JULY - SEPTEMBER 2008
DRAMA CONTEST - DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION
During the months of July and August, the Fire Department in cooperation with the Department of Recreation conducted a "Drama Contest." The contest consisted of children from recreation facilities throughout the City performing in one-act plays, which tell of the values of a year-round awareness of fire prevention and safety. The objectives of the contest were to involve and encourage children towards an ongoing concern about the principles of fire safety. This concept will help to enrich the child's natural creativity and help them to better express themselves throughout their lives.
On Friday February 28, 1975 at 5:37 PM, Box 1679 for 9th and Glenwood Streets was struck for the North American Lace Company at 901 Glenwood Street. The first floor was occupied by the Pro Art Paper Company. The complex consisted of buildings with varying heights, 3 to 5 stories. The fire was fueled by the heavy fire load of paper products and building construction of heavy timber. Due to heavy fire through the roof and the weight of machinery, the structural integrity of the complex was compromised. By 7:04 PM, the alarm was struck.
Engine 55 responded on the fourth alarm and had to lay long stretches of hoseline to supply master stream appliances. While working with his company, FF Iaquinta complained of “chest pains.” Michael was taken from the fireground by Rescue 4 to Temple Hospital where sadly he was pronounced dead on arrival at 7:48 PM.
Friday, July 16, 2010 - Muscular Dystrophy "Fill the Boot" Campaign
The Philadelphia Fire Department and Local #22 of the International Association of Firefighters are again sponsoring the Muscular Dystrophy "Fill the Boot" Campaign. The Philadelphia Fire Department and Local #22 of the International Association of Firefighters have pledged to make the 2010 "Fill the Boot" Campaign the most successful ever.
July and August,2010 - DRAMA CONTEST - DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION - During the months of July and August, the Fire Department in cooperation with the Department of Recreation will conduct a "Drama Contest." The contest consists of children from recreation facilities throughout the city performing in one-act plays, which tell of the values of a year-round awareness of fire prevention and safety.
The objectives of the contest are to involve and encourage children towards an ongoing concern about the principles of fire safety. This concept will help to enrich the child's natural creativity and help them to better express themselves throughout their lives.
June 29, 2010 - Non-Municipal Ambulance (NMA) Radio system project
On June 29, 2010, the Philadelphia Regional EMS Office sponsored ”Operation Measured Response.” The purpose of this training exercise was to test the operation of the NMA VHF radio system, quantify the response times of NMA's, and to review NMA vetting procedures. The drill successfully demonstrated the concept of communications between NMA and the FCC and provided valuable information in relation to inspection and response expectations for NMA's.
The City is waiting to take receipt of additional radio equipment, which will give the FCC control of the NMA VHF radio system. Once complete, the entire fleet of 316 NMA ground ambulances will be able to communicate directly with the FCC via the VHF radio system in the event of an MCI event that overwhelms the PFD EMS resources.
June 16, 17 and 18 - Fire Prevention Seminar XLII at Ramada Hotel
SEMINAR XLII - FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION - The Forty-Second Annual Fire Prevention Seminar, sponsored by the Philadelphia Fire Department's Citizens' Fire Prevention Committee and the Philadelphia Fire Department will be held at the Ramada Philadelphia Northeast Hotel located at 11580 Roosevelt Boulevard beginning at 0830 hours on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 and closing 1300 hours on Friday, June 18, 2010. Representatives from Fire Departments and private organizations throughout the region will be attending the Seminar
August 25, 2010 - EMS hosted a media event for the Non-Municipal Ambulance (NMA) Radio System Project. In attendance were Mayor Nutter, Deputy Mayor Gillison, and Commissioner Ayers along with representatives for the Non-Municipal Ambulance companies. There was a successful radio test conducted between a non-municipal ambulance the FCC and a PFD Medic Unit August 18, 2010 -DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL PLAQUE TO FIREFIGHTER STEPHEN YALE On Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 1100 hours, a memorial plaque will be dedicated in memory of Firefighter Stephen Yale who was assigned to Ladder 29. The plaque ceremony is at Engine 51, Ladder 29 station at Old York Road and Champlost Street. In the evening of December 20, 1991, Ladder 29 was one of the companies that were dispatched to a dwelling fire in East Oak Lane. Encountering heavy smoke conditions, Firefighter Yale was one of the members of Ladder 29 that led the occupants out of the building to safety. The members of Ladder 29 then returned to help extinguish the fire. Later, at 2:51 AM on December 21, 1991, Ladder 29 was dispatched to another dwelling fire where companies encountered fire on the 1st and 2nd floors. While pulling ceilings on the 2nd floor to check for any hidden fire, Firefighter Yale passed out. Still unconscious, firefighters assisted Firefighter Yale out of the fire building. Outside, he later regained consciousness but initially resisted being taken to the hospital. Firefighter Yale was taken to Albert Einstein Hospital where he lost consciousness again. Sadly, despite the efforts of the hospital staff, 5 days later on December 26, 1991, Firefighter Stephen Yale lost his battle for life.
August 13, 2010 - Muscular Dystrophy "Fill the Boot" Campaign The Philadelphia Fire Department and Local #22 of the International Association of Firefighters are again sponsoring the Muscular Dystrophy "Fill the Boot" Campaign. The Philadelphia Fire Department and Local #22 of the International Association of Firefighters have pledged to make the 2010 "Fill the Boot" Campaign the most successful ever.
September 27, 2010 - City-Wide Essay Contest begins (companies deliver rules)
Essays are required to be 250 words or less in length. They should be composed around a fire prevention theme, usually provided in the contest rules. Entries will be judged for fire safety thought and content, as well as neatness and originality. The contest will begin on Monday, September 27, 2010.
Teachers of each 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes will be requested to choose the best essay from their respective classes to submit. They should place them in an envelope with the school's name, grade, and classroom number on it, to be picked up by the local Fire Company at the close of the contest. Each essay should have the name, home address, home phone number, school, and grade of the pupil on the back.
Essays selected by each teacher should be picked up from schools by local companies on Friday, October 29, 2010. Each battalion will pick the three best essays.
Final judging will be completed by a panel of impartial judges from the fire/civilian population at Fire Headquarters. The winners will be announced in December, at the completion of the final judging.
The first place winner will receive a trophy, Certificate of Merit and $200.00 cash. The winning school will hold the perpetual trophy for one year, with the winner's name engraved. Second place is $150.00. Third place is $100.00, each with a trophy and a Certificate of Merit.
Each of the thirty semi-finalists will receive a small gift and a Certificate of Merit, to be delivered by the local company to their respective schools.
September 15, 2010 - DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL PLAQUE TO FIREFIGHTER MICHAEL IAQUINTA
On Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 1100 hours a memorial plaque will be dedicated in memory of FF Michael Iaquinta who was assigned to Engine 55. The plaque ceremony is at Engine 55, Ladder 22 station at Front and Luzerne Streets.
ESSAY CONTEST (CITY-WIDE)
The City-Wide Essay Contest, co-sponsored by Saint Joseph's University, is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade pupils in Philadelphia's public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The contest began on Monday, September 29, 2008.
Schools will be visited that are eligible for the contest. Local fire companies will be provided with contest rules forms that have their Station designation and phone number preprinted on the bottom of the form.
Essays are required to be 250 words or less in length. They should be composed around a fire prevention theme, usually provided in the contest rules. Entries will be judged for fire safety thought and content, as well as neatness and originality.
Teachers of each 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes will be requested to choose the best essay from their respective classes to submit. They should place them in an envelope with the school's name, grade, and classroom number on it, to be picked up by the local Fire Company at the close of the contest. Each essay should have the name, home address, home phone number, school, and grade of the pupil on the back.
Essays selected by each teacher should be picked up from schools by local Companies on Friday, October 31, 2008. Each Battalion will pick the three best essays. Final judging will be completed by a panel of impartial judges from the fire/civilian population at Fire Headquarters. The winners will be announced in December, at the completion of the final judging.
The first place winner will receive a trophy, Certificate of Merit, and $200.00 cash. The winning school will hold the perpetual trophy for one year, with the winner's name engraved. Second place is $150.00. Third place is $100.00, each with a trophy and a Certificate of Merit.
Each of the thirty semi-finalists will receive a small gift and a Certificate of Merit, to be delivered by the local Company to their respective schools.
The city-wide fire prevention essay contest for kids will take place between September 29 - November 24, 2008. Key dates are as follows:
- September 29, 2008 - Contest begins
- October 31, 2008 - Final date for submissions
- November 3, 2008 - Pick up essays from schools
- November 24, 2008 - Solicitation and Participation Form (three best essays) forwarded to Fire Prevention Division
- January, 2009 - Final judging
(c) 2008 City of Philadelphia