ON THE FRONT LINES: FIREFIGHTER MIKE ARNDT

Tuesday August 5th 2014 Emmaus Firefighter and Wildland Firefighter Mike Arndt is leaving for a wild land deployment along with other firefighters from the east coast to assist with fires on the West Coast.  The most likely target for this group heading out west will be California where multiple wild fires are burning out of control destroying property and threatening lives.  This is the 2nd time in past years that Firefighter Arndt has gone out west to fight fires and he says although he is ready to go he still is nervous about it.

On Monday after finding out about his deployment we took the opportunity to ask Mike a few question about heading west, and we will be keeping up to date post as we get information from him on the front lines of this battle.  The first and foremost thing we wanted to find out from him was his feelings on heading out to fight these fires and this is what he had to say: "It's and adventure, it's an awesome experience, it's crazy sometimes, it's scary when you think about those that have died doing what you are doing and knowing there's a possibility, it's small but its there."  The next thing we wanted to know was what is the difference between fighting these fires out west compared to here in the Lehigh Valley: "One of the biggest things is the humidity, it's so dry out west, then when you have a thunderstorm a lot the time it doesn't rain, so the lightning strikes cause a lot of fires.  Here in PA it's most of the time wet and moisture in the fuels are too high, meaning it's just to wet."

Lastly knowing that he has been on a deployment before we wanted to know what it is like to be ON THE FRONT LINES: "Its like camping, because we live in tents most of the time for the duration of the 14 day work period, but instead of going out and having fun playing games and going for hikes for fun, we go for hikes just to get to where we are going, which can take hours and then we go to work. Sometimes not being able to shower for days, or a week because you might be on a spike camp, which is a small camp closer to the division your working in.  Helicopters and airplanes buzzing right over your head making water and retardant drops, pretty crazy if you really sit back and think about it."  

Keep following us on Facebook as we keep track of Firefighter Arndt's deployment out west and once he returns watch for a full followup with him, and from everyone at NVP Good luck and Keep Safe.

SUV Crashes Into Allentown Boston Market Injuring 1

Early Tuesday Evening as the dinner rush is winding down people inside the Boston Market on Cedar Crest Blvd in Allentown got quite a surprise when an SUV driven by an elderly male crashed through the front window. One customer inside the restaurant was injured after the vehicle clipped close to her and set glass flying her direction, she was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Crews remained on location waiting for a building inspector and board up crews for after the vehicle was removed, Police are investigating if alcohol had a part in the crash.......

Retired Allentown Firefighters Home Damaged in Multi-Alarm Fire - 6.19.14

Around noon time Friday East Allen Twp. Fire Department and surrounding departments were alerted to a structure fire on Bullshead Rd. Crews arrived to find heavy fire from the 2nd floor of a single family dwelling. Command started calling in additional companies to assist with battling the flames which spread up into the attic of the home. It took crews a couple hours to bring the fire under control which was heavily damaged on the upper floors. The home owner is a retired Allentown Firefighter everyone at NVP wishes our brother luck as his family recovers from the fire.....

Check out Facebook Page for Complete Photo Album .

Phillipsburg Fire Battles Well Involved House Fire

Around 1930 hrs Tuesday Night Alert Hook & Ladder Co. 1 'Phillipsburg Fire' and Phillipsburg Emergency Squad were dispatched to the unit block of Sitgreaves street for a reported house fire. Crews arrived on location with heavy fire showing from the 2nd floor of a 2.5 Story Dwelling. Crews went right into a blitz attack making a quick knock on the main body of fire, however flames managed to extend to the roof and top floor of the residence. Crews went into a defensive attack at the fire burned through the roof putting a tower ladder and several hand lines in service. Crews remained on location through the evening to make sure all fire was knocked and for the investigation.

Check our FaceBook Page for a Full Photo Album from the Fire

Allentown Firefighters Battle Memorial Day 2nd Alarm Commercial Structure Fire

Late Memorial Day afternoon Allentown Firefighters are dispatched to the 1300 Block of Irving Street for a reported structure fire. Engine 13 arrives first due and reports the working fire with heavy smoke showing from the building. Chief 43 arrives on location and calls for the 2nd alarm with conditions quickly deteriorating. After multiple attempts to make an interior attack on the fire crews were forced to evacuate as flames broke through the roof. Crews put multiple master streams including a tower ladder and Engine 11 ladder pipe into service along with several hand lines. Crews would battle the fire for a couple hours before finally placing it under control, there was one firefighter with minor injuries and the fire is under investigation....

 

Check our Facebook Page for a Full Photo Album of this Incident - Photo Album

 

 

Multiple Fatalities in Berks County Crash and Fire

Mid Afternoon on Monday Crews from Berks and Lehigh Counties were dispatched to I78 Eastbound in Greenwhich Twp for a report of an accident with fire. When crews arrived they had a Tractor Trailer and two passenger vehicles fully involved with at least two other vehicles involved in the crash. Crews worked to extinguish the intense fire and tend to victims of the crash. Initial reports are at least 3 fatalities in the 5 vehicle crash and I78 will be shut down for several hours for the investigation and cleanup.....

Bath Fire Stretches on Stubborn Dwelling Fire

Early Monday morning Bath Firefighters are dispatched to 28 Chestnut St for a house fire, crews arrived to heavy smoke pushing from the home and struck a full 1st alarm. Multiple lines are stretched into the home as crews worked to locate the body of fire which appeared to have started in the basement. Additional engine companies were special called for additional manpower as the fight progressed fire started to show on all levels of the home. Crews evacuated the building twice as conditions deteriorated inside. The smoky fire took several hours to bring under control and crews would remain on location most of the day...