West Hazleton Fire Department

On Friday January 29th, 2021 at 9:28pm 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to 324 North 5th Street in West Hazleton for a reported residential structure fire. West Hazleton Police arrived on scene quickly to find a two and half story duplex with smoke showing. The residents were evacuated upon Police arrival. Engine 2 arrived and hit the hydrant at McNair Street/Boundary Street and laid a supply line to the scene. Crews found out the hydrant caps were frozen and had to use tank water for the initial hit.

183 Truck arrived and took placement at the front of the structure with 183 Engine 1 hooking to supply 183 Engine 2 with tank water. Interior crews reported fire between the floor of division one and two towards the back of the building. Greater Hazleton Ambulance was then requested for rehab.

183 Chief arrived and took North 5th Street command. Command requested Hazleton City Engine 2 to reverse lay a supply line from 183 Engine 1 to a hydrant at Tamarack Street/5th Street. Hazle Township Fire was requested for a Truck and Engine to the scene. Hazle Township and Hazleton City crews arrived and rotated in for fire suppression and overhaul. Hazleton City Engine 4 was then requested by command to stand at a hydrant at Allen Street/Jefferson Ave in case an additional water supply was needed. With an aggressive interior attack, the fire was held to the back of the building.

Sugarloaf and Valley Regional were then requested for manpower to assist. Sugarloaf Rescue along with Valley Regional Rescue 1 & 2 arrived and manpower assisted in overhaul. An investigation into the cause of the fire determined it was electrical in nature. The temperature at the time of dispatch was 13 degrees with a wind chill of near 0. Crews had to fight icy conditions along with frozen hydrants during the initial attack. The building sustained moderate fire and smoke damage. West Hazleton Streets Department, PennDot, PPL, and UGI all assisted.

Photos from Bill Barr

This morning at 2:43am 183 Station was dispatched for Fire Police to respond to 564 Seybert Street in Hazleton to assist Hazleton Fire Department with a working structure fire. Fire Police responded and assisted on scene. 183 Station was then placed on auto dispatch by Hazleton City Chief for all calls in Hazleton City. Crews stood-by at station for several hours with Engine 2 and the Ladder staffed until released by Hazleton City Chief. A huge thank you goes out to all 183 members for responding to either the station to staff apparatus or to the scene to assist Fire Police with traffic control. Photo credit to Tim Mumie

Last evening around 6:55pm 183 Station was dispatched to assist Pennsylvania State Police on Interstate 81 Mile-Marker 145 for a truck that lost its contents. Engine 2, Rescue 1, and 183 CAR arrived to find debris all over both lanes of the interstate. Crews shut down the passing lane and remained on scene until PennDOT arrived to clean up the interstate.

WHFD had the great honor of working with other units from Luzerne County and US Secret Service for yesterday’s First Lady Protection Detail. A great operation that exceeded expectations of even the Secret Service due to quickly factoring our surroundings, incorporating multiple what if scenarios, including redundant systems, setting up the equipment, as well as being prepared to transition to Mass Decon after our responsibilities to the First Lady were finished. Our specialized crew operated in the fashion that it should. Self contained, but integrated with the incident command structure for the event. This operation could not have been carried out without all members of our department, as first and foremost is the protection of our residents. Your firefighters always give their all and it’s all needed to make each operation successful. Special thanks to Hobbie Fire/EMS, Mocanaqua Fire, Luzerne County EMA, Wyoming County EMA, PA Squad 1 and the many agencies involved behind the scenes that made this a well executed event.

Also, a huge thank you to the remaining members of the department that stayed back in the first due to cover any possible calls for service and to keep a duty crew in station.

183 Engine 2, Engine 1, and Rescue Respond to Motor Vehicle Accident with Multiple Injuries Around dinner time this evening 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to East Broad Street between 4th and 5th Street in West Hazleton for a motor vehicle accident. Engine 2 quickly arrived to find two vehicle hit head-on with heavy front-end damage and fluids down. Crews requested a second Medic 11 units with a total of four patients. Crews tended to the injured and controlled fluids. Fire Police shut down East Broad Street in both directions. Rescue 1 and Engine 1 then arrived and assisted crews. Medic 11 transported four total patients to Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton. West Hazleton Police were on scene to investigate the cause of the accident.

As crews were clearing Bloomsburg Medic 91 was dispatched to Pizza Hut in West Hazleton for a male unresponsive in a vehicle. Engine 2 cleared the MVA and responded. Medic 11 quickly cleared the hospital and responded. Crews assisted Medic 11 who then transported the male to Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton.

Had an AWESOME day with PSP Hazleton, West Hazleton Police, Sugarloaf Township Police, Lehigh Valley Health Network EMS, and Hazle Township Fire & Rescue meeting ghouls, aliens, firefighters and so many more great costumes. We even spotted a mini Trooper looking through his basket of treats for some mini donuts. PSP TRUNK OR TREAT

Engine 2, Rescue 1, and Car respond to Motor Vehicle Accident with Reported Entrapment On Monday October 19th, 2020 at 7:32pm 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to North Broad Street/Washington Ave in West Hazleton for a reported two car motor vehicle accident with reported entrapment. Engine 2, Rescue 1, and Car 1 hit the street upon dispatch and arrived to find two cars with heavy front-end damage with no entrapment. Fire Police arrived and quickly set up a detour around the accident scene. Medic 11 arrived and assessed two patients who refused treatment. Crews cleaned up fluids and debris from the vehicles. While Fire Police detoured traffic a vehicle pulled up with a female suffering a medical emergency. Medic 11 quickly arrived with and with assistance from fire crews treated and transported the female to Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton. West Hazleton Police along with Hazleton Police were on scene conducting an investigation.

Structure Fire Results in Three Injuries, Two Transported to Local Hospital On Tuesday October 6th, 2020 at 6:41pm 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to 118 East Green Street in West Hazleton for a reported structure fire. Luzerne County Communications Center quickly advised responding units that there were multiple reports of an explosion and then a working fire. Crews arrived on scene to find the single residential dwelling with fire to the rear. Crews used one line to extinguish the fire as other crews searched the building. No one was located in the building and the fire was quickly extinguished within twenty minutes holding the fire to the rear porch. The rest of the dwelling suffered heavy smoke damage. Three people including a male working on the home at the time suffered injuries. The homeowner suffered burns to his hands, a head injury, and smoke inhalation as a result of attempting to extinguish the fire. Two other neighbors suffered smoke inhalation from attempting to help the homeowner. The homeowner and one neighbor were transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton by Medic 11. Sugarloaf Ambulance responded and stood-by on scene. West Hazleton Police Department along with the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal conducted a cause investigation and determined it to be accidental in nature. The West Hazleton Fire Company would like to thank the Greater Hazleton Ambulance and neighbors for their donations of water to the firefighters battling the blaze. The condition of both victims is unknown at this time.

At 2:49pm 183 Station, Sugarloaf BLS, and Valley Regional Medic 26 were dispatched to the area of Susquehanna Boulevard/22nd Street in West Hazleton for a motor vehicle accident. Engine 2 hit the street upon dispatch and arrived to find two cars with heavy damage and one patient trapped in the vehicle. Tones were sent for the Rescue Company to respond. Medevac was briefly placed on stand-by at the request of EMS but then released. Rescue 1 and Car 1 arrived quickly after the request and crews worked to gain access to the patient. Crews were able to remove the patient within ten minutes of arrival and Sugarloaf Ambulance along with Medic 26 transported the patient to Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton. West Hazleton Police and West Hazleton Fire Police were also on scene to assist.

This is a reminder to all drivers to slow down and pay attention to ALL road laws.

This morning at 8:47am 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to Applebee’s in West Hazleton for a commercial structure fire. Engine 2 hit the street upon dispatch and arrived to find nothing showing. Engine 1 arrived and was ready for a reverse lay. Truck 1 arrived and took placement to the roof. Crews split into interior and roof crews. Crews found a burning odor from the HVAC unit. Roof crews secured power to the unit. It was determined the motor in the unit malfunctioned. The HVAC repair company arrived and started repairs to the unit. Medic 11 stood-by until released by command. Applebee’s should be open normal business hours today.

Prior to our night of raffles, Engine 2, Car 1, Fire Police along with West Hazleton Police Department were dispatched on a wires down call with energized lines wrapped around a tractor trailer.

Crews blocked off the area, assessed the scene and directed traffic until the lines were cut by PPL.

On Thursday August 13th at 1656 hours 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to the rear of 135 West Cranberry Avenue in West Hazleton for a vehicle vs. house accident with a major gas leak. Engine 2 arrived and found a SUV that sheared off three (3) gas meters. Engine 2 secured its own water supply and set up a blitzfire line for vapor dispersion.

Engine 1 arrived and secured a second water supply if needed. Truck 1 arrived and crews evacuated nearby residents as UGI was requested. Fire Police shut down traffic in the area. Once UGI arrived the gas was shut off and crews metered the houses in the area to check for any remaining gas. No readings were found and residents were allowed back inside.

There were no injuries to report. West Hazleton Police Department was on scene to conduct a crash investigation. Medic 11, Sugarloaf Police Department, and Hazleton City Police Department were on scene to assist as well. Photo credit to Scott Herring and David Butcher.

As always we remind the public, when there is fire hose in the street please do not attempt to drive over it, while Engine 1 was laying its supply line from the hydrant to the scene there was quite a few close calls due to drivers not paying attention. When approaching an emergency scene or emergency vehicle please pay attention and listen to directions given by Firefighters, Fire Police, or Police Officers.

On Wednesday August 12th, 2020 at 1:46pm 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to the area of T N T Auto Sale on Susquehanna Boulevard in West Hazleton for a single car motor vehicle accident. Car 1, Engine 2, and Rescue 1 arrived to find the vehicle in the roadway with heavy damage.

Crews attended to the injured driver until Medic 11 arrived. The female driver was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton then later taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar-Crest for further treatment. The female driver later succumbed to her injuries the following day.

Fire Police diverted traffic away from the scene as crews then cleaned up fluids and debris from the accident scene. West Hazleton Police Department was on scene and is conducting an investigation.

This evening Engine’s 1 & 2 along with Medic 11 and Pennsylvania State Police responded to Interstate 81 Southbound Mile-Marker 145.1 for a reported vehicle fire. Crews arrived on scene to find an overheated vehicle. All units cleared the scene once a tow truck arrived.

REMEMBER YOU MUST MOVE OVER AND GIVE EMERGENCY CREWS A LANE TO WORK IN!!

Around 3:25pm 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to the area of Valley High Ice Cream for a motor vehicle accident with possible entrapment and injuries. Engine 2 arrived to find 3 vehicles in the roadway with heavy damage.

Crews determined there was 1 injury and no entrapment. Rescue 1 arrived and assisted Fire Police with blocking Susquehanna Boulevard in both directions. Medic 11 transported one patient to the hospital. West Hazleton Police were on scene conducting a crash investigation.

Around 6:45pm West Hazleton Police got a walk-in reporting a fire at 117 East Broad Street in West Hazleton. Luzerne County Communications Center was reviving multiple calls at the same time for a fire at the residence.

Engine 2 hit the street upon dispatch and arrived to find a 2 1/2 story duplex with heavy fire on the D side of the building leading to the second floor apartment. Crews stretched an attack line to the apartment.

Truck 1 took placement behind Engine 2 and did a primary search. Engine 1 hit a hydrant and secured a second water supply if needed.

City crews arrived and Truck 1 took the address. City crews along with additional crews from the second alarm assisted in fire suppression.

Due to an exposure issue and hot weather conditions a second alarm was requested which brought units from Hazleton, Hazle Township, McAdoo, Sugarloaf, and Valley Regional.

Fire Police, Sugarloaf PD, West Hazleton PD, Medic 11 and Greater Hazleton EMS provided assistance as well.

The State Police Fire Marshal conducted an investigation with the West Hazleton Fire Department and Police Department. The fire appears to be electrical in nature.

The West Hazleton Fire Department would like to thank the community for their support and donations of water and ice during the fire. Fire crews were met with oppressive temperatures when the fire broke out. The forecast temperature at the time the fire broke out was 91 degrees.

Photos from Fire and Film, Shenandoah Sentinel, & Scott Herring

The Officers and Members of the West Hazleton Fire Department send our condolences to the family, friends of Hobbie Fire Chief Robert Reader. Thank you for being a great inspiration to the fire service

Around 1628 hours 183 Station and Medic 11 were dispatched to 504 North Street in West Hazleton for a reported structure fire. Engine 2 and Car 1 hit the street upon dispatch and arrived to find a double block home with smoke showing from the second floor.

Crews went inside and found a kitchen fire. Crews hit the stove area with a water extinguisher to extinguish the fire. Truck 1 arrived and crews split doing ventilation and opening up the walls to ensure the fire was out. Once the building was ventilated all units cleared the scene.