Newport Township Fire Department

Monthly Report for October 2006

Submitted by Dan Kowalski, Chief

Calls for the Month:

Equipment:

Engine #2 has returned, needed a muffler for current inspection. Ads to sell it are running.

Mini-pumper has been placed in a heated storage facility for winter months.

We have taken delivery of a Thermal Imaging Camera. It has been placed in service on the Tele-squirt. It is an MSA Evolution 5200 purchased from Valley Rescue Systems, through State Grant Funds.

We have also taken delivery of 6 Motorola MT1000 radios and a multi-bank charger. Also placed in the tele-squirt. These items were purchased through funds raised this summer at the motorcycle run.

An Arrow-stick, and auto-charge battery conditioner with auto-eject plug were purchased to be installed on the Rescue Pumper. These items were also purchased through funds raised this summer.

A smoke generator (smoke machine) and several cases of smoke fluid were purchased to facilitate training exercises. These items were purchased through funds raised by our activities this past summer.

Training:

2 Firefighters, Jason Kowalski and Tom Gernhart have taken and passed the Firefighter 1 certification.  This certification is not mandatory, however, the more certified members, the better the chances of receiving grant dollars.  At this time we only have a total of 3 members with this status.

Other Activities:

We participated in the Newport Township Fall Festival held at Holy Child Picnic Grounds, and sponsored by the Newport Township Community Organization. All apparatus were on display, along with equipment. We ran the smoke house, gave away smoke detectors, child alert stickers and informational pamphlets.

We traveled to Harleysville Fire Department to attend their open house/fire prevention day.

We, along with Nanticoke Fire Department, held a Fire Prevention Program in each of the area schools.

FYI:

The lettering on the 3 trucks we recently received has been completed. Each has had a cartoon character added. The tele-squirt has a “Yosemite Sam” wearing Harleysville attire. This was done as a thank-you to Harleysville.

The Rescue-pumper has an “Underdog” in firefighter attire. This because we feel we are the “Underdog’s” and the vehicle is equipped to save lives.

The Stickney truck, Engine 2 was given a “Coalminer” in Yesteryear attire. This is to reflect our coal mining heritage. The Stickney name has been left on in thanks of their generosity, it also say’s “Thank-You” to the Stickney Department.

The trucks also have a gold silhouette of the world trade center twin towers, with a slogan 343 NEVER FORGET, in reference to the 343 firefighters losing their lives on September 11, 2001. And lastly, a cartoon character of a smoke detector, and the saying “Smoke detectors save lives” To remind the public to properly use their smoke detectors.

We plan on matching engine 1 with the rest in the spring. We have not decided on a cartoon character at this time.

Apparatus Operators:

It is getting more and more difficult to fill all shifts. I would like to request filling the vacant full-time position. At this time we have 2 full time operators and 10 part-time. All of the part-time operators have other jobs, some which are a direct conflict. One does not work any shifts at all!

Report of Apparatus Operators

11-6-06

Ed Pauska - Full Time - Retired from Fire Department (will respond to calls as operator)

Paul Mierzwa - Full Time - Active in Fire Dept. Lives in Kingston, responding to emergencies and calls is not practical because of distance.

John Floryshak - Part-time - Primary employment Pa. State Police, is active in Fire Dept. works many shifts, does respond to calls as driver and fireman

John Kemp - Part-time - Primary employment, ABC body works, is moderately active in FD, works Saturday midnight, sometimes a weekend day. Lives in Plymouth, emergency response is rare.

Don Whittaker - Part time - Primary employment District Magistrate, moderately active in FD, works a good number of shifts, rarely responds to emergencies.

Levi Gibbon - Part time - Primary employment, ? works night shift in security. Works part time in PD, very little shifts covered in FD. Does not respond to emergency calls

Bob Bomboy - Part time - Primary employment Luzerne County 911 Center

Works shifts, mostly weekends when can. Lives in Shickshinny, seldom responds to emergency calls

Scott Neff - Part time - Primary Employment Luzerne County 911, works a few shifts for FD, also employed in PD does not respond to emergencies.

Dan Kowalski - Part time - Primary Employment, Pa Dept of Corrections, does not sign up for shifts, covers vacancies (too many) Does respond to emergencies.

Norm Bodek - Part time - Primary Employment, Retired, employed part time in PD, does respond to emergencies, does take a good number of FD shifts

Jason Kowalski, Part time, Primary employment  Full Time college student,

Works part time ambulance for Newport and Hanover Twp. Covers a fair amount of shifts, does respond in emergencies.

Jim Hoffman - Part time - Primary Employment, Paramedic unit #12. Does not work any shifts in FD. Does not respond to emergency calls.

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