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Welcome to the Official Site of the
Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company
Fayette County Station 42
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In the early afternoon hours on February 5, 2010 a large snow storm came into the Mon Valley Area dropping large amounts of snow. When it was all said and done approx. two feet of snow was laying on the ground. This storm didn't only bring snow; it brought a large amount of calls for the Volunteers at the Washington Township VFC. At the height of the storm the volunteers were running 21 calls per day. The whole area was declared a disaster area and was put under a state of emergency. Power was knocked out to approx 95% of the entire area for days on end. During the snow storm the volunteers ran numerous different types of calls ranging from the most common tree and wires down, to check well being calls, medicals, transformer fires, power lines on fire, electrical fires in residence, chimney fire, search detail, assisting EMS with extricating from residence snowed in, vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning and a structure fire. Not only did we have enough members to run all the calls we also had enough members to assist in the numerous residents that came to the firehall that was designated a "warming shelter", which later it became a "disaster shelter". The wife's and girlfriends of the members as well as the ladies auxiliary helped out by cooking and making dinner, lunch and breakfast for the volunteers as well as the residents who were staying here. The Washington Township Supervisors also went to D&D Food and got numerous different types of food for the members and the residents as well. The Supervisors also had someone come and cook breakfast and lunch for us. Based on what everyone was facing the members of the Washington Township VFC believe that everyone involved did a fantastic job. From the Road Crews doing what they could to keep up with the snow, the Washington Township PD helping out by finding who needed shelter, and the Township Supervisors for providing food, and space heaters. The WTVFC line officers would also like to say thanks to all the dedicated members of this department which some stayed for two or three days straight to help out.
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On January 27, 2010 at approx. 1803 hours Station 42 was dispatched to a reported apartment on fire at the Perry Ave Apartments. 42 Captain arrived on scene and was directed to the apartment where a large curtain was on fire, which caught a pile of clothes on fire and was extinguished. 42 Captain reduced the assignment to just Truck 42 and held up all other units. Chief 42 arrived on scene and assumed command where crews checked for extension and set up the PPV (positive pressure fan) for smoke ejection. At which time 42 Chief cancelled all other units. It was learned that a small child playing with a lighter started this fire. The mother and small child was evaluated by Rostraver West Newton EMS and released.
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On December 16, 2009 at approx 2313 hours Station 19 Grindstone was dispatched to a reported structure fire. Chief 19 arrived on scene and confirmed working structure fire with possible entrapment. Chief 19 requested 42 Tanker respond due to a major water outage in the area. Tanker and Squad 42 responded with a total of 8 volunteers. Chief 19 started to request mask men to the scene and downgraded to negative entrapment. Tanker 42 arrived on scene and assisted in with securing a water supply. 42 Captain and 42 Second Captain took their crews to the scene, where they were directed to the second division to relieve the initial attack crews, while 42 Chief assisted with exterior operations. 42 crews started opening up ceilings and walls to find the remaining hidden fire, at which point it was extinguished and they started salvage and overhaul operations. All 42 equipment operated on scene until approx 0243 hours. All while a five man crew remained in station to run any additional alarms, which they handled a automatic fire alarm at the Marion Elementary School.
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On December 4, 2009 the members of Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company held it's annual Christmas Party. During the evening, awards were presented to members who stood out and stepped up over this past year. 42 Second Lt Mike Larson was presented with the Presidents award for all the help he gave President Charlie Horan over this past year. Firefighters David Wheatley, Kevin Daniel OPat, Dustin Promoshis (not present) and than 42 Second Captain Johnny Hileman was given a special bravery award for going above and beyond the call of duty for their efforts during a bachelor party which a trailer caught fire with entrapment. The Chiefs award was presented to Firefighter Johnny Hileman for stepping up and filling a vacant line officers position during this past year and the leadership he showed on the night of a fatal trailer fire. The Firefighter of the year award went to 42 Assistant Chief Brain Bennett, which this is the only award voted on by the members of the Washington Township VFC. After the awards members exchanged gifts, and all the members received their gifts courtesy of the WTVFC as well as the WTVFC Ladies Auxiliary. The members also showed their appreciation to the Ladies Auxiliary for all their hard work through out the year. The rest of the night all the members relaxed and let loose and had fun. Sometimes at the expense of other members. Station 17 Fayette City was placed on all alarms to cover our area due to all of our members being out of service for this annual event.
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On November 11, 2009 at approx. 2123 hours Rostraver Central Fire Department (Westmoreland County Station 105) was hit out for a reported commercial structure fire at the Tri County Plaza. Upon Chief 105 arrival he confirmed working fire with heavy fire in the rear of a business, he requested Truck 42 to the scene. Truck 42 responded with in one minute with six volunteers. Upon Truck 42's arrival they set up behind Squad 105. 42 Captain took two members and assisted with interior attack while 42 Chief went to the roof and 42 Asst. Chief assisted with accountability at the main entrance to the store that was on fire. The fire was knocked down, and crews started to check for extension. Damage to neighboring businesses was limited. 42 Rescue was called to the scene as an air truck. All 42 equipment marked back in service at approx 2343 hours. Washington County Station 16 Roscoe filled our station with one engine while we operated on scene.
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Seasons Greetings
From Washington Twp.
Volunteer Fire Company
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Over the past few days the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company has become very familiar with a certain stretch of road. On October 8, 2009 at approx 2250 hours the volunteers were dispatched to 133 Perryopolos Rd for a reported vehicle accident, vehicle into a tree. Upon Rescue 42's arrival 42 Second Captain reported one vehicle into a tree with heavy front end damage negative injuries. Squad 42 responded to shut down the road at Perryopolis Rd and Redstone Church Rd. Than again on October 12, 2009 at approx 2339 hours the volunteers were once again dispatched to this same location this time for a vehicle overturned into a nearby field. Chief 42 arrived on scene with a vehicle that rolled over multiple times, went through a telephone poll and ended up in a field. This vehicle came to rest directly across from the tree that was struck a few nights prior. The female driver was flown by Stat Medivac 5 to Presby Hospital in Pittsburgh which Station 17 Fayette City handled the landing zone. Squad 42 once again shut the road down at Redstone and Perryopolis Rd. Station 32 Perry also responded to shut down Perryopolis Rd at Rathway Rd. All units cleared the scene at approx 0154 hours.
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On September 17, 2009 at approx 0232 hours the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to 1100 Fayette Ave for a reported vehicle accident, vehicle overturned. 42 Captain arrived on scene to find one vehicle on it's side with both occupants out of the vehicle and one female passenger with a hand laceration. Rescue 42 arrived on scene with 7 volunteers and controlled hazards and assisted with traffic control. The female passenger was taken to a near by hospital for a few stitches, and all 42 units cleared the scene at approx 0324 hours.
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On September 12, 2009 at Ohio Pile one of Washington Township's firefighters Dustin Premoshis finally took the big plunge. Him and his long time girl friend Lynnsi Joe Zunic got married to become the new Mr. and Mrs. Premoshis. Johnny Hileman who is our second Captain was Dustin's best man which Johnny's long time girl friend Valerie Fleming was the maid of honor. After the ceremony the wedding reception was held at the Youghiogheny Ball Room in West Newton, which fun times was had by all. During the honeymoon they met up and spent the day with six other WTVFC members who were 10 minutes from their location at Wildwood New Jersey for the annual Firemans convention. Everyone at the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company would like to wish Dustin and Lynnsi a very long and happy marriage.
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On September 11, 2009 at approx 0310 hours Station 19 Grindstone was dispatched for a reported Church on fire on Rowes Run Rd. Which Truck 42 was activated to assist. Truck 42 marked en route with 7 volunteers, which Chief 19 arrived on scene and confirmed working fire with fire through the roof and a male laying in the weeds that has been assaulted unknown of circumstances. Upon Truck 42's arrival it was decided to have the truck set up master stream operations. Firefighter Jimmy Mcgavitt and Firefighter Brandon Stasko went up on the stick to operate the master stream. Captain 42 took two other firefighters around to the D side of the structure for exterior fire suppression. Truck 42 remained on scene until 0600 hours, and Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the fire. Westmoreland County Station 80 North Belle Vernon remained on stand by in their station, along with a four man crew which remained at our station.
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