The Austin Fire Company is looking to host a Pump Operations 1 and a Radio Operations course in the coming months. A minimum of 15 people are needed for each of these classes. Ron Adams would be the instructor for the Pump Operations 1 course. We are currently working to get further information and specifics regarding the radio operations course. More information will be posted as it becomes available. If you are interested in  taking either of these courses or would like further information please contact Justin Moate at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The combination of the recent bitter cold weather along with snow covered roads has made things busy for area emergency services over the past several days.

A mid-afternoon crash on Rt. 219 near Lantz's Corners involving a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle caused Rt. 219 to be closed for a period of time. One person was injured in this incident.

Another crash on Friday involved a school bus and a passenger vehicle. That crash occurred on Rt. 144 in Wes Branch Township.

Saturday things really got busy around the area with a number of incidents. Coudersport Dept 48 responded to two separate land rescue calls involving snowmobile crashes. One at the "Snowdeo" being held by the Potter County snow mobile club and another later in the day in the area of the Billy Lewis Rd. on top of Denten Hill.The victim of the Billy Lewis Rd. incident was flown out for treatment of their injuries.

Hornell, N.Y. -A North Hornell fire truck carrying five volunteer firefighters responding to an emergency Saturday night was involved in a crash of its own at the intersection of State Route 36 and County Route 66.

Around 8:30 p.m. a 1994 Freightliner —the fire department’s number 27 fire engine purchased 15 years ago for more than $126,000 — driven by fourth-assistant chief Elden Loper, 47, of Hornell, was hit in its right front side as it passed through the intersection by a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Jacqueline Eastman, 21, of 2769 Nichols St., Spencerport, according to Wayland-based state police. The truck then hit a utility pole at the median.

Troopers said the truck was hit as it slowed down, passing through a red light with its emergency lights and sirens activated.

Eastman, who had to be extricated from her car, and three firefighters on the truck were transported by Hornell ambulances to St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell for minor injuries. Firefighter Irene Spangenburg sustained a broken hand during the accident. More...

UPATE: We have received information from the Chief of the North Hornell Fire Dept. that the engine involved in this incident was indeed not their only piece of apparatus. In fact the vehicle involved was a 2nd due engine. They also have a newer engine and a ladder truck with a pump. More information on the North Hornell Fire Dept can be found on their web site. We apologize for the incorrect information that originally appeared in the editor's note of this article. It was based upon information that we received from a source believed to be familiar with the situation.

Editor's note: I have been driving emergency vehicles for 25 yrs including 4 yrs working in the City of Buffalo and surrounding areas. In 1994 the EMS unit I was operating was involved in an intersection accident. Why? Because I did not come to a full and complete stop at a controlled intersection at 3AM and the rig got "T-boned" by someone trying to beat the light on the side street. The result was several people injured including my partner and an ambulance out of service all because I did not come to a complete stop when I should have.

Emergency vehicle operators take on a higher level of responsibility when operating in emergency mode. The apparatus and equipment on that apparatus as well as the personnel on the apparatus are of no use if they never make it to the scene of the incident. As a result of this incident that community now is without a primary piece of equipment. All because they didn't take the time to make sure the intersection was clear. Fortunately no one was seriously injured or killed.

From The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

It is with deep regret that we advise you of the Line of Duty Death of FF Clair Melvin Pierce, 68, a member and past chief of the Wellsboro Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Associations, Tiogo County, PA.   He died at his home on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009 after responding to a series of EMS and fire calls. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Joan Allen Pierce and numerous family members. As always, our most sincere condolences.

As of this report, 90 Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths have been reported to the USFA in 2009; 87 from incidents that occurred in 2009 and 3 from previous year incidents.

The newly revised Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) was released December 16 by the US Department of Transportation. Jack Sullivan CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) Director of Training and member of the National Committee that edits the MUTCD completed a preliminary review of the document. His initial comments follow. Links to download the entire document are posted on this site.

The ERSI has received a Firefighter Safety Grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administer by FEMA to prepare training materials based on the MUTCD. With our partner Fire Service Publications at Oklahoma State University we will be publishing an Essentials Manual based on the material in the MUTCD to assist in the training of firefighters and other roadway responders.

Check this site for expanded information as the ERSI analyses the material in the MUTCD. Meanwhile here are our initial observations:

· Public Safety Vests-ANSI 207 are included and as approved PPE

· Requires High Visibility Garment on all roadways, Deletes “federal-aid" highway reference

· Allows for use of Stop/Slow paddles with strobes

· Allowing for the use of flares and emphasis on us removing flares from roadway upon leaving the scene (a significant training point)

· Retained the wording that allows the use of whatever traffic control devices available in the early stages of an incident

· Black text on pink signs used for temporary traffic control

· Defines the term “Safe-Positioned”—the positioning of emergency vehicles at an incident in a manner that attempts to protect both the responders performing their duties and road users traveling through the incident scene, while minimizing, to the extent practical, disruption of the adjacent traffic flow

Other important considerations for responders include: MUTCD 2009 Final Rule - Section 6D.03 Worker Safety Considerations

More information on this important topic can be found at ResponderSafety.com

The Pennsylvania EMS Provider Foundation (Foundation) is very pleased to announce the first annual call for grant applications.

The Grant: The grant will be awarded to an individual EMT or EMTs who would like to further their education and become Paramedics. The deadline for grant applications is February 15, 2010.

The awardee(s) must have been employed as an emergency medical service provider for at least one year with a Pennsylvania licensed EMS agency or have been guaranteed an offer of a position with a Pennsylvania licensed EMS agency following completion of the education program for which the grant was provided.

The amount of the grant will be determined by the Foundation Board of Directors and the recommendation of the Application Review Committee.

For more information, please see the application, instructions and general information which can be found on the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania's website under What's New. You can also contact Heather at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 1-888-262-9121.

Holiday Fire Prevention Tips

Harrisburg – While the holidays bring festivities and good cheer, it is also a season of increased risk for home fires, according to State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann.

“Christmas trees, candle usage and holiday decorations significantly contribute to the seasonal causes of home fires. When you add to that the distracting nature of the holidays, the risk of home fires increases,” Mann said. “But by taking preventative steps and following simple rules, you can prevent most home fires.”

Mann suggests that simply paying closer attention when decorating, cooking and entertaining can significantly increase safety.

With unattended cooking being the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, Mann advises:

* Be attentive when cooking. Turn off the stove when leaving the kitchen.
* Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove top.
* When simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking. If frying, stay at the stove.
* Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.

December is the peak month for home fires caused by candles. Statistics from the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, show that more than half of all candle-related fires start because of candles that are placed too close to flammable items.

Mann offers these tips for candle safety:

* Use flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles.
* When using traditional candles, keep them at least one foot away from anything that can burn.
* Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
* Use sturdy candle holders that won’t tip over and place them only on uncluttered surfaces.
* Avoid using candles in the bedroom – where two out of five candle fires in the U.S. begin – or in other areas where people may fall asleep.
* Never leave children alone in a room with a burning candle.

According to NFPA, U.S. fire departments annually respond to an average of 250 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. Nearly half of them are caused by electrical problems, and one in four resulted from a heat source positioned too close to the tree.