Rescue 29 Assists Jessup with Rope Rescue

Posted on January 30, 2022January 31, 2022

Rescue 29 was called just after 9pm Sunday as the third due rescue on an assist to Jessup Fire Companies, Rescue 25 & Rescue 31, to Valley View Drive in Jessup, for a reported vehicle over an embankment. The incident soon was upgraded to a tractor trailer over an embankment with the driver still in the vehicle. Rescue 21 and Rescue 59 were also added to the incident for additional support with the anticipation of a haul system being needed. Rescue 29 arrived on scene and assisted with immediately setting up a lowering system to lower two rescuers approx 100+ feet to the victim. Rescuers where able to evaluate and treat the victim and determine the best route of egress back to the hardtop while other Rescuers topside prepared the haul system. The incident proved to show the amount of recourses, equipment and skills that are needed for rope rescues. Rescue 29 operated on scene for 2 hours.

Engine 29 Assists with Roaring Brook Township Tractor Trailer Fire

Posted on November 11, 2021January 31, 2022

Wednesday night Engine 29 was dispatched to assist Elmhurst-Roaring Brook on a tractor trailer fire, carrying lumber, on Interstate 84 miler marker 6 westbound. Quick work by Rescue 15 with the multi-handline deployment contained the fire to the cab and prevented it from spreading to the cargo. Crews assisted with overhaul and hazard containment. Seven firefighters responded.

CLOSE BEFORE YOU DOZE: Sleeping with You Bedroom Door Closed Could Save Your Life

Posted on April 11, 2021April 12, 2021

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: These pictures taken by our firefighters while they operated at a structure fire today in The Hideout, Lake Township, Wayne County, shows proof that sleeping with your bedroom door closed, could save your life. Notice the difference in the charing of the hallway versus the unburned walls in the bedroom. First arriving crews arrived to find heavy fire engulfing the entire home. The home was a total loss.

Research has shown that a closed bedroom door can slow the spread of flames, decrease temperatures, reduce smoke inhalation, and improve oxygen levels in the room.

Just a few decades ago the average time it took to escape a home fire was about 17 minutes. Now it is three minutes or less. This is because of the synthetic furniture, more open floor plans in homes, and other flammable materials. Just closing your bedroom door at night can give you more time to get out the bedroom windows safely and call the fire department.

Research proves that a closed door during a fire, can mean the difference between 1,000 degrees temperatures and 100 degrees temperatures. Keep your bedroom door closed to keep the extra heat out! During a fire, a closed door can also keep carbon monoxide levels at 1,000 PPM verses 10,000 PPM when a door is left open.

CLOSE BEFORE YOU DOZE!! Statistics show that in 2019, every three hours and ten minute, someone dies in a house fire. Do your part and don’t become part of the statistics.

Moosic Lake Road Brush Fire Draws Response

Posted on April 6, 2021April 12, 2021

Outdoor Burning & Dry Conditions Spark Brush Weekday Fire

Posted on April 5, 2021April 13, 2021

Early notification of an out of control burn allowed firefighters to make an aggressive attack and quickly contain a brush fire on Monday. Crews where called around 2:30pm for a reported tree on fire in the backyard off Wimmers Road. Upon the arrival of firefighters, they found a brush fire quickly spreading through the woods, being fed by high wind, low humidity and dry conditions.

A reminder to all that outside fires should NEVER be left unattended, even for just a minute. Outdoor burning during Increased Fire Danger warnings by the National Weather Service is NEVER recommended and should not be ignored. Burning during these warnings can put not only your property at risk of being destroyed but also your neighbor’s property. Technology now allows warnings just like this one from the National Weather Service to be pushed directly to mobile telephones. Do your part to help prevent forest fires!!

Fire Department Assists State & Federal Law Enforcement

Posted on March 1, 2021April 13, 2021

Late Night Interstate Rollover Crash

Posted on September 27, 2020September 27, 2020

Emergency personnel where called just after 2am on Saturday, September 19 to Interstate 84 for a reported vehicle rollover. One patient was transported to the local trauma center by EMS while Rescue 29 personnel searched the scene for the potential of additional victims. Crews remained on scene for several hours during the investigation.

Afternoon Interstate Tractor Trailer Rollover

Posted on September 24, 2020September 24, 2020

Last Wednesday, September 16, emergency personnel 🚒 where called to the Interstate, in the construction zone 🚧, for a reported tractor trailer rollover. Rescue 29 arrived to find a tractor trailer 🚛 that had crossed through the center median and rolled down an embankment and the driver was self extricated. Firefighters assessed for hazards while EMS personnel attended to the driver. Luckily no construction personnel or equipment where struck and the driver of the tractor trailer was not seriously injured. Towing & Recovery crews remained on scene for the remainder of the night unloading and removing the truck.

Rescue 29 Assists with Helicopter Landing Zone

Posted on May 23, 2020June 8, 2020

Rescue 29 and Car 29 assisted EMS on May 23 with a helicopter landing zone for a burn victim within the Township. A landing zone was established in an open area off Mt Cobb Road for LVHN MedEvac. Aeromedical Services is not something we utilize very frequently in our area due to the proximity to the Scranton Hospitals but speedy transport to a Burn Center and the specialty skills of the Critical Care team was needed in this instance. Jefferson EMS handled the transport by ground of another individual injured in the incident. Check out the video below of Medevac 2 lifting off from the landing zone.

Afternoon Wayne County Structure Fire Levels Garage

Posted on May 20, 2020June 11, 2020

On May 20 Engine, Tanker and Rescue 29 responded into Wayne County to assist Lake Ariel Fire Company on a reported working structure fire in a commercial garage. Crews arrived and assisted with hoseline advancement, extinguishment and overhaul. The structure was a total loss however firefighters where able to prevent the fire from spreading to an additional nearby structure. A job well done by the Lake Ariel Firefighters on knowing the capabilities of their apparatus. An initial water supply was established utilizing their supply truck from a large in-ground swimming pool on the property. A secondary water supply was also established via tanker shuttle however the pool was able to provide a sufficient water supply to extinguish the fire.

Winter Weather Turns, Causing Tricky Driving Conditions

Posted on March 25, 2020April 10, 2020

Driver Walks Away from Violent Interstate Crash

Posted on February 20, 2020April 10, 2020

Firefighters recently spent an evening along with the Jefferson Township Police Department performing a Fire Prevention and Safety presentation for Scout Pack 133. Emergency personnel reviewed many different topics including fire prevention strategies, fire extinguisher usage, campfire safety, wilderness search and rescue, outdoor emergency care and also internet safety. The scouts where also educated on what skills and training it takes for each emergency organization to successfully perform their job.

Thin Ice Warning Continues

Posted on January 29, 2020January 29, 2020

The inconsistency of the winter weather pattern this year has impacted the quality of ice in our area. Many bodies of water including ponds, lakes and streams that are typically frozen solid by this time of year are only thinly frozen or not frozen at all. Ice seldom freezes uniformly. Think in terms of the thermometer rather than the calendar when deciding if to go out on the ice. Just because it was okay on December 1st to go out on the ice last year, doesn’t mean it’s going to be safe on the same date this year! We urge everyone to use EXTREME CAUTION while negotiating around bodies of water that are believed to be frozen. Most ice conditions in our area are not safe for ice-fishing or to be able to handle the weight of recreational vehicles.

This past weekend a group of people enjoying the great outdoors in Jefferson Township experienced the extreme dangers of just how thin the ice is when their UTV fell through the ice they where attempting to cross. Jefferson Township Fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene. Luckily no one was seriously injured and the vehicle was able to be recovered. Please don't put yourself in harms way and stay away from frozen bodies of water this winter. If you do decide to venture onto the ice, we strongly encourage everyone to wear a life-vest and travel in groups larger then one person. You should never venture out a frozen body of water alone.

What should you do if you fall through ice? An article posted several days ago by the Washington Post highlights the following survival tips:

Stay Calm - Don’t let the shock of falling into the ice-cold water take over. This may be the hardest part of saving yourself. You need a clear mind to rescue yourself from the water. You have about 10 minutes before your body gets too cold to pull itself out.
Don’t remove your winter clothing - Heavy clothes won’t drag you down, but instead can trap air to provide warmth and flotation. This is especially true with a snowmobile suit.
Turn toward the direction you came - That’s probably the strongest ice.
Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface - This is where a pair of nails, sharpened screwdrivers or ice picks come in handy in providing the extra traction you need to pull yourself up onto the ice.
Kick your feet and dig in your ice picks to work your way back onto the solid ice - If your clothes have trapped a lot of water, you may have to lift yourself partially out of the water on your elbows to let the water drain before starting forward.
Lie flat on the ice once you are out and roll away from the hole to keep your weight spread out - This may help prevent you from breaking through again.
Get to a warm, dry, sheltered area and re-warm yourself immediately - In moderate to severe cases of cold water hypothermia, you must seek medical attention. Cold blood trapped in your extremities can come rushing back to your heart after you begin to re-warm. The shock of the chilled blood may cause ventricular fibrillation leading to a heart attack and death!

What if someone else falls through and you are the only one around to help? First, call 911 for help. There is a good chance someone near you may be carrying a cell phone. Resist the urge to run up to the edge of the hole. This would most likely result in two victims in the water. Also, do not risk your life to attempt to save a pet or other animal.

Second Alarm Wayne County Fire Destroy’s Business & Apartments

Posted on October 25, 2019November 19, 2019

It was just before 4am on 10/25/19, Wayne County units along with Engine & Tanker 29 where dispatched to 1410 Lake Ariel Highway for a reported structure fire, additional reports came in of possible entrapment in the upstairs apartments. Engine & Tanker 29 responded to the scene. Crews from Engine 29 arrived on scene to find a working fire on the second and third floors of the structure with Lake Ariel firefighters performing an aggressive interior attack with multiple handlines to attempt to control the fire. Engine 29 was assigned Rapid Intervention Team duties while Tanker 29 assisted in the water shuttle operations. Engine 29 personnel controlled utilities and kept a close observation on the structure for deteriorating conditions while multiple crews operated inside. Engine 29 was later reassigned to supply Dunmore Ladder 6 for ladder pipe operations. Crews operated on scene for over 3 hours, until the fire was extinguished.

Late Afternoon Weekend Garage Fire

Posted on September 11, 2019September 28, 2019

On Sunday September 08, Station 29 along with other units on box 2902 where dispatched just before 6pm for a reported lawnmower fire, inside of a garage on Lake Spangenburg Road in Jefferson Township. First arriving units encountered a well-involved garage fire and went to quick work with handline advancement and fire extinguishment. The fire was quickly knocked down and the remainder of the incoming out of town units where returned to service by command. Units operated on scene for under one hour.

Overnight Wayne County Structure Fire

Posted on April 5, 2019April 8, 2019

Engine 29 & Tanker 29 where dispatched just before midnight on Thursday to respond into Wayne County on the 1st alarm assignment, to assist Lake Ariel Fire Company for a reported chimney fire on Miller Road. The first arriving Engine company from Lake Ariel arrived on scene to find a working residential structure fire. A quick aggressive attack by crews confined the fire to the exterior chimney chase and attic. Personnel from Engine 29 stood by in the Rapid Intervention Team duties and where later reassigned to assist with overhaul and ventilation. Crews remained on scene for over two hours performing an extensive overhaul to ensure total extinguishment of the double plank construction.

Engine & Rescue Operate on South Canaan Twp Structure Fire

Posted on March 31, 2019April 29, 2019

Pickup Truck Passenger Confined in Afternoon Interstate Crash

Posted on March 4, 2019April 29, 2019

Emergency crews where called out just after noon for a reported pickup truck vs tree with injuries, Interstate 84 Eastbound. Pennsylvania Ambulance ALS arrived on scene reporting heavy entrapment, requesting an additional ALS unit. Jefferson BLS and Rescue 29 soon arrived on scene to find the passenger, confined to the vehicle. Rescue crews went to work quickly removing the passengerside door with hydraulic rescue tools to create an extrication pathway. Both occupants where transported to the hospital by EMS. We would like to give a huge thank you to Penndot for their assistance, once again for helping to create a safety zone for personnel against traffic.

Tractor Trailer Rollover Snarls Interstate Traffic

Posted on February 18, 2019April 29, 2019

Rescue crews were dispatched by Lackawanna County 911 just after 12:15pm for for a reported two car MVA, vehicle rollover Interstate 84 at milemarker 7.2 westbound. Additional reports came in reporting a tractor trailer vs. car, tractor trailer rollover in Roaring Brook Township. Upon arrival of the first rescue company, Rescue 29, encountered a tractor trailer, hauling logs, lying on its side across the entire roadway, with the logs scattered around the scene. A passenger vehicle was also found to be involved. All occupants where self extricated and where tended to by EMS personnel. Rescue personnel went to work quickly containing fluids that where leaking and working to reopen the Interstate. Rescue Company 15 soon arrived and assisted with fluid control and containment. Firefighters remained on scene with the towing company during recovery efforts until the scene was clear. Two people where transported to the hospital. Great teamwork by all operating on scene to quickly get the interstate reopen. We would like to give a huge thank you to Penndot for assisting with traffic control.

2nd Alarm Roaring Brook Fire Destroys Home

Posted on October 17, 2018April 29, 2019

Crews where dispatched just before 9am this morning for a working structure fire, Stout Place, Roaring Brook Township. Additional reports received by the 911 center reported possible entrapment. Command 15 immediately upgraded the assignment to a second alarm, bringing in units from throughout and beyond the North Pocono area. Initial arriving units encountered a heavy fire load and attempted to make an aggressive interior attack but where quickly pulled out due to deteriorating conditions. Tanker 29 marked on scene and was directed by Chief 15 to act as the second primary attack engine due to the geographic location of the house and water shuttle difficulties. Three handlines where immediately put into operation off Tanker 29 to assist in extinguishment. Over the next 4 hours Tanker 29 pumped over 40,000 gallons of water onto the fire. Special thanks to our local Tastykake Representative for always ensuring firefighters don't whither away at a fire in Elmhurst/Roaring Brook. It was confirmed no one was home at the time the fire started. The home was totally destroyed.

Head-On Accident Sends Three to Trauma Center

Posted on October 7, 2018April 29, 2019

Rescue 29 was dispatched by Lackawanna County 911 just before 8am for a reported 2 car MVA with injuries and confinement, 1500 Mt Cobb Road, Jefferson Township. Chief & Car 29 marked on scene to find three patients, two confined to their vehicles. The incident was upgraded to an auto extrication assignment, on two vehicles, bringing in an additional Rescue out of Elmhurst/Roaring Brook Fire Company at the discretion of command. Commonwealth Health Critical Care Ground Unit was also requested to the scene. Rescue 29 marked on scene, splitting crews to attend to the two vehicles, each with a victim confined. Hydraulic Rescue Tools where utilized to gain access to the vehicles. Rescue 15 arrived on scene and assisted Rescue 29 personnel with dash displacement on the second vehicle. All occupants where extricated and transported by EMS to the local trauma center.

Rescuers Free Driver from Mangled Vehicle

Posted on September 17, 2018April 29, 2019

Station 29 was dispatched by Lackawanna County 911 for a reported MVA, truck vs tractor trailer, with heavy entrapment on Interstate 84, Mile Marker 9.7 westbound. Upon arrival of Rescue 29, a pickup truck was found into the rear of a tractor trailer in the travel lane of the highway, with the truck wedged under the back of the tractor trailer up to passenger compartment and driver of the pickup truck was entrapped. Crews immediately went to work stabilizing the pickup truck and gaining access to the passenger compartment. Due to the severity of entrapment and the criticalness of the patients condition, command requested a heavy duty tow truck to assist in lifting the tractor trailer off the vehicle and 2 additional Rescues from Elmhurst-Roaring Brook and also Moscow. Over the next 18 minutes crews utilized hydraulic spreaders, cutters and Rams to successfully remove the vehicle from around the patient. The patient was extricated and transported to a local trauma center by EMS. Rescue 7 was canceled prior to their arrival. Rescue & Engine 29 remained on scene with the Pennsylvania State Police while they completed their investigation and until the vehicles where removed. Interstate 84 westbound remained closed for approximately 2 hours.

We'd like to thank all who made this critical incident run smoothly. We'd also like to give a big thank you to Penndot for their assistance with traffic control and providing a crashtruck to help ensure our safety. Incidents like this are very infrequent but we can say our crews train for it and with an arrival time to extrication complete of 18 minutes, our times show!

The photos shown below are property of the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Company, usage of these photos without written permission, is strictly forbidden.

Multiple Weather Related Responses

Posted on August 14, 2018April 29, 2019

Throughout the last 24 hours, our volunteers have responded to over a dozen requests for our service. Requests ranging from traffic details and a fuel spill to pumping details up to several feet. While our number may be no where near the number of requests our brothers in the valleys have responded on, we did our best to prioritize and answer all requests as quick as possible. To those who saw us and tried to tip our volunteers and donate to us, our goal is to turn your contribution right back around and purchase additional equipment to help us serve you better during future severe weather. A big thank you also goes out to the Jefferson Township Police Department and Road Department for also assisting us with roadway incidents and also the Jefferson Township Supervisors for helping us late at night get the resources we needed. For those in our community facing damage, we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts.

Afternoon Residential Structure Fire

Posted on August 9, 2018April 29, 2019

Crews where dispatched just after 4:15pm today for a reported working structure fire at 20 Harkin's Lane, Jefferson Township. Engine 29 marked on scene, reporting a working fire with a heavy smoke condition bringing in additional companies part of the SRN assignment. Crews advanced one handline and made an aggressive knockdown on the fire. Rescue 29 arrived on scene, sending its crew to the interior of the structure to perform additional knockdown & extinguishment. Tanker 29 arrived on scene and established the water supply to Engine 29. Additional personnel from companies part of the first alarm assignment soon arrived on scene and advanced an additional handline to the roof and assisted with vertical ventilation and overhaul. The bulk of the fire was contained to the kitchen with some extension into the attic space. The rest of the home contained smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire was later determined by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal to be a faulty electrical outlet. No one was hurt in or operating at the fire but a cat did not survive.

Units on scene: Engine 29, Rescue 29, Tanker 29, Car 29, Brush 29, Tanker 15 & Engine 15 (Elmhurst-Roaring Brook), Tanker 7 (Moscow), Tanker 68 & Ladder (Maplewood), Engine 1-1 (Lake Ariel), Engine 67-5 (Hamlin), Car 56 & Tanker 56 (Madisonville), Rescue 25 & EMS 25-8 (Jessup), 29-8, Commonwealth Health EMS Rehab.

Busy 14-hour Stretch for Volunteers

Posted on July 17, 2018April 29, 2019

A busy day for the volunteers in Jefferson Township with 4 requests for our services within 14 hours.

Crews where dispatched Monday evening just after 10:30pm for a reported motor vehicle accident with injuries, Archbald Mountain Road. Rescue 29 responded and arrived on scene to find two vehicle involved, head-on impact. Crew provided scene safety and traffic control until an additional request for service came in just before 11:30pm, for an assist to Moscow Police, male patient down in the woods off Hamlin Highway. Rescue 29 was requested to the scene to aid in searching for the patient. Rescue 29 was cancelled enroute, patient was located prior to their arrival by Moscow PD. Later the next morning just before 09:15am, crews where dispatched for a reported vehicle fire, approx 20 feet from a residence. Tanker 29 responded to the scene and arrived to find the vehicle approximately 5 feet from a structure but luckily the homeowner had contained the fire with a fire extinguisher prior to fire department arrival. Firefighters performed overhaul, ensuring the fire had been extinguished before leaving the scene. Just a few hours later, just after 1:30pm, crews where again summoned for a reported motor vehicle accident, rollover, Hamlin Highway & Aberdeen Road. Rescue 29 provided scene safety and traffic control until being released by PSP.

Seatbelts Prevent Injury in Violent Interstate Crash

Posted on July 5, 2018April 29, 2019

A Dodge Challenger heading westbound on Interstate 84 tonight, went off the roadway into the median, striking the guardrail and rolling three times before coming to rest in the eastbound lanes. Crews where called out just before 3am tonight, originally for EMS only to assist PSP for a patient evaluation on a motor vehicle accident. EMS arrived on scene and reported a vehicle in the middle of the interstate with fluids down. Rescue was dispatched to the scene and arrived to find fluids down and debris all over the Interstate. Crews made quick work to contain the fluids and clear the debris from the Interstate while EMS obtained two patient refusals.

Units on scene: Rescue 29, 29-9 (EMS), Pennsylvania State Police

Driver Escapes Injury

Posted on June 19, 2018April 29, 2019

A pickup truck pulling a large trailer full of sheet metal on its way to Connecticut went off Interstate 84, into a wooded area, this morning. The driver, who barely missed hitting a large tree head-on, escaped without injury. Crews where dispatched just before 8am this morning for a reported tractor trailer off the Interstate, into a wooded area. EMS would mark on scene reporting a pickup truck off the interstate, driver confined to the vehicle. Rescue crews soon arrived on scene and make access to the driver.

Afternoon Structure Fire

Posted on June 14, 2018April 29, 2019

Crews where dispatched just a few hours before our annual Carnival on the Mountain was supposed to open for the evening, for a reported possible brush fire, caller can smell smoke in the area of Half Mile Road, Jefferson Township. Chief 29 marked enroute to the scene and arrived, transmitting a priority message, to report a working structure fire, detached garage on fire and several piles of tires and rubbish on fire with multiple exposure issues to vehicles. Lackawanna County 911 upgraded the box alarm to a structure box bringing in additional resources from outside of Jefferson Township. Engine 29 arrived on scene and quickly put two handlines into operation to knock down the fire. Tanker 68 was next to arrive on scene and setup water supply. A third handline was put into operation to bring the fire under control. Multiple other resources where utilized for overhaul.

Units on scene: Engine 29, Rescue 29, Tanker 29, Tanker 68, Ladder 68, Tanker 21, Tanker 15, Engine 15, Engine 1-1, Engine 67-5, Supply 56, Rescue 25, Ambulance 29-8, Ambulance 21-9, Commonwealth EMS Rehab.

Afternoon Accident Snarls Traffic & Injuries Three

Posted on June 6, 2018April 29, 2019

Wayne County Brush Fire Spreads to Structure

Posted on April 23, 2018April 29, 2019

Engine & Tanker 29 responded into Wayne County to assist Lake Ariel Fire Company on a brush fire that spread to a nearby vacant structure on Easton Turnpike.Engine 29, just clearing from a vehicle fire, was only minutes from the scene. arrival, crews assisted with overhaul and cleanup. Quick work by crews on scene contained the fire. Tanker 29 was cancelled enroute and returned to service.

Category Archives: Incidents