Ivan Bretzman, Dickinson Twp. Fire Chief
(click picture above for updates)
Updated: 08:32 - 08/13/08

We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped before, during, and after fair.  Would also like to thank Companies 40, 45, 33, and 53 for providing a plentiful amount of manpower on their stand-by crews.  The crew from Co.33 did take 2 engine company calls Saturday night.

07/31/08 - Joint vehicle rescue training and equipment familiarization with Co.40.

07/29/08 - Co.36 assisted Co.50 with an initial water rescue that later turned into a water recovery at Fuller Lake.  Thanks to Denny Clopper for the photos.

07/27/08 - The department would like to congratulate Justin Bretzman, Austin Yingst, and Conner White for their completion of the Franklin County Junior Firefighters Camp.  They spent the week learning various skills needed for firefighting and learning comradery with members from various counties and departments.  They represented the company well.  Links to the video and press release from the Public Opinion in Chambersburg.

07/21/08 - The company assisted on a mobile home fire on Meals Drive.  The mobile home was empty but still had plenty of fire present in and under it.  It was extinguished quickly and over hauled.  Yes, the junior running the saw is an undercover senior firefighter.

07/19/08 - Congratulations to the softball team.  They placed 1st in the division and 2nd in the finals.

July 5, 2008 - Department at a PR event for Mountain Creek Campground.  Even Smokey stopped by and made the kids happy.

July 3,2008 - Minor MVA on Pine School Road.  FD assisted EMS with patient packaging for transport.  Also took care of fluid control.  At least the Assist. Chief is on the correct side of the law.  Would make a nice Chief's ride.

June 28, 2008 - Co. 35, 36, and 41 taking a tour and checking apparatus placement at the  new Fairfield Inn off of Commerce Drive and Alexander Spring Road.

June 25, 2008 - Engine company catching a working van fire that was already being hauled on a trailer.

June 22, 2008 - Co.36 handled an auto accident at Park Drive and Petersburg Road.  EMS cared for the minor injuries while the FD performed debris clean up.  PSP placed the FD in service and fire police remained.

June 13, 2008 - Multiple crews responded to a working hay bale and barn fire.  First arriving units were able to keep the fire from spreading any further into the barn, saving the livestock.  That left the bales themselves to be extinguished and over hauled.  Truck 36 and MP36 assisted with fire suppression.  Both engines assisted with water supply and a tanker fill site.

June 4, 2008 - Catching a barn fire before it starts.  The owner found a burned hay bale inside and contacted Chief 6.  Chief 6 and Chief 2 investigated, finding several bales smoldering.  As the day progressed, many crews were needed to assist in getting the bales out of the barn.  There were at least two truck and three wagon loads of hay removed that were smoldering or discolored.  A temperature probe indicated 300 degrees Fahrenheit on the top bales when we started.  Note the last picture shows a wagon load of burned hay.  FD was not done.  The farmers wagon broke a wheel, blocking the road leaving the FD apparatus no way to exit the scene.  So, FD personnel assisted with using jacks to lift the wagon and change the wheel.  Thanks to all of the companies that assisted us.

May 29, 2008 - The South Middleton Township supervisors/board presented various serving members of the township with a ceremony of thanks prior to the meeting.  This included emergency services personnel.

May 16, 2008 - Department was dispatched to a single vehicle MVA.  Minor injuries were found when FD arrived.  FD assisted EMS with patient packaging before going available.

Picture of the past.  Here is a photo of the old 1953 Seagrave that our department sold to a private owner.  Unsure when the photo was taken.

April 30, 2008 - More driver and pump training at Rice Elem. School with drafting and water supply.  Thanks to Tankers 25 and 41 who assisted.

April 28, 2008 - Responded to an auto accident on W. Pine St. involving a pole down.  This occurred while simultaneously getting a smoke in a structure call on Pheasant Ln.  Chief 336 arrived and held Engine 136 and EMS to the scene.  Patient was able to leave the vehicle on their own.

April 16, 2008 - Driver and pump training at Victory Church Road.  A second crew also had Engine 136 out at the dry hydrant on East Old York Road.

April 1, 2008 - FD responded to an MVA on the Holly Pike at Old York Road.  FD personnel provided patient treatment until BLS arrived.  They then assisted with finishing patient packaging and movement to the BLS unit.

February 23, 2008 - FD responded to a garage fire.  Chief 36 arrived to find a working garage fire impinging upon a nearby home.  Chief 36 established command.  Various units operated at the scene assisting with fire suppression as well as water supply operations.

February 23, 2008 - Truck crew responded to a building fire at O'Malley's pallet factory in Adams County.  The crew opened the roof as well as assisted with overhaul operations before being placed available.

February 11, 2008 - Engine and Truck responded to a working house fire in Adams County.  The engine crew established a fill site for tankers.  The truck crew assisted with extinguishment and overhaul after operations went to a defensive mode.  The interior floors of the structure already collapsed making an interior attack unsafe.

December 3, 2007 - FD and EMS were sent to Baltimore Pike.  Found a three vehicle MVA, all with minor injuries.  FD and EMS cared for the patients.  FD cleaned the road of debris while the wind and snow was blowing.  All occupants were out of their vehicles before FD arrived.

December 20, 2007 - FD SCBA and RIT bag training on Walnut Bottom Road.

November 26, 2007 - Arrived to find the vehicle near the creek.  Minor  injuries were handled by EMS.  FD remained until the wrecker service could remove the car.  We did extricate a jammed rifle from inside the car for owner.