Two Vehicle Crash on Symsonia Highway

WMFD units responded to a two vehicle crash on Symsonia Highway Sunday evening.  First units on scene reported that there were three injuries total and both vehicles required extrication.  WMFD units extricated all patients and Marshall Co. EMS transported to Marshall Co Hospital and Lourdes.  WMFD was assisted by Palma-Briensburg Fire Department.

Units responding:  Brush 81, Rescue 81

West Marshall Christmas Dinner

 On Saturday, December 14th we had our annual Christmas Dinner and awards ceremony.  The following members all have the distinct honor of attending over 75 percent of the trainings for 2013.
Darrell Howell, Anthony Sledd, Butch Wyman, Rick Melton, Jason Darnall, Adam Driver (not pictured) and Josh Thweatt.

Firefighter of the Year 2013 goes to Josh Thweatt.  Congratulations on your accomplishment.

The 2013 Service Award goes to Jerry Hamlett.  Thanks for your dedicated and continued service.  

Extrication Training

Here is photos and video of the last training of 2013.  Vehicle Extrication training.

Car Fire on Breezeel School Road

Units responded to a car fire on Phelps Road on Friday night.  Units arrived to find a pickup truck fully involved.  Units extinguished fire in just a few minutes.

Units responding:  Engine 80, Engine 82, Brush 81, Brush 82

Overturned Tractor-Trailer on Phelps Road

On Tuesday, West Marshall units responded to an overturned tractor-trailer on Phelps Road.  The tractor-trailer was hauling corn silage and was unable to negotiate a sharp turn.  The driver sustained minor injuries and was transported by Marshall County EMS.  Marshall County Sheriff's Department investigated the crash.  

Units responding:  Engine 81, Brush 81, Rescue 81

The Brewers Station...

Here is another update (slow news day).  The pond is gone.  Now we have a gravel parking lot.  A little time and there will be a building on this spot.

The Brewers Pond

 As many people have known for many years, the Harvey-Brewers Fire Department had a pond in Brewers we could draft from for house fires.  This pond has served us well, but now in the day and age of changes, this guy has got to go.  About two months ago, we decided to drain and eliminate the pond.  This project is now well underway.  With the gracious assistance of the Marshall County Road Department and the Marshall County Special Projects team, the pond is becoming a memory.

As you can see from the photos, work is going well.  We still are a long way from completion, but the project is running smoothly at this time. The question on everyone's mind is "what is going to happen when you are done?"  Well, that's a simple answer.  We're going to build a fire station!  I don't have any specifics on plans or construction features, but I can say that anything built at this time will be small in size and budget, but with the ability to expand as needed.

Rescue 81 Work Session

Tuesday night was a work session to equip Rescue 81 and get it closer to operational status.  We're pleased to report by the end of the night R81 was in operational status and ready to respond.

ATV Crash at Marshall/Graves County Line on Harrison Road

WMFD responded to another ATV crash in the area of the Marshall/Graves County Line at the intersection of Harrison and Wadesboro Road.  Units on scene found ATV in a ravine and a subject with leg injuries.  Units assisted Marshall County EMS with patient stabilization and scene lighting.

Units responding:  Rescue 81, Engine 80, Brush 81, Brush 82

Two Vehicle Collision on Mayfield Highway

WMFD units responded to a two vehicle crash on Mayfield Highway west of Harvey on Thursday morning.  Units found a van with multiple passengers and a passenger car with a driver only involved in a offset head-on collision.  Units provided medical care and traffic support.

Units responding:  Engine 82, Brush 81, Support 8

Refrigerated Liquid Nitrogen Leak on Purchase Parkway

Units responded to the 37 mile marker on the Purchase Parkway in response to a call from Kentucky State Police regarding a semi-tanker leaking nitrogen and forming a vapor cloud in the roadway.  Units arrived on scene to find the tanker leaking a small to moderate amount of liquid nitrogen onto roadway and a vapor cloud approximately 100 feet in diameter.

Units performed thawing techniques to free a frozen leaking valve and the leak was stopped in approximately 20 minutes after fire department arrival.

Units responding:  Engine 82, Brush 81, Brush 82

Wildland Firefighting

Again, I don't like to ramble on about things, but this incident has been on my mind and many others for several days.  Wildland firefighting, we as firefighters have always considered the "lowest of the low risk" when it comes to calls.  I know of some people who consider wildland fires almost enjoyable, and to their defense they get an opportunity to fight real fire and spray water while statistically there is minimal risk to life and property.  In Marshall County we're blessed to have a large amount of residential area and a lower amount of woodland area.  Combine that with our regular high moisture and lack of
significant wind forces, we're constantly dodging the bullet on the "big one" when it comes to wildland fires.  However, with all that said we must not let our guards down as to the dangers involved with fires that we consider insignificant or unimportant.  Remember the basics in wildland firefighting, such as wearing our protective equipment, ensuring any equipment being used is in proper working order before we engage in operations, our environment and surroundings, the elements of the weather, especially humidity and fuel moisture contents.  And finally, know how to read a fire and how it is spreading, and fight from the "black" (aka the burned area) when you can.  Sometimes you'll have to make an offensive move and fight from unburned area, but be extremely careful when/if you do.

The picture with this post is the last photograph of the Hotshot crew preparing to battle the fire that claimed their lives.  Let's all remember that no matter what the call the dangers are still real and do exist and we must always practice safety and if anything let lessons be learned.  May our wildland firefighting brothers rest in the arms of God.

Rescue 81

It's not quite ready for service today, but let us introduce Rescue 81 to our truck lineup.  This apparatus was purchased approximately two months ago and we received it last weekend.    We will be equipping this truck during the next few weeks and will hopefully be responding by mid-august at the latest.

ATV Crash on Lee Burd Road

On Friday, June 28th, West Marshall units responded to a report of an ATV that had crashed in a ditch on Lee Burd Road, near the Graves County Line.  First units arrived on scene to find an ATV in a creek alongside the roadway with a subject in the water unable to move.  WMFD units entered creek and found the subject had significant injuries but was alert.  Units immobilized subject and with the use of a rescue (stokes) basket removed the subject from the creek.  A Landing zone was established uphill from the scene and the patient was transported by PHI Air Medical.  West Marshall Fire was assisted by Marshall County EMS, Marshall County Sheriff and PHI Air Medical. 
Units responding:  Engine 80, Engine 82, Brush 81

Jon and Jason's Truck Inspection Trip

Jonathan and Jason both flew to Florida to inspect our next truck this weekend and have arrived back home safely. They report the truck as being in fantastic shape, and we will expect to see the truck in a few weeks. Here are some photos from the trip.