Monroeville Volunteer fire Company #4 is located in Allegheny County, within the Municipality of Monroeville, about 12 miles east of the City of Pittsburgh, PA. We are a Fire / EMS / Rescue company comprised of about 60 individuals, dedicated to serving the residents of Monroeville and surrounding communities on a daily basis. The following pages of our webpage will give you an idea of our activity we encounter on a regular basis. If you have any questions, comments or would like information on joining our department, please, feel free to write us
Earlier today, Company 5 was alerted to Route 376-Westbound for a MVC with a vehicle reportedly overturned with entrapment. Immediately Company 6 was dispatched for rescue services. Arriving on scene crews found a single restrained driver still trapped inside the vehicle overturned. C-52 added Rescue 4 to the call for additional man-power. Crew from Engine 51 initiated extrication while crews from Rescue 4 stabilized the vehicle. All assisted in patient removal and completed clean up. One patient was transported to a local trauma center for injuries sustained.
At approximately 20:00 hours, Companies 6, 5, 1, Command-32 and R4 (RIT) were dispatched to the 800 block of Cottonwood Drive for a report of smoke in a residence. Engine 61 arrived quickly and reported a working fire. Rescue 4 arrived as the RIT and staged on side Alpha during the incident. Units on scene worked quickly to bring the fire under control without any injuries. Unfortunately, one family pet perished in the fire. Rescue 4 had no RIT activations and was released after command placed the fire under control.
SMOKE IN STRUCTURE
KING LEAR DRIVE
03.22.13
Today, crews were dispatched to King Lear Drive for an automatic fire alarm, E-42 arrived on scene of a three story apartment building with nothing showing from all sides. Engine 42 crews investigated and immediately reported a smoke condition on the second division floor. Upon further investigation it was determined that the source of the smoke was an apartment which had a cooking fire that was now extinguished. Quint-1 was given the order to report to the Charlie side and perform Truck company duties assisting with ventilation. E-51 crew was staged on the alpha side and sending their crew in to assist the ventilation crews. Crews performed all ventilation tasks quickly and returned to service within a few minutes.
STRUCTURE FIRE
NOEL DRIVE
02.21.13
Units were alerted to Noel Dr. in the 5th District for a reported house fire. Units arrived to find a mattress fire that they quickly extinguished. After a small amount of overhaul, crews were clear in less than an hour.
Companies 5, 6, 4, RIT 1 and Command 32 were dispatched to Beatty Road for a report of smoke in the structure / no fire noted in an apartment. A-49/C-44 arrived on scene of a three story structure converted into apartments with nothing showing and no evacuation. E-61 took the hydrant and E-41 was place on the Bravo side in front of E-61 stretching a 200FT 1 ¾ attack line to the rear of the building. E-61 and E-41 teamed up and found smoke on the first and second divisions caused by a plumber soldering in the basement. Crews opened up a closet and rear wall to the first division bathroom above the pipes that were being soldered in the basement and found no extension. All companies returned within a few minutes.
Just as units were clearing a fire alarm at an area nursing home, Engine 41 and Engine 61 were alerted to a vehicle fire on Tillbrook Road. Crews arrived to find a vehicle fully involved near a residence. E-41 deployed a single handline to knock down the fire quickly before the residene sustained any damages. Crews were on scene for extended time due to vehicles gas tank rupturing during the fire for containment.
Companies 4, 5, 1, Command 32, and R-6 for R.I.T., were dispatched to LaVale Drive today for a chimney fire. Company 5 arrived to find a small chimney fire and smoke condition within the house. C-50 sent a crew to the roof to investigate and the fire was extinguished with a water can. The residence was ventilated with fans and debris cleaned up out of fireplace. Units were on scene about an hour.
This afternoon crews were dispatched to the 3900 Block of Stonecliffe Drive for maintenance reporting an oven fire which was extinguished. E-41 arrived on scene with a three story multi-family residential and nothing showing or evacuation. Maintenance met crews at the front door stating threre was a cooking fire that was out at this time. Crews from E-41 confirmed the fire was out and that the container was placed into the sink with no extension. Resident stated that she had left stove unattended for a short time, and when she returned she observed a fire on the stove. She grabbed a now flaming pot and threw it into the sink which caused a flash fire, damaging the immediate surrounding areas. Crews were out less than an hour.
In 2012, Monroeville VFC #4 handled 662 Fire Calls and 2,452 EMS calls for service. This puts us at a grand total of 3,114 calls for the calendar year of 2012.
We would like to thank all of the dedicated members of Monroeville VFC #4 who have helped up make another year possible serving the residents of Monroeville and surrounding areas when the need arises. Without all of your hard work this would not be possible.
This afternoon, Truck 4 was dispatched to Wilkins Township for a report of an automatic fire alarm activation. Upon arrival of the Wilkins Township Fire Marshall, a possible fire was discovered in the trash chute sparked by plumbers on the first floor. Truck 4 arrived on scene and positioned on side charlie near the loading dock. Crews placed several ground ladders while interior crews were assigned to report to the ninth floor and begin a search. Engine crews from 304 found the fire located within the walls near the trash chute that was running up a pipe chase. Engine crews from 304 deployed a single handline from the stand pipe on the sixth floor. Truck 227 performed ventilation while Truck 4 opened up walls for the engine crew. Medic 49 assisted EMS with patient care as all residents were evacuated from their apartments and evaluated during the incident. Crews were out less than three hours.
Shortly after 13:30 hours, Companies 4, 5, and 1 were alerted to a fire alarm activation at Gateway High School. E-42 arrived to find a mass evacuation of students and staff administrators reporting that there was heavy smoke on the second floor of the sports complex building. Command was passed to C50 and E-42 established a water supply and deployed a handline to the second floor area. Upon investigation it was found that a fire had occurred in a restroom and was being extinguished by an activated sprinkler head prior to FD arrival. Crews checked for extension and used a water can to mop up before turning the scene over to Monroeville Police for investigation.
What has become a yearly tradition, this year proved to be no different with another large donation to the Marines Toys-For-Tots program that the local Marines and radio station KISS 96.1 do every Christmas season.
All five Monroeville Fire Companies got together again and put on a parade of sorts to the local drop off point donating toys to needing families in the area. As always, it is nice seeing all the departments doing such a good job and combined effort to provide such a wonderful gift that is needed this time of year.
During the early morning hours, Company 4 was dispatched to Stroschein Road near Pitcairn Road for a one vehicle MVC with approximately four or five injuries. As the units went en-route, Station 1 was added to the assignment for a report of a vehicle fire at the incident along with a correct address of the location given. C-44 arrived to find a one vehicle MVC with no vehicle fire but a single vehicle into a retaining wall and heavy front end damage. Crews found one entrapped driver and three patients outside of the vehicle all needing medical attention. With all patients accounted for and no ejection confirmed, C-44 established Stroschein Rd Command and requested a third ALS EMS unit to the scene. E-12 arrived and was given the order to pull a hand line for suppression purposes, R-4 arrived and started stabilization and prepared to do a dash push of the driver side of the vehicle. C-10 arrived and requested another 2 more BLS EMS units for patient care while crews worked to extricate the patient. R-4 handled the fluid containment and units went back in-service within an hour.
This evening crews were alerted to the 700 block of Garden City Drive for a reported structure fire. Crews arrived to find a single family residence with smoke showing. Interior crews contained a small kitchen fire and handled ventilation tasks as needed. Crews found no extension and returned in service within a half hour.
This afternoon, Companies 1, 4, 6, Command 32 and T-5 were alerted for a reported structure fire at the Northern Pike Garden Apartments. Quint 1 arrived first to find moderate to heavy smoke showing from building F of the complex. Crews entered the structure to begin search operations and began to stretch a 2" hand line to the second floor apartment. Engine 42 established a 5" supply line and crews advanced a 2 ½ handline off Q1 as a secondary line. Interior crews reported the fire out within a few minutes and began to check for extension. Finding none, crews began returning in service. Crews were out less than an hour.
Shortly after the Noon hour, Truck 4 was dispatched to assist Wilmerding Fire Department with a residential structure fire. T4 was ordered to vertically ventilate the roof, throw additional ladders, and open up for the Engine Companies. Additional horizontal ventilation of the second division and overhaul of the third division were also requested. T4 worked on scene for approximately 2 hours.
Just before 9:00pm Company 4 was alerted to a motor vehicle collision on Monroeville Boulevard. Information received stated that a vehicle had rolled over and the female occupant was partially ejected and still entrapped. Medic 47 arrived on scene and confirmed a partially ejected patient still entangled in the vehicle. M47 also reported a second vehicle involved with the occupant self extricated. Rescue 4 arrived and made quick work of freeing the patient who was quickly packaged and transported to a City trauma center with a severe head laceration and several broken bones. Medic 48 transported the second patient to a local hospital for further evaluation. Rescue 4 remained on scene to provide lighting for the Monroeville Police as they conducted their investigation.
At approximately 16:30 Company 4 was dispatched to the PA Turnpike for a motor vehicle crash in the Eastbound lanes. Updated information received stated the vehicle had rolled over (landing on all four wheels) and the driver was still entrapped. Medic 49 arrived and confirmed entrapment which added a suppression apparatus to the call. Rescue 4 arrived, quickly stabilizing the vehicle, and prepared to remove the roof. Within several minutes the roof was removed and the patient was packaged. Medic 49 transported the patient to a Pittsburgh trauma center.
Just after 20:00 Hours, Companies 4,5,1, Command 32 and Rescue 6 were dispatched to the 1300 block of Cavitt Road for a reported residential structure fire. C42 arrived on scene and reported light smoke showing from a single window on the side C of the structure. Command was established and E42 was directed to deploy a single handline through the ALPHA side. T4 arrived simultaneously and performed a primary search which prooved negative results. E51 assumed water supply operations in staging while crews seached the structure. E42 extinguished the small fire found which was contained to the floor area of a rear bedroom and the assignment was held with Company 4. T4 performed overhaul, pulling ceilings and walls checking for extension. None was found. R4 performed ventillation operations and placed lights used for fire investigation. Company 4 was on scene for just under an hour.
The membership of Monroeville Volunteer Fire Company # 4 would like to congratulate the following Members as they move on to further their careers in Public Safety:
Ryan Filipkoski - Hired to Fairfax County, Virginia Fire Department
Tony Karashowsky -Passing Paramedic Certification
David Rubacalba - Hired and currently working at Barre City, Vermont Fire Department.
Just after 20:00 Hours this evening, crews were dispatched to the Cedar Ridge Garden Apartments for a reported structure fire. Crews found a small fire burning on the exterior wooden deck of a third floor apartment which was rapidly spreading. Engine 42 arrived and deployed a handline to the area. Personnel from Engine 42 and Engine 51 quickly extinguished the fire before it extended into the eaves of the structure while additional personnel performed primary searches of the structure. Truck 4 placed ladders and ventilated while Quint 1 secured a water supply. Crews were out for approximately an hour.
At approximately 14:30 Hours, Companies 4 and 5 were dispatched to the Shaw Building parking lot for a reported vehicle on fire. C-42 arrived on scene with a well involved passenger mini-van that was spreading to a second vehicle and then onto a third nearby. Engine 42 arrived shortly after and pulled the front bumper line and began extinguishment while Engine 51 secured a water supply and secured a second handline from Engine 42. All vehicle fires were extinguised within a short period of time.
Today the paid staff at Station 4 were asked if they could stop by the new UPMC East Hospital to instruct the staff on the proper use of fire extinguishers. We were happy to oblige and conducted training for approximately 25 "Safety Team" members in the safe operation in extinguisher use. The new hospital is scheduled to open on Monday, July 2nd, 2012.
Late this evening crews were dispatched to a local eating / bar establishment in town for a kitchen fire. Companies 1,4,6, Cmnd 32 and Station 5 for RIT was alerted and that evacuation was in progress.Engine 51 and Truck 4 arrived on scene at which point MPD was reporting that the fire was out. Command (C-50) made the decision to send E-51 crew inside to investigate which indeed found the fire out. While units staged, crews found that a grease fire had started but was extingued prior to FD arriving on scene. No other actions were needed and crews returned into service.
Early this morning companies were dispatched to the 100 block of Wallace Drive for a report of a living room on fire. E41 arrived on scene to find a light smoke condition emitting from side A and crews deployed a handline for investigation. E51 established a hydrant and staged. Upon investigation it was determined that a sofa was on fire in the living room which was quickly extinguished and removed from the residence. No extension was found and positive pressure was used to evacuate the smoke. Crews determined that an electrical heating pad was left activated on the sofa causing the ignition which activated the smoke detectors alerting the residents. Crews were back within the hour.
Recently, Station 4 hosted some visitors to our department from Finland. Kalle-Erik Vahakyla spent three months as a Live-In Member of MVFC #4, taking time to learn (and teach) some new skills to the other members. While he was here on his journey, he invited some additional guests to join him for a few days. Pictured (L to R) is Emily, a prehospital nurse in Helsinki, Tomas, a career firefighter in Helsinki, and Kalle-Erik who is a volunteer and 'on-call' firefighter in a suburb of Helsinki. Company #4 enjoyed hosting the three Europeans and look forward to a return visit soon.
Just before 08:00 hours this morning, Company 4 was dispatched to the 2500 block of Haymaker road for a motor vehicle collision with several injuries. Upon the arrival of Rescue 4,Medic 48 and Medic 49 it appeared that three vehicles were involved (two of which were a head-on impact) and the driver of one of the vehicles was still entrapped. Crews from Rescue 4 immediately began stabilization efforts and proceeded with removing the driver's door for patient access. The patient was extricated and in the back of the Medic unit within 10 minutes of the Rescue's arrival. A total of three patients were assessed and transported, two to trauma centers in Pittsburgh and Ambulance 59 assisted by transporting the third patient to Forbes Regional.
TRACTOR TRAILER FIRE
ROUTE 48 & ROUTE 22
01.30.12
Early this morning crews were alerted to Rt 48 at Rt 22 for a tractor trailer fire. Crews arrived to find a tractor trailer that was smoking. Overheated breaks were cooled down by the crews on scene and all units returned.
Just before 0800 hours, Company 4 was alerted to a 'head-on' motor vehicle collision with possible entrapment on Forbes Road. Rescue 4, returning from a previous run went enroute with five personnel. Ambulance 48 and C42 followed shortly thereafter. Rescue 4 arrived to find two vehicles involved, one was over a slight embankment with a single driver entrapped. Trafford EMS was already on scene and attending to the driver of a second vehicle. Rescue 4 quickly removed the driver's side door and extricated the driver as the crew from Ambulance 48 placed on a long board and packaged for transport to a trauma center in Pittsburgh. Medic 4-19 met the crew on scene for transport as Trafford EMS elected to fly their patient with bone injuries. The Rescue cleared the scene within approximately 45 minutes.
FIRE and EMS Call Totals are in for for the 2011 Year end. Company #4 handled a total of 642 Fire Calls and 2,579 EMS calls for assistance. Thanks to all of our members for their hard work both on daily calls and behind the scenes to keep us in operation. Everyone plays a vital role and we are proud to serve the community into the future.
Just before 07:00 Hours, Company 4 was alerted to the intersections of McGinley Road and Haymaker Road for the vehicle rollover and possible entrapment. Rescue 4 and Medic 49 arrived on scene shortly after to find an SUV on its roof in the middle of McGinley Road. An additional vehicle sustaining moderate damage was also located in a parking area approximately 50 feet away. Upon crew investigation it was determined that the occupant of the rolled vehicle was not trapped, and had self-extricated themselves / was uninjured. The driver of the other vehicle was also assessed and was uninjured.
This morning around 03:30 Hours today, Companies 4,3,5 and Squad 1 (RIT) were dispatched to the 800 block of Forbes Road for a resident reporting his house on fire. Upon arrival, Engine 41 and Truck 5 crews entered the structure with a moderate smoke condition present. The Truck crew located a fire and began a quick search as Engine 41's crews extinguished the bedroom fire. Water supply was an issue for crews as there are no hydrants located in this area of the municipality. Tanker 5 was utilized as the primary water supply for the incident. Crews remained on scene for approximately an hour before returning to service.
At approximately 13:30 Hours Companies 4,5,1 and Command 32 were alerted for the residential structure fire in the 200 block of Rush Valley Road. Engine 41, with a crew of 6, arrived immediately behind Deputy Chief Rowntree to find light smoke coming from the second division of the residence. Upon intiial investigation, crews found a fire in a rear bedroom on the second level. E41 and Truck 5 crews went to work performing searches and extinguishing the fire. Within minutes the fire was out and crews checked for extension and ventilated. The assignment was then held to E41 and the Deputy Chief to assist investigators.
