Northern Kent County Tankers being busy, NCCD Tanker 26 transferred to station 3. Thanks to Nevin Steffy for the photos. 

Specialty Rescue has installed Hurst "Streamline" connectors on all of the Hurst equipment on the Engine and the Rescue.  We strongly urge everyone to familiarize yourself with the operation of the new equipment.  If you have any questions, contact any of the Chief Officers.  There will be some training in the very near future. 

On Oct 18 we will be holding an open house at the fire station.  All of our equipment will be on display for people of all ages to enjoy.  We will also have fire prevention handouts and games for the kids, as well as live vehicle extrication demos.  

Dont forget, the all-you-can-eat breakfast starts at 7:30, so come enjoy and stay around for the fun.

We look forward to seeing you there!    

At approximately 0530 hours, we were dispatched as the third due Rescue for an MVA with entrapment on Rt 213 near Perkins Hill Rd.  Rescue Pumper 3 responded with 5 and was assigned to assist Rescue Pumper 4 and Rescue 6 with extrication.  The crew assisted with a door and roof removal and with packaging of the patient.  RP-3 operated for about 1 hour.  Deputy 3/J. Duhamell was OIC of the Rescue. 

On Thursday Oct 8, 2009 at 1800 hours, Delmarva Power wil have their safety and emergency responder training trailer at Station 3.  This is a very interactive and informative training session for anyone who may be interested.  If any stations would like to send people, please call Deputy 3 at 410-708-7074.  Light refreshments will be served following the training.

The Fire Company voted in August to have the NFPA "Chevron" striping installed on all of our first run apparatus.  Jay Bolton from Bolton Signs finished the work on Wednesday October 7th.  We received a grant from Choptank Electric, which covered most of  the cost.  This is our fourth grant from Choptank Electric.  The new striping will increase the safety of our members operating on emergency scenes.