QFC will be celebrating the 4th like everyone else.  Our day will start with Engine 91-1 and Rescue 91 headed to the Lebanon Boro 4th of July Parade.  The members of QFC wish all a safe and enjoyable holiday!!

The Franklin Twp Committee passed a resolution recently by a vote of 4-0 recognizing the QRU and setting forth a number of guidelines to improve emergency medical care to the residents as well as responder safety.  The resolution was crafted by citizen members of the QRU committee, the leadership of QFC and the leadership of QVEMS.  QFC would like to thank all our partners in this endeavor making our first-responder unit part of the "patients-first" approach.  This approach has been working in getting the best in patient care available to our customers.  Attached is the actual Resolution.

QFC would like to thank all who have be interested in the QRU program and we will continue to give you updates as warranted.

Around 22:30, Rescue 91 was dispatched on the 1st alarm on Box 41-92 (Milford) for a structure fire on Schick Rd in Alexandria Twp. The 6-man Rescue crew led by Lt Milcarek was assigned RIC. First-arriving units found a room and contents fire in the basement which had been knocked down by a ruptured water pipe.

Rescue 91, also, assisted in ventilation of the residence once the fire was deemed under control.  Chief 91 assumed the Operations role.  All units were available in 90 minutes.

Several months ago, leaders from 5 organizations involved in rescue started meeting to discuss ways for the companies to work better together in emergency situations.  The framework of these discussions centered around combined training, standard operating guidelines and becoming operational in all areas.  One of the first steps in the process was to learn about each others people and equipment and that took place recently at North Hunterdon High School.

The working group by which we identify ourselves is Metro Clinton Rescue Services which is made up of the Annandale Hose Co, Clinton First Aid and Rescue Squad, High Bridge Fire Department, Lebanon Fire Company and Quakertown Fire Co.  These proud organizations are seperate agencies but will work more closely together regardless of our main objective whether fire or EMS.   Wednesday night's truck accident is a prime example of the types of situations where our group can work together. 

In the past, fire companies would work with fire companies and rescue squads would work with rescue squads regardless of the distance and the rescources available.  This group is a large step forward in erasing that history and not allowing Pride to effect Performance.

Shortly after 23:00, QFC units were alerted to assist Clinton EMS/Rescue with a vehicle accident with entrapment on Rt 78 in Union Twp in the area of Exit 13.  While crews were repacking the Rescue from training, a request was received for a Tender to respond as well due to one of the trucks carrying Liquid Oxygen.

Rescue 91 (D/C Vallat), Squad 91 (Lt Milcarek) and Tender 91-2 (FF T Hyland) responded with 14 men and upon arrival went right to work assisting the Clinton Rescue crew.  The driver of the striking box truck was heavily trapped and took approximately 105 minutes to remove.  Units operating onscene during the rescue were Clinton Fire and EMS, Quakertown Fire, Flemington-Raritan Rescue, Lebanon Fire, and Annandale Fire.  The teamwork of all led to a successful outcome on a difficult rescue.  As soon as the rescue was completed, most units evacuated the area due to safety concerns. 

The next 6 hours were spent working the Haz Mat incident with a Command Post set-up at the Clinton Fire station.  Chief Patkochis had Operations, HSO Cortellesi had Accountablility and EMS Officer Dettra had Staging for the incident.  Thanks to Flemington Fire for covering our house during the overnight.

All Quakertown units were in quarters by 08:30 on Thursday morning. 

During the month of June, QFC volunteers have been busy training as a company and on their own.  On June 7th, members attended a "Everyone Goes Home" seminar and on the 15th, 23 firefighters worked a live burn at HCESTC.  This last training night was dedicated to Auto Extrciation with several scenarios run.

As individuals, the following people have accomplished these certs in June:

FAST Ops-FF/CFR Buch

Rope Ops-FF/EMT Marsh

Vehicle Rescue Ops-EMT Strange

Farmedic-EMT K. Hyland, FF/EMT P. Enea III, FF Godown, FF Cannan

QFC was busy on Tuesday evening answering 3 calls in about 90 minutes.  The first alarm was dispatched at 17:33 to Hunterdon Developmental Center in Union Twp for the van fire assisting Clinton Fire.  Engine 91-2 (Chief Patkochis) with 5 and Deputy 91 (D/C Vallat) responded and assisted the Clinton Engine Companies in extinguishing a stubborn fire.  Crews, also, worked to contain a gasoline leak from the vehicle.

At 17:45, Rescue 91 (FF Enea III) with 6 and Deputy 91 headed to a 2-car MVC with injuries at Rt 579 and Rt 625 in Alexandria Twp.  Pattenburg Fire was also on scene as the call was orginally dispatched in their area.  1 patient was transported to HMC by the Pattenburg-Clinton ambulance.

As the units were cleaning up in quarters, Engine 91-2 was dispatched to the A & P in the Town of Clinton for the structure fire.  Engine 91-2 (Patkochis) responded with 6 only to be cancelled by the quick-arriving Clinton units determining the fire to be a motor on a cooler.

Quakertown Volunteers kept busy on Saturday answering 3 calls in the district.  At 10:04, Engine 91-2 (Capt Schutts) with 5 and Chief 91 (Patkochis) investigated a fire alarm in Center City Quakertown.  Units found FOS (Food on the Stove) and vented the house.

At 13:15, the QRU was dispatched for an ALS call at the Hampton Inn along with Clinton EMS.  No assistance was need and the EMS crew returned to service.

Shortly after 20:00, Quakertown, Flemington (1 Eng and Tower), Kingwood (2 Tenders) and High Bridge (FAST) were sent to Old Franklin School Rd for an electrical fire in a residence.  The fire was contained to the area of orgin and the assignment was held to the Quakertown units and a BLS ambulance from Flemington-Raritan EMS.  8 QFC units responded with 24 volunteers with Deputy 91 (Vallat) having Command.

The last few days have been spent keeping busy in the community and spreading the word about the talents of QFC.  On Friday night, volunteers manned the dunk-tank at the Franklin Twp PTA Fun Fair.  The event was well attended and our members hit the water on a regular basis.

On Saturday, QFC once again competed in the Chili Cook-off at the Alexandria Twp Community Day.  After a few hours of dishing out our secret recipe to the residents, QFC came home with a 2nd-place award.  This is the highest finish in our 4 years of participation.  Congrads to Chef Crash and Dan on their award.

At 0733 hours, Engine 91-2 and Tender 91-2 were dispatched on the first alarm with Raritan Township Fire, Lebanon Boro (FAST), and Flemington-Raritan Rescue Squad for a structure fire on Rustic Trail.

Within 3 minutes, Deputy 91 (Vallat) was on scene reporting smoke inside the residence.  Engine 91-2 (Lt. Milcarek) with 5 and Tender 91-2 (Capt Schutts) arrived next and searched to locate the fire.  Engine 21-64, Squad 21, and Quint 21 arrived and crews worked together to locate the fire in a crawl space under the house.  A line was deployed from the engine and the fire was extinguished after using about 400 gallons of water.  The crews then overhauled, vented the house with PPV, and checked for extension. Deputy 91 had command and Deputy 21 (Petrella) had operations.

The North Hunterdon Senior Prom is Friday night and before heading off to the event our two attendees stopped in.  QFC FF T J Cannan and EMT Kate Hyland were on the way shortly to their next respective destinations but we got a few pictures.  QFC wishes all a safe and memorable Prom.

QFC boarded the rigs and headed up to Sky Manor Airport to review a wide range of aircraft that operate out of the community airport.  About 20 pilots were on hand to discuss operations and aircraft.  The second half of the morning was made up of QFC leadership discussing our actions during aircraft incidents and showing the equipment used.

A special thanks to Sky Manor Airport Restuarant for the breakfast and to Harry Parsons, Craig Johnston and all the pilots/plane owners for all their help in setting up this great training.  Members of the Bloomfield and Milford Fire units also joined QFC volunteers. 

Members gathered for a cook-out to celebrate the recent QFC graduates of Firefighter 1 and EMT.  The families of the graduates were invited to attend the evening as well as all company members. Diners enjoyed london broil, marinated chicken, sausage and all the fix-ins with an extensive desert arrangement.  A great evening of food and fellowship followed.

At 20:07, Box 91-07 Level 3 was transmitted for the train derailment at the Landsdown crossing in Franklin Twp.  The initial response brought QFC (Fire/QRU), Clinton Fire, Lebanon Fire, High Bridge Fire and Quakertown EMS to the pre-determined staging area at Hogback Rd and Doe Run.  Engine 91-2 with 4 men staged on Landsdown Rd and its crew walked into the area to find a train crew working on track maintenance.  At this point, the assignment was cancelled and units returned.  This was the exact call over 100 responders trained in a major exercise on April 19th.  7 QFC units responded with 27 volunteers turning out. 

Earlier in the day, Engine 91-2 and Deputy 91 responded to an appliance fire in the Town of Clinton. 

QFC is attempting to reach out to our community on an even more frequent basis.  QFC now has entered the world of Twitter and you can get status updates by joining our group.  We can be found at QuakertownFire on Twitter.