Call archive:

Fire alarm / smoke condition:

April 12, 2005: Stations 278, 279, 238 and truck 137 were dispatched to 1400 Smokeywood Drive in Swissvale for an automatic fire alarm. While enroute, communications advised incoming units that there were reports of smoke on the 5th floor. Crews encountered a light smoke condition in the 5th floor hallway that was caused by burned food in a 5th floor apartment. The hallway and the apartment were ventilated and all units returned to service.

Vehicle fire:

April 9, 2005: Stations 238 and 279 were alerted for a vehicle fire on Railroad Alley in Rankin. Upon arrival Engine 238-1 reported a working vehicle fire. Crews from Engines 238-1 and 279-1 quickly knocked the fire down. This fire is considered suspicious and is currently under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal. Crews remained on scene until the vehicle was towed to wet down some firewood that was stacked nearby.

Smoke in building across from station 279:

April 5, 2005: Crews standing in front of the station looked across the street to discover smoke coming from the second floor windows of an apartment located above a dentist office. Communications was notified to dispatch a full 1st alarm while crews from station 279 investigated further. The resident was apparently cooking, causing a small stove fire. Units ventilated the structure and returned to service.

Stove fire / smoke condition:

March 18, 2005: Stations 278, 279, 238 and truck 137 were dispatched to 2530 Columbia Avenue for a reported stucture fire. Communications reported that the caller indicated heavy dark smoke in the hallway. Engine 278-1 arrived on scene to find a 2 story garden style apartment with nothing showing. Upon additional investigation the smoke was coming from food burning on the stove in a 1st floor apartment. Crews ventilated the apartment and the rest of the structure before clearing the scene.

Smoke in a building:

March 17, 2005: Stations 278, 279, 238 and truck 137 were alerted to a possible structure fire at 1907 Hanover Street in Swissvale. The original caller to 911 reported an oven on fire. Engine 278-1 arrived and reported a 3 story apartment building with nothing showing. After further investigation it was discovered that pizza boxes placed in an oven had caught fire causing a minor smoke condition.

Weekly drill:

February 15th, 2005: Firefighters participated in a simulated rescue of a downed firefighter. In order to reach the firefighter, crews had to scale a 5' wall, or breach the wall. Pictured below is a search crew that has already breached the wall, and is in the process of bringing the firefighter out. Special thanks to our "victim", junior firefighter Antonio Spearman.

Natural gas vent causes problems:

February 1st and 3rd, 2005: Over the course of 48 hours there were three calls to the area of 5th and Hawkins Avenue in Rankin for the odor of natural gas. After investigation of the first call, it was determined by the gas company that the gas was coming from a vent stack in the area blowing off extra pressure in the gas main, which it is designed to do. All three calls were checked by the fire department and were traced back to the vent stack.

Smoke in a building:

February 1, 2005: Stations 278, 279 and 238 responded to an automatic fire alarm at 1826 Monongahela Avenue (Swissvale Towers). Engine 2781 arrived and reported an activation on the 7th floor. Crews went to investigate and found a light smoke condition due to a fire on the stove. DC 278B reported that the fire was out, and that no additional fire department services were needed.

Mutual aid structure fire:

January 15, 2005: Station 279 was alerted for a working kitchen fire at 712 Hawkins Avenue in North Braddock. North Braddock crews arrived and found a 2-½-story residence attached to a church, with fire in the kitchen. North Braddock made an initial attack to the kitchen, and found that the fire ran into a void space. Engine 279-2 arrived on scene and established a second water supply and assisted with interior ops at the direction of Chief 207 (Stell). Units were on scene for just over 2 hours. Companies responding were 207,208,206,238,279,283 and 113. Photos courtesy of Chief Terry Stell.

Vehicle into a structure:

January 10, 2005: Station 279 was alerted to a report of a vehicle accident into a structure at 2405 Woodstock Avenue in Swissvale. Swissvale Police and Engine 278-1 arrived on scene to find a SUV had struck a parked vehicle, and then ran up onto the porch of a house. A brick column of the house next door was also knocked out, which collapsed onto the vehicle. Crews from station 278 and 310 attended to the driver of the vehicle while crews from 279 and 238 handled hazards. The driver was extricated and transported to a local hospital. Crews remained on scene to finish cleanup, and to help disentangle the vehicle from the rod iron railing on the front porch. Units were on scene for just over 1 hour. Companies responding were 278,279,238 and 310 EMS.

279 runs 2nd structure fire in 24 hours:

January 3, 2005: Station 279 was alerted for a reported structure fire at 2014 Wayne Street in Swissvale. Engine 279-1 arrived on scene, took a hydrant and found a 2-story row house with smoke coming from the front porch of the structure. Neighbors on scene knocked most of the fire down upon FD arrival with two garden hoses. Crews overhauled the porch and checked for extension around a front window. Some ventilation was required inside of the residence, and the fire was placed under control in about 15 minutes. The scene was then turned over the Allegheny County Fire Marshal for investigation. Companies responding were: 278,279,238 and 137.

Mutual aid structure fire:

January 3, 2005: Station 279 was alerted to assist with a reported structure fire at 824 Jones Avenue in North Braddock. Upon arrival there was smoke showing from the roof area. Crews from stations 279 and 238 were assigned to ventilation and fire attack on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and to assist with roof ventilation. The crew on the 2nd floor interior crew found a light smoke condition but no fire. Crews then forced a locked attic door and stretched a line to find heavy fire in the attic and L shaped roof. An initial knock was made on the fire, and significant overhaul of the attic space was required to extinguish the stubborn fire. Crews were on scene for just over 3 hours. Responding companies were 207,208,206,238,279,283 and 113.

1st run of the year:

January 1, 2005: At 00:10 hours station 279 was alerted to the first call of the new year. "Incident 05-00001" was an automatic fire alarm at 1826 Monongahela Avenue, which turned out to be a false alarm. Happy new year everyone!

Gas investigation:

December 22, 2004: Station 279 was dispatched to 7317 Woodlawn Avenue in Swissvale while station 278 was on a medical call. Engine 279-1 arrived on scene and began the process to check for the odor of gas. Engine 278-1 cleared the medical and proceeded to the gas call to assist. Crews checked for the presence of gas with negative results. A minor problem with the furnace was found.

December 21, 2004: Unusual for December, station 279 has did not have a call for 9 days straight. Station 279 was alerted for two calls on Tuesday evening....a fire alarm and a water condition call. The alarm was false, and the water condition was minor.

Vehicle rescue training:

December 11-12, 2004: Nine members of the Swissvale Volunteer Fire Department took part in a basic vehicle rescue technician course this weekend. The two days consisted of several hours of classroom review, followed by 2 days of practical evolutions using different vehicle rescue tools and techniques. Pictured below are several firefighters using a Hurst spreader in an attempt to free an entangled "patient" using a dash lift technique.

Structure fire:

November 26, 2004: Units were dispatched to 7517 Melrose Street in Swissvale for a reported structure fire. The first arriving units reported a heavy smoke condition. Station 278 Deputy Chief David Miller requested additional manpower and companies to the scene. The fire was reported under control in about 2-1/2 hours. This fire is currently under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office. The following companies responded: 278,279,238,137,207,208,114,153 and station 310 EMS.

Trash fire:

November 23, 2004: Units were called to Hawkins Village in Rankin for an unknown type of fire outside. Upon arrival crews found a garbage can and other debris on fire. The fire was extinguished and all units returned.

Mutual aid structure fire:

November 14, 2004: Stations 238 and 279 were alerted to respond to 515 East 8th Avenue in Homestead for a working commercial structure fire. Engine 279-1 was assigned to supply water to Munhall's ladder tower, while the remainder of the crews were assigned to numerous other tasks. Many companies responded to this alarm, which was reportedly caused by a faulty clothes dryer.

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Swissvale Volunteer Fire Department - 7419 Washington Street - Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Phone: (412) 271-8787 - Fax: (412) 271-1422

This page was last updated on September 14, 2005