Quakertown Fire Company #1 took delivery of its new Chemical truck on July 30th, 2010. Members have been working diligently to mount equipment on the new truck, and to learn how to operate the new vehicle.

The new truck has been lettered and is almost ready to go in service.  Radios will be installed on Monday, August 23rd, and the truck will go into service after the radios are installed.  The new truck replaces the 31-year-old R Model Mack which went into service in 1979.  The old Chemical 17 was sold to Pennsburg Fire Company.

The new Chemical 17 combines the equipment from the old Chemical 17, as well as the old Hazmat 17.  Features include:

• 75kW PTO Generator
• Onboard compressor for filling SCBA cylinders and cascade systems
• 4-cylinder cascade system for filling SCBA cylinders in hazardous atmospheres
• 20kW of truck-mounted scene lighting, including a 9kW multi-directional light tower
• 5kW of portable lighting
• Ventilation equipment, including smoke ejectors and PPV fans
• 125lb class BC truck-mounted dry chemical extinguisher system, with 200′ hose
• Firefighting support equipment
• Rapid Intervention equipment
• Several hundred feet of various-sized booms for hazmat incidents
• Other hazmat equipment from Hazmat 17
• 400lb of oil dry
• 75 gallons of foam
• Portable decontamination shower and other equipment for mass decontamination incidents

WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF STATION 17 AND WISH THEM BEST OF LUCK.

Companies were dispatched to the Quakertown Pool for chemicals that came in contact with each other causing a reaction. Chief 87 set up Quakertown Command and dispatched the Bucks County Hazmat Team for assistance with the situation. Once the Hazmat Team arrived, crews from Tower 18, Rescue 18, Utility 18, and Engine 58 were given the RIT assignment while the hazmat team was in service inside the building gettting readings. Crews from Engine 17-1, Engine 17, Chemical 17, and Engine 36-1 were given the decon assignment for the hazmat team. Once the building was ready to be ventilated, 18 and 58 crews were given the hydraulic ventilation assignment. After several readings and ventilating the building, the Hazmat Team secured the chemicals and companies were released after approximately 5 1/2 hours. Cover Companies were: Rescue 26 and Ladder 57 to Station 18 while Engine 56 covered Station 17.

Tower, Squirt, and Rescue 18 were dispatched with Station 57 for a traffic accident that resulted in a gas pump fire. Enigne 58 arrived on scene and knocked the fire while Tower 18 crew forced entry into the store so Engine 57's crew could secure the emergency shut off for the pump. Squirt 18 arrived on scene as the assignment was recalled and returned to station. The fire was knocked quickly and all apparatus except for MTFD was released within the hour. Photos courtesy of Station 58.

Day 94 of the "Craftsman Across America" Kohler Challenge brought Lucas and his tractor to Quakertown, PA. Lucas is travelling across country on behalf of Craftsman riding a tractor the entire way. The crew arrived at West End Fire Company mid morning on Thursday and presented the members with a $50.00 Sears Gift Card. Squirt 18 then escorted the tractor to the Sears Appliance Store where the Craftsman Crew and Sears staff were able to discuss Lucas's travels so far. Craftsman also donated a Craftsman Excellerator GT Tractor to West End Fire Company as a way to give back to the communities they have visited. Tomorrow Lucas and the Craftsman crew will continue to their next stop which will be in New Jersey. West End thanks the Craftsman crew and Sears for there generous donations! We also wish Lucas and the Craftsman crew the best of luck as they finish out their trip.

This weekend members from the QFD along with several other fire companies from various areas attended an Officer Development School conducted by Traditions Training. The instructors (Chief Rick Riley, Captain Dan Shaw, Captain Scott Kraut, Lieutenant Doug Mitchell, and Firefighter Nick Martin) shared their on the job knoweldge and experiences of leadership, decision making skills, and overall managment techniques with participants. The QFD thanks Traditions Training for providing outstanding instruction and training to the fire service.

Companies were dispatched for reports of a trailer on fire along with brush on fire that was quickly spreading towards several mulch piles. Chief 87 arrived on scene and gave instructions for Engine 17-1 to lead off with handlines and Squirt 18 to supply the Engine. Crews made quick work of stopping the brush fire from spreading and extinguishing the trailer fire. Companies were available within the hour. Also on the assignment were: R58, TR58, TR63, R56, E36

Members from Station 17 and Station 18 ran a department drill training on water movement and pumping their apparatus. New members were given an opportunity to train on using the  main of Tower 18 and new drivers were able to put their knowledge on supplying apparatus and flowing large amounts of water to use.

Companies were dispatched for the box assignment at the Quakertown Farmers Market with reports of fire showing from the roof area of exit 23. Battalion 18 arrived and confirmed fire showing with wires down around the roof area. Chief 87 arrived and established Command while Battalion 18 took Operations. Squirt 18 responding from the carnival cover for Station 58, Rescue 58, and Engine 17-1 arrived within minutes of the initial dispatch and went to work. Squirt 18 layed in to side C and pulled a handline off of Engine 17-1 and went to the roof while Engine 17-1 crew took two handlines to  the interior. Rescue 58 was assigned to side A and instructed to go to the interior for search and rescue and hooking ceilings. Tower 18 arrived right behind the initial apparatus and set up their main to the roof while the crew went to the interior to assist with search and rescue. Rescue 18 supplemented the Tower crew and went to the roof to assist with fire suppression and roof operations. Engine 17 charged Squirt 18's lay and the crew assisted with interior operations. Companies worked through extremely hot weather conditions and put a quick knock on the fire keeping it from spreading while evacuting the building of workers and keeping civilians from running back inside the building. A second alarm was added for manpower due to hot weather conditions and manpower was set up on Side A. RIT on the assignment was Rescue 26 and Rescue 56. Crews were on scene for an extended period of time for overhaul. Also on the assignment along with all QFD apparatus were: E 36, E 36-1, E 56, E 57, E 75, TW 27, R 49, L 49, R 23, E27-1, Montco E 65, Montco Squad 65.

Companies were dispatched for an alarm system. Battalion 18 arrived on scene and reported a smoke condition on the third floor of an apartment building. Tower 18 and Engine 17-1 crew arrived and went inservice to the third floor with forcible entry tools. Engine 17 took the hydrant assignment. Crews quickly found the cause to be careless cooking in one of the apartments. Squirt 18 was given the ventilation assignment. Companies were back in service within the hour.

Companies were dispatched for an automobile fire in Quakertown Borough late Thursday night. Battalion 18 arrived on scene and reported a vehicle with an engine compartment fire. Squirt 18 and Engine 17 arrived on scene and made a quick knock of the fire while remaining apparatus staged at the entrance to the development. Crews were available within the hour.