At 09:54 hrs, Local Box 26-23 was struck for a bus on fire at the Pennridge School District Transportation Center.  Chief 26 (Worthington) met the Chief Mechanic on scene and confirmed heavy fire in the engine compartment.  District personnel moved an adjacent bus for firefighter access.  Engine 26 led off with a 2” handline knocking the bulk of the fire down.  Upon arrival, the Rescue Company pulled their foam hand line for saturation of rubber products. Battalion 26 (Boshell) directed extinguishment operations between companies. Engine 76 provided additional water to Engine 26.  The fire was contained to the single spare bus.  Bucks County Assistant Fire Marshal FM-201 conducted a cause and determination investigation of the fire. Fire Police 26 controlled traffic into the complex during the incident.  The incident was cleared at 10:55 hrs.

At 21:55 hrs, Rescue Box 26-25 was struck for a traffic accident with fire and entrapment.  Chief 26 (Worthington), Deputy 26 (Trotter) and Battalion 76 (Wedman) arrived on location and initiated engine compartment fire suppression efforts with extinguishers.   Chief 26 confirmed the driver was ejected from the vehicle and requested a medical helicopter be dispatched.  Medic 108 (St. Luke’s) affirmed the release of JeffStat2 to fly. Rescue 26 (Lt. Becker) on arrival continued fire suppression efforts and assisted with medical treatment supporting Medic 151 (Grand View).  Engine 26 (Lt. Golebiewski) established a landing zone on a nearby property.  Upon arrival, Tac 76 supported the rescue detail.  Medics 151 transported the patient to the LZ, assisted by Medic 108 personnel.  Fire Police 26 diverted traffic around the incident while Perkasie Boro PD investigated the accident.  The incident was cleared at 23.33 hrs.

At 18:57 hrs, Tactical Box 26-25 was dispatched for a reported chimney fire.  Battalion 76 (Wedman) arrived on location and directed Tower 26 (Lt. Keeler) to ladder the chimney and initiate exterior roof operations. Engine 26 (Capt. Reutlinger) removed fire box contents from the interior.  Engine 76 utilized a thermal imaging camera to check for interior extension.  The incident was cleared at 19:46 hrs.

Fire Police Captain Ron Dietrich was a member of this Department since 1995. He served as Fire Police Captain since 2000.  He also served as Vice President from 2003 through 2007.  He was instrumental in reviving the Annual Carnival, besides serving on various other committees.  He was the recipient of many awards, including the Burpee Award for Service.  He was also a life member with the Blue Ridge Hook & Ladder Company, Saylorsburg, PA.  Besides, his activities with this Department, he served as a Perkasie Borough Crossing Guard in the area of Patricia Guth Elementary School for many years.  Always friendly with the school children, parents and dogs; he will be missed by many in the community. 
 

Perkasie Fire Company is pleased to announce that a new Pierce Impel pumper has been ordered from Pierce Mfg., Inc., Appleton, WI.  This apparatus will feature a 2000 gpm single stage pump, 1000 gallons of water with an overall height of 9 ft.-8 in. on a 187 in. wheelbase.   The contract specifications require installation of a 15kW generator, elevated light tower, front suction and a requirement for 1500 ft. of 5” large diameter hose.  This new apparatus will replace a 1974 Mack CF pumper housed at Station 76 located at the East Rockhill Municipal Complex on N. Ridge Road.  Delivery is anticipated to be June-July 2010.

“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”  - Aristotle

Department Officers and Firefighters recently reviewed and practiced rescue procedures involving patient assessment and packaging along with lowering techniques from higher elevations.  Several rescue methods where demonstrated and repeatedly practiced by all present.  Probationary firefighters demonstrated their recently learned Fire Academy skills with raises and placement of multiple ground ladders for the exercise.

Two Perkasie firefighters who died in the line of duty in 1926 were remembered by their fellow Perkasie firefighters at the Bucks County Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday October 4th.  Jacob C. Crouthamel and Willis Sames were both firefighters with the Perkasie Fire Company No. 1 when they were killed in the line of duty April 1, 1926.   The service is held the same day as the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, which is held in Emmitsburg, MD, and honors all fallen firefighters across the nation.  In addition, the Bucks County service is a chance for those who cannot travel to the national service to honor the fallen heroes closer to home.  The first fallen firefighter recorded on the memorial is Walter L. Moore, a foreman with the Bristol Fire Company who died in 1915 when a train hit the fire truck as it was enroute to extinguish houseboat fires on the Delaware River.  The two fallen firefighters from Perkasie in 1926 are the second and third recorded deaths on the memorial, which includes a total of 22 names.  The Memorial Service was conducted by the Bucks County Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Association along with the Bucks County Commissioners.
 

It has been a busy week for PERKASIE FIRE COMPANY with multiple motor vehicle accidents in the area.  On Monday morning September 21^st, the Department was dispatched for a multiple vehicle accident on RT 313 in the area of N. Ridge RD involving three (3) vehicles.  Rescue 26 performed a drivers-side door pop on a Pennridge District mini-van freeing the operator.  Engine 26 and Engine 23 secured the hazards on the two (2) remaining vehicles.  Friday evening Rescue 26 and Tac 76 assisted Grand View Medic151 with a single vehicle accident on RT 313 near N. 5t Street involving a deer that struck the windshield.  Both apparatus assisted with a large area of debris clean-up and aided Pennridge Regional PD with lighting.  Saturday afternoon Rescue 26 was again dispatched to stand-by at a traffic accident in the intersection of RT 313 and N. 5^th Street.  Engine 26 assisted with securing the hazards at the three (3) vehicle incident.  On Sunday afternoon September 27^th, Rescue 26 and Engine 26 responded to assist Grand View Medic 151 and Pennridge Regional PD with a single vehicle rollover on W. Schwenk Mill Rd in the area of Branch Road.  Rescue 26 again secured the vehicle and both companies performed general debris clean-up. Fire Police 26 diverted traffic around the accident scene.
 

On August 30, 2009 at 12:38 hrs, PERKASIE FIRE COMPANY was dispatched for an Auto Extrication at the intersection of W. Market and N. 6^th Streets, Perkasie Borough.  Upon arrival Chief 26 (Worthington) confirmed one vehicle overturned with a single belted occupant entrapped inside.  Rescue 26 was directed to stabilize the vehicle with cribbing and a high lift air bag, and ready a hydraulic spreader for a door pop.  Deputy 26 (Trotter) and Battalion 76 (Wedman) handled rescue operations alongside staff from Medics 151 (Grand View) and 108 (St. Luke’s – Quakertown).  Engine 26 positioned apparatus for a potential air medical evacuation deployment at the direction of Chief 26.  Medic 151 later stood down the helicopter.  Engine 26 personnel reported to the scene to supplement rescue operations.  Fire Police 26 handled traffic control by shutting down streets in the area, and crowd control at the accident scene while Perkasie Borough PD investigated the accident

On Monday evening July 6, 2009, Perkasie Borough Council awarded commendations to Tyler Keeping and Steven Burg in recognition of their actions to call report an odor of smoke outside a dwelling in the 1300 block of W. Park Avenue.  Council Vice President Richard Hendricks presented certificates to both young men acknowledging that when they heard active smoke alarms, they stopped and called 9-1-1 while attempting to notify the homeowners inside.  Tyler and Steven remained on location until emergency response units arrived.  Due to their quick actions, the potential for a major loss was averted.  Great job by both young men!
 

On Sunday evening May 31, 2009 at 21:44 hrs, Perkasie Fire Company No. 1 was dispatched for the odor of smoke outside a residence with an active alarm.  The call was initiated by two subjects passing by who heard the audible smoke detector and attempted to notify the occupants in the 1200 block of W. Park Avenue, Perkasie Borough.  Deputy 26 (Trotter) arrived on scene to smoke coming around the closed windows.  Engine 26 secured a water source from a hydrant at Parkridge Dr & Park Avenue into the scene.  The Engine Company forced entry to the front door along with a dry hose line and encountered heavy smoke conditions.  Chief 26 (Worthington) established Park Ave Command and requested the assignment filled out.  Tower 26 after nosing into Engine 26, was directed to force entry on Side C, which was later amended to establishing electric PPV to Side A entrance and handling ventilation.  Engine 26 crew, while searching for occupants, encountered an active flame under a pot of burnt food on the gas fired stove.  Park Avenue Command returned Tower 27, Engine 59 along with Tower 18 (RIT).  Engine 27-1 remained on location to assist Engine 26 with packing 5” LDH.  The Department remained on scene until 22:47 hrs ventilating the residence, securing the front entrance and awaiting the arrival of the property owner from an out of county location.

Following the early morning garage fire on Saturday February 21, 2008, members of PERKASIE FIRE COMPANY No. 1 spent the day testing and installing smoke detectors in Perkasie Borough and East Rockhill Township.  Assisted by Bucks County Chief Fire Marshal Nicholas Rafferty and his staff, firefighters knocked on 281 doors in both municipalities offering to inspect and test smoke detectors in private residences.  Lithium ten-year battery life smoke detectors were offered to those lacking functioning smoke detectors.  These detectors were obtained by the County Fire Marshal’s office through a federal FEMA grant under the program name “Operation Safe Home”.  In total, 126 free smoke detectors were installed by firefighters during the day, the most installed to date under the assistance of the FM’s office.

On Saturday morning February 21, 2008 at 07:30 hrs, PERKASIE FIRE COMPANY No. 1  was dispatched to a reported garage fire in the 600 block of Rustic Drive, Perkasie Borough.  Battalion 76 (Wedman) confirmed the report with heavy smoke showing in a 20 x 20 detached garage.   Deputy 26 established Rustic Command and directed Engine 26 to pull hand lines to Side A and stretch a supply line to a nearby hydrant at Jefferson & Rustic Drives.  Upon confirmation of a working fire, Tower 18 was added for RIT by dispatch.  Tower 26 was ordered to use ground ladders and establish a ventilation hole at the roof ridge above the burn through in the roof on Side D.  Engine company personnel found the seat of the fire above a side entrance doorway with extension to the rafter and eaves in the attic area above.  Operations Division Chief A. Wedman (B76) directed Rescue 26 manpower to assist with salvage and overhaul.  Major shop equipment was removed and secured prior to the arrival of Engine 26 with the assistance of Perkasie Police Officers and the property owner.  Crews assisted the homeowner with tarping of ventilation holes at the close of the incident.  Fire cause investigation was handled by Bucks County Chief Fire Marshal FM 200 (N. Rafferty).  Engine 27-1 and Tower 27 covered Station 26 during the incident.  Grand View Hospital Medics stood-by on scene for rehabilitation services to the firefighters.  The incident was cleared at 08:50 hours.

Total Number of Incidents for Year: 269

Total Number of Training Activities: 43

Year End Summary Statistics:

Apparatus and personnel responded to 269 requests; 37 of the incidents (13.91%) were fire related, 19 incidents (7.14%) were rescue/EMS related, 25 incidents (9.4%) were related to hazardous conditions, 97 incidents were service calls (36.47%), 42 incidents were good intent related (15.79%), and 45 incidents (16.92%) were false alarms.

Perkasie Borough had 94 incidents (35.34%), East Rockhill Township had 76 incidents (28.57%) and Hilltown Township had 18 incidents (6.77%) of the total call volume.  Our services were provided to various other municipalities such as Sellersville Borough with 13 incidents (4.89%) West Rockhill Township  with 8 incidents (3.01%), Quakertown Borough with 23 incidents (8.65%), Richland Township with 11 incidents (4.14%), and Dublin Borough  with 7 incidents (2.63%).

In total, the department staff provided 5,900 man-hours of service to the community in response activity and training.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of its 2008 scholarship awards.  A total $25,500 was awarded to 32 first responders, the majority of whom are firefighters and company officers.  These motivated first responders are pursuing degrees and taking courses in Fire Science, Fire Service Administration and Management, Fire Protection and Fire Safety Engineering Technology, Arson Investigation, Public Affairs, Business, Public Safety and Public Administration, Paramedic training, Health Science and Emergency Medical Services, Public Safety Management, Executive and Organizational Leadership, Disaster Planning and Homeland Security.

Perkasie Fire Company No. 1 along with The IAFC Foundation wishes to congratulate scholarship winner Firefighter/EMT Erin Kostrubiak on her receipt of one of ten $1,000 volunteer awards for her pursuit of a Fire Science degree at the University of New Haven, CT.

On Saturday evening September 27, 2008, the Pennridge Chamber of Commerce will present several awards to outstanding people and businesses from the Pennridge Community at their Autumn Gala "An Evening of Elegance" to be held at the Indian Valley Country Club.  For thirty years, the Chamber has presented awards to highlight the individuals and businesses who willingly give of themselves to make this community a better place.  Nominations for these prestigious awards were submitted and presented to the Board of Directors.  Although the decision is never easy, recipients were chosen in four (4) different categories: Pennridge Arts award, James Hackett Memorial Good Neighbor award,  Business Achievement award and the Frank R. Kulp award.

 The Frank R. Kulp Memorial Award which is given to an individual in the area whose talents, abilities and dedication to their personal goals in their chosen field of endeavor has enriched the lives of everyone in the area.  Perkasie Fire Company Chief David Worthington was chosen as the 2008 recipient of this honor.  Chief Worthington has been a member of the Department since 1988, working his way up and then attaining the rank of Chief in 2004.  He has over thirty-two (32) years of experience in the fire service.

 Chief Worthington has implemented many changes that moved the Department toward the future, and provided better protection to the members and the Pennridge Community as a whole.  On a limited budget, he was able to secure funding to purchase a new aerial truck.  He also worked with a Volunteer Financial Services in restructuring the Department budget.  This allowed for the replacement of breathing apparatus equipment, and obtaining a new 2008 vehicle for the Fire Police.  He has actively pursued local and municipal grants to replace and upgrade equipment.  He has also worked closely with District Justice Charles Baum, putting together a program for youth offenders to perform community service, while giving them a strong role model to emulate.  Chief Worthington also is the Financial Secretary for the Bucks County Fire Chiefs and Fire Fighters Association, which is responsible for establishing county-wide guidelines, rules and regulations.  His work ethic and standards are an inspiration to many.

FF/EMT Erin Kostrubiak was the recipient of 1 of 41 statewide scholarships awarded to college students from the State Fireman's Association of Pennsylvania.  Erin was also the recipient of a scholarship sponsored by the Bucks County Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Association.  Erin is a freshman at the University of New Haven majoring in Fire Science with concentration in Fire Administration and Arson Investigation.  Congratulations Erin!

On Saturday morning January 5, 2008 at 03:20 hrs, PERKASIE FIRE COMPANY No. 1 along with Sellersville FD Tanker 27 was dispatched to a reported dwelling fire in 3000 block of Hill Road, East Rockhill Township.  Battalion 76 (A. Wedman) confirmed police reports of heavy smoke in the area.  Chief 26 (D. Worthington) requested three (3) additional engines and three (3) additional tankers added to assignment.  Tower 18 was added for RIT.  Hill Road Command was established, and Engine 26 was directed to pull hand lines from an adjacent property driveway.  Tower 26 dropped 5” LDH from the intersection of N. Rockhill and Hill Roads, and was directed to perform ventilation on Side C and the roof.  Interior engine company and truck company personnel found the seat of the fire in the attic area above a vaulted living room ceiling.  Operations Division Chief Wedman requested additional manpower to assist with ventilation.  Command redirected Tower 18 to assist with roof ventilation, and have the RIT assignment replaced with Rescue 60.  Upon arrival, Squirt 18 pulled an additional hand line to backup interior crew.  Manpower Division Chief 27 (H. McElhare) requested additional personnel from Command.  Rescue 59 was added and directed to assist with salvage and overhaul on the interior.  Chemical 17 handled air cascade duties.  Battalion 27-1 (D. Wilson) directed water supply operations with Engine 27-1 at the tanker dump site.  Deputy 27 (D. Wagner) supervised tanker fill operations with Engine 17 at the Rockhill Quarry draft site.  Water movement on the incident was handled by Tanker’s 27, 58, 36 and Montco 72.  Grand View Hospital Medics stood-by on scene for rehabilitation services to the firefighters.  The incident was cleared at 0634 hours.

Due to working and functional smoke detectors, the homeowner’s family was able to awake from smoke filled conditions, evacuate and dial 911 from a neighboring residence.  Bucks County Fire Marshal 201 stated the cause of the fire to be related to hot fireplace ashes placed in an area adjacent to combustible materials at the rear of the residence

Total Number of Incidents for Year: 292

Total Number of Training Activities: 38

Year End Summary Statistics:

Apparatus and personnel responded to 292 requests; 43 of the incidents (14.71%) were fire related, 23 incidents (7.87%) were rescue/EMS related, 46 incidents (15.75%) were related to hazardous conditions, 87 incidents were service calls (29.79%), 47 incidents were good intent related (16.09%),43 incidents (14.72%) were false alarms and 3 incidents  (1.02%) were weather & natural disaster related.

Perkasie Borough had 101 incidents (34.58%), East Rockhill Township had 85 incidents (29.10%), and Hilltown Township had 18 incidents (6.16%) of the total call volume.  Our services were provided to various other municipalities such as West Rockhill Township with 26 incidents (8.90%), Quakertown Borough with 21 incidents (7.19%), and Dublin Borough with 7 incidents (2.39%) of the total call volume.

In total, the department staff provided 5,361 man-hours of service in response activity and training.

Chief Kenneth R. Barndt was a Life Member since 1966 of the Department. He served as a Foreman, Assistant Chief, Chief and Vice President over the years. He was the Fire Chief in charge of Perkasie’s “Great Fire of ‘88”. Chief Barndt also volunteered with the Perkasie Fire Co. Ambulance. He was a member of the Brunna Butzers organization. He was also a life member of the Bucks County Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Association; and also the Keystone State Fire Chiefs Association. He took the first EMT class offered in Bucks County. He also served as Perkasie Borough’s “Santa Claus” for many years. He always looked forwarded to joining with friends at the Department’s annual Old-Timers Banquet each fall. He was proud to have both his daughter Patti A. Kostrubiak and grand-daughter Erin Kostrubiak join the Department and become full Active members upon passing their IFSAC Firefighter 1 certification. 
 

On Saturday August 8 at 10:23 hrs, PERKASIE FIRE COMPANY No. 1 was dispatched for a special assignment on Box 76-28 at the Pennridge Airport.  Airport management stated that the pilot of a Skydive Philadelphia aircraft reported a problem with the landing gear on a twin engine Beechcraft King Air.  The pilot landed the aircraft on the runway, performed emergency shutdown procedures and successfully exited the aircraft.  Upon arrival, Battalion 76 (A. Wedman) directed Rescue 26 and Engine 26 to positions at each end of the 4215 ft. runway to signify the airport was closed to incoming traffic.  One of the engines continued to run with the propeller clearing the runway surface by 2”.  The engine continued to run for 2-1/2 hours until the propeller stopped spinning.  Battalion 26 (J. Conway) was in contact with both airport and aircraft owner, Cabair, mechanics regarding requirements to lift and lock landing gear.  Rescue crews utilized multiple Hurst air bags to lift and crib aircraft until onsite aircraft mechanics could manually lower and lock the landing gear.  The incident was cleared at 16:07 hrs.
 

All active female firefighters from Perkasie Fire Company No. 1 recently gathered for a group photo in front of Tower 26 to remember past Firefighter Deborah Sowers, who was the first woman to join in 1977.  Pictured from left to right are Firefighter Patti Kostrubiak, Firefighter Erin Kostrubiak, Safety Officer 26 Angela Kelly, Safety Officer 76 Kathy Reutlinger, Lt. Holly Becker and Firefighter Sandy Schaller. 

All of these women have passed the NFPA standards for Fire Service Professional Qualifications and are certified by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).  Safety Officer’s Kelly and Reutlinger both hold Fire Instructor I & II certification besides their Health & Safety Officer qualifications.  They participate along with Lt. Becker on the Bucks County Technical Rescue Task Force.

Date:

5/30/05

The members of the Perkasie Fire Company gathered for a photo shoot at the site of the covered bridge in Lenape Park. Group pictures of the company were taken, along with individual pictures of our apparatus. Some of the pictures from this day appear below, and the apparatus photos can be viewed on the apparatus page.