News
- Children Learn About Community Helpers
- Kindergarten Learns About Fire Prevention
- CSFC on FOX 29
- CSFC members train at Montgomery County Fire Academy
- CSFC Members Attend 9/11 Blue Mass at St. Helena's Church
- CSFC Members Attend Crash Course
- CSFC Supports 2009 31-Cent Scoop Night
- CSFC Attends Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Fire Task Force Combined Training
- Easter Egg Hunt
- Cub Scout Tour
- Jimmy's 4th Brithday
- Cub Scout visit
- Community Event – Birthday Party visit
- Whitpain Business Club Donates to CSFC
- 2008 Baskin-Robbins FF ice cream night
- Children tour station - birthday party
- CSFC Fire Safety visit with Boy Scouts
- CSFC loses John Schoppe
Children Learn About Community Helpers
On Tuesday, December 2nd, 2009, firefighter Matt Maguire met with the children of Kinder Care in East Norriton to discuss community helpers. There were approximately 50 children present and they all loved firefighter Matt's presentation.
Kindergarten Learns About Fire Prevention
In the spirit of fire prevention month, four CSFC members traveled to Mrs. Cmiel's kindergarden class at Blue Bell Elementary, on October 6th, to teach about fire prevention. After a good lesson on fire safety the kids were able to explore Rescue 33. They were especially happy to see the "Jaws of Life"
On Friday, October 3rd, members of the CSFC made their big television break! Fox-29 news traveled to 33A for their weekly segment "Firehouse Friday". They were also there to help us promote our annual Fire Expo, which was held that night. Reporter Shawnette Wilson interviewed Chief Lee Miller about the Fire Expo and fire prevention. Then, Lieutenant Chris Walter showed her how to use a fire extinguisher with our Bullex Fire Extinguisher Training System. We were also joined by members of the North Penn Fire Company. They brought along their safety house and showed Shawnette what to do in the event of a fire. Captain Rich Moser also took the time to show one of the Fox-29 Interns how our turnout gear works. Thank you to Fox-29 News for helping us make our annual Fire Expo bigger and better! (Check back soon for a video of the broadcast)
CSFC members train at Montgomery County Fire Academy
On Monday, September 14th, CSFC took a field trip to the Montgomery County Fire Academy for a live burn drill. These drills simulate an actual fire scene, and help us prepare for what we may encounter on an actual house fire. For this drill we focused on hose advancement and indirect fire attacks. Everyone learned good techniques and had fun while doing it.
CSFC attends Philly Soft Pretzel Factory Grand Opening
On September 12th CSFC members appeared along with Engine-33 at the grand opening of the Philly Soft Pretzel Factory in the Center Square Plaza along Skippack Pike. While there, the crew handed out goodies for the kids, as well as fire prevention material for the parents. They were also able to enjoy a few pretzels. CSFC would like to thank owner Sean Cannon for including us in the festivities, and also congratulate him on his success.
CSFC Members Attend 9/11 Blue Mass at St. Helena's Church
On September 11th, 11 of our members attended the third annual Blue Mass at the St. Helenas Church. The mass was held to honor all police, fire, and rescue workers of Montgomery County. Many township residents as well as neighboring emergency responders came to honor those who serve us both locally and nationally. Thank you to all who attended.
CSFC Members Attend Crash Course
On Friday, May 1st, four members of the Centre Square Fire Company flew out to Dayton Ohio to attend the Howell Rescue Systems Crash Course vehicle rescue class. This was an all weekend event which consisted of 10 different hands on vehicle rescue scenarios. The members learned new skills on how to extricate patients from complicated vehicle wreckage safely and quickly. Upon returning from their trip the members went on to share their new knowledge with the rest of the CSFC membership.
CSFC Supports 2009 31-Cent Scoop Night
On Wednesday, April 29th, CSFC volunteers supported Baskin Robbins at Butler and Skippack Pike for the third year in a row at their 31-Cent Scoop Night. While there, crews gave fire truck tours to some excited children and handed out assorted information and goodies for children. Just like last year, Baskin Robbins scooped approximately 1,000 scoops of ice cream during the event.. On a National level Baskin Robbins made a $100,000 donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program. Thanks to all who attended. We hope to see everyone there again next year.
CSFC Attends Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Fire Task Force Combined Training
On April 25th The Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Fire Task Force met at the Philadelphia Fire Academy (PFA) for its first ever combined training. The task force is comprised of the five counties: Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, and Philadelphia. Units from each county traveled to the PFA to participate in a combined drill. Using resources from the City of Philadelphia, we were able to link radio systems to transmit and receive radio messages over 5 different radio frequencies. This was the first time that all five counties were able to speak together via radio. The units also learned about the Philadelphia's fire hydrant system, and were able to view some of the resources of the Philadelphia Fire Department, such as their Hazmat units and Heavy rescue truck. The Montgomery county unit consisted of:
- Centre Square Fire Co (Engine 33)
- Plymouth & Harmonville Fire Co Personnel (Squad 43)
- Norriton Fire Engine Co (Engine 61-2)
- Lower Providence Fire Co (Engine 53)
- Edge Hill Fire Co (Pipeline 400)
- Swedeland Fire Co (Squad 48)
- Fairmount of Norristown FD (Ladder 27)
- Wissahickon Fire Co (Ladder 7)
Approximately 75 children and 67 parents attended on Saturday 28 March, 2009,and were
able to participate on a great spring morning. The Easter bunny and Patch the fire house Dalmatian were on hand for photos.
On Friday 27 February the CSFC was host to a Cub Scout Tour at the main station, 33A. Cub Scout Pack 6 got a complete tour of the station and got to learn about firefighting at several spots. They got to practice extinguishing kitchen fires, learn about thermal imaging cameras and the Jaws of Life. They also got to learn about EMS operations with the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad (385) and police department operations with the Whitpain Police Department. In addition, Fire Chief Lee Miller was able to show off some of the CSFC’s newest technology to Cubmaster Al Saah – the FIT-5 fire interruption technology. It is a small canister that can be thrown into a fire in the early stages to keep it in check and minimize damage while firefighters arrive and deploy their traditional tools and hoses. Recently CSFC was able to purchase two of these units, and they are carried by Chief Officers who often arrive at a fire before the fire engines do.
This was an in-station birthday party for Jimmy's 4th birthday.
The CSFC members set up a surprise birthday party for Jimmy on 20
February 2009. He was able to pretend to drive Tower 33, see ho wthe
thermal imaging camera works, hold a fire hose, honk the air horn with
Deputy Chief Rick Smith, try on an SCBA mask, and check out the Jaws of
Life. He also got a surprise fire truck birthday cake.
On Thursday, 15 January 2009 Cub Scout Pack 422 Den 8 visited the main station at CSFC. Firefighters gave them a 30 minute fire prevention class and the scouts were able to try on some firefighting gear and get some hands-on experience using a thermal imaging camera to find people.
Community Event – Birthday Party visit
On Saturday 24 January 2009, members of CSFC attended a local birthday party for Noah. The firemen and the fire truck were one of the highlights of the day. The weather cooperated and the children were able to explore Tower 33.
Whitpain Business Club Donates to CSFC
On 29 May 2008, CSFC representatives were on hand at the meeting of the Whitpain Business Club at the Meadowlands Country Club. The Whitpain Business Club graciously donated $2,500 to the Fire Company. Shown below is Chief Lee Miller receiving the check and thanking the WBC members. This generous donation will be used by the CSFC to purchase equipement related to firefighting safety.
2008 Baskin Robbins FF ice cream night
CSFC Volunteers were on hand at the Baskin Robbins at Butler and Skippack Pike to draw the crowds to the store for 31-cent scoop night. According to store owners Charlie and Maryann approximately 1000 scoops were served at this location. On a National level Baskin Robbins made a $100,000 donation to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (www.nfff.com). Thank you to all who participated.
Children tour fire station - birthday party
On Saturday 5 April several children were at the main fire station attending a brithday party and took advantage of the opportunity to tour the station.
CSFC Fire safety visit with Boy Scouts
On Friday 14 March the CSFC visited the St. John's church for a Boy Scout function, highlighting Fire Safety in the visit. As part of the visit, CSFC personnel showed the Boy Scouts how to fight stove fires using our new fire extinguisher training simulator. Shown below, Engineer John Posen works with the scouts on their technique.
On 19 February 2008, CSFC Vice President John Schoppe unexpectedly passed away. In addition to being Vice President, John had served CSFC for 16 years and was past President and past Treasurer. He was also a Life Member of the Third Distrcit Fire Company in Bristol, PA. We will miss his insight and his mentorship.
