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Structure Fire Assist

On January 4th, 2008 in the early morning hours R135 and T287 responded with 8 members into Pitcairn for a report of multiple structures on fire. Crews arrived to find two detached garages well involved. UVFR crews provided RIT coverage for the units operating. On scene time was approximately 2 hours.

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Training News

Recently UVFR members drilled removing an injured victim from an elevated position using the SKED, rope system and an extension ladder.

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Grant News

Recently UVFR was notified of several grant awards. First, UVFR will be receiving a 2007 FEMA AFG program award of approximately $31,000 for the purchase of updated rescue equipment and an air compressor system to be used with our cascade system. Secondly, UVFR will be receiving two grants from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. The first will be used for additional rescue and firefighting equipment, the second will be used for debt reduction in an effort to pay off the balance from the radio system upgrade. The officers and members of UVFR would like to thank everyone who contributed to making these grant applications a success.

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Training in Trafford

On Sunday November 4th UVFR participated in a joint drill with Pitcairn station 230 and Trafford Station 86. Crews concentrated on hoseline advancement, vent/enter/search, and RIT response.

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Battle of the Barrel

On Sunday October 21st UVFR participated in an 'Octoberfest' in Wilmerding park. The crew quickly realized that we need alot of practice in battle of the barrel competitions!

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Fire Prevention

This year UVFR partnered again with local fire departments to provide fire prevention education to local schools. Here are some pictures from those events.

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Structure Fire Assist in Pitcairn

On the morning of October 2nd UVFR stations 135 and 287 were alerted to assist Pitcairn stations 229 and 230 with a structure fire in the 600 block of Second Street. R 135 and T 287 responded with a total of six personnel. T 287 laddered side A of the buliding and prepared for possible roof ops while R 135's crew took up RIT duties. The cause is under investigation by the ACFM. Units were on scene for approximately 2.5 hours.

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UVFR and FDNV will be holding the second annual 'cash bash' on Saturday, October 13th 2007, with the first number drawn at 7pm. Tickets are $25, which gets you two numbers, and all the food and beer you can handle. Call 412-823-9654 for ticket information.

'Bubba' is now R-135

For a while we've been talking about the transformation of 'bubba', our 2003 KME pumper into a rescue/engine. Well, its all done. Please take a look at pics of the 'new' R-135. This unit currently meets all requirements for and is DOH certified at the operations level under the voluntary rescue certification program.

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2nd Annual Company Picnic

The second annual UVFR comany picnic was held Sunday, July 15th at White Oak Park.

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T287 Assist to Braddock

On the afternoon of Friday, July 6th T287 was requested to the Borough of Braddock to assist with a structure fire. A crew of six responded and operated on side 3. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Holmatro 4000 Training Session

On Tuesday, July 3rd UVFR members conducted vehicle rescue training. The focus was to test out and try the new Holmatro 4000 series heavy duty cutters that were recently purchased. These cutters are capable of over 200,000 pounds per square inch of cutting force, making them one of the most powerful rescue tools on the market. Crews were able to cut door hinges, pins, and even a steering wheel completely off of the column with out any difficulty. We look forward to using these tools for a long time to come. Thanks to ESI Holmatro for supplying us with this great piece of equipment.

Bubba Gets a New Job

Recently UVFR members realized that the crew and equipement requirements taken on by the DOH certification were a little too much for our 1979 Ford to act as the department rescue unit. For that reason, our 2003 KME pumper (fondly nick named 'Bubba) has been altered and retrofitted to act as our rescue unit, and the 1979 Ford has once again become station 135's engine.

Bubba has been outfitted with a custom Holmatro roll out tray for the HRT equipment, and the other compartments reconfigured to handle the increased equipment load associated with rescue. Also, a front mounted winch has been added. Lastly, top mounted treat plate 'coffins' will be added on each side of the rescue body for additional storage space, and the trucks have been re-lettered.

Look for updated pictures, equipment lists and updates soon!

Structure Fire

On Sunday, May 27th at approximately 0516 hours, UVFR Stations 135 and 287 along with E 306-1 and RIT 230 were dispatched to the intersection of Park St. and Larimer Ave. in East McKeesport for a report of a structure fire. R135 arrived on scene first to find a 2 1/2 story residential with heavy fire showing from sides 3 and 4 and heavy smoke pushing from sides 1 and 2. Crews worked for approximately 2 1/2 hours on scene. There were no injuries.

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RIT Assist

On Saturday May 26th UVFR stations 135 and 287 responded with R135, T287, and E287-1 to the 500 block of Pitcairn for a working structure fire in a multi-unit apartment building. Crews encountered heavy fire conditions throughout the incident. R135 crews performed RIT duties on side 3 while E287-1 and T287 assisted with suppression operations. Crews were on scene approximately 4 1/2 hours, and the building was a total loss

Nice Bike!

Congrats to Jr. FF Marty Holden for obtaining his PA driver's license. Unfortuantely, Marty has no job and can't afford a car....just this little pink bike. Way to go Marty!

I thought firemen didn't rescue cats from trees? ......eh, sometimes?

On Sunday, May 6th 2007 UVFR members were alerted to a public service detail on Joesphine Avenue in East McKeesport. Members responded to find a one year old cat 'stuck' in a tree approximately 60' from the ground. Members were familiar with this cat, as he had been stuck since the previous Thursday evening and an attempt was made to get him down on Friday. Normally we do not make attempts such as this, but after being in the tree for four days, it was decided that action was needed.

It was quickly determined that the cat was out of T 287's reach, so FDNV was contacted and responded T 214, a 105' Bronto Skylift. They responded, and FF/EMT Stacy Mays accompanied their operator up into the tree tops to retreive the very angry feline.

At last report all are doing fine. Please feel free to send cat lover stickers to Stacy.......

RIT Assist in Pitcairn

On April 25, 2007 Rescue 135 and Truck 287 were alerted to the 600 block of Center Street in Pitcairn for a structure fire RIT assist. The two units responded with a total of 7 members. On scene units made a quick knock of the fire and units were returned within one hour.

Units on scene: R 135, T 287, Q135, E 229, T 229, E 230-1, T-194, E 306-2
UVFR Command: DC135 (Spielvogle)

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East Allegheny High School 'Prom Promise' Mock Crash

On April 24th, UVFR participated in the East Allegheny High School 'Prom Promise' mock crash, held at the Junior Senior High School in N. Versailles. M 331 and R 135 took part in a mock crash simulating entrapment. Attached are pictures from that incident.

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Motor Vehicle Crash on Route 30

Late in the evening of April 19, 2007 UVFR stations 135 and 287 were alerted to a motor vehicle crash with entrapment on Route 30 near Hilda Street in East McKeesport. R-135 and E 287-1 responded along with FDNV medic 213-8 (M-331 was en route to the hospital with a patient from a previous medical call). Crews found a two vehicle head on type collision with one driver trapped. She was removed and transported to a Pittsburgh trauma center. Units were on scene for approximately one and a half hours.

Units responding: R 135, E 287-1, Q 135, FDNV 213-8 and 213-9, M 331, E. McK PD, NVT PD.
Command: United Chief (Zamosky)

Motor Vehicle Crash on Park Street

In the early hours of 03/31/2007 UVFR stations 135 and 287 were alerted to a motor vehicle crash on Park Street in East McKeesport. Crews found one vehicle that had struck a utility pole, breaking it in two places. The driver was evaluated and found not to be injured. Crews remained on scene until Duquesne Light Co. arrived.

Units Responding: M331, R135, E 287-1
Command: DC 135 (Spielvogle).

Search & Rescue Training

On Tuesday, March 6th, UVFR members participated in a search and rescue drill at station 287. The drill used a fog machine to simulate smoke conditions.

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SCBA 'MayDay' Training

On Tuesday February 27th, UVFR members participated in weekly training. The focus of this training was knowing when and how to transmit a 'mayday' call should a member come into trouble. The setup for this training was that all members wore SCBA with wax paper in the face piece for zero visibility while searching a large room. Once in the room, they were met with various obstacles (trapped in closets, snared by their SCBA, or simulated collapse), and had to call a mayday. Upon the may day call, another team of two members, also wearing wax paper in their face pieces, made entry to find and recover the lost member.

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Where did the fire whistle at the old East McKeesport fire station go?

Some time ago it became apparent that the fire whistle at the old #1 fire station in E. McKeesport (next to the post office) was starting to show serious signs of its age. The boards that held it in place were rotting away and every time the siren would activate, it would shake a little bit more. As a matter of public safety, the members of UVFR decided to take this siren out of service and remove it from the pole. The members are confident that our new UHF radio system and the existing sirens at our two active fire stations will be able to alert firefighters in time of emergency. If you have any questions, please call the East McKeesport station at (412) 823-9654.

Announcement

It is with regret that UVFR announces the passing of Life Member Joe Clemenic. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

United Volunteer Fire & Rescue Holds Training.

Recently UVFR members held a training session in the snow and cold for vehicle rescue. Basic stabilization, access, and extrication techniques were covered."

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United Volunteer Fire & Rescue is currently looking for members.

Members can be 14 years of age and up

Anyone interested in Fire/Rescue or EMS operations is encouraged to join


Make a difference in your community today!!