Winter time is the most dangerous of times for carbon monoxide issues as homes are closed up to keep out the cold weather and many older homes do not have the proper air exchange to minimize the CO levels. On top of that, some homewowners often supplement their heating system with heaters meant for outdoor use without proper ventilation. If you do not currently have carbon monoxide detectors in your home, please consider doing so this winter. They are inexpensive, easy to install and can easily save your life. For any Further Question's or more Information Contact Our Station at (570)455 - 3696

Earlier Today Crew's Handled High Level's of Carbon Monoxide. When Engine- 1 arrived on location Crew's found Dangerous Levels on Second and third Floor of Resident's , Crew's quickly ventilated Resident's , Engine - 1 , Chief - 3 remained on location with UGI until Levels were safely brought down.

Engine Co. Responded earlier this Morning to a 2 Car Crash with Injuries. West Hazleton C-3 and Engine-1 arrived on location and found two vehicles parked on the side of the roadway minor injuries were reported. Crew's remained on location for a short time following crash to assist with Traffic.

Story Written as Printed in Standard Speaker Newspaper ERIC CONOVER/Staff Photographer Dennis P. Ganc, Jr., left, the new West Hazleton Fire Department chiefm presents a rocking chair to retired chief Robert J. Ward on Sunday at the station as part of installation of officers. Dennis Ganc Jr. new fire chief in West Hazleton BY AMANDA CHRISTMAN (STAFF WRITER) Published: January 9, 2012 West Hazleton Fire Department wished a department fixture chief well in retirement and welcomed its new top firefighter Sunday night. Chief Dennis P. Ganc Jr. officially took over as chief of the local fire-fighting institution on Jan. 1, replacing Robert Ward, who served the department for 27 years. Ganc, who will run the department in the unpaid position, said the department will undergo some changes in the new year. West Hazleton, he said, will be functioning heavily on a volunteer basis, though the station will be staffed by paid firefighters during the week as well. Ganc said the chiefs of the department will start on a rotating schedule that will dictate who is in charge of emergencies on a weekly basis. Due to the department being staffed heavily with volunteers, it will hold several fundraisers throughout the year. Ganc said the change in leadership went smoothly because of Ward's contributions, and he promises to continue to honor Ward by seeing projects he started come to completion. He said one of those is a grant Ward applied for to acquire a new ladder. Ganc said the department is eagerly awaiting to hear if it was awarded the funding. "We definitely have big shoes to fill," Ganc said. Ganc first met Ward when he joined the department in 2001 when he was about 29 years old. He was taught how to be a firefighter by Ward. Nathan Sepnefski, senior firefighter, trustee and sergeant at arms, said he met Ward when he joined the department in 2005 to serve his community. Ganc and Sepnefski both took time out of their officers' meeting to talk about how Ward shaped their lives and the department. Ganc said Ward put his heart and soul into the department and taking on the role of chief after him is an honor. For Ward's years of service he was given the title of chief emeritus. Ganc also handed Ward the white chief's hat with red lettering that he wore for 27 years. But the department's nod to Ward's service didn't stop there, as he was presented a special gift to enjoy in his retirement - a wooden rocking chair. A plaque on the chair wished Ward well from the officers and members of the fire department and thanked him for his service. Ward laughed and smiled as the chair was brought into the department's meeting room in the borough building Sunday. Ward joked with the members about the gift, but was quick to sincerely thank his firefighters for the work they had done under his leadership. "The chief is only the driver. It's the guys behind him that make us look good," said Ward as he sat down in his chair for the first time, letting out an exaggerated sigh to the chuckle of the firefighters. Ward will continue to volunteer with the department and holds the title of treasurer, but said he is closing one chapter of his life and opening another with his retirement. Though he will continue to teach firefighting, he said he will enjoy leisure time without the stress that comes with being the chief during a time in which serious emergency calls are on the rise. The department, Ganc said, has members that are young and ready to learn new things. The members are also dedicated to serving the community well, he said. West Hazleton, like many other volunteer departments is always looking for new membership. Ganc said those interested don't necessarily have to fight fires but can join the department in other capacities, such as for organizing fundraisers. achristman@standardspeaker.com

From the Officers and Memebers of the  West  Hazleton  Fire  Company  # 1 we  want  to  wish  everyone a  happy, safe  and  prosperous New  Year !!!!!

The Officers and Members of the West Hazleton Fire Company are deeply saddened by the allegations brought to light surrounding fire company member Patrick Ward. However, we want to be very clear that as a Company of dedicated members who have pledged an oath to protect and serve the citizens of the Borough of West Hazleton, we in no way condone conduct of... this kind by ANY member of this Fire Company. We take these allegations very seriously and will pursue the appropriate and necessary actions in the near future.

We want to assure the citizens of West Hazleton that their safety and security is our foremost concern and that we will continue to serve this community as we have for the past 123 years.

Recently  The  Officers and Memebers of the  West Hazleton  Fire Company  had the  opportunity  to  stop  by  at  Pixie  Paradise during teh  Month of  October for  Fire Prevention show. Joining  the members  were  stars in their own  right  two  of  our  favorite Characters  from  Sesame  Street were  BERT  and  ERNIE.

They  Taught  the  class the  imprtance of stop  drop and  roll  and  also   they  introduced  Mr  Smoke  Alarm who  showed how that his  piercing sound would  wake you  up  to get out in  case of a  emergency.

Everyone is  asked to  check  their  smoke  alrams  and make s ure they a re  working properly and  also  if they have a  CO detector to make sure that  to  is  working  with    the  cold  weather  approaching.

The members of  West  Hazleton  Fire Company  joined fire  Companies  from  around  Hazleton and  Luzerne  County   honoring those who  have  paid the ultimate  sacrafice  on that  tragic  day on  September 11, 2001.

This  weekend  events  began  with a  tribute  to   the  Hometown  Heros preceding the  Hazleton Area vs  Williamsport Football match on  Saturday  evening.

Sunday  began  with the  Annual   Memorial  Mass held  at  Holy  Rosary Church in  Hazleton. Ending the days  activity  on  Sunday   the  group  Marched  as one   unified  force in the  Funfest  Parade.

THE  WEST  HAZLETON  FIRE  COMPANY REGRETFULLY  ANNOUNCES THE  GUN RAFFLE AND  SPAGHETTI  DINNER FOR  SPETEMBER 25TH 2011, HAS  BEEN  CANCELED . ANYONE THAT HAS  PURCHASED A  TICKET WILL BE  CONTACTED IN THE VERY  NEAR  FUTURE BY  FIRE COMPANY PERSONNEL AND ISSUED A  REFUND OF THEIR PURCHASED TICKET.

The cause a fire that damaged two double homes on West Green Street in West Hazleton Saturday night is under investigation by the West Hazleton Fire Department and Pennsylvania State Police.

West Hazleton Fire Chief Robert Ward and a state police fire marshal were at the scene of the fire Sunday. Ward said they were in the process of contacting homeowners to get permission to be inside the homes. At that point, they’d be able to make a determination as to how the fire started.

Ward confirmed that the fire began on the second floor of 309 W. Green Street. No one was home when the fire started.

The home is occupied by Maria Guzman and her son, Sammy Sanchez, and is owned by Rosa Guzman of West Hazleton.

“The family was in New York and came home today,” Ward said.

Firefighters from West Hazleton and Hazle Township battled the intense fire that damaged a pair of double homes along West Green Street in West Hazleton, working late into the night to extinguish flames that damaged the second and third floors at 309-311 and 305-307 West Green St.

By 10:30 p.m., they were addressing hot spots on the 305 side of the second structure, having extinguished the fire on the 307 side and in the 309-311 structure. The 311 home was unoccupied at the time and is owned by Mary Beazzo, who is currently a guest at a local nursing facility.

Firefighters responded at about 9:25 and made quick work of flames that were coming from the upper side windows of the 311 home. Firefighters remained on scene to address hot spots.

The flames appeared to have jumped from the roof of 309-311 and damaged vinyl siding and the gutter on the 307 side of the neighboring property.

All damage to the homes should be repairable, according to Ward.

At least three borough fire engines and a ladder and pumper from the township blocked West Green Street near Samborowski Street. An American Patient Transport Systems ambulance was stationed near the intersection, facing east along Samborowski Street.

North Street resident Daisy Serrano and her father, Bobby, said they spotted the blaze while walking home from the store.

Daisy said she dialed 911 while her father knocked on the doors at 309-311 to try to get the attention of any occupants inside.

"It started burning my eyes," Daisy said of the smoke. "He (Bobby) was knocking on the doors and I was on the phone dialing 911, trying to give police an address."

Initial reports that people may have been trapped inside one of the homes were inaccurate.

 This  aricle  was  copied from the  standard  speaker  newspaper credit to Jill Whalen, staff writer, contributed to this report



 

A combination of swimming pool cleaning chemicals poured into a bucket in a West Hazleton home Saturday afternoon created a chemical vapor reaction that sent at least three people to a hospital for treatment.

West Hazleton fire Lt. Shawn Evans said a woman and her 13-year-old daughter were inside the home at 202 W. Green St. when two "pop" noises came from the bucket and vapors started filling the home, harming both of them.

The woman's husband, who is a trained firefighter, was outside at the time with their two 13-year-old sons and ran inside to save his wife and daughter. Evans said once he got them outside, one of the boys grabbed a garden hose and sprayed the three of them with water to decontaminate them while firefighters and ambulances were en route, Evans said.

He praised the father's and son's quick thinking.

Evans said an ambulance crew arrived at the home first and tended to the girl and her parents, who appeared to be suffering from respiratory problems.

The chemical fumes could be smelled a half-block away, Evans said. People attending a wedding at nearby Holy Name of Jesus Parish at Transfiguration Church were asked to stay inside until the services were over, and then to leave through a side door to avoid the fumes.

The parish's annual festival also was going on in the church's parking lot. Evans said the wedding and picnic guests were not at risk.

A neighbor was asked to close windows and doors as a precaution.

Firefighters ventilated the home from the fumes and removed items that were inside the kitchen. Once the home was free of the toxic vapors by about 5 p.m., firefighters were released.

Evans said as the home was ventilated the vapors were released into the air, diluting their toxicity and not putting anyone else at risk. Two dogs that Evans believes were outside of the home during the incident were taken to a shed for safety but two family cats were unable to be found, he said.

West Hazleton's hazardous materials unit was sent to the scene to decontaminate anyone who came in contact with the house. Evans said the fire department was in contact with the Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency during the incident, though its presence wasn't required.

Firefighters from Harwood APTS, West HAzleton  EMSand Hazle Township also responded.

This  story  was  copied  from the Hazleton Standard  Speaker as  reported  by  Staff  writer  Amanda  Christman

Children for the NEC group recently  visited our station for what they  described  was a  awesome visit. Members of the  Fire Prevention team  greeted the  guests  at  the  parking lot  and  began  the  tour of the  fire station in the meeting  room  to tell the story of how the  fire company began.

The  children  both young and  old could not stop starring  around at the  collection of memorabilia and  trophies that  line the  room. The  tour Moved on  to the  apparatus  bay   and  that  is where the  groups understood the  importance of each  piece of  equipment.

The Kids  also  got  to  experience the Safety  trailer and  learned  what  to do  in their home to  prevent  fires and in the  event of  one  how to  get  out  and meet  at a  designated  spot.

Also  The kids  got a  chance  of  flowing  water , watching a  ladder  climbing  demonstration , also  on  hand  were  personnel  from  APTS to  show the  medical  side of  our  service..

Fire ripped through a West Hazleton apartment building Monday evening, displacing three families and sending two women to a local hospital for treatment.West Hazleton Fire Chief Robert Ward said a West Hazleton police officer alerted emergency responders to the fire at 101 W. Clay Ave.

Firefighters arrived at the scene of the 8:11 p.m. fire in a three-story brick apartment building at the intersection of Clay Avenue and South Broad Street to find a bed in a second-story bedroom engulfed in flames, Ward said.The fire spread quickly, inflicting heavy damage to the bedroom and an interior hallway before firefighters brought the fire under control, Ward said.

"It was a joint response by West Hazleton and Hazle Township," Ward said.Emergency responders from Sugarloaf Township, McAdoo and state police also responded.

When he spoke to a reporter at the scene, Ward said he had not yet questioned the members of the three families that lived in the apartment building and did not have their names immediately available.

Hazle Township firefighter Bill Gallagher said two women were transported from the scene by ambulance to Hazleton General Hospital. Gallagher said the women did not appear to be seriously injured, but emotionally shaken by the events.

Ana Polanco and her husband, Alberto, own three apartments in the same building. The Polanco apartments are on the West Branch Street side of the building at 122, 124 and 126 S. Broad St. The Polanco properties did not appear to sustain fire damage.Polanco said she and her family live at 122 S. Broad and rent their two other apartments to families.

Polanco said she was in her apartment with her family when a police officer knocked on her door and said, "Get out. There's a fire. Get out."

She told her husband and two children to get out of the building quickly, then knocked on neighboring doors, including those of her tenants, with the police alerting neighbors to get out. She was grateful her family and tenants escaped unhurt."They are doing a good job," she said of the firefighters.


 

The Chefs at  West Hazleton  Fire  Company again  were asked for their  culinary  talent  at a  recent   car show  held  at the Laurel  Mall which  was  sponsored by  Volunteers of Loving  Care Organization. It was their  second  car  show  but the  first  for the  members of  West  Hazleton to  attend.