Windber Fire Department, Windber Pennsylvania, USA

Windber Fire Department - Protecting the community of Windber Pennsylvania since 1899

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Welcome To The WFD's Website

The WFD has been providing volunteer fire-rescue services to the community of Windber since its formation in 1899. We currently utilize five vehicles to provide a wide range of emergency and nonemergency services to those in Windber Borough, Paint Township, Ogle Township, and vicinity. Check back often, as our site is updated regularly in order to provide you with up-to-date information about what the WFD does and what it is all about.

Click for more information on the Guns 'n Cash Tickets

Click for information about the 4th Annual For The Fallen

The WFD At Work

Three Calls & Some Training

July 16 - The first of our three calls was during the late morning hours for a report of wires down on Club Drive in Adams Township; Engine 611-1 was cancelled prior to response. A short time later, Engine 611-1 was dispatched to assist Alum Bank Community FD with a truck overturned on Route 56 at Peggy Westover Curve; Engine 611-1 was released upon arrival by Deputy 38 as there were no hazards or injuries on scene. Then at 1500 hours, Engine 611-1's crew assisted Paint Township Police with a search detail for just over 1½ hours. Windber firefighters finished the day by spending the evening training on vehicle stabilization procedures and general vehicle rescue operations.

Accident with Entrapment & 2 Ejected

July 13 - Units were dispatched at 1733 hours to a vehicle accident with a person ejected and possible entrapment on Route 160. Assistant 611 arrived to find the two-car accident just south of the "Pocahontas" section of Paint Township. Crews found a total of five injuries on scene, with one entrapped, and two that were ejected. Rescue 626 arrived next and was assigned to begin stabilization and disentanglement operations. Engine 611-1's crew was split to begin patient care (since the nearest ambulances were coming from Stoystown and Richland), hazard control, and assist with stabilization and disentanglement operations. Squad 611 and Truck 626 assist the engine and rescue companies while Engine 626 assisted with hazard control before leaving to set up a medevac helicopter landing zone. Extrication was completed at 1747 hours. After all patients were transported to local hospitals, the WFD remained on scene while police conducted their investigation. Once the vehicles were towed, the road was cleared of debris and the fire department returned to service at 1938 hours.

Tractor Trailer Accident on Route 56

July 9 - At 0852 hours, units were dispatched to a vehicle accident on Route 56 just east of 24^th Street. Engine 611-1 arrived to find an eastbound tractor trailer had gotten a flat tire crossed over the median, struck a sign, and came to rest against the guiderail. The engine crew found no hazards, cleared debris from the roadway, and returned to service at 0943 hours after the truck was removed.

Rains Put A Damper On Annual Fourth of July Celebration

July 3-6 - Rains put a damper on the events and attendance at our Annual Fourth of July Celebration, including a shortened parade route on Friday evening. Despite the poor weather and low attendance, Windber firefighters and the Windber Fire Ladies Auxiliary worked long and hard hours during the four-day festival, which featured a 50/50 motorcycle ride on Saturday, a car cruise-in on Sunday, and live bands each night. Though this festival requires lots of manhours to set up and operate, it is one of our most important community events and raises much needed funds for fire department operations. We would like to thank all those who braved the rains to attend and help the Windber Fire Department continue to raise funds to protect the community.

Pictures coming soon!

Minor Vehicle Accident Starts July

July 3 - While several firefighters were working on preparations at the firehouse for the Annual Fourth of July Celebration, units were dispatched at 1017 hours to a vehicle accident with injuries on 12^th Street. Deputy 611 arrived to find two vehicles involved with minor damage to both. Engine 611-1's crew was assigned to check for hazards and clean up debris while Engine 611-2 was cancelled prior to arrival. Engine 611-1 was back in service a short time later. EMS transported one patient to a local hospital.

Another Fire Alarm To Finish June

June 29 - At 0056 hours, the WFD was dispatched to a fire alarm at the Windber Area High School. Truck 611 and Chief 611 responded to investigate. After finding no fire conditions, all 611 units were back in service after just over ½ hour.

1^st Annual Windber Rumbles during Thunder In The Valley

June 27-28 - Windber firefighters spent two days operating the pub at Windber Rumbles. This was Windber's first year hosting an event that was part of the Thunder In The Valley motorcyle rally. Windber Rumbles featured the Starboyz motorcycle stunt group, Budweiser Clydesdales, vendors, and live bands.

Busy Afternoon With Four Calls

June 27 - The WFD had a busy day responding to four incidents. The first was a vehicle accident on Railroad Street at 1230 hours; Engine 611-1, Squad 611, and Chief 611 responded and were back in service within 11 minutes. At 1325 hours, Engine 611-1 was dispatched to standby for the Richland Township Fire Dept while they operated at a vehicle accident with entrapment. The WFD finished the afternoon with two back-to-back fire alarms; the first at Windber Area High School/Middle School and the second at Windber Medical Center. Engine 611-2 and Truck 611 responded to investigate both fire alarms.

Work Night

June 25 - This week's training/work night started the nearly week-long cleaning and preparation for the WFD's Annual Fourth of July Celebration.

Training: Ground Ladders & Truck Company Equipment

June 19 - Tonight's training session went over the layout and operation of Truck 611's equipment. The WFD's newer members were also taught how to utilize ground ladders.

Minor Head-On Vehicle Accident

June 14 - Units were dispatched at 1549 hours for a vehicle accident, two vehicles head-on, on Route 56 at Spruce Street in Paint Township. Assistant 611 arrived first to find both vehicles on Spruce Street with one of the cars against a garage. Engine 611-1's crew arrived to check for hazards, clean debris off the road, and assist EMS with patient refusals. Chief 611 and Squad 611 assisted the engine crew. All 611 units were back in service after only 18 minutes.

Miners Memorial Day Weekend

June 13-15 - The Miners' Memorial Day Weekend festival was held this weekend on Graham Avenue in the downtown area. The festival honors all the miners who work/have worked in the many mines in the Windber area. Windber firefighters participated in the parade Saturday, displayed some of our fleet on Graham Avenue following the parade, and sold beverages during the evenings of the event.

Pictures coming soon!

"New" Website Unveiled

June 13 - Welcome to the Windber Fire Department's new and updated website. As with the "old" site, there is a vast amount of information about the WFD as well as stories about incident responses and other department activities. The purpose is still the same: "to provide you with up-to-date information about what the WFD does and what it is all about". Please keep in mind that some portions of the website may not be fully operational as not all pages/sections have been uploaded yet. Check back often!

Major Spill of Home Heating Fuel

June 8 - At 0527 hours, units were dispatched for a spill of home heating fuel at a Pomroys Drive residence. Assistant 611 and Squad 611 arrived to find that approximately 180 gallons of home heating fuel spilled. The spill had made its way into a small stream behind the residence with traces of oil found over one mile downstream. The Somerset County Hazmat Response Team (HMRT) assisted with personnel and materials to mitigate the spill. Engine 611-2 and the Duty Officer also responded later with additional personnel while Central City's Engine 626 stood by in Station 611 to handle any additional calls in our fire district. The WFD returned to service 1221 hours.

The WFD would like to thank the Somerset County HMRT for their assistance and the Windber Fire Ladies Auxiliary for providing food and drinks for firefighter rehab.

Pictures coming soon!

WFD Attends 4^th Annual DARE Night Out

May 22 - The WFD spent the evening hours attending the 4^th Annual D.A.R.E. Night Out at the Windber Area Elementary School. There were numerous activities present including karate and police K-9 demonstrations, medical and military helicopters visits, snack and refreshments, and a parade through the neighborhood. The WFD displayed our apparatus and equipment, had a firefighter dressed in full protective gear, and let kids climb through the cabs. This year's event was organized by Officer Tessari, the new D.A.R.E. officer for Windber/Paint Township; congratulations on a job well done putting together this year's event and thanks for the invite to participate.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. It has been implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

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