Although this story isn't from the Potter County area, or even Pennsylvania for that matter, I felt that it was one that was important to share to illustrated how difficult the job of a dispatcher can be. Take notice of how calm and collected this dispatcher remains and continues to do his job and do it well even though he realizes that the person on the phone is his wife and the victim is his own son.
From "The Secret List"; We regret to advise you that a Firefighter with Woolrich Fire Company in Clinton County (PA) was killed in the line of Duty this afternoon. The Firefighter, who was in the process of setting up traffic control devices at the scene of an auto crash, was struck by a civilian vehicle. We will keep you advised as additional details are reported. As always our sincere condolences.
From Lockhaven.com;
FAIRPOINT - A veteran fire policeman was tragically killed Friday while controlling traffic at the scene of a crash along Lusk Run Road, about a two miles east of Central Mountain High School.
Donald G. Mellott, 62, of Flemington, a member of the Clinton County Fire Police Association, was hit by a silver Subaru driven by Harold Moore, 72, of Beech Creek, around 1:30 p.m., state police confirmed.
Mellott was directing traffic not far from the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Lusk Run Road. It occurred about 12:30 p.m. A utility pole was sheared in that crash and both drivers were injured, including one flown by helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center, according to police. Details of that accident are pending.
Mellott was standing on Lusk Run Road while PPL crews were replacing the pole and Moore, not seeing Mellott, "drove through a coned area" and struck Mellott, police said.
Mellott was among several fire policeman called to the scene of the initial accident.
The Austin Fire Dept will be hosting a Mercy Flight ground crew safety training program on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Austin Fire Station.
Mercy Flight will be landing at the Austin Area School between 12:00-12:30 pm. Training instruction will be held at the Austin Fire Station. Program held weather permitting.
This program is designed to educate Fire & EMS personnel (including Junior Members) about:
Guidelines or helicopter utilization/ Use of airborne stand-by’s On-scene response information / Patient preparation / Establishing landing sites / Communications procedures / Ground safety rules
The program will last approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Each participant will receive Mercy Flight Ground Crew reflective helmet stickers & certificate of completion.
Contact Potter County DES by April 12th to confirm your attendance 814-274-8900 or
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A tractor-trailer crash and fire near the Jehovah Witness church on Rt 6 west of Port Allegany has resulted in that road being closed. Port Allegany (McKean Dept 3) was dispatched for the incident at approximately 0200 hrs. The first chief on scene reported the truck over the embankment and fully involved upon arrival. The driver was out of the vehicle and reported no hazardous materials on board the vehicle. A large amount of diesel fuel had leaked from the trucks saddle tanks.
The driver was transported to Coudersport hospital for treatment by Port Allegany ambulance. An engine and tanker were requested from Smethport (McKean Dept. 2) to assist in fire suppression. Roulette Dept 46 responded with an engine to cover Station 3 in Port Allegany.
Further information on this incident can be found on the Star Hose Co. web site.
At aproximately 1240 hrs on Tuesday Feb 2 Coudersport Dept 48 was dispatched to a working structure fire on Woodlawn Ave. in the Borough. Upon arrival the structure was heavily involved on the east end of the structure. A second alarm was requested bringing a response from Austin Dept 44, Roulette Dept 46 and Galeton Dept 10. The structure sustained heavy damage.
In Bradford, PA this afternoon, a working house fire left 2 FF's injured-1 critical with burns.
The 2nd alarm fire resulted in 1 Firefighter falling approximately 10 ft from a ladder, ending up with minor injuries but a 2nd Firefighter, who was making an interior attack on the well involved 2nd floor, was burned. One unconfirmed report is that the Firefighters mask dislodged and he then inhaled large amounts of superheated air and smoke. Firefighter Todd McClain was treated and removed to the hospital but was then transferred to Erie County Medical Center-Buffalo Burn Unit with severe respiratory burns. He is sedated and intubated. Updates to follow.
UPDATE: Friday, January 29, 2010 - In Bradford, PA yesterday afternoon, a working house fire left 2 FF's injured-1 critical with burns but has now been upgraded to FAIR condition. The 2nd alarm fire resulted in 1 Firefighter falling approximately 10 ft from a ladder, ending up with minor injuries but a 2nd Firefighter, who was making an interior attack on the well involved 2nd floor, was burned. One unconfirmed report is that the Firefighters mask dislodged and he then inhaled large amounts of superheated air and smoke. Firefighter Todd McClain was treated and removed to the hospital but was then transferred to Erie County Medical Center-Buffalo (New York) Burn Unit with severe respiratory burns. He is sedated and intubated. Updates to follow.
Any permanent resident in Potter County who may have sustained uninsured damage due to recent flooding should contact their Local Municipality as soon as possible and provide them with the amount of damage incurred along with any pictures. Municipal Officials will be collecting this data and reporting to the Potter County Department of Emergency Services.
The Potter County Commissioners signed a Declaration of Disaster this morning for the flooding which began on Monday, January 25, 2010. Please see attached.
All municipal officials are reminded to take pictures of the damaged roads before they are repaired and to submit the necessary documentation to the Potter County Department of Emergency Services as soon as possible. Potter County DES will be working with the PA Emergency Management Agency in hopes to obtain federal funding to assist the local municipalities.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact this Office.
Glenn D. Dunn; Acting County Coordinator Potter County Department of Emergency Services 20 Mockingbird Lane Coudersport, PA 16915 814-274-8900 (voice) 814-274-8901 (fax)
A copy of the situation report which was updated at 1800hrs 1-26-10 can be downloadedHERE
