Here and there

The snow ended last night but it was getting colder!  Mt. Penn was dispatched as the RIT company to 529 E Wesner Rd. in Maidencreek Twp. just before 6:30a.m.  Arriving units had a fire in the basement that extended to the first floor.  Arriving crews encountered frozen hydrants near the scene and had to initially rely on tank water.  Fortunately the fire was knocked down quickly and units began to be released by 7:30a.m.  That didn’t end the morning though!  Shortly after 9a.m. we were dispatched for the ladder as well as RIT to 31 Stitzer Rd. in Oley for a possible structure fire.  The first arriving units found smoke in the basement and shortly after a working fire was called.  The Ladder 1 crew assisted with extinguishing the fire and conducting a search.  Rescue 1 called for an additional RIT company on response so Co 95(Boyertown) responded.  Command put both companies to work on ventilation and overhaul on their arrival as the fire in the area of the furnace was out.  Units began clearing by  11a.m.  Just before 1:30p.m. the spill trailer was requested to Routes 422 & 222 in Wyomissing to assist with a 27 vehicle crash that was caused by a fast moving snow squall that caused whiteout conditions.  On arrival it was confirmed that all fluids had been contained and the Mt. Penn units were no longer needed so they returned to station.  Other assisting units remained on the scene for several hours.  Bringing a close to the day was a call to assist EMS at 6:30p.m. in the 2200 block of Perkiomen Ave. in Mt. Penn.  Manpower was needed to get a patient from the second floor apartment to the ambulance.  Crews were able to clear this call, in the ever dropping temperatures, within 20 minutes.