Just before 14:00hrs, Sta. 51, KM7, KM5 and Trooper 4 were alerted of an MVC with rollover at 5278 Halltown Rd. Shortly after A-51 with 4 and 51-3 with 2 under the command of Capt. J. Norris went responding, while en-route Command 51 with Chief R. Morris were advised by Kent Center of a single vehicle MVC with rollover and a reported subject trapped. Command 51 arrived shortly after and instructed 51-3's crew to stabilize the vehicle and remove the roof. The crew from A-51 provided patient care while crews preformed a roof flap to extricate the patient. 51-6 arrived, and its crew assisted 51-3's crew with extrication. Extrication was completed in about 10 minutes. Trooper medics were canceled by km7, and the patient was transported to KGH. The scene was placed under control, all units cleared shortly after.

Story By: Mike Moriarty
Photos By: Frank Ballek Sr. and Jeff Hawkins

Family & friends, games, good eats, big bellies, afternoon naps and of course FOOTBALL are all things we look forward to every year come time for Thanksgiving as it kick starts the Holiday Season.  It has been documented that the first Thanksgiving in 1610 lasted for three days; enough time to feed all of the Pilgrams and Indians, and give thanks to God for a successful journey and productive harvest. It has also been documented that fires in the home are three times more likely to occur during Thanksgiving. 

All interesting facts aside, while Thanksgiving is a time of enjoying (or trying to enjoy) each others company and giving thanks, it is also a time of distractions, carelessness, and for an estimated 2,000, a time of loss. Please take a few moments before Thursday, November 24th, to read some material on how to keep Turkey Day safe.

Hartly's Volunteers have provided you with a couple of links below to assist you with keeping your home and family safe this Thanksgiving. You will also find a link for the US Fire Administration's "Put a Freeze on Winter Fires" which will provide you with information on cooking fires, decorations, candles, heating units, winter storms, carbon monoxide, etc. that could be useful throughout the winter.

So from our family to yours, Enjoy your Holiday Season and as always Please Be Safe!

As Daylight Savings Time Approaches, do not forget to test your smoke detectors and change the batteries if they are a year old. While you are testing your detectors, it also helps to vacuum/dust them out as well. 

Detectors, if operating properly, increase your chance in surviving a deadly fire in your residence. So be sure to test your detectors (aim for once a month), change the batteries, and create and escape plan and meeting place for your home.

Hartly's Volunteers were alerted just before 8 am to assist Marydel (Station 56). Engine 51-3 responded shortly after with a crew of 5 under the direction of Asst. Chief Lucas. Crews arrived to find an SUV into a tree with one person trapped inside. Chief Madden (56-15) had Engine 3's crew assist with the extrication.  The patient was found to be DOA. Crews waited for the reconstruction team to complete it's investigation before extricating. Crews stabilized using rescue struts, and removed the doors, roof, and brake pedal. Engine 3 remained on scene until released by command.

Congratulations to Donna Ratledge for winning the "welcome" door mat at the Fire Prevention Open House.  Mrs. Ratledge entered the drawing held at the Recruitment table.  The mat was donated and presented to Mrs. Ratledge by the Personnel Director, Deanna Jackson.  We want to thank everyone who attended the Open House.  If anyone is interested in joining the Hartly Volunteer Fire Company, please contact the station at 302-492-3677 to request an application.  

The Hartly Vol. Fire Co. spent the morning half of the day Tuesday conducting a fire prevention presentation at the Hartly Elementary School. It was one day of many where members went out to promote fire prevention and safety. Students gathered in the gym as Fire Prevention Officer Rebekah Legar spoke on topics such as "Stop, Drop, and Roll," escape routes and plans, meeting places, smoke detectors, dialing 911, and many other topics. Firefighter Travis Dixon donned his full turnout gear and breathing apparatus so the children know what to expect and know not to run or hide from firefighters. After the presentation, the little learners were given their own fire helmets and sent outside where Career Staff Firefighter/EMT Marcus Glanden spoke briefly and showed them the Ambulance and Driver Pete Morris did the same with Engine 5. Finally the children got to spend a little time spraying water from the booster line before heading back to class.

The company would like to thank all institutions that allowed us to interrupt their schedules to speak with the children on such an important topic and hope for their continued support. We would also like to thank the members who helped make this another successful year.

About an hour after crews cleared from a public assist and about 6 hours after the working fire earlier, Station 51 and Station 700 (Goldsboro) were alerted to assist Station 56 (Marydel) with another reported working fire. Engine 51-3 quickly responded with Capt. Norris and Dep Chief Ballek. Kent Center advised fire possibly caused by the wood stove with smoke and fire visible in the residence. 715 (Chief Bartz) went on scene with smoke showing and assumed command. Engine 56-1 arrived and advanced a 1 3/4" handline into the attic. 51-3 arrived and was given an assignment to ladder the charlie side of the structure. Engine 3's crew vented the roof. Tanker 51 with Past Chief Gosch supplied 56-3. Telesquirt 51-7 (Crew Leader Timmons)  set up the ladder on the alpha side to the chimney and dropped dry chem bags to extinguish the fire in the chimney. Engine 700 was ordered to stretch a second handline into the residence and assist the interior crews. Engine 3's crew applied a salvage cover to furniture in the dining room. Command placed situation under control with units working. FM13 (Deputy Schad) is investigating the fire.

51 Units on Scene: E51-3, T-51, TS 51-7, Amb A-51, Fire Police.

During the wee morning hours, Station 51and Station 56 (Marydel) were alerted for a house fire. Command 51 (Chief Morris) responded shortly after dispatch and was given a report of a working house fire, all occupants out of the residence. Command went on location with fire showing on the B side of the structure. Engine 51-3, under the direction of Lt. Tigner, arrived and was ordered to advance a 1 3/4" handline into the residence. Engine 56-1, with Deputy Chief Simonson, arrived and pulled a second handline to the attic. Another handline was stretched to the bravo side to extinguish the fire on the exterior. Tanker -51 (Dep. Chief Ballek) supplied Engine 3. Chief Morris transferred command to Dep. Chief Simonson. Command requested and additional tanker and engine from Station 700 (Goldsboro). All other units assisted with the overhaul and salvage of the residence. Command placed the situation under control with units working at 0249. Crews worked together through the extensive overhaul finding numerous hot spots in the attic area. The last Hartly cleared at 0604.

51 Units on Scene: Command 51, E51-3, T-51, TS51-7, R51-6, Amb A-51, Fire Police

As many have wished for the past few months, the fall is now among us and the hot air will slowly move out . Before it's too late, we would like to remind everyone to service your heaters, chimneys, etc to prevent possible CO and Fires. Also, as daylight savings time approaches don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors when you turn your clocks back. As always be safe, stay warm, and enjoy the remaining months of 2011.

The annual DVFA Firefighter's Convention was held Sunday afternoon. Hartly showed up with the most members and apparatus that it has in a few years, and the efforts of all paid off. The company won 6 trophies:

Best Appearing Junior MIss Fire Prevention Queen - Katelyn Connors
Best Appearing Engine 1975 or Older - 51-5
2nd Best Appearing Ambulance- A-51
2nd Best Appearing Fire Prevention Float
3rd Best Appearing Rescue- 51-6
5th Best Appearing Company Overall without a Band.

We would like to thank all members who participated and spent endless nights polishing the apparatus and hope all had fun.

Photos from Leah Burge, Linda Lewis, Stacey M. (Squiggy's Sister), Sandy Morris.