Local I-17 is proud to announce the new union officer line up.

President:  Roland Pattinson                        

Secretary-Treasurer:  Sherry Turek  

Chief Steward:  Michael Signora

"A" Platoon Steward:  Tom Byrne

"B" Platoon Steward:   Scott Holmes

"C" Platoon Steward:  Mike Garvin

"D" Platoon Steward:  Frank Knowles

This morning, Boeing Fire Department  participated in an exercise to test the emergency response for a threat to the site. Among the participants were the Delaware County CID Bomb Unit and medic unit Ridley 7. Boeing Fire Department personnel supported the operations with setting up a command post. Crews also stood by with the engine, special operations unit and ambulance under the guidance of Chief Montana in the event there were any unexpected problems. During the exercise a real medical emergency was toned out and the ambulance quickly responded and transported the patient to the hospital. Exercises are always a useful tool in evaluating our response program and making improvements where needed.

Today the crew logged an interesting day. First came a call to the 3-97 building for a fuel spill (JET A) inside the office area. Crews arrived to find a heavy odor and a large wet area on the office rug. Crews cleared out some desks and immediately placed down pads and set up three fans for ventilation. The crew called for Maint. to send the carpenters to help remove a section of the contaminated carpet. The carpenters arrived quickly and surgically cut out the bad section while our crew continued to ventilate and also dispose of the contaminated materials in the approved location. Once the contaminated materials where removed and disposed of the odor quickly dissipated and after one hour in service the Company returned to quarters.

Later in the day the crew was dispatch to our Wilmington facility for a sprinkler discharge. An electronic failure had discharged the deluge system inside one of our hangers. A crew was sent down to shut down the system and begin the clean up efforts and investigate what had gone wrong. With the system shut down, a fire-watch was set up to protect the large buildings contents, this detail lasted all night and into the next day.

While some of our crew was down at Wilmington, the balance handled the ever popular "blood clean up". The crew was sent to the 3-25 Maint. shop for the spill, the bio-hazard was cleaned up without incident and the crew returned.

This morning at around 0900, the company was dispatched to the 3-04 building for an employee who was struck by lightning. Crews responded in seconds and requested the "outside" medic unit. Engine79 and Ambulance 79 arrived quickly to find the male patient sitting at his desk complaining of arm and hand pain with "tingling". As it turned out this was not a direct strike but a proximity strike, the bolt had hit 10-15ft from the patient and blew his umbrella out of his hand. The team treated and loaded up the patient. The crew met the medic unit outside and he climbed aboard 79-7 for the trip to the E.R., our patient was eventually emitted for observation.

This morning at around 0830, the tones rang out for a Haz-mat incident at the 3-61 building. Crews arrived in seconds and found a one liter bottle of chemical had been dropped a broke open on the ground. This product was the same milky white dry lubricate-reagent from the call back on April 17th. Armed with the knowledge from that previous call, the crew donned the appropriate PPE and began to work the spill. The team cordoned off the area and began to clean up the spilled product with pads. It was later found out that an employee had gotten the product on him when it spilled and ran to medical for evaluation. 79-7 was sent to medical to assist their staff with decon and treatment of the effected employee. The balance cleaned up the spill without incident and in short order where clearing the scene. The employee at medical was deconed and evaluated with no more services needed. Co. 79 was back in station within 30 min.

http://www.arff79.com/fullstory.php?84445  ( April 17th call)

Firefighter Richard Faunce's 10 year service anniversary was today, congratulations Rich!!

On Saturday May 23, Firefighter Sotak finally tied the knot with his lovely bride Gina. Best wishes from your brothers at I-17 on a life time of happiness!

Today, I-17 members provided the customary "wet down" for a pilots last flight. Today it was Jack Jordon who got the honorary bath. Jack is retiring after 20+ years flying Chinooks for Boeing.  ARFF 79-2 very "quietly" moved into position and gave Jack both barrels, Jack took it like a man and did not run. All in attendance would agree that he was thoroughly "wet down"!

Good luck Jack!

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of brother Bill Suter.

In addition to being a member of Chester Local 1400, Bill was a past President of the Greater Delaware Professional Firefighters Association Trust.

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with his Family, Friends, and Brothers and Sisters of Local 1400.

This morning at 0810 Station 79 was alerted by Fire-board for the request of assistance outside the plant in Eddystone. The company was dispatched by phone for the MVA at 291+ PECO entrance. ARFF 79-2, TAC 79 and Command 79 made the response. The crew arrived to find a one vehicle accident involving a fully loaded dump truck into a building. Eddystone fire company was on location with an Engine as well as PECO Plant Protection (Station 90). Ambulance 12 had just taken the driver to the hospital and PECO personnel where trying to secure the power to the building. ARFF 79-2 and TAC 79 were placed in defensive positions close to the scene and stood by. The small building that was struck contained some large transformers, oil and propane tanks and live electrical equipment. The crews from Eddystone(12), Plant Protection(90), Boeing(79) and Tinicum(48) stood by until the power was secured and the dump truck was pulled away from the building. At one point TAC 79 pulled its Foam-Purple K handline and two extinguishers as a precaution.

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/051109_Dump_Truck_Slams_Into_Building

Today the crew conducted a foam drill with representatives from FSSS.US, the agent was FIRE ADE a foam like solution that's added to the fire stream just like traditional foam would be. The team headed out for some live fire to put the product to the test. The boys from the "A" team used a few pw's with FIRE ADE added and also our foam line with a 5gal pale. The crew conducted about 2 1/2 of training and would like to thank FSSS.US for taking the time to demo this product. 

http://www.fsss.us/products.html

The crew from I-17 helped out this weekend with the plant wide shut down. Crews assisted Boeing Maintenance and outside contractors with an innumerable amount of different activities. The crew supported flight activity, hot work, con-space, trouble alarms, fire alarms and a few emergencies as well. The team also supported the shut down with lending the Maintenance Division hose, fittings and appliances plus used 79-1 to supply water and a handline for a cooling tower wash down. The crews also pitched in with filling the 20,000 sump pit for the cooling towers at the 3-05 building. The members worked overtime and staffed up for the work, the activity started Saturday at around 0300 and did not abate until late Sunday night.

Today, the crew from the 79 house ventured down to the training center for some live fire training. 79 members conducted fire evolutions in the burn building from 0800 until 1300.

I-17 would like to thank Matt LaTourneau and John Byrne for their assistance!! THANKS BROTHERS!!