Fire

1996 Annual Report

April 30, 1997

David C. Latshaw
Township Manager

Dear Mr. Latshaw:

It is with pleasure that I present to you the 1996 Annual Report of the Lower Merion Fire Department.

A review of the statistical data for 1996 shows an increase in building fires of 53%, from 26 to 40. Total fires increased by 8%, calls in Lower Merion Township increased by 13%. Calls to alarm systems increased by 14% and now account for 31% of all fire calls in Lower Merion Township. Our 1996 dollar loss increased by $426,000. There were nine major incidents that accounted for 84% of this year's dollar loss.

In 1996 the Fire Department inspected more properties than ever before and issued fewer citations than ever before. This is a tribute to the community that has embraced the idea that prevention is the key to fire safety. We spend less time inspecting a fire safe property than we do inspecting one needing many corrections. Our property owners are maintaining their buildings and the fire protection systems installed to keep them fire safe. The five person Fire Department staff had more than 5,000 customer contacts last year through the inspection and training programs.

The emphasis on training continued in 1996. This report describes the many activities that our fire companies participated in during the past year. We increased our pumper operator training with the addition of a drafting pit at the training area. We continue to get a good turnout for the drills. Much more is required from the volunteer firefighter than ever before and the areas of required training are expanding. We are scheduling more and more classes using the Montgomery County Fire Academy staff in addition to our own training officer’s classes.

The seven fire companies continue to stress the fire prevention message. Every year seems to be an improvement over last year’s programs. Open house during fire prevention week has become a big event. Some companies are hosting demonstrations and the turnout of residents increases every year. Our Business Persons Fire Prevention Luncheon was a success again last year. Dennis Parker, the Emergency Management Coordinator for Montgomery County, was our principal speaker. His message was well received.

There were several major problems that are further described in this report. The blizzard of '96 certainly impacted on the fire service as well as the rest of the community. It was a time when training and planning were tested. We came through with "flying colors", a testament to the dedication and resourcefulness of our volunteer firefighters.

The building needs and assessment program continues to address the problems that our old buildings are experiencing. In the first years we had an impact on correcting structural problems as well as code related deficiencies. In 1996 we undertook the planning for the building of the first fire station built by Lower Merion Township, a new building for Merion Fire Company of Ardmore.

We began a program that will eventually protect every fire station with fire sprinklers. Lower Merion Township continues to set standards that the rest of Pennsylvania tries to follow.

The progression of the fire service in Lower Merion Township continues on an upward slant because we have the three ingredients that promote growth and progress. Elected officials that support the fire service in a tangible way, management that works in partnership with both the elected officials and the fire service and the dedicated group of volunteer firefighters who serve this community with pride and professionalism.

I take a great deal of pride in what the fire service in Lower Merion has accomplished in partnership with you and the Board of Commissioners.

Sincerely,

Harry R. Knorr Jr.
Chief Fire Officer

1996 Consolidated Statistical Report

*Revenue Accounts

1996 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT

**New Category 1996

1996 BUILDING FIRES

1996 BUILDING FIRES CONTINUED

Total Potential Loss: $14,730,795

Actual Dollar Loss: $ 1,879,650

YEARLY RESPONSES BY COMPANY

THIRTY YEAR STATISTICS

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THE FOLLOWING IS A FIRERUN BREAKDOWN BY A "ONE HOUR TIME FRAME"

FROM 01-JAN-96 TO 31-DEC-96

TOTAL RUNS TABULATED DURING THIS REPORT PERIOD: 2,099

THE FOLLOWING IS A FIRERUN BREAKDOWN BY THE DAY OF THE WEEK

BUILDING FIRES

There were 40 Building Fires in Lower Merion Township in 1996.

TYPES OF FIRES:

27 Private Dwellings

4 Low Rise Apartment

2 Retail Stores

3 Office Buildings

1 Nursing Home

1 College Building

1 Restaurant

1 Storage Shed

 

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CAUSES OF FIRE:

3 Smoking

1 Contractor’s Torch

1 Painter’s Torch

4 Torch Down Roof Processes

1 Candle

11 Electrical

3 Cooking

2 Flammable Vapors

1 Natural Gas Leak

1 Light Bulb

2 Ashes/Sparks

1 Radiated Heat

1 Malicious Mischief

2 Miscellaneous

4 Undetermined

2 Arson

TRAINING

Firefighter training continues to be an important facet of the Fire Service. There are changes every day in building materials and construction ideas. New technology must be learned and mastered, new ideas should be tried out in practice, not on the scene of emergencies. Our firefighters continue to practice as often as possible.

In addition to the in-service training at the fire stations, firefighters participated in the following supervised drills:

Total training/drills 61
Number of firefighters (FF) attending 918
Average FF per session 15.1
Average length of drill, plus clean-up time 2.00 hrs.

DRILLS PER COMPANY

Station 21 Penn Wynne/Overbrook Hills 8

Station 22 Belmont Hills 4

Station 23 Bryn Mawr 6

Station 24 Gladwyne 11

Station 25 Merion of Ardmore 4

Station 26 Narberth 17

Station 28 Union Fire Association 11

TYPES OF TRAINING

(Many drills combine several training areas)

UNSUPERVISED TRAINING DRILLS BY INDIVIDUAL COMPANY

• Station 21: None Reported
• Station 22: None Reported
• Station 23: 38
• Station 24: 35
• Station 25: 36
• Station 26: 9
• Station 28: 7

The unsupervised drills consist of driver training as well as basic firefighting techniques and procedures.

TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY

THROUGH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICE

• Introduction to Safety & Training (I.S.T.) Classes 3
• Firefighter II Class 1
• Haz-Mat Refresher Classes 2
• EVOC - Emergency Vehicle Operators Course 1

CIVILIAN TRAINING PROGRAMS

• 17 Fire Safety Training programs were presented to the following:
• The Boy Scouts School Staff
• Library Staff Postal Employees
• Day Care personnel Nursing & Security Staff at Institutions
• A Fire Safety Class was presented to the residents of Ardmore House.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Six elementary school programs were presented and 225 students participated.

TRAINING WITH POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Special Investigation Unit of the Lower Merion Police Department participated in a Forcible Entry Class held at the Concord Arms before it was demolished.

LOWER MERION FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING

• Phila Fire Academy - Response to Chlorine Incidents
• Phila Fire Academy - Response to LPG Incidents
• Passenger Train Emergency Response
• Fire/Arson Detection
• Managing Company Tactical Operations
• Church Firefighting Strategy & Tactics
• Fundamental Factors Facing Fireground Commanders
• Incident Command System
• Health & Safety Officer

• On March 29th, all members of the Fire Department staff successfully completed the annual two hour refresher course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Care Provider (CPR). This service was provided by the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lower Merion and Narberth.

• In September the Fire Marshals hosted a meeting between the Fire Department staff and emergency services representatives from PECO Energy’s Gas and Electric Divisions. The agenda included a complete discussion on inter-agency cooperation during routine inspections and fireground emergencies. PECO supplied current emergency telephone numbers and information concerning their new operating procedures.

• On July 10th, Fire Department staff conducted a Familiarization Drill of the new compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Refueling Facility at the School District’s Maintenance Yard in Ardmore. Representatives from the School District Maintenance Staff and PECO Energy demonstrated the natural gas filling operation, the built in safety features and the tank installation on the new school buses. Members of all seven volunteer fire companies attended.

• Deputy Fire Marshal Scanlon has successfully passed the examination and is now qualified as a Certified Fire Protection Specialist. This qualification is issued by the National Fire Protection Association.

• Deputy Fire Marshal Maguire completed a Cultural Diversity class at the Montgomery County Fire Academy.

MAJOR FIRES AND INCIDENTS

On January 21st at 1:35 p.m., Stations 28, 22 with 24-81 were dispatched to 615 Righters Ferry Road. On arrival they found a two story stone building with heavy smoke showing from both floors. After making forcible entry they found the first floor heavily involved in fire. Using heavy streams to knock down the largest part of the fire, 1 3/4 inch lines were taken inside to complete extinguishment. Damage was estimated at $185,000 for both building and contents. This fire started in a first floor office when an electric space heater ignited a wooden desk.

On February 4th, at 6:31p.m., Station 21 responded to 1159 Morris Rd. in Wynnewood. Upon arrival they found a well involved second floor bedroom in a two story single family dwelling. Every one had safely evacuated and firefighters were able to extinguish and control the fire quickly. Total damage was limited to $50,000. This fire was set by a disgruntled teenager who was removed by police.

On February 4th, at 8:03 p.m., Station 22 and 28 with 24-81 responded to a building fire at 211 Rockhill Road in Bala Cynwyd. First arriving firefighters found heavy smoke from the first floor rear of a two story commercial building. Fire had consumed the entire contents of one office and damaged several others before extinguishment was completed. The delay in discovery had allowed a tremendous build up of heat that melted several steel supports and twisted many others. The fire was declared accidental but an exact cause was not determined. The building was closed for several weeks because of its weakened support system. Damage to the structure was estimated at $200,000.

On February 12th, at 10:35 p.m., Station 28 and 26 responded to 118 Upland Terrace in Bala Cynwyd. On arrival they found heavy fire showing from the first floor rear of a two story single family dwelling. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke conditions as they entered to extinguish fire on both floors and search the dwelling. A 48 year old male resident was found in the second floor rear of the dwelling. He was removed and transported to Lankenau Hospital where he was pronounced dead from smoke inhalation.

An investigation conducted by the Fire Marshal's office and the Pennsylvania State Police revealed the cause to be an electric space heater placed beneath a wooden buffet in the dining room on the first floor. Total damage was estimated at $300,000.

On April 5th, at 9:47 a.m., Stations 24 and 25 were dispatched to a roof fire at 214 Glenmore Avenue in Gladwyne. First arriving firefighters found heavy fire showing from the roof in the front of the home. Hand lines were stretched into the second floor and the attic fire was fought through the second floor ceiling. The fire was quickly brought under control but extensive opening of the eaves and roof was necessary to complete extinguishment.

Our investigation determined that an electric wall switch in the second floor bathroom had faulted and started the fire which spread quickly up the wall into the attic. The home was unoccupied which delayed discovery until visible fire was seen by a neighbor. Damage is estimated at $250,000.

On August 31st, at 11:57 p.m., Stations 24, 25 and 23 responded to a single family dwelling at 204 Dove Lane in Haverford. Heavy fire was showing from the roof of a one story structure. Firefighters using 1 3/4 inch lines entered the front door and extinguished a large volume of fire in the kitchen. Two dogs were removed safely although one was slightly burned on the back. Smoke damage was heavy in addition to the loss of the kitchen and the roof area above the kitchen. Structure damage was $250,000 but the contents damage estimate was $1,000,000 because of damage to valuable paintings.

On October 16th, at 4:40 p.m., Stations 25 and 23 were dispatched to 115 Glenn Road in Ardmore. First arriving firefighters found a large single family stone dwelling with heavy smoke showing from the top floor and roof area and visible fire from the rear wing area. Stations 26 and 24 were dispatched to the scene. An initial attempt at a interior attack with 1 3/4 inch lines was ineffective and resulted in the injury of six firefighters from burns. The fire had control of a large inaccessible area and fed on the old wooden roof supports. An exterior attack using master streams from deck guns and ladder pipes was used to knock down the heavy fire and allowed a second interior attack to commence. Using hooks to pull apart the ceiling, four teams of firefighters were able to extinguish and control this fire.

An investigation revealed that a painter using an open torch to burn paint at the third floor rear window had ignited a fire inside the wooden window frame. This fire which burned unnoticed for some time spread in the wall and up into the attic area. A large area was well involved before the fire company was dispatched. Damage is estimated at $400,000.

On November 25th, at 11:05 a.m., Stations 25, 22, 21 and 24 responded to 115 Glenn Road in Ardmore, the scene of the fire reported above. Two workers repairing the damage from the fire, were thrown into the basement from the third floor when a large portion of the West wall fell into the building and carried all three floors into the basement. One young man was killed instantly during the fall, the other was trapped in the debris. Working with ambulance personnel we were able to free him quickly. He was removed to Bryn Mawr Hospital. The second worker was removed after some bracing was accomplished to hold up weaken floor sections.

On December 9th, at 5:18 p.m., Stations 28 and 22 responded to a one story shoe store at 204 Bala Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. First arriving firefighters found a secured building with heavy smoke showing. After making entry they quickly extinguished a fire in the rear storage area, near the rear door. Damage was limited to $75,000.

An investigation by our office and later assisted by the Lower Merion Police Department revealed an intentionally set fire using a flammable liquid just inside the rear exit.

On December 31st, at 3:01 a.m., Stations 24 and 23 responded to 5 Woodmont Road in Gladwyne. Firefighters found a row of three, two story frame dwellings on fire. There was heavy fire in the basement of #5 that had extended into the first floor rear, #4 was involved in the rear on the first floor and there was heavy smoke showing from #3. The slope of the ground made a rear attack impossible and the narrow street posed a threat to apparatus. Firefighters using interior lines stopped the fire which was spreading from East to West.

Firefighters from West Conshohocken attacked the rear from a dirt road that ran behind the houses. Damage was extensive and the Building Regulations Department has ordered the demolition of the remaining portions of the structures. Estimated total damage was $200,000.

An investigation started by our office and later assisted by the Lower Merion Police Department revealed a flammable liquid pour from an exterior shed at #5 that led into an open basement door. No suspicion is directed at ownership and the investigation is active.

STORM RELATED PROBLEMS

The blizzard of '96 had its effect on the Township fire service as well as everyone else. As the snow began to accumulate, firefighters from every company began to assemble in the fire stations to insure protection of the community. Manpower varied at each station but averaged from 7 to 15 firefighters who slept over because responding from home was so difficult. They slept on the floor or chairs when they weren't busy on the street.

Starting late the first day, EMS equipment was moved onto fire trucks. The ambulances were unable to move through the heavy snow because of their low clearance, they were also having tire chain problems. Gladwyne, Merion and Union responded with personnel from Narberth/Lower Merion Ambulance on 26 calls. They included three maternity calls, removing a victim from a roof, finding and assisting a victim who fell down an expressway embankment and several stranded motorist.

FIRE SPRINKLERS

In September of 1996 the first completed installation of fire sprinklers in a Lower Merion fire station was tested. The fire sprinkler system that now protects the Gladwyne Fire Company is the first step in providing this protection to all six fire stations in the Township. The sprinkler system is provided by the Lower Merion Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association. Plans are being readied for all fire stations, completion is expected in 1997.

SPRINKLER SAVES

On September 26th the Fire Department was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm at the Hampshire Condominiums, 104 Woodside Road, Haverford. Upon arrival, firefighters from the Merion Fire Company and a Deputy Fire Marshal found that a fire in the kitchen of Unit C-202 had been extinguished by the automatic fire sprinkler system. Fire damage was limited to the kitchen range. This is a three building interconnected condominium complex containing 59 living units. Because the sprinkler system operated properly, fire damage was limited and evacuation of the other tenants was unnecessary.

On November 18th, a sprinkler alarm was received from the Pennswood Dormitory at Harcum College, 600 West Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr. Firefighters from the Bryn Mawr and Merion Fire Companies along with personnel from the Fire Department office responded.

Before the arrival of firefighters, one sprinkler head had extinguished all fire in a pile of rubbish on the concrete floor of a second floor trash room. Firefighters ventilated the building and removed all water and debris from the floor. The Township Fire Marshal’s investigated and ruled the fire to be suspicious.

In both of these cases, the activation of one sprinkler head extinguished the fire and prevented major damage and inconvenience.

WATER COMPANY

Since the Survey from the Insurance Services Office in 1986 we have been working with the water company to improve water flow in certain areas of the Township. Additionally, an improved fire hydrant maintenance program was started. We are slowly replacing all of the two connection small outlet hydrants with a new hydrant and a large steamer connection. This allows for more water from the hydrant and more efficient use of our large capacity fire pumpers.

The water company program of relining water mains has proved more successful than anticipated. It was expected that the new process that cleans out older water mains and relines them with a smooth concrete lining, would increase water flow from 15 to 25%. So far every main that has been completed has resulted in at least a 50% increase, in the Gladwyne section we even experienced a 110% increase.

CARBON MONOXIDE

In November, the Narberth Fire Company responded to an alarm from a carbon monoxide detector sounding in the basement at 510 Fairview Road, Penn Valley. Firefighters found an elderly couple suffering from severe carbon monoxide symptoms. A special detection meter indicated a high level of carbon monoxide gas throughout the dwelling. A further investigation found the cause to be a blocked chimney. The carbon monoxide detector that sounded the alarm had not yet been installed! This detector, a gift to the homeowner, was in its original package and had been placed on the basement floor prior to installation.

A Deputy Fire Marshal conducting a "Target Hazard Inspection" discovered a life threatening condition in the basement heater rooms of two attached apartment houses located at 1047-1049 Rees Avenue and 17 South Roberts Road in Bryn Mawr. These are three story buildings with eight apartment units occupied primarily by students. Each unit has its own gas fired house heater and hot water heater installed in the basement. It was discovered that a hot water heater had been improperly installed in a garage. Its flu pipe was not attached to the chimney but was vented through a partition into an adjoining room causing carbon monoxide gas to build up in the basement. PECO Energy Gas emergency personnel were called to the scene. The unit was shut down and an order for immediate repair issued.

A further inspection by PECO indicated that five additional hot water heaters were also improperly vented and the owner was ordered to make the necessary repairs.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

On August 30th, personnel from the Fire Marshal’s office, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and firefighters from the Belmont Hills Fire Company successfully detonated a four liter can of Ether in an open area of the Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex. The decision to explode this material on site was made after the Bomb Squad determined that the material was too unstable to transport. This hazardous material was discovered in the trash, after a refuse crew making regular rounds had unknowingly picked it up and transported it to the Township Transfer Station.

OPEN FLAME ROOFING PROCESS

On Wednesday, March 13th at approximately 7:30 p.m., a fire was discovered in the porch roof of 329 N. Bowman Avenue, Merion. This is a three story stucco dwelling occupied by Mrs. James Maroney. The fire had smoldered from late afternoon. Workers, who were installing a new torch down roof, left the premises at approximately 6:00 p.m.

On Friday, April 12th, a fire occurred on the roof of the Merion Pizza Shop, 289 Levering Mill Road, Bala Cynwyd. Workmen were making repairs to the top roof using the torch down roofing process. They ignited the roof beneath the sheathing.

On Friday, October 25th, a fire occurred on the roof of the Academic Building at Harcum Junior College. Workers were applying a new roof using the torch down roofing process.

On Thursday, December 26th, there was a small roof fire at the second floor level outside a bathroom at 468 Wyngate Road, Wynnewood. A roofing contractor using the torch down roofing process started the fire.

This brings the total to 23 fires caused by this process since September, 1983 when this record began.

FIRE APPARATUS

In 1996 under the terms of the fire apparatus replacement agreement, two new pumpers were ordered for Bryn Mawr Fire Company, delivery is expected in mid 1997. Two 100 foot Pierce aerial ladders were also ordered. One for Penn Wynne/Overbrook Hills Fire Company and one for the Merion Fire Company of Ardmore. This replacement was part of an arrangement with the two companies that reduced the overall Township responsibility for future apparatus replacement by two pumpers.

CUSTOMER SERVICES SURVEY

The Fire Department was proud and pleased that the 1996 Township Survey of Customer Satisfaction rated the Fire Service as outstanding, with 98% of the residents surveyed rating their fire service excellent or good.

BUILDING NEEDS AND ASSESSMENT

In 1996 the Tarquini Organization was selected from several excellent proposals to be the architect for the rebuilding of the fire station for the Merion Fire Company of Ardmore. This project, scheduled for demolition and completion in 1997, is a major undertaking that could not be accomplished without the support of the Township.

Other projects completed in 1996 included window replacements at Bryn Mawr Fire Company and electrical work at Penn Wynne/Overbrook Hills Fire Company. The planning for the remodeling of three rest rooms at Union Fire Association was also completed.

Plans for 1997 include the boiler replacement at Penn Wynne, electrical work and Bryn Mawr and Gladwyne, an engineering study at Belmont Hills for enlarging the apparatus floor as well as the building of Merion's new station.

Copyright © Township of Lower Merion. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 17, 1998.