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2004 News
Headlines |
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Welcome to the P.C.F.D. news
section. Here you will find current information about the
services we have been providing to the community as well as
events within the department. If you need further information
about an incident we have responded to or are a member of the
news media, please contact the Peachtree City Public Information
Officer (PIO) or Fire Chief's office for an official statement.
No portion of the P.C.F.D. news section may be reproduced
without consent of the P.C.F.D. or P.C.V.F.A. |
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12/22/2004
Firefighters Battle Garage Fire
Firefighters from companies 81, 82, 83, and 84 responded to a
report of a house fire on Doubletrace Ln. on Wed. the 22nd.
First arriving units found a well-involved garage fire.
Firefighters from Engine and Medic 82 initiated a fast attack
and confined the fire to the garage, while a primary and
secondary search was completed. A dog was located by the rescue
company and reunited with the homeowner. No injuries were
reported and the cause of the fire was undetermined after
investigation by the Fire Marshall's office. |
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11/24/2004
Five PCFD Members Compete in
Warm Springs
Running Again !!!!!!!
Yes, the Peachtree City Fire Department is
at it again. This time Members went to historic Warm
Springs for the “Candlelight Tour Run” on November 19, 2004. The
Meriweather Chamber of Commerce sponsored a 5K and One Mile fun
run that has racers running through the Holiday – season
decorated downtown district and residential area. The One-mile
run started at 9:30 A.M. and the 5K started at 10:00 A.M. with
area shoppers applauding and giving support as each runner ran
through the “rolling” course that challenged even the most
experienced runner.
The Department is pleased that not only did
five of its member participate but several of them came home
“Trophy Toters”. Lieutenant Peki Prince came in 1st
in her age group and no you better not ask her age!
Firefighter Ricky Howard placed second in his age group, and
Firefighter Stephanie Furey finished third in her age group.
Sergeant Clint Murphy and Firefighter Gary Half both finished
fourth in their age groups.
This is the second competitive race this
year in which the Department has participated and from the looks
of things there are going to be a lot more trophies at the
stations! Congratulations to these participants who have
shown you do not always need a golf cart or automobile to get
around town and still be in style. |
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Above- Members gather following the
race |
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11/18/2004
Bicycles For EMS Fast Response
Written by Sallie Satterthwaite
In their efforts to bring emergency
medical care to the injured or ill in
the shortest possible time, Peachtree
City Fire Department is developing
a new set of tools called, simply, EMS
Bike Teams. What? The fire department
has a fine fleet of motorized rolling
stock, some of it capable of high speeds
through city streets and highways. So
why bikes?
According to Lt. Peki Prince, director
of the city's Emergency Medical
Services, EMTs and Paramedics on bikes
can penetrate thick crowds of
people drawn to Peachtree City's
numerous special events. And by having
safe access to the city's extensive cart
path system, they can reach
patients and begin delivering treatment
while an ambulance is on the way.
"The Bike Team will augment our
services and decrease response times
during events that draw large crowds, or
if the event utilizes the cart
paths and streets," Prince said.
"As you know, the city hosts several
events each year that fit these
categories. Bike Teams have proven
themselves to be an effective tool in
navigating heavy crowds to arrive at a
patient's side and not only direct an
ambulance into the area but to initiate
patient care. "Each team will be
comprised of one paramedic and one EMT-I
or another Paramedic," Prince continued.
"The bikes will be outfitted with an
Automated External Defibrillator,
oxygen, IV equipment and certain
emergency drugs. They will be able to
treat life-threatening accidents or
illnesses, and stabilize until the
ambulance arrives.
"We have six members on the team at this
time. Each member has his or her own
bike -- this group rides all the time.
The department is looking into
the purchase of departmental bikes at a
later date as we increase the
size of the team." The team leader,
Firefighter/ Paramedic Jonathan Kempler,
will be certified as an instructor next
spring, so the department can enlarge
the team and continue training here in
Peachtree City.
"Since we already had the bikes, the
Optimist Club of Peachtree City
donated funds to make it happen,"
Kempler said. "Two of the bicycles will
be equipped with special panniers, or
'saddle bags,' purchased with funds
donated by the Optimist Club. "Team
members," Kempler added, "will undergo a
rigorous four-day EMS Cyclist course
conducted by the International Police
Mountain Biking Association (IPMBA). The
course will be held from Nov. 15 through
Nov. 18 at fire station 81. Upon
successful completion of the course,
team members will be nationally
certified EMS Cyclists." Two bikes
will constitute a "team or unit," Prince
explained. "With six members, four of
them paramedics, two volunteer EMT-Is,
we would be able to deploy three teams
of two at an event if needed." And she
cited July 4th, as an example of an
event, with EMS bikes maneuvering
through the parade and through crowds
drawn by the fireworks. Members of the
team will also conduct public education
on bike safety and other services while
on duty, Prince added. "The Bike Team
will not only be used for specific
events, but while they are conducting
their required monthly training they
will be in uniform with all of their
equipment,
patrolling the paths, so to speak." Both
Prince and Kempler expressed for the
department their gratitude to the
Optimist Club for their generous gift.
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11/03/2004
PCFD Officers Travel To National
Fire Academy
Asst.Chief Eiswerth and Lt.
Prince are pictured in front of the National Fallen Firefighters
Memorial located at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg
Maryland. They were at the National Fire Academy at the
request of Department of Homeland Security to evaluate Federal
Grant requests made by fire departments from all over the United
States. The grants that they evaluated were for Fire
Prevention and Firefighter Safety. The Federal Government
has allocated $27 Million to be distributed among those agencies
that can demonstrate a "need" for the grant money. Senior
Officers from all over the United States were asked to
participate in this years grant review and when down
time allowed there was an opportunity to meet and exchange
ideas. Both Asst. Chief Eiswerth and Lt. Prince traded ideas and
plans with other officers about making Peachtree City
Fire/Rescue more efficient and to better serve the residents. |
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11/01/2004
Department Prepares for Delivery
of New Apparatus
PCFD is anticipating the arrival of the new Quint
fire apparatus in January 2005. The chassis has been completed
and is awaiting mounting of the aerial device and rear storage
compartments. The Department once again selected Central States
in South Dakota to design and manufacture the apparatus. The
truck will enhance PCFD's aerial fleet which
currently includes a 104' Ladder Tower purchased from
Central States in 2000. |
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10/16/2004
Members Participate in the PTC
Classic Road Race
Over 2000 people participated in the annual
Peachtree
City Classic road race this year, including several members
from the Peachtree City Fire Department. The race featured a 5K
and a 15K course. All the members who participated successfully
completed the race. Volunteer Firefighter Eric Furey and career
Firefighter/Paramedic Jonathan Kempler tied for 14th place in
the 25-29 age group.
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Above- Members gather prior to the start
of the race |
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10/10/2004
PCFD Provides Fire/EMS
Protection for Annual Air Show
The 7th annual
Great Georgia Air Show took place this weekend in Peachtree
City. Aircraft from across the world were represented as well as
numerous performers and stunt pilots. The event, one of the
largest in Peachtree City and metro Atlanta, historically draws
crowds of 25,000 - 30,000 people. Fire & EMS crews were
strategically positioned throughout the crowd and acted under a
central command post. Fayetteville Police Department loaned
their new mobile communications center for the event which
greatly enhanced the communications and logistical capabilities
of incident command. Crews treated several patients and
responded to a brush fire adjacent to the runway during the
event, however, no serious incidents occurred.
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Above (left to right): E81
and TAC-V standby while a Delta Jet makes a high speed fly-by;
8M patrols the static aircraft display; incident command
monitors the crowd and aircraft; a Green Beret Paratrooper
prepares to land with the American flag |
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10/02/2004
1500+ Pumpkins Delivered
The pumpkins are in, and members are getting
ready to sell the decorations in one of the largest fundraising
efforts of the year. Two separate tractor-trailers arrived early
in the morning filled end to end. Crews spent almost six hours
unloading and carefully stacking the pumpkins at stations 81 &
83. Another delivery will arrive later in the month as sales
historically increase closer to Halloween. Members will also be
selling discounted haunted house tickets. For more information,
visit the
pumpkin
page. |
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Above: (left)
FF/Paramedic Yoders, FF/Paramedic Waller, and Lt. Prince
exchange pumpkins. (right) Members form a chain to offload the
pumpkins from the truck. |
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09/25/2004
Crews Test Thermal Imagers
The two models,
MSA's Evolution 5000 and
Scott Health and Safety's Eagle Imager 160 were both popular
and offered several new and innovative features. The imagers
were being tested for the possibility of replacing two of the
older model thermal imagers currently in-service. Members of
each shift were given an orientation on each model and given the
opportunity to use the imagers in the monthly live fire
evolution.
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| Crews prepare to enter
the burn building. |
FF/Paramedic Harbin
ensures that the thermal imager is 'warmed up' and
operational before entry. |
FF/EMT Jones makes entry
to the second floor for interior search & rescue. |
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09/11/2004
The City Remembers 9/11
Pastor Weber started the service with a
prayer of remembrance of those who lost their lives that day. He
continued on to ask for prayers for those who place themselves
in the line of danger on a daily basis. He specifically
mentioned our men and women in the armed forces and those who
protect the homeland, firefighters and police officers. After
Pastor Weber finished speaking the PTC Police Honor Guard raised
the flags to the playing of the National Anthem. Mayor Brown
then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance after which Sgt.
Murphy (Fire) and Sgt. Epps (Police) presented the memorial
wreath to the sounding of "Taps". After the Honor Guard
presented the memorial wreath, Assistant Chief Eiswerth read the
Firefighters Bell Ceremony with Firefighter/Paramedic Felmet
ringing the bell. The Bell Ceremony concluded the service. |
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Sergeant Clint Murphy (right), a
Firefighter/Paramedic and Police Sergeant Jason Epps, both with
Peachtree City, salute as they present a memorial wreath in
remembrance of the events of Sept. 11th, 2001. |
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09/02/04
Peachtree City Prepares For
Frances
With Hurricane Frances bearing down on the Florida coast, and
the potential for the storm to have an impact on Georgia's
weather, crews spent the past several days making preparations
within the department. The city's EOC (Emergency Operations
Center) has been set-up at Station 81. This enables all city
agencies to operate at one central location in the event of a
city emergency or disaster. In addition, all vehicles have been
fully fueled and their supplies checked. The department also
added additional chainsaws to apparatus. PCFD is prepared to
respond to any effect the weather system may have on Peachtree
City.
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08/30/2004
New Website Launched
You can find up-to-the-minute information on outdoor burning
status, see what we've been up to in the headlines section, or
take a tour of one of our stations. On the left side of the
screen you will notice our user friendly menu that allows you to
access any area of the site. Further down on in the left column
is the current burn status. Also listed for fire department
members is important upcoming training sessions. You can also
find current statistics for fire and ems calls. In the right
column is a link to information about becoming a volunteer with
the department. We have also added a new feature which
highlights a career or volunteer member. At the bottom of the
right column are the current top volunteer responders. These are
members that have responded to the most fire or ems calls.
The site will be continually updated, so check back often for
information about the community and fire department. We hope you
enjoy the new look, and feel free to contact us with any
questions or comments.
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08/30/2004
Annual Halloween Haunted House
The PCFD and PCVFA are hosting another haunted house in the
month of October at fire station 81. Due to the enormous success
and large turnout of last years haunted house, we have added
several new additions that are sure to thoroughly frighten you.
Visit the
Haunted
House page for more information. |
| Pictures from last year's haunted house: |
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07/01/2004
PCFD Takes Delivery of New
AmbulanceThe new E-450 Road Rescue is now
in-service at station 81. The ambulance boasts several new
features which enhance safety and allow for easier operation and
maintenance. One of the biggest differences between this vehicle
and the other medic units is the computerized console. This
device makes monitoring various components of the ambulance much
easier. The console will alert occupants of an open door or
compartment, monitor medical oxygen levels, and even includes a
satellite navigation system with graphical street maps. In
addition the console is linked to E911 which allows dispatchers
to monitor the exact location of the ambulance at all times. The
vehicle also features new high-visibility LED warning lights for
improved visibility during emergency responses. Feel free to
stop by station 81 and check out the newest addition to the PCFD
fleet. |
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