From 16:00 hours today until 16:00 hours on Saturday, Station 20 was staffed with between six and ten firefighters due to the winter storm. During that time period, members responded to approximately 17 calls for assistance ranging from trees and wires down to a working vehicle fire. One member would remain on watch in the radio room covering the phone, the 800 MHz radio, the Municipal fire radio (High Band), and the 400 MHz radio.
All of our trucks were chained and ready to be put to use if necessary. Rescue 20 was the primary apparatus used during the storm and even got to see some pump time at the vehicle fire in front of McDonald's. Chief 20 and Assistant 20-1 also used their four wheel drive trucks to check on calls. One of our members who has a plow on his truck would go out in front of Rescue 20 and plow so that we could get through without having any issues.
At 02:00 hours on Saturday morning, the Municipality of Murrysville declared a state of emergency and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Municipal Building was activated. Crews ]worked with the EOC using the EMA North Central tac channel on the Westmoreland County 800 MHz radio system. The EOC remained open until 16:00 hours on Saturday.
The storm left a total of 27 inches in our first due district. With the work of the EOC members, Murrysville Public Works, Murrysville Medic One, Murrysville Police, Export VFD, Sardis VFC, and White Valley VFC all incidents were handled in a timely and professional manner. Everyone worked hard and worked together to deal with yet another major weather related event in our community.
Thanks to Ferri's Groceries for furnishing our lunch on Saturday. Also, thanks to Dunkin Donuts of Murrysville for supplying us with donuts and coffee. All of the support from our local businesses is very much appreciated.
MURRYSVILLE RESIDENTS - PLEASE SHOVEL OUT YOUR HYDRANTS!
Units:
R-20, C-20, A20-1, Plow 20
Mutual Aid:
Murrysville Public Works, Murrysville Medic One, Murrysville Police
