December 3.  At 0109hrs, the station was alerted to 632 Hiram West Rd for a possible building fire.  E1905 arrived on scene of a 25' x 35' building, fully involved and already starting to collapse.  There were no exposures and A/C Ryan Pelletier held the call to the Engines from 19 and the Tanker from 23 (Hamden).  Crews were on scene until 0234hrs.  The cause of the fire was listed as hot coals left in the woodburner.

 

E1905 - A/C Ryan Pelletier, FF Ben Matthews, FF Brian Dunn, FF Gary Hagen

E1906 - FF Aaron Dupree, FF Darrell Wright, FF Barry Lambert, FF Chris Waugh, FF Richie Kisor

December 3.  Around 1830hrs, an ice storm started into the area.  At 1839hrs, the tones dropped for another 1st due structure.  This time it was a single family dwelling at 207 Oak Ridge Rd.  WPD arrived on scene just prior to our arrival and advised they had a chimney fire that appeared to be out.  E1905 confirmed the fire was out and held the call to themselves.  The crew checked for any extension, ventilated the house and removed the burning debris from the fireplace.  The Engine was back in service by 1914hrs. 

 

At 2017hrs, E1905 was back on the road, along with the Rescue, for a reported injury accident involving a rollover.  E5 arrived on scene 2 minutes later and advised the driver fled on foot.  This incident occurred at St Rt 32 and Jackson County Rd 38 (Hiram West Rd). 

 

At the same time, Hamden FD was alerted to 2 seperate crashes on St Rt 32.  One at the intersection of County Rd 43C and the other at the intersection of Vinton County Rd 38 (Mound Hill Rd).  Station 23 contacted Wellston units to see if a commercial vehicle was involved in our crash.  E5 advised them we didn't have a commercial vehicle and E2304 marked enroute to 43C along with the Rescue from 25 (Wilkesville).  Seconds later E2303 started towards VC Rd 38 and requested R1908.  All 4 units arrived on the scene at CR 38 to find 1 crash involving a commercial truck on it's side with the driver trapped.  Crews worked to extricate the driver, provide fire protection and guard against any more accidents.  The driver was extricated within minutes and enroute to HMC-Jackson.  Amazingly, when units arrived back at the station around 2130hrs, the calls stopped.  The ice continued throughout the night, but the roads were clear the next morning.

December 3.  Even after the early morning structure fire, 7 members loaded up their gear, some of it still wet, and headed to the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg.  The final burn for the current FFII class was finally here and it was time to see what the recruits learned the last few months.  The morning started with propane prop fires (top left).  The evolutions picked up with 2nd floor Class A fires with a 100' advance (top right).  The long day ended with Class A basement fires (right).  Even though the temperature on the outside was in the teens, it was quite warm inside.  This class combined our FFII class with Chillicothe's.  There were a total of 21 students that completed the day's evolutions, observed by numerous instructors and assistants.  The OFA provided 3 instructors to run the propane props and act as Safety Officers.

 

Wellston Members

A/C Tom Helm, FF Aaron Dupree, FF Darrell Wright, FF Roman Brandau, Probie Ben Matthews, Probie Richie Kisor, Probie Corey Ireland

December 12.  At approximately 1350hrs, Jackson was alerted for a possible structure fire on Pattonsville Rd just inside Jackson.  E1405 arrived on scene minutes later with heavy smoke showing and requested additional resources.  E1905 responded with a crew of 3 and arrived on scene a few minutes later.  E1905 pulled a back-up line and assisted Jackson crews with extensive salvage and overhaul.  E1405 made a very quick knock, saving most of the house.  Unfortunately, several family pets were lost in the blaze.  Our thoughts are with Jackson FF Paul Bragg, as this was his parent's residence.

 

E1905 - Chief Dan Gill, FF Roman Brandau, FF Darrell Wright

December 22.  Around 2200hrs, E1905 & L1901 were alerted for a possible chimney fire on Cedar St.  Crews arrived on scene to find a small fire just above the fire box.  E1905 checked for extension and sealed off the chimney from the inside while L1901 laddered the chimney and dropped a dry chem bag to extinguish the fire.  Crews were on scene for approximately 45 minutes.  Besides the Department's Christmas Party, December is turning out to be just as slow as November was.

 

E1905 - A/C Tom Helm, FF Ben Matthews, FF Richie Kisor

L1901 - FF Roman Brandau, FF Barry Lambert, FF Gary Hagen, FF Brian Dunn

December 25.  Christmas morning didn't stop crews from responding to another crash at "Slaughterhouse Curve."  At 1147hrs, E1905, R1908 & SRU1910 were alerted to a 2 car, head-on with multiple injuries.  Units arrived on scene to find an adult and 2 small children in one vehicle.  The driver of the other vehicle jumped into a green van and sped northbound into Vinton County.  Crews helped treat the patients that were still there and neutralized both electrical systems.  We stayed on scene just long enough to see Wellston's Finest apprehend the other driver.  Amazingly enough, crews were able to remain in station for the remainder of the day.  Wellston responded with 10 members total.

2005

2006

Archives

December 31.  Another year has come to an end.  481 calls for the year; 45 working fires and 12 extrications.  Fires were up significantly this year.  This is due in part to the higher participation in county-wide mutual aid.  Extrications were down slightly.  This is mainly because almost every department now has rescue tools in service.  Long gone are the years when we had the only "Jaws" in 2 counties.  16 of our 25 firefighters are now FF II's, with 1 firefighter ready to take his Level II exam.  Our department also has 4 State Fire Instructors, 1 State EMS instructor and several special topic or assistant instructors.  Hopefully, 2006 will be as safe and productive as 2005.  Thanks to the Chiefs, Officers, and Firefighters from the entire area for a great year!