Aristes Fire, Station 350

November 1 Members completes a Rural Fireground Water Movement course. T353 was used for the practical evolutions and thanks to the Schuylkill Fire Historical Society for providing older apparatus for review to see how vehicles have changed and improved and to the Polish American Fire Company Shenandoah for hosting the class. Also taking part were members from Mahanoy City Citizen's and Washington Hook and Ladder, Gilberton, Continental Fire Company and Brandonville Citizens Fire Company. Apparatus used along with T353 was T759, T9-34, E9-14, E4415, E454 and Carrier 458.

October 6 Member attended a training session in an acquired structure with members from the Atlas Fire Company. Crews went over hose line advancement, ladder placement for rescue and access, forcible entry, ventilation and search practices. E352 and Atlas E21 were used for the training. Thanks to Atlas Captain Bush for allowing us to train on his property.

September 12 The company celebrated the social hall mortgage being paid off in full early!!! The day consisted of a Fire/EMS apparatus Parade, a Mortgage Burning Ceremony and a pumping contest. And the winners were:

1500gpm 1st Friendship Hose Company, Shamokin E11

1250gpm 1st Place Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue, Ringtown E30-10,      2nd Place Wilburton Hose Company, Wilburton E331

1000gpm and Under 1st Place Locust Gap Fire Company, Locust Gap E23

Engine/Rescue 1st Place Beaverdale Fire Company, Beaverdale E22

Aerial 1st Place Nuremberg-Weston Fire Company, Nuremberg QT581

Brush Truck 1st Place Valley Chemical Fire Company, Numidia E272, 2nd Place Beaverdale Fire Company, Beaverdale B22

Tanker 1st Place Lavelle T4-32

Pumper/Tanker 1st Place Wilburton Hose Company, Wilburton T332, 2nd Place American Fire Company, Fountain Springs T4-30

Rescue 1st Place Columbia County Rescue Task Force, Collapse 1

EMS Unit 1st Place Washington Fire Company Community Ambulance, Ashland A3801, 2nd Place Centralia Fire Company Ambulance, Centralia A340

Special Service Unit 1st Place Friendship Fire Company, Shamokin Sq11, 2nd Place Centralia Fire Company Community Ambulance Gator

Special Judges Awards Mount Carmel Fire Police, Mount Carmel Unit 6

                                  American Fire Company, Foutain Springs E4-10

Furthest Distance Traveled Columbia County Rescue Task Force, Collapse 1

Pumping Competition 1st Place Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue, Ringtown Team 2

                                 2nd Place Friendship Fire Company, Shamokin

                                 3rd Place Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue, Ringtown Team 1

Best Hahn American Fire Company, Fountain Springs E4-10

Best KME Friendship Fire Company, Shamokin E11

Best Company 2 or More Pieces Friendship Fire Company, Shamokin E11, Sq11

Robert "Preach" Hampton Award Best Overall Piece Friendship Fire Company, Shamokin E11                                      

September 10 Members attended the 9-11-01 Memorial Service at the Clover Hose Company in Mt Carmel.

August 15 Members attended the Locust Gap Fire Company and Strong Fire Company combined block party. T353 returned with a 1st place trophy for Best Appearing Tanker. After leaving there the crew took T353 to the Valley Chemical Fire Company carnival after getting fuel. Then to Ringtown for the transfer assignment.

August 8 Members attended the Catawissa Firemen's Carnival and returned with a Special Judges trophy for T353.

July 29 Members attended a training session in an acquired structure with Atlas Fire Company. Crews worked on search and rescue operations, hose advancement, wall breaching as well as overhaul practices. Thanks to Atlas C20 for allowing crews to train at his property...

July 24 Members attended the MCVESA Picnic in the Park in Mt Carmel. T353 recieved a Judges Trophy for the night.

July 18 After returning from the parade members performed driver training with E352. The priority was placed on safe operations, proper placement and coverage area as well as types of alarm responses.

July 18 Members attended the Beaverdale Fire Company Parade. T353 returned with a First Place Pumper/Tanker Trophy. Good times were had by all in attendance.

July 17 Members took part in a cleaning session at the firehouse. The truck room was cleaned up and work was started to prepare for an upcoming painting session in the truck room. This was interrupted by the call for the unattended campfire.

June 27 Several members took part in and successfully completed the Emergency Vehicle Operators Course hosted by the Elysburg Fire Company. T353 was utilized for the training. For several of the members involved this completed their driver training and they are now operators for the apparatus. Congratulations and keep up the good work...

June 25 Driver training, pump training and handline training were completed during a joint training excercise with Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue. Training was completed at a pond on the Reservior Rd in Union Twp, Schuylkill County.

June 21 After completing all of the clean-up from the monthly breakfast, personell took part in some pump training since the rain had actually stopped for a day. T353 was utilized for the training which included operations off of the water tank and hydrants as well as hydrant connections, forward lays and master stream and handline operations.

June 6 The station was emptied for Wilburton Hose Company's annual Block Party and returned with a First Place Tanker trophy for T353. After returning from the Wilburton event, a crew went to the Truck Housing for Citizen's, Mahanoy City's Mack/Baker and were able to return with a First Place "Water Tender" trophy. Congratulations on the day!!! (This day also acted as driver training for a couple of new driver's)

June 5 Manpower attended the Columbia Hose Company, Shenandoah's annual block party and returned with a trophy for the "Furthest Distance" traveled trophy with E352.... (Driver training was also accomplished during this trip)

May 25 Personnel attended the annual Memorial Day events along with the local American Legion Post at cemetaries in Aristes and Centralia as well as the former Legion location in Centralia and the memorial at the firehouse in Aristes. S351, E352 and T353 were utilized.

May 22 Personnel attended the Friendship Fire Company, Englewood, Frackville's annual block party and returned with a 2nd place Tanker Trophy with T353... Good Job Ladies and Gentlemen!!!

May 18 Manpower attended a training class at Valley Chemical Fire Company, Station 270. This class was Emergency Response for Water Emergencies. Keep up the training effort everyone and lets try to keep the ball rolling.

May 9 Personnel completed a Pumps I class. This class was hosted by the Atlas Fire Company with the final evolutions being performed at the Schuylkill County Fire School in Frackville.

May 2 Personnel completed the Basic Vehcile Rescue Technician (BVRT) and then took the PA DOH test to become certified. The course was sponsored by the Nuremberg-Weston Fire Company. Congratulations to everyone who took the program and completed it.  

April 19 Members took time after the breakfast to go over all of the forestry/brush equipment to ensure its proper operation as the wildfire season is now upon us. After making some minor repairs all of the tools and equipment were returned to full service and ready for responses. Little did we know it would only take about 20 minutes till it would be needed.

April 19 Fire Police members attended a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Fire Police training course along with members from Station 270 among other companies. Keep up the good work fire police members and keep on training.

April 16 Members participated in pump training as well as handline advancement practices training and master stream operations along with members from Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue. Drafting both with and without dry hydrants was performed along with training on varying nozzle types and portable and fixed master streams. T353 was used for the training session along with T30-35.

April 14 Members of Station 350 along with Columbia County 911 Coordinator Brenda Remaley provided an informational session to the Centralia Senior Citizens members at their site in Wilburton #2. The use of 911 for emergencies, what to do in an emergency, addressing issues and many other items were covered. Thank you Brenda and the members of the Senior Center for your time

April 11 Thanks to all the members who helped with the Easter Bunny delivery to the firehouse and the driver/pump training that took place afterwards.

April 11 Personnel completed the Basic Vehicle Rescue Operations (BVRO) couse sponsored by the Nuremberg-Weston Fire Company. Great job by all who attended and completed this program. Up next BVRT in 2 weeks.

April 4- Personnel completed the Basic Vehicle Rescue Awareness (BVRA) course sponsored by Nuremberg-Weston Fire Company. Great job by all who attended and completed the program. Up next BVRO starting next week. 

March 22- Members from both the fire company and auxiliary produced the last batch of Easter Candy for 2009. Thank You to everyone who helped with this fund raising effort that is very time consuming and rigorous.. 

March 24 - 28th- Personnel cleaned both buildings, the parking lot, readied food and set-up for the semi-annual Gunanza night on the 28th. Special Thanks to everyone who contributed to this effort...

March 10 Training was done on the location of equipment on the vehicles with some minor repairs made. This turned out to be very productive as there were 4 new members present who now should be able to find all of the equipment on the vehicles. Good Job by all who participated.

February 24 Both buildings were cleaned straightened up and the social hall was cleaned and prepared for Easter Egg production to begin. Thank you to all the members who assisted with this project as well as the upcoming Easter Egg operation.

February 8 New Hose was placed on T353 that was purchased with funds from the 2008 FEMA Grant and the hose from T353 was moved to E352. Both vehicles now have color-coded preconnect lines. Great job by everyone present working together and getting the job done. In all we packed 1900 feet of hose onto the 2 vehicles and then rolled 1100 feet. Vehicles were also checked to ensure that everything was up to par on them.

January 14 Clean-up and Equipment checked. After the past two fires Monday and Wednesday afternoon the apparatus was cleaned and checked. Some training was also done on handling incidents in the cold weather over the past several days and the rest of the winter. Set-up initiated for the breakfast coming up on Sunday...

January 10 Clean-up and Equipment checked. After the fire on Friday personell came to the station to finish the cleaning of all the tools, gear, hose and vehicles as it was a very long day on Friday and after the vehicles were make ready for another call we had called it a night. Training was also provided on the new SCBA that replaced the ones we had stolen from the station in November.

January 6 In House Training- Active firefighters and fire police along with the line officers sat down and had a meeting to discuss the SOG's as a refresher, remind everyone of safety concerns, recieve input about potential upcoming training and discuss events from 2008. It was very informative not only to some new members but to the line officers as they got hear what the firefighters have been thinking. New gear was distributed as well to LT353 Yeager and FF Cote from the 2008 FEMA grant.

December 20, Member of the Fire Company and Auxiliary welcomed Santa to the Fire House. He arrived on E352 with T353 leading the way and S351 providing follow-up. Children from town were treated to beverages, snacks and a final chance to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and recieved a gift from the Jolly Old Fella.... MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

December 3, 4, 5 Members worked at the station on many items. Everything from fixing the generator on E352 to setting up the Christmas Tree in the hall in preperation for the Christmas Party to be held on Saturday and the upcoming Holiday Season.

November 20 Members participated in a parade that welcomed home a Wilburton resident who returned home after serving active time in our armed services over in Afghanistan. E352 was used and was accompanied by E331 and T332. Welcome Home Todd!!!

November 19 Members participated in a parade that honored the Ashland Black Diamond Midget and PeeWee Football teams for winning their respective titles. Congratulations to all of the players, cheerleaders, coaches and parents. S351 participated in this event along with units from Wilburton, Ashland both stations, Girardville, Fountain Springs and Lavelle.

November 18 Courage to be Safe, Everyone Goes Home Class, Central Columbia Middle School, South Centre Twp. Personell attended this class presented by the Columbia County Fire Chiefs Association with PA State Fire Commisioner Ed Mann leading the course. Personell from multiple other departments throughout the county and beyond were represented. Thanks to the County Chief's Association and Ed Mann for offering this course.

November 15 Training with Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue- Windmill Farm (Locust Ridge 2), Union Twp. E352 and S351 were used for the drill. This drill involved accessing, stabilizing, packaging and then extrication of a pt. from the first tier of one of the new windmills (approximately 50'). Pt was accessed, assessed by EMS trained personell, stabilized injuries, packaged to stokes, rope system created and including haul system, safety and belay lines. Pt was then removed to the base of the tower using the rope systems. Pt was then removed to the EMS. All crews worked well together during this operation unfortunately the weather did not provide the best situation for the day. Thanks to all who assisted and partook in the event. It was a learning operation for everyone even the crews from the facility. Units operating as part of the drill in addition to ours were E3010, R3050, R993, S468, E881, S5, A944 and the staff from WindConnect.  Thanks again we look forward to doing another drill when the weather breaks again...

October 30 Public Service Detail- throughout Aristes, Conyngham Twp. T353, E352 and S351 as well as Fire Police assisted with controlling traffic during Halloween Trick-or-Treat night from 1745 to 2015hrs. Flares were placed to slow traffic with all of the children out and about crossing the streets in their costumes. Good Job by all who assisted. There were some really great costumes by young and old alike.

October 21 Training with Atlas- Rt61 @ the former Bilo Supermarket, Mt Carmel Twp. T353 was used for the drill. Units participated in company training along with Atlas members. Skills discussed and reviewed included hose deployment and advancement, hydrant lays, pump ops for handlines as well as relays and master stream operations. Thanks to the members of Station 21 for once again training with us. Units involved in the training were T353 and E21.

October 14 Training with Atlas- Rt61 @ the former Alexander car dealership, Mt Carmel Twp. E352 was used as part of the drill. Units participated in company training along with Atlas members. Skills discussed and used included, hose deployment and advancement, VES, ground ladder placement, conscious victim removal, roof operations, victim removal and downed firefighter removal. Thanks Station 21 for your help and allowing us to come and train. Units involved in the training were E352 and E21.

October 12 Training with the Antracite- 500 Columbia Ave, Aristes, Conyngham Twp. T353 was used as part of a training session at our station. The porta-pond was set with E2 getting some draft time and T353 operators getting to do some relay operations and attack line pumping. When pump training was completed and cleaned up Tk2 was used to perform a roof rescue from the top of the station using a Stokes and rope equipment. Thank You Station 2 for your help and coming up to our place to perform some training. Units operating on the training were T353, E2 and Tk2

October 11 Fire Prevention- Smith St, Station 330, Wilburton #1, Conyngham Twp. T353 was used as part of a fire prevention display and demonstration. The hydraulic tools from T353 were also displayed and used in the MVA scenario that was played out. Also participating in the display and demonstration were E331, T332, A340, R5 and S5. Thanks to Station 330 for inviting us as part of your fire prevention plan.

October 7 Training with Atlas- Rt61 @ the former Alexander car Dealership, Mt Carmel Twp. E352 was used as part of the drill. Crews took part in company training along with members from Atlas. Skills discussed and used included hose deployment, radio communication, crew communication, VES, victim removal and incident command. Units operating on the training were E352 and E21.

September 14 Company Training @ the Station- E352 was used as part of the drill. Crews took part in company training. Skills talked about and used included SCBA donning and doffing, SCBA function and use, PASS alarm activation, hose line deployment and advancement. crew communication and fire ground safety.

September 11 Windmill Tour- New windmill farm, Conyngham Twp. Officers and other members recieved a tour of the facility and the some safety information on the facility. Members from several other area companies were present including District 30(RVFR), Shenandoah Heights, Nuremberg-Weston, Shenandoah Fire Department, Ringtown EMS, Shenandoah EMS, R5(Mt Carmel Rescue Squad), West End Mahanoy City, Yorkville Hose Pottsville, Union Twp EMA, Conyngham Twp EMA and Union Twp PD.

August 27 Electrical Emergencies Class- Station 180, Tenny St, Scott Twp. Several members attended this course offered by the Espy Fire Company in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.

July 27 Pumps II- Schuylkill County Fire School, Fireman's Road, West Mahanoy Twp. Several members participated in this class along with members for Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue (the host company), Sheppton-Oneida, and Nuremberg-Weston.