This morning, Truck 69 made the trip to support our friends in Ridley Township at the Milmont Fire Company. They recently suffered the tragic loss of one of their own, Charles Hornberger.  Here is the news release from Milmont Fire Company:

Monday, July 12, 2010 
-      The Milmont Fire Company regrets to announce the LINE OF DUTY DEATH of Charles Hornberger. Charlie passed away on July 12Th from complications of a heart attack he had after a call on June 30Th 2010. Call #45 came in at 11:32 on June 30, 2010, for a fire alarm at the Target Building on MacDade and Milmont Ave.  After the call, Charlie suffered a severe heart attack, and was rushed to Taylor Hospital.

     Charlie was a life member of the Milmont Fire Company, as well as the Vauclain, Holmes and past Rutledge Fire Companies. Charlie held the position of Assistant Engineer, as well as past Deputy Chief of the Milmont Fire Company, and Past Chief of the Vauclain Fire Company. He was also a Dispatcher of 20 years for Ridley Twp. as well as Delaware County. He was an avid fire truck collector, and also enjoyed model railroading. Charlie was also a member of several Delco. Organizations, to include the Delaware Valley Chiefs Assoc.., and the Shamrock Judges. Charlie touched a lot of lives throughout the fire service, and will be missed by all.
   

While the members of Goshen Fire Company were battling a 2 alarm house fire in their local, Truck and Ambulance 69 were requested to relocate to Goshen's Main Station with an Engine from Newtown Square Fire Company.

Both units responded quickly, Truck 69 and Engine 411 took in a wires call left over from a storm that passed through the area, and the units were available after about 2 hours.

Training never stops at Lima Fire Company! In the past few weeks, in addition to conducting training on "Bread and Butter Operations" and certifying members in Confined Space Awareness, Jay Hughes and Mike Groover were qualified as Driver/Operators on Truck 69, and Brian Perakis, Mike Heistand, and Laura Cairns passed Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC).

Stay tuned for more stories from training nights at Lima!

This evening Truck 69, BLS 697 and 697A assisted Aston Township Fire & EMS Services during the annual fireworks display at Sun Valley High School. Chief 69 and family met us at Northley Middle School where Truck 69 stoodby. Past and current members enjoyed each other's company while awaiting the display to start. As usual, Aston Twp out did itself with a fine display of pyrotechnics to celebrate the 4th of July. Our thanks to Green Ridge and Aston Beechwood Fire Companies for the invite to standby and look forward to next year.

The Officers and Members of the Lima Fire Company No. 1 wish to congratulate 4 of Lima’s Bravest who will graduate from Penncrest High School June 10th, 2010 at Villanova University Campus in Radnor at 7pm.

 
Firefighter Brian Perakis will attend Weidner University of Chester beginning in the fall. Firefighter Steven Schultz will attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology of Lancaster,PA. Fireifghter Chris Naegele will attend Delaware County Community College to tranisiton to West Chester Univeristy. Apprentice Ryan Heistand will attend Uiversal Technical Institute (UTI) in Exton, PA.
 
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. “
 ~Albert Einstein
 
Please join the Officers and Members of Lima in congratulating our young men in a job well done!

On Sunday May 16th, Melanie Laird, Sean Miller and Mike Groover completed an Aerial Operations course sponsored by Lima. The members completed 2 week nights and one Sunday of training. Special thanks to Norwood Fire Company for supplying Ladder 2 for the practical day and Instructor Todd Reese for the excellent instruction.  

The Members of Lima Fire Co will again be at the Granite Run Mall selling Mother's Day flowers beginning around 9am. We will be located on the Baltimore Pike side of the mall between the Riddle Ale House and the McDonald's. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Crew Fund of Lima Fire Co. Lima Fire Co is a non-profit organization. We hope to see you.. come by and make Mother's Day a special day.

Today was the Middletown Township's Pride Day at Williamson School of Free Trade; the Lima, Middletown and Lenni Heights Fire Co’s along with Riddle Medic unit enjoyed a fun filled day. The day is to showcase the township’s business, emergency services and organizations  that provide service to it’s residents and non-residents. This event is sponsored by the Township’s Recreation Board.
 
Lima's Members not only sold Mother’s Day flowers, but assisted in the landing of PennSTAR medical helicopter for display to the public. During the days events; the annual Wing Bowl was held. Lima’s Fire Chief Bill Cairns won the event by ingesting copious amounts of wings. Chief Cairns defeated, in a rematch, the students of Willaimson School… Way to go Chief!
 
Middletown’s members provided fire truck rides to adults and their offspring giving them a thrill of a life time. Perhaps new members for all 3 companies may come of a single ride.
 
During the event, the Township’s Fire Companies were alerted for an automatic fire alarm in the 100-blk of Consort Hill in the Middletown Fire Co. local. The companies were made available shortly after arrival by Chief Tull of Middletown.
 
To top off the event, Deputy Chief Bradfield got to meet his hero; the Chik-Fil-A Cow.. Chief you looked so happy!
 
Our thanks to the Middletown Township Fire Police; a group of dedicated members that help to direct traffic and get us in and out of incidents safely. And thanks to Middletown Township for another successful Pride Day.

On Saturday, May 1 at 0800, the Lima Volunteers were covering the 71 (Chester Heights) local when the box assignment dropped at 0821 for a reported working building fire at 1507 Wilmington West Chester Pike (Jimmy John’s Restaurant) in Chadds Ford Township, 59’s local (Concordville).  Engine 69 (FF Nerelli) responded with a staffing of 5 and was immediately directed to a hydrant assignment due to a limited water supply in the area.  Engine 69 dropped the 5” at Rte. 202 and State Farm Drive, laying all 1200’ up to Rte. 202 and the Concord Country Club, where Engine 71 picked up the rest of the lay and layed in to Engine 59-3.  Once a water supply was established, Engine 69’s crew went to work assisting with hitting hot spots and overhaul of the building.  The company was available and in station at 1230 hours.  Thanks to Engine 16-1 (Yeadon) for covering the 69 local and assisting us with repacking our 5” line.

Photo courtesy of goodwillfireco.org

This weekend the men & women volunteers of the Lima Fire Company No. 1 will be out in full force for our annual Easter flower sales. This year we are moving the stand to the parking lot of the Granite Run Mall, just a stones throw from the firehouse. We are anticipating great weather this weekend so stop on by & take a look at the variety of fresh flowers & plants available. Bring the little ones with you to meet some of the brave firefighters & see a fire truck. Remember, all proceeds benefit the Lima Fire Company. We thank you for your continued support of our organization. We would not be where we are today without the combined efforts of our dedicated volunteers & the support of our residents!