The Quakertown Fire Company QRU (Quick Response Unit)) will soon be expanding its response area to include the entire Quakertown EMS district in Franklin Twp.  This move comes as the Franklin Twp Sub-committee investigating our QRU proposal has wrapped up its meetings for the time being. 

Starting December 1st, QFC will be dispatched to all EMS calls in the designated area.  QFC thanks the Township government and the leadership of QVEMS for its cooperation in this process.  All parties agree that the citizens and visitors of the area will benefit from QVEMS and QFC working together.

The QFC QRU continues answering ALS calls in the Clinton EMS response area shared by both agencies.

Recently, QFC placed in service a 2009 Ford Pickup for use as a Chief's Car.  The truck will be carry all the neccessary equipment for fire and EMS responses including AED, BLS kit and Command boards. The truck's setup was designed by D/C Chris Vallat and the electrical and radio work was performed compliments of Lt Chip Milcarek and the staff at M & W Communications.  Thanks to D/C Vallat, Lt Milcarek and the Franklin Twp Fire District No. 1 for their support.  The total cost of the vehicle with equipment is less than $40,000.

The old Chief's car will be placed into the role of QRU 91 responding to all EMS calls in the District.

Volunteers from Quakertown have been busy taking extra training to increase our operational effectiveness.  Eight firefighters are busy taking a First-Responder class two nights a week.  The class being taught by Clinton EMS staff is 40 hours long and will prepare the firefighters to assist EMTs at QRU calls.  The class is made up of High Bridge and Quakertown firefighters.  If all QFC members successfully complete the respective EMS classes they are undertaking, 25 firefighters will be medically qualified either as First-Responders or EMTs.

In addition to the medical training, 4 members recently completed the 32-hour Vehicle Rescue Operations class in Deleware Township.  The class made up of firefighters from Lebanon Twp, Quakertown, Sergeantsville and West Amwell covered all the basics of vehicle rescue and spanned the Month of October. Congrads to the grads who are ready to cut..

On Saturday, October 25th QFC held a Community Open House.  The community streamed through the fire station enjoying displays, tours and refreshments.  Special thanks to the Open House Committee, the members for all their efforts and Annandale Hose Company for their Safety Trailer.

Qtown volunteers have been kept busy in the last 36 hours answering 17 calls for service many due to an unexpected heavy wet snowfall in parts of the district followed by high winds.  Throughout the day on Tuesday, the station was staffed by multiple crews answering calls for service.  Here is a breakdown of the alarms:

11- Wires/poles/trees on fire/arcing

1-Possible electrical fire in structure

1-Working Structure Fire in High Bridge (Rescue 91 FAST Assignment)

1-Working Structure in Glen Gardner (Tender 91-2 move-up to Lebanon Fire)

2-Automatic Fire Alarm

Quakertown Volunteers gathered on Friday morning for Fire Prevention activites at the local schools.  Captain Marsh led the discussions on fire safety at Lester D Wilson and Franklin Township Schools to over 300 children.

Once the morning sessions were done, Engine 91-2, Squad 91 and Tender 91-2 responded on a reported car fire at 211 Pittstown Rd at 11:50.  Chief 91 and the Engine arrrived within 3 minutes and confirmed the working fire.  Crews had the fire knocked in a few minutes and returned to fire prevention duties after lunch.  Total staffing was 20 volunteers.

QFC will be hosting a Community Open House on October 25th from 12 to 3pm.  During the open house, refreshments will be served, Clinton Twp\'s Fire Safety Trailer will be on hand and demonstrations will be ongoing.  Also, the winners of the "Fire Safety" artwork contest will be announced around 1PM.  The contest is open to children from K-4 and is open to students in Alexandria Franklin, Union Twp Schools as well as South Ridge.  For details call 908-735-5220.

Quakertown Fire/Rescue units hit the streets 4 times on Tuesday answering calls for service in Franklin Twp.  At 12:30, Engine 91-2 (FF Godown) and Tower 45 responded for a fire alarm at the Hampton Inn.  Crews reported dust on the 3rd floor was the cause of the activation.

At 19:22, Quakertown Fire and EMS units were sent to Quakertown Rd and West Sidney Rd for the two-car MVA.  The Rescue, Squad and the Chiefs responded with 12 and packaged 1 BLS-patient onscene.  While on scene, QRU 91-85 assisted Quakertown EMS on another medical call in the township at 19:39.  To end the night, at 22:56, fire units hit the road again for the fire alarm at 487 Quakertown Rd.  The Engine, Tender, Rescue and the Chief responded with 11 and found a malfunctioning sprinkler system.

QFC participated in the Alexandria Twp Community Day Chili Cook-off for the fourth consecutive year and unfornuately did not place in the Top 3.  Despite the showing, Head Chef Paul Cortellesi made a delicious meat chili that was first place in our hearts and stomaches.  In addition to the Cook-off, Engine 91-2 was on grounds for fire prevention as well as the Fireworks stand-by.

Currently, there are 6 fire companies that cover Alexandria Twp with Quakertown Fire having the largest area and as well as the most residents in our district. 

Around 14:00 hours, Box 46-01 was dispatched for smoke coming from a window at a house on Hamden Rd in  Clinton Twp.  Units arrived and found a working fire on Division 2.  Command requested a 2nd alarm which would pull Engine 91-2 for a stand-by at Clinton Twp Fire Headquarters.

As the Engine was staffing, Command upgraded the response to a full response to the scene.  Engine 91-2, both Tenders and the Resuce repsonded with 10 men.  Units assisted in on scene activities and were released after about an hour as the intial crew of Annandales Engines and Clinton's Tower Ladder did a great job containing the fire to the rooms of origin.

An Engine from Flemington stood-by in Q'town while the crews were out.

Shortly before 1AM, Q'town volunteers were requested on the 2nd alarm into Kingwood Twp for the barn fire on Box 1601 at 30 Spring Hill Rd.  The request was for an Engine, Tender and Rescue.

Tender 91-2 (Capt Schutts) was enroute with an in-house crew and dumped 3 loads of water totally 9000 gallons before returning to serivce.  As the Engine and Rescue were staffing, Command requested the remaining 2nd Alarm units cancel.  Shortly thereafter, Engine 91-2 (Chief Patkochis) with 5 took the coverage move-up to Kingwood Station 1.

All Quakertown units were available in quarters at 3:30AM.  Total volunteer staffing for the call was 18.

At 1456 hours, Box 91-04 was dispatched for a trailer on fire at the intersection of Quakertown Road and Croton Road.  Deputy 91 (Vallat) arrived at 1458 hours and found a landscaping trailer with debris and equipment on fire.

Engine 91-2 (FF Roll) with 4 and Tender 91-1 (Lt. Milcarek) quickly went enroute followed by Squad 91 (with 3).  The fire was extinguished and units remained on scene for approximately 20 minutes overhauling the remains.  A total of 16 Quakertown Volunteers responded.

Later in the evening at 2117 hours, Quakertown Fire was alerted with Clinton and Pattenburg Fire for an alarm activation at HDC.  Engine 91-2 (D/C Vallat) with 6 responded and assisted the Clinton Fire Department.  All units cleared the scene after finding a false activation.  Total staffing was 17 members.

While Labor Day weekend was a time to enjoy the last days of summer, QFC members stayed busy answering calls.  Engine 91-2 (Capt Marsh)was sent on Saturday night at 21:41 to HDC for the fire alarm activation.  The engine found fire alarms active in 2 different buildings with no fire and returned in 30 minutes.

On Sunday morning, Quakertown Fire and QRU as well as Clinton EMS/Rescue responded to Sidney Road for the motorcycle crash.  One biker had a minor leg injury and Chief 91 held the assignment to Rescue 91 (Lt Homulak) and BLS (Clinton)46-51.  Units were available in 15 minutes.

On Sunday evening, an ALS medical emergency was dispatched in Franklin Twp.  At 10 minutes, with no BLS ambulance enroute, mutual aid was sent from Clinton EMS.  Once Clinton was alerted , Chief 455 requested the QRU be dispatched to assist on the scene due to the distance the already responding ambulance had to travel.  The first QFC EMT arrived on the scene 2 minutes after dispatched and was followed up by 3 more EMTS from QFC before the arrival of the Clinton ambulance  The teamwork of QFC, HMC Paramedics, Franklin Twp Police and Clinton EMS was outstanding in treating a critical patient.

In less than a month, the QRU has proven its value in a very limited response area.  Its time for that response area to grow and allow for more residents to benefit. Its benefit and value to our community is no longer a question!

Quakertown Volunteers have been busy since Monday running 9 alarms and Monday night training.  Here is the breakdown:

Monday-13:55-Fire Alarm-Hampton Inn: Engine 91-2 responded to investigate a fire alarm, tripped detector no fire.  Total staffing-9

Monday-15:07-Car Fire on Rt 78: Working Fire, located in Clinton Town. Engine 91-2 responded with 5, cancelled by Chief 45. Total staffing-10

Monday-19:00-Training-Vehicle Checks, Review Clinton Ambulance, Extrication Training

Tuesday-2:07-Reported Structure Fire-High Bridge Boro: Fire contained to rear deck, Rescue 91 cancelled enroute.  Total Staffing-15

Tuesday-6:47-Fire Alarm-312 Hamden Rd: Engine 91-2, Rescue 91 and Tender 91-2. Tripped detector with no fire Total Staffing-14

Tuesday-17:26-Cigarette Ashtray on fire: HDC-Engine 45-2 and Chief 91 investigated Total Staffing-11

Wednesday-19:44-Reported large fire near a house: Croton Road-Brush 91, Squad 91, Engine 91-2, Tender 91-1 and Rescue 91 responded.  Controlled burn.  Total staffing-19

Thursday-09:47-Assist Quakertown EMS with lifting-Quakertown Rd-Car 91-2 and Car 91-3 Total staffing-12 (6 EMTs)

Thursday-11:17-MVA with Entrapment-Croton/Allens Corner: Deputy 91 (Vallat) on-scene with one trapped, Northstar to fly.  Rescue 91, Squad 91, Engine 91-2. Extrication time 10 minutes, for side and roof removal. Additional units: Flemington and Quakertown EMS, HMC Paramedics.  Total Staffing-14 (5 EMTS)

Thursday-21:35-Smoke in Basement-315 Harrison St (Frenchtown) Rescue 91 cancelled enroute.  Total Staffing-18

On Saturday morning, QFC had the honor of participating in the Iron and Steel Run, a caravan of bikes, emergency vehicles and most importantly WTC steel being transported from NYC to Shanksville, PA.  Our assignment was honor the steel by being present on the Ruppel Road overpass on RT 78 with our brothers from West Amwell and Milford. 

The goal in NJ was to have every overpass on the route of travel and we did our part.  Many residents came out to cheer on the bikers and honor the monument which was passed into a Memorial today in Western PA.

Engine 91-1 and 91-2 went to event.  Thanks to all who attended.