On 8-24 we were dispatched for the Engine and Tanker to assist Cecilton with a working shed fire on Grove Neck Rd. Both units made the response with 7 personnel and assisted with extinguishment. Units worked for about one hour. Deputy Chief J. Duhamell was OIC of Galena units. On 8-25 at about 1700 hours, we were again dispatched for the Engine and Tanker to assist Cecilton. This time it was for a house trailer fire on Knights Island Rd. The Engine and Tanker both responded with a total of 7 personnel. Engine 3 was the first unit to arrive, just behind Asst. 1 and observed smoke showing from a trailer. Crews investigated and found that the fire was started by a malfunctioning gas stove which caused a small explosion. The fire had been put out by a neighbor. The occupant sustained burns and was transported to the hospital by MSP Aviation. The crew from Engine 3 secured the propane, checked for extension and completed smoke removal. Units operated for about 45 minutes. Asst. Chief M. Shaw was the OIC of Galena units

For the monthly drill, we spent a few hours doing driver recertification.  Drivers pumped from the tank and hydrant with Engine 3 as a refresher on the truck, the pump and simple pump operators hydraulics. 

At approximately 1330 hours, we were dispatched for the Brush Truck and Tanker to assist Millington on a large field fire. Brush 3 (with 2) and Tanker 3 (with 3) made the response. A large column of smoke was visible from Galena, and additional units were requested by responding Millington units bringing Engine 3, several more Tankers and 5 more brush trucks. Brush 3 and Tanker 3 arrived and were assigned to work the perimeter of the cut wheat field fire, as it was approaching wooded areas and several houses. Station 3 units operated for over an hour with 10 personnel. Photos by Nevin Steffy.

We will be holding our annual shrubbery auction on May 2, 2010 at 1300 hours.  Items up for bidding will be available for inspection at 1100 hours.  Items for sale include a wide variety of all sizes of shrubbery, flowers, vegetable plants, hanging baskets of flowers, firewood, and more!!   Please help support our cause.  Hope to see you there!!

Its been a pretty quiet 10 days, so here is a quick run-down of whats been going on.

4-16-10 - Engine assist to Kennedyville on a working vehicle fire, Browntown Rd.  Engine 3 (with 5) assisted with extinguishing and overhaul.  Units worked for just under an hour.

4-17-10 - Rescue Box 30-11 for a MVA, Rt 213 / Vansants Corner Rd.  2 vehicles: one patient refusal, one no patient.  Engine 3, Utility 3, Paramedic 3, EMS 3-1, Command 3, Paramedic 1-3.

4-19-10 - Engine assist on a MVA at Rt 213 and Rt 298.  Crew from E-3 secured both vehicles.  E-3 was on scene for just over one hour. 

4-19-10 - Engine for MSP Aviation at Station 3

4-21-10 - Box 30-2 for a Residential Rescue on E. Beechwood Rd.  E-3, Paramedic 3, Cecil Ambulance 192, Paramedic 3-1, Paramedic 1-3 and EMS 1 operated for about 30 minutes. 

4-23-10 - Tanker assist to Kent County DE (Clayton) for a house fire on Oak Hall School Rd.  Tanker 3 shuttled 2 loads of water and was on scene for two and a half hours. 

Just after 1800 hours, we were dispatched along with PM 1-3 and Cecil Rescue 1 for a MVC with rollover on Rt 301 at the 118 mile marker.  Command 3 was the first to arrive and advised of a vehicle on its roof off the road, with one patient out of the vehicle.  Command held the box to Galena units and EMS obtained a patient refusal,

Units on scene: Command 3, Engine 3, Utility 3, Paramedic 3, Paramedic 1-3, Paramedic 3-1. 

On 4-7-10 at approximately 1600 hours, we were dispatched for the Ambulance and Rescue to assist Cecilton with a MVA with rescue on Rt 213 at Sandy Bottom Rd. Rescue Pumper 3 and Paramedic 3 made the response. Ambulance 3 transported one to Christiana and after the Shock Trauma Go-Team arrived, extrication was completed. Galena Units on scene – Rescue Pumper 3, Paramedic 3, Utility 3
 
On 4-8-10 at 0630 we were dispatched for the Engine, Tanker and Rescue to assist Betterton on a structure fire at the Echo Hill Camp Dining Hall. Paramedic 1-1 was the first unit to arrive and reported smoke in the building and an extinguished oven fire. Galena units were held on the hard surface and then released. Galena Units on scene – Engine 3, Rescue Pumper 3, Tanker 3
 
At 1030 hours, we were dispatched along with units from station 26 – Townsend, DE, for a structure fire on Golts Caldwell Rd. Kent advised Command 3/Deputy Chief Duhamell, that the caller reported a brush fire that had extended to a shed with no access to large vehicles. Command 3 requested 3 additional brush trucks. Command 3 arrived and reported a wooden shed on the ground and had the crew from Rescue Pumper 3 disconnect and hand-jack a crosslay to the scene to hook to Tanker 3 (access made with the help of some fence disassembly). Brush 3, NCCD Brush 26 and NCCD Mini Pumper 27-1 assisted with the extinguishment. Units on scene – Command 3, Rescue Pumper 3, Tanker 3, Brush 3, Paramedic 3, NCCD Brush 26, Tanker 26, 27-1 and Brush 2.
 
At 1830 hours, Engine 3, Rescue Pumper 3, and Cecil Utility 131 headed south to the MFRI burn building in Centreville. We conducted some maze training as well as several live burn evolutions.   Special thanks to Townsend for providing and stand-by so we could participate in the training.   

After an unusually slow few weeks, things have again picked up. Sunday brought an Engine assist to Cecil County (canceled while en route) and then an Engine and Tanker assist to Cecil County later that night. (E-3 re-directed to Station 1, Tanker 3 canceled)  On Tuesday afternoon, we were hit for the Tanker to assist Betterton on a woods fire.  Tanker 3 operated for about one hour. 

Just after 1300, Kent County alerted Rescue Box 20-9 for an MVC with entrapment on Rt 299 North of Massey bringing Rescue Pumper 3, Engine 3 and Ambulance 3.  Deputy Chief 3/J. Duhamell (POV) was the first to arrive and found a single vehicle into a pole with wires down and 2 subjects still in the vehicle. Investigation revealed that the subjects were not trapped, and upon the arrival of Rescue 2, Asst. 2/Morales assumed Massey Rd Command.   Command held the box to Rescue 2, Rescue Pumper 3, Ambulance 2, and Paramedic 1-3. Units worked for about one hour. Units on Scene – Rescue 2, Ambulance 2, Rescue Pumper 3, Engine 3, Ambulance 3, Paramedic 1-3, Deputy Chief 3.

The final all-you-can-eat Ham and Fried Oyster Dinner will be Saturday, March 13 from 3-6:30 PM. We urge you to come early, as the lines can get pretty long as the day goes on. We look forward to seeing you there!!

The trend of more and more volunteers staffing equipment continued today as we were hit for three EMS calls for the afternoon.  All of the calls were staffed by volunteer Paramedic crews, including two calls at the same time  (Thanks to Cecilton for providing the transport unit) and  a turnout of eleven for the final run of the day.  KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

At approximately 1000 hours, we were alerted for the Tanker to assist on a working structure fire In Kennedyville's area.  They were already on scene with a fully involved chicken house fire.  Tanker 3 responded along with Engine 3 which was requested shortly thereafter.  Utility 3 was also requested to the scene to assist.  Tanker 3 shuttled water while Engine 3 deployed 650 feet of 5" supply line to supply Engine 67.  Deputy Chief Duhamell was OIC of Galena units. 

While the units were still out, we were alerted for the Rescue to assist Station 2 with an MVC with rescue on Rt 299 in Massey.  Paramedic 1-3 arrived first and confirmed that the driver was not trapped, only "inconvenienced"  Rescue Pumper 3 was the first FD unit to arrive and began to secure the vehicle.  While units were still on the scene, they were directed to another MVC with rollover just down the road.  That incident was PD only and units cleared after about an hour.  EMS Captain Atwater was OIC. 

QA Engine Tanker 7 covered station 3 while the units were out. 

At approximately 1600 hours, Kent County alerted Fire Box 30-1 for a chimney fire. Due on the call were Station 3, Cecil Engine 116, and New Castle County Tower 27. Command 3 and Rescue Pumper 3 were the first to arrive reporting  smoke in the residence. The crew from the rescue laddered the roof and began to clear the chimney. The crew from Engine 3 and Cecil Engine 116 secured the woodstove inside and cleared the smoke from the residence. Once Tower 27 arrived, they set up and assisted with the roof operation. Deputy Chief Jack Duhamell had Main Street Command. Units operated for about an hour.
 
Units on scene: Command 3, Rescue Pumper 3, Engine 3, Utility 3, Ambulance 3, Cecil E-116, NCCD Tower 27, NCCD E 27-5

On Feb 20, 2010, we held our annual Installation of Officers Banquet.  The 2009 Officers were recognized for all of their hard work, and the administrative and operational officers for 2010 were officially installed by Past MSFA President Phil Hurlock and Kent County Sheriff John Price.  We would like to thank all of our members and everyone who makes the GVFC the very best it can be. 

Just after 1600 hours, we were alerted for the Engine and Tanker to Assist on a working barn fire on Turners Creek Rd.  Engine 3 made the response with 5 followed by Tanker 3 with 2.  Engine 4 advised of a working alarm, and requested a second alarm, adding Rescue Pumper 3 to the box.  Engine 3 arrived just after Engine 4 and dropped 1200 feet of 5 inch supply line and deployed 350 feet of attack line.  The crew assisted with suppression and overhaul.  Rescue Pumper 3 staged and their manpower was utilized at the scene.  Thanks to Station 27 - Middletown for the transfer.  Units worked for about 5 hours.  Photos by Nevin Steffy.