10.01.09 - 4th Alarm; 900 Mickley Run Apartments, Whitehall, PA

At 0850 Whitehall engines 1, 2, squrt 3, tower ladder 6 and chief 35 (Benner) respond to a report of "smoke in the building." On arrival, Chief 35 reports "smoke showing." A maintenance man reports a heater malfunction and that he turned it off, with that report, chief 35 signals all companies to "proceed with caution."

Engine 1 crew investigates the utility room on the 3rd floor balcony where the heater is located and finds moderate smoke but no fire. A firefighter goes down to the second floor apartment to investigate and finds heavy smoke and a bedroom and laundry room well-involved. A second alarm is struck and a line is stretched in.

A second line is stretched to the original 3rd floor apartment and firefighters find the apartment "flashed."

Chief 35 special-called more companies. The fire rapidly extended in the walls vertically and before firefighters knew it, the fire extended into the cockloft. Chief 35 special-called more companies.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• wfd
• KME
• squrt
• lehigh
• county
• tower
• ladder
• roof
• ops
• axe
• nozzle
• working
• fire
• whitehall
• news
• newsworking
• apartment
• fourth
• alarm

[MettaFireRescue]

At no time was a pre-planned alarm requested, only special requests (of which the first few were for stations to go on stand-by). In this video I see atleast 1 other Aerial piece (It was a Ladder that I think it said 'Catasauqua'), why wasnt it placed where the Squirt is, or atleast used to access the roof? Why wasnt the other Aerial piece in operation? The stablizers are out. Other Ladders/Towers requested, but I dont see them. Where are/were they? Thankfully, no one was hurt. STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

4:18 - What the F--K?! Jumping off the tip of a TeleSquirt onto a roof that has "fire running" it?! I listened to the communications of this "smoke in a building" call and it was a F-I-A-S-C-O from the moment 3501 arrived on-scene. Multiple, multiple dispatches continued as special calls for specific pieces. It wasn't until the final dispatch that the Disptcher took it upon herself to dispatch it as "an apartment building" fire. No chain of command was established: no accountability, no ops, etc

[MettaFireRescue]

Understood. As I mentioned, I was attacking him (Chief) or anyone else personally. I wasn't, obviously, there either, but I did hear all of the communications (via ProScan). I'm glad everyone made it home. When all is said and done, that's what matters most. STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

Originally it was a FREE program. I think there are some premium features you can subscribe to. Give a few moments and I'll send you a link to the download, OR to an online streaming version (which I use). STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

Completely understood. My comment(s) were'nt/aren't personal attacks. I understand that some take them personally, and I can appreciate that. As far as "the Chief", I haven't a clue who you're speaking of (3501?). I'm not condeming individuals, or the FD for that matter. Only actions. In any event, I appreciate your logical and calm response and explanation. STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

There's a program called "Pro-Scan" (there may not be a hyphen). STAYS AFE!

[Deputy3204]

how do u hear it if you live in Arizona?