Friday started off with crews learning that 79-8A was deadlined. A crew headed to Auto Maintenance to retrieve the rest of FD belongings from it. As the rain continued into lunch, the Chief said where is TAC 79. Just as he said that, a call from the visitor’s center came into the station. Tac 79 is here. TAC 79 is a twin agent rapid response vehicle designed to enter areas where the larger ARFF vehicles can’t. Chief 79-9 made arrangements for it to come here from Long Beach, California after they received their new one. B Platoon patiently waited as it was unloaded from the tractor-trailer. Crews backed it into the station and began to wash off the 2700 and some odd miles of road dirt. After three washes, the crew started to check things out. The brothers began by removing the old markings from it and then took on the task to compound and wax the entire vehicle. B Platoon also started a list of items to be repaired or replaced before the unit goes in service. More updates will be available shortly, Stay tuned!

The B Platoon has been working hard the last few shifts. The Bees came off a round of days off and attended Flammable Liquids Fire Training at Delaware Co. Emergency Training Center. The crews returned later in the day and were alerted to 3-07 parking lot for a crying baby in a vehicle. The Engine was on the air and quickly proceeded to the area. FD units and Security checked the area to find an employee had their pet dog in the car. The employee was found and the dog was evaluated. Crews were later dispatched to Building 3-01 for an investigation of an electrical outlet. The Engine arrived to find power out to several computers in the area. FD located the outlet and began to chase cords through the cubicles. Crews found 7 power strips plugged into 1 outlet. Employees are reminded to only use proper surge protectors for applications and no plastic power strips are permitted. The following shifts the Bees were out completing Road Box and Flush Hydrant inspections in between flight activity and took in a cigarette receptacle fire which was quickly extinguished and an ambulance call.

MONDAY: Crews took in an MVA @ 291+Sea Knight. Conducted a live burn drill at the Delco E.S.T.C. I-17 members where also confronted with a major fire main brake that required significant clean up efforts and sprinkler system support. The “A” team also ran 2 fire alarm calls.
TUESDAY: The day began with two Liquid Nitrogen tanks leaking inside the 3-31 building. Faulty valves where to blame. The Platoon assisted the “outside” on the Tractor trailer fire.
FRIDAY: There was another major fire main brake that required sprinkler system support. A new stokes basket was placed in service on SO 79-8 as well.
SATURDAY: Plant shut down weekend started with numerous hot work permits and an assist to our Maintenance department for water from 79-1, Crews ran a line to the roof of the 3-61a building to wash out the cooling towers. Another Liquid Nitrogen tank leak @3-31, this time a bad relief valve caused a nice sized vapor cloud inside the building. At lunch time “Big Mike” (fork lift operator) ran in the firehouse to report a trailer mounted generator was on fire at the 3-95 hanger. The crew responded and found the generator with smoke and fire showing; crew pulled a handline and Co2, confirmed it was shut down and knocked the fire. Crew then opened up the inner workings and completed extinguishment efforts. Thank you to our automotive tech. “A.J.” (Michael McDonald) for shutting down the generator and assisting with disassembly efforts. The crew took in 2 fire alarm investigations as well.
SUNDAY: The crew assisted our Maintenance department with filling the 38,000gal tank under the 3-05 cooling towers and took the opportunity for some P.T. (physical training).

The A Platoon received the request for assistance around 11:30Hrs Tuesday morning. Leedom and Vauclain fire companies were battling a tractor trailer fire that was well off, involving a large payload of large paper rolls.
I 95 Command requested the Boeing Crash Rescue Truck make the response to assist the volunteers on extinguishment of the large fire. Boeing’s ARFF 79-3 made the response out to the highway and was an integral part in putting out the large fire by using copious amounts of water and fire fighting foam. Boeing Firefighters remained on the scene for a few hours. Thanks to Frank Wesnoski for the photos!!

With the conclusion of the busy past week, Chief 79-9 invited the off duty platoons to his house to unwind. Brothers enjoyed some beverages and delicious food prepared by Mrs. Chief. The Brothers wished congratulations to the Chief on his first 4 months as our Commander. The men took time to share some war stories and watch the Flyers skate to victory. The Brothers were surprised to learn from the Chief that there are still toys made in the good old USA just like the CH-47. Thanks again to Chief Montana and Family for your hospitality.

The B Platoon had just returned from their two days off to find activity on the plant in full swing. The day started off with finishing the hydrant flushing on the northside and the conclusion of the Haz-mat Class for members of all shifts. Chief 79-9 was out on tour and noticed smoke coming from the southend of 3-98 building. The Chief pulled up to find scrap workers had accidentally started a class A materials fire while doing Hot Work. The contractor was attempting to suppress the fire with hand held extinguishers. Chief 79-9 requested the Fire Department respond to his location. The Engine, Special Ops and Ambulance arrived and placed a handline inservice. After a quick knockdown, overhaul was completed and crews returned.
Later in the shift, the Bees were dispatched to 3-07 building for a light ballast on fire. Units arrived to find a haze and odor in the building. The area was evacuated, source located, power sourced and maintenance was notified. The Engine crew then headed to 3-61 for a blood clean-up on an aircraft stand.
After Lunch, flight activity was non-stop with the V-22s heading out and several Chinooks testing. Just as a Chinook was heading in the Crash Alarm sounded for a Drill. ARFF 79-2 arrived onscene in seconds and the crew stretched a line and began shutdown procedure and EVAC of the flight crew. Engine 79-1 reverse laid from 79-2 to a hydrant. The Ambulance and Special Ops set-up a triage station. Crews quickly mitigated the situation. Chief 79-9 had ICS set-up. After the drill the crew had a critique. The Chief told us the Department was on the way to a record breaking month of activity!

A & B Platoons were on top of their game with multiple V-22 Ospreys landing on the Flight Ramp. The Squadron was invited to visit the plant and take a tour of the manufacturing facility. The Fire Department had several crews on stand-by for the events. Crews also handled some F.O.D. issues on the ramp. The V-22 Osprey is a joint aircraft with the fuselage built here at Ridley and then the aircraft is completed by Bell in Texas.

The "A" TEAM: Hannibal, Faceman, Murdock and B.A. Baracus where at it again this week. Crews handled continuous flight activity with the CH-47 and V-22’s. The Boeing air show never disappoints!
The crew took in 2 Trash fires, 1 Brush fire and 2 EMS transports, one for a fall down a flight of steps and the other a shoulder injury.

Tuesday was quite a day. "B" Platoon started off with a few members from all four platoons attending their Haz-mat Class. The rest of the crew was taking in the nice day flushing hydrants on the northside. While out, the engine was requested to Route 291 by security for a brush fire. The crew pulled up to find trash burning in the median. Quick work with a can and the crew was clear of the scene. Around 9:30, station 79 was dispatched to stand-by at gate 6 while Boeing Security and Local PD were searching for a gunman that had entered the plant. 79 assisted with building evacuations and requested the outside to assist with an engine and several EMS units just in case. After several tense minutes the "Toy Gunman" was located and surrendered to authorities. Chief 79-9 had the command post covered with the chief’s buggy.
Crews then took in a fire alarm at building 3-25 which was caused by a system malfunction.
While clearing that incident, the FD was dispatched to the southside building 3-61 for a broken sprinkler pipe causing a flooding condition. Units quickly shut some valve and opened drains to control the situation.
Again as crews were taking up, 79 was tapped out to an odor of smoke in building 3-31. The station dumped the house, and arrived to find a halon system activated no fire. Someone had mistakenly pulled the marked pull station that said "Dumps Halon". Crews found no smoke or fire and began ventilation and atmospheric monitoring.
Crew thought they might catch a break but, arrived back in the station to find a Karate Team ready to kick their butts. The Chief invited the team in to continue the progress of FD Physical Fitness. Thanks to the group for teaching us some new moves. It has been sometime since our bodies bent in some of those positions. Just as crews were learning the Crane Technique, the tones dropped for a Dishwasher on fire in 3-02 Cafe. Crews found smoke showing from the wash room and the cafe full of employees eating lunch. The building was evacuated and the fire was knocked down prior to FD arrival. The dishwasher’s power was secured and tagged out of service. Crews had several fans in service prior to reopening the building. The Brothers got back and enjoyed lunch and then some returned to class.
Later in the shift, the Engine was on the air finishing hydrant flushing when they were dispatched for a gas leak in 3-02. The Engine arrived to an odor of natural gas omitting from the building. Crews were directed to the kitchen and found the gas leaking from an oven. The gas line was secured, equipment was tagged out of service and the building was ventilated.
After 7 calls in 12 hours the Boys of "B" were looking forward to the next few days off.

Happy 27th Birthday Firefighter Sotak.